Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-09-08
A SPECIAL ENVOY.

When Pepworth Tring. the we'll
known South African millionaire, sent
for me- and. after inquiring if was nj
liberty for a few weeks, said that he
was about to commission me to take n
small nap TO his Johannesburg repre-
sentatiyes, | was rather surprised that
he should go TO the expense of a special
messenger when the postal service was
available.
"It seems n very simple undertak-
ing" said.
But he speedily enlightened me.
"Ah. that's whore You are wrong
he replied, giving me a shrewd glance.
''ln this case the post Is not to be trust
ed. and an unscrupulous enemy will
strain every nerve to defeat my inten-
ton"
IOu anticipate there will be an at
tempt to rob me during the Journey"
Il am quite sure of 1t. The matter
on the face of II Is simple enough. This
map" the held up small piece Of
parchment few square inches In size;
ii appeared to represent the course of II
river, for some red crosses were marked
on one portion and some lines of writ
ing ran along the bOttOm has to be
given to Mr.. Howard of Fox street
Johannesburg. There your mission
ends. But whether you will be able to
accomplish ii is another matter. Glib
son. my old partner, IS determined to
obtain possession of this map by some
means He Is rich, INSCRIPTIONS and
can command the services of men even
more INSCRIPTIONS than himself. This
Is the reason | do not trust the post
The corruption prevalent among all
Roer officials extends to the pOstoffice;
my letters have been opened. He has
creatures there In his employ. You
must trust no one and conceal the paper
In such Il manner that it cannot be
found"
But while on shipboard it would
surely be better to intrust il to the cap
tain or purser."
THAT would be risky, and only post
pOne their attack on you. If you re-
ceived the map back safely you would
ithout doubt be robbed of 1t between
Cape Town and Johannesburg. No;
when the boat reaches Cape Town they
must be under the impression that you
are not the bearer"
when am To leave Londonf"
''The Roman leaves the docks NOR
row and Plymouth on Saturday. Your
berth Is booked. Gibson is also a pas
senger, and several of his following.
But, perhaps, had better explain why
this map Is so important.
Gibson. like myself, is an old Kim
berley man. We both did very well
there, and lately. ike me, he has been
dealing in Transvaal mining property.
We have often gone partners In various
undertakings. In the autumn of 1894.
being then in Johannesburg rg-about six
months ago-and feeling the want of Il
holiday, | determined to go on shoot
ing expedition through the Transvaal
toward the sea. Accompanied by two
Zulus, l carried out my intention, and
after some weeks of travelling we found
ourselves in the low country bordering
on Swaziland. Here, quite by chance,
| made a remarka BILE discovery. In the
dried-up channel of what had been n
river | came upon traces of diamonds.
The find, TO my eyes, was most prOmis-
Ing; but before | could pursue my in
vestisatiOns further one of my Zulus,
dispatched to get food from neighbor-
Ing kraal. came hot-foot with the news
that the SwaZis were up in arms. Irri-
tated by some act of Boer oppression,
they seemed inclined to wreak their
vengeance on me, and so we fed forth
with for our very lives. Before leaving
drew up plan of the place so that Il
could be found again.
After various adventures 1 reached
Durham and took ship for Engla nd.
Meeting Gibson In London l acquainted
him IN general terms with my discov-
cry, stating that in the course of my
journeylng | had found diamonds.
had intended to take him into partner
ship In this affair. but the knowledge
which / gained Immediately afterward
that he had swindled me in the matter
of some gold mines changed my pur-
pose and l broke with him for good.
Now the value of my find Is prob
lematical. Diamonds have not yet
been found In paying quantity in the
TransvaaI. This place may be a second
monopoly. 1t Is quite possible. There
fore l want the ground pegged out In
the usual way, and to register myself
as the owner, but If Gibson could get
hold of the map he would fOrestall me
1t IS not convenient for me to go my
self just now, rs have some important
business in hand. so not to delay OBJ
tanning the claims. have ordered How
ard to peg them out and register in my
name but he can do nothing until he
has the particulars contained In this
Now. do you undcrst tand?'
Yes. but how far Is Gibson cognizant
of your plansY
He has found out that l Intend send
ing the map Immediately to Johannes
burg This office is watched. You Will
be shadowed on leaving. and when they
hnd thar you nre passenger on the
Roman they will conclude that you are