The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-12

broad straw nat over his eyes and strolled
toward the little station platform, Just as
the changing frontier locomotive came TO
Anything for me, Mr.. Wright?" he
asked OF the guard
Mail arrangements on the b. q N are
IS yet very primitive, and the train OIL
ciaols are the principal poStmen- in an
SWer TO Dick query the guard threw nim
a letter directed in somewhat sprawlins
characters. which he knew 20 De the
writing of one James Greene, otherwise
known as Long Jim, an American en-
gineer on the railroad.
As the train pulled out on its way to-
ward the eastern coast, Dick opened
Long Jim's letter. This is what he read:
DIR. Dicky: Yr father has been missing
from the engine shops at Salisbury for
several weeks. He left here on a trip
after antelope in company with man
named burden Great uneaSineSS is felt
about both: ard l have been filling VT.
fathers place IS chief of the engine
shops. If you can, come to Salisbury
right away J. GREENE"
Now Dick Harley had worker his way
out to South Africa chiefly on h fathers
account and this news Of Mr. Harley's
siisa9Daarance caused him acute anxiety.
Fastening 10 the little telegr- ph hut he
wired Tor leave OF absence When the in
land train arrived, few hours later, he
was already on the platform, ready for
the journey 10 Salisbury
The capital of Newfoundland was
reached about shutdown, and Dick made
All haste TO look up Long Jim Greene. He
found that worthy in the midst OF a plenti-
ful, II coarse. South African supper and
WAS speedily put in possession OF all the
facts regarding his fathers disappear
ance- burden. Il seemed, was one Of the
class Of expatriated white men which in
tests the frontier. He was indeed sort
OF tramp. ana told wonderful stories Of
what he had seen and heard of in the,
a. yet unknown, interior.
Chief Engineer Harley q simple honest
man. had listened TO Burdens wild yarns,
and, il was supposed. had believed many
Ct then1. At last the Two mad leIt, osten-
slbly bound on u hunting expeditions; but
really, IL TaS strongly suspected. in
search OF some OF the marVelS about
which burden was never tired of talking.
Since their departure neither had been
heard Of
Your father, continued Long jim,
,EFas about the only white man whom
Duruen could get TO listen - MIN For
the most part he cOnsorCed with the
blacks on the western side Of the town.
Your father was a kindly man-far too
gOOd-natured indeed-and he used to give
burden food ard let him talk. But the
rascal lived mostly among the Aaftirs
Dick Harley got up from the table at
which ne had been trying TO eat
Jim he said, - [ am going over TO The
Kaffir section to make Inquiries During
the fever at initial last year l saved
some of those black boys lives. They
Before Greene could demonstrate the
Lao was gone. Two hours later he re-
turned followed by woolly headed
This IS John Beauty bright, he ex-
plained: the only one of the lot whom [
could get 10 90 any talking. john remem-
bers the way / doctOred him al Umtah,
yoa see lie says that burden took my
father to visit Ivory valley"
ivory Valley! exclaimed Long Jim.
Yes: that is the name 1t appears
that q tradition exists among Beers and
natives OF q wonderful valley, many days
Journey 10 the northwestward, on a spur
OF the Zambesi. wherein a great herd of
elephant was trapped. over ~ years ago.
The tuskS OF these elephants are supposed
to be lying III the valley yet. and burden
has induced my father to go prospecting
for the valley, II the hope of finding this
great treasure Of ivory.
1T is q crazy romance" groWled the
practical Long Jim.
THAT may be, bit stifl it is my duty
TO follow IL up. John BeautybTight here
heard burden and poor old dad making
arrangements. They took a wagon and
provisions for four weeks.
But they have been missing for over
FIVE weeks
..They took their guns. too and dad
is a good shot. Anyhow. / m going 20 set
out at sun Up tomorrow. I've engaged a
wagon and team already. John Beauty
bright is coming. with me-.
Greene rose from his chair.
Yes" he said, land Long Jim is com
ing with you, too, my lad. Well find vol,r
father if we have 10 cross the continent
ef Africa 10 DO so"