The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-09

IT, too, have suffered" he said
calmly.
I could not behold that sight and
retain my composure. I rose from
the table and paced backward and for
ward in the cave.
"And is there no hand to su:ts :E;s
murderer?" I asked sternly. "Is
there no vengeance in Gods VII !?
Cannot the prayers of those who pray
trustingly prevail against this monster
of crime?"
"We must be patient" said the
aged sufferer. "God knows-He is
ever wise. I have prayed twenty
years for release. Even death would
be a grateful boon. I endeavor TO be
meek and to await Gods pleasure, but
fear that l am not without vengeful
feelings. Crickmore,. old as I am
Christian minister as I am-there is
yet in my heart a desire to see the
punishment that is due meted out to
this murderer of Gods people,"
"That is but NATURAL" 1 replied.
Then stopping in my walk and stand
ing before him, I continued: "But
you cautioned me against rashness.
You conjure me to be patient-to wait.
Wait! For what? Discovery is but a
question of time, and then as matter
of course, death. You have waited
twenty years-to what purposei
Would you have me wait twenty
more?"
eff you must. OF what avail to
lose your life in vain effort to es.
cape?"
"Better that than be killed doing
nothing. Oh, if I only had Langston
here to help me! His brain is more
fertile in expedients than mine. But
fear he will not seek US here"
"You have not told me the story Of
your shipwreck-what brought you to
this ungodly part of the earth," he
said.
told him the story of Annie Rails
ton and the search for her. I related
fully my misfortune at the hands of
Gambok Smell and of my subsequent
adventures, the meeting with Miss
Arnold, the killing of Smell AID Cha
Fong, and our landing in the Sacred
Forest.
While I spoke the old man listened
earnestly. When I had finished, he
sat moment in silent thought.
"Crickmore, he said, raising his
bowed head, "there is something in
all this that bids me hope. A light is
breaking over me. It was fortunate
thought-that Of fastening the belief
of the Jumars that you were de-
liverer come to their rescue. Let me
think. Nay, it is useless. I leave it
in your hands. I am old and feeble.
My strength is gone. You must work
out the solution of the problem in
your own way. But be careful! Oh,
be CAREFUL"
In this way We passed most of our
time. Mr.. Avery was often with US
during the day, and in the evening,
having finished their days work,
Oso-Bark and Garu-Saak would
come with him into the cave
and would talk to US of the past glo-
ries of Talmooah. Igrew very fond
of these Jumars. Oso-Bark especially
impressed me as man of ebility. He
was thinker, and I found that his
words were generally wise ones.
One evening, as we all sat, as was
our habit, in the cave, I threw
bombshell of surprise among my
friends. It was about month after
Miss Arnold and had taken up our
abode with Mr.. Avery. I had been
studying the language of the Jumars
under the efficient teaching of the
missionary, and I was now able to
make myself understood in their pc.
culiar tongue.
We we're speaking of our presence
on the island and the passive condi
tion OF captivity we were in.
"Mr. Avery" T said, "is there any.
thing on the island that will dye tc
the exact color of the Jumar skin?"
"I'm sure I don't know" replied
Mr.. Avery in surprise. "But why dc
you ask?"
81 am very anxious to know" I an
swered. "Perhaps Oso-Bark can tell
me-"
The question was repeated to him.
eyes," he replied, in the native
tongue, "there is tree that grows on
the mountains, the bark of which will
stain the color of the Jumar skin?"
"Will you get me some of that
bark?" I asked.
"Certainly, Oolek, I will obtain
plenty for you,
"But what in the world do you
want of it, Crickmore?" asked Mr..
Avery.
IT am going to stain my skin," ]
said. 81 AN going to become Jumal
ind go where the Jumars CO."
you! Why, you will be discov'
cred and killed"
"No. I will be neither discovered
nor killed. I will be free. Friend,
what has become of your faith?"
TO BE CONTINUED.