Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-11-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
A LAND OF DARKNESS

The first thing / remember on coming
TO myself again was listening to the
swish of the rain-that downpour
which follows IA tropical thunderstorm
On moving my limbs there was n vague
consciousness of the fact that some one
had wrapped me in heavy folds of can
vas, probably tent, and that there
were several men standing around talk
ing. But the darkness had not passed
off, for they were not to be seen. |
could not remember ever having expe-
rienced such darkness after thunder
storm. A voice which sounded strange
ly familiar addressed me. 1t was that
of Mackenzie. the squatter, and seemed
somewhat unsteady as he spoke
Parker. " he said, ''you are better
now, | think. What is it you have
come to tell me2 For mercy sake try
and recollect.
Then | told him as briefly and coher-
emily as possible what had brought me
there, adding:
eff you follow the creek along-not
in the gorge, but in the high country
you II surprise the blacks that are lying
in wait for you there. I'll lead the way
if you give me horse. It's unfortu-
nate, though, that this darkness doesn
lift | never experienced anything like
it in the daytime before. -
The rain had ceased as suddenly "a it
begun, now that the storm had passed.
In the tropics storms do not generally
last long. and in few minutes after
ward the sun shines out brilliantly as II
nothing had occurred. But what was
the reason Of this Egyptian gloomf
The men around me were still talk
ing Struggling 10 my feet, put ont
my hand and graspcd some one. There
was dead silence now that was ap-
palling in its significance. coming after
that pandemonium of warning elements.
Again / heard the voice Of the squatter.
He caught and held my hands.
Parker. he said, you'll stop here
with Clements. the black boys and the
pack horses until we come for you'll l
don't thing you re in a fit condition to
travel yet We must hurry ON, If it's
not too late and wen come back for
you in a few hours. God bless you, my
10y lbl NIdN bA Nt AbA' AAAhn tahg
"But you cant go in this darkness,
/ cried. why, you won't be able to
see your hand in front of youl'
"Whatr
"What / say" " persisted, somewhat
testify. wondering at the squatter' :
strange, incomprehensiblo ejaculation.
Don't you think you'd better stop till
you can sect You'll miss the way and
go over the cliff if you don't.
1t is clear TO me now that my brain
must have been dulled after the shock l
had been subjected to; otherwise /
should have realized the true state Of
affairs sooner. What struck me as
strange was that those around me were
whispering in low, hurried, excited
tones, as If they did not want me TO
hear. II was exasperating. incompre-
hensible - the whole thing was like
some horrible nightmare.
Whats the matter with your |
cried again "Why doesn't some one
speakY You can't 20 too soon. but you
can't see 10 90 now. What are you all
whispering about p
1t was an experience 10 live in ones
memory forever
The squatter took both my hands in
his and tho voices ceased. There was a
silence that was more terrible than the
awful darkness.
Some one stammered out.
Great heavens. he must be-
The squatter put his arm round my
waist as if to steady me and spoke in n
voice that shook: Have cnurn0a Wv