Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-10-14

new tease OF life and happiness.
so far as Hans could detect my Lam
guage and behavior were the same as
before. But my eyes had opened in
some way and now was in possession
or two very important secrets. Shak-
ing hands with Dirk Dikpense had
taught me something. | conferred
with Hans for houre at time about
the peculiar nature of the crimson
lines, and with his assistance | made
numerous experiments in handshak-
ing with different people. Then the
curious idea took possession of me
that | must travel all over the world
hunting for what called my affinity.
knew this must be some beautiful,
kindly spirit, which upon acquaint-
ance would instill into my system
something that / lacked or take from
me something from which was suf-
fering.
Behaving and talking in this strange
way the Beers came TO the conclusion
that l was the most remarkable in
stance of Kloof lunacy of whom they
had any knowledge. In fact, these
men soon found out to the discomfi-
ture of some of them, that could re-
veal and discover shades of virtue and
villany by mere contact Of hands, and
so, after few uncomfortable dis
closures, the bravest Of them conceal
ed their curiosity and concluded to
avoid the dangerous experiment for
the future. Then told Hans my sec
ond secret, and il was this: The lines
on my hand were crimson magnet,
which was destined to lead me and
guide me in safety to that distant
affinity which was TO be the goal of
my freedom and happiness.
OF course Hans thought this was
very easy thing TO say, but explain
ed to him with considerable detail
that | simply knew from sensations in
my system and from the color of the
magnet when | was travelling in the
right direction, just as his own con-
science might direct and lead him in
other matters.
1t is surprising and very gratifying
to me today to think what unlimited
confidence the good Hans must have
reposed in me when, TO say the least,
my conduct and manner of living were
surely very strange and peculiar at
times. For instance, | am sure he was
very much puzzled and perhaps wor-
ried little In regard to my treatment
of Fingo. never appeared to be quite
contented or at rest unless in the COM
pany of my favorite horse.
Whether this arose from the expert
ence we shared together in the Kloof
or from some agreeable sensations
which | might have derived from ca
ressing the horses neck and shoulders
with my hands, it is, of course, impos-
sible at this day TO determine. The
fact remained that we were almost in
separable, and If horse ever APP
preached the human standard Of in
telligence and nobility, that animal
was surely Fingo. But, sad to relate,
this very affection of mine became in
directly the cause Of his death. | was
so facinated one day with the action
and appearance of fne-looling gray
horse in steeplechase that purchas-
ed him with the idea Of relieving
Fingo of some of his work But the
very first night they were in the stable
together they literally kicked each
other to pieces, and Fingo died from
the effects of his injuries.
OF course / was inconsoable, and /
| oCNllIu W nave lOSI III nun luC ldSI
link that bound me to the neighbor-
hood. Just at this time the first seri-
Gus trouble had with the Beers arose,
When l insisted upon according to
Fingo the honors of Christian burial.
They heard of my intention and sent
an armed force to put stop to the
ceremony; but when they found out
it was tc be in the English language,
they all rode away laughing.
Very soon afterward the event oc-
Cured that was the immediate cause
of my departure from that part of
Africa. Hans and | took q notion to
make trip down through the Kaffir
countries in the direction of Delagoa
bay. One day we were encamped at a
drift of the Crocodile river when we
saw a great crowd of natives coming
toward us, following in the wake Of a
very old Kaffir, who was hardly able
to walk, but whose tongue kept going
n great deal faster than his strength
seemed to warrant. They told us he
was a great eye doctor, who had
gone crazy on the subject of curing a
certain eye trouble with which hun
dreds of Kaffirs in that part of the
| country were dIHlCUeU.
Year in and year out, in fair weather
and foul, without rest or recompense,
from his youth up, old Bomyu, as they
called him, had gone round and round
with his magic and his charms, until
at last he had walked himself to a
standstill. The Kaffirs said the old
man had come down to the river to
die, and when it was over they were
going to bury him. / felt quite sorry
for the old fellow, and shook his hand,
but he was too far gone to understand
my words. But our surprise can well
be imagined when, on our return to
the store a few days later, we met a
party of Beers who informed us that
the KafiIs had reported that | had
killed the old doctor with kloof light
ming.
This being the case, they added,
there was some probability that |
might take it into my head to serve
some of them in the same way, so |
had better leave that part of the coun-
try as soon as convenient AS this was
my intention, according to the
promptings of the crimson magnet,
made no objection to hurrying my
preparations.
1t is needless for the purpose of this
narrative to say what route we fol-
lowed, what countries we visited, or
what wild goose chase it may seem
to have been that / then set out upon
with Hans as my patient and devoted
companion.
Suffice it to say, that in years time
we found ourselves in Brazil, where a
series of mysterious adventures took
place, which ultimately led to my re-
turn to my native land, and to the
triumphant discovery of my affinity,