The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-09-06
CHAPTER XIII.


work. They are wonderful in their
skill. They are making for you many
guns. But what will you shoot in
them? Water? Sand? Ha! You did
not think of that. You cannot buy a
handful of powder in Talmooch. But
this is powder. And when the guns
of Poko-Bains are ready, the powder
of Bado- Ror will be ready for them. I
have not told my wife-women talk.
This must remain secret, Oolek, be-
tween you andme."
was almost dumb with surprise at
The forethought as we'll as the skill of
this man of sorrow. The genius of
Kalek had risen to meet the genius of
the Jumars in united fight for free
dom. We're such men born to be
slaves?
told Mr.. Avery of the powder. and
once more his hopes were raised a lit
tie higher. We had passageway cut
from the river.bed to the cellar of
Bado-Ror's house. The powder, as
fast as it was made, was carried into
the caverns and stored where it would
be safe and dry.
Mr.. Avery became an agitator of the
most pronounced type. He visited all
parts of the island not inclosed within
the walls of Quiental, and preached
revolution to the people. The seed
was sown in fertile soil. The results
were such as we could wish.
. Bv the time we had been on the
island three months, I had estab-
lished secret league, extended from
my cave under the Sacred Forest to
the very walls of Quiental. A system
of communication was perfected,
whereby I could at any time, from
any portion of the island send a mes
sage to any other portion and receive
nm answer in an incredibly short space
of time.
By this means I kept myself in
formed at all times of all that was
ranspiring at Talmooch. If tax
gatherer left the portals of Quiental
with force of soldiers at his back, I
knew it as soon as he got away from
the shadow of the wall. If Hen-Ko-
Hi went out into the forest roads to
ride, accompanied by his attendants.
I knew it, and sometimes watched his
course from securely hidden nook in
o tree-top.
We frequently thought that we were
discovered, and hastily prepared to
meet our fate. But the protection Of
God was ours, and we were not found
out. One guard, indeed, suspicious
and inquisitive, followed me into Mr..
Avery's house and steaIthily watched
me go into the underground passage.
Had he been satisfied with that he
might have brought the governor or
his representative to Investigate, and
would, no doubt, have reaped rich
reward. But his eagerness led him
too far, and I heard footsteps behind
me in the cavern. I turned and be-
held the grinning face of the soldier.
There was no time or room for senti-
ment. The fellow held in his hands
the lives of Miss Arnold, Mr.. Avery
and myself. I rushed to him and
seized him. He was armed, but so
taken by surprise at my temerity that
he was fatally slow to act. put my
fingers around his throat and choked
him to death. Then I threw his body
into deep well, that was apparently
bottomless. OF this occurrence I
said nothing to Miss Arnold or Mr..
Avery. But Twas more watchful than
ever of my foes.
Under the supervision of Poko-
Bains, the bed of the river became q
great armory. The men worked in
dustriously and skillfully. Iron was
stealthily brought from the mines out
side of Galneor and taken through
Mr.. Avery's house into the caves.
Great care was constantly neces-
sary. One error now-one false move,
and our hopes and the freedom of
Talmooch would be dashed to the
ground forever. The people knew
this as we'll as I did. They appre-
ciated the dangers as we'll as the i'm
portance of the enterprise. They
were cautious, brave and obedient. T
had no fault to find with any of them.
Now and then, when Hen-Ko-Hi or
his soldiers would perpetrate some
new outrage, the people would grow
impatient, and cry out to me to hasten
the end. But I was loath to declare
war until I held the winning hand in
the great game. I restrained them in
their fierce desire for immediate ven
geanoe, and while they waited, their
determination became strengthened
and their convictions deeper, until I
had under my control an army Of men
with but one mind, one will, one pur-
pose.
Time sped rapidly, even to US who
80 longed for freedom. The great
work we had on hand so occupied our
minds that we had no time to mourn.
It was enough to know that our plans
were progressing.
The rifle I had taken from Cha Fong
served as model for Poho-Bains, and
one by one, or in dozens, similar guns
were turned out from the workshops
and set aside to wait for the coming
war.
I completed my organization.
In Galneor, had, under the COM
mand of Garu-Saak and Oso-Bark,
four thousand able-bodied and drille1
men. This force was divided into regi-
ments and companies. Suitable Of
fcers were chosen, and the discipline
was good.
In Bromporrah, under Bado-Ror,
there were eight thousand men, of
equal bravery, but not SO we'll drilled