Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-08-15
CHAPTER XVIII.
LAND OF DARKNESS.

nou Wrappeu me IN nedSy ioius oi Cnn'
vas, probably tent, and that there
were several men standing around talk
ing. But the darkness had not passed
of. for they were not 10 be seen
could not remember ever having expe-
rienced such darkness after thunder
storm. A voice which sounded strange
" familiar addressed me. II was that
Of Mackenzie. the squatter. and seemed
somewhat unsteady as he spoke.
Parker. he said. lyon are better
now, I think. What Is it you have
come 10 tell me, For mercy's sake try
and recollect
Then told him as briefly and coher-
emily as possible what had brought me
there, adding:
"If You follow the creek along-not
in the gorge. but in the high country
you'll surprise the blacks that are lying
| in wait for you there. I'll lead the way
IL you give me horse. It's unfortu-
nate, though, that this darkness doesn't
lift / never experienced anything like
| il In the daytime before"
The rain had ceased ss suddenly az II
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 reaeon Of this Egyptian gloomt
The men around me were still talk
ing. Struggling to my feet ! put out
my hand. and grasped some one There
was dead silence now that was sp-
palling In its significance, coming after
that pandemonium Of warning elements.
Again heard the voice Of the squatter.
He caught and held my banda
Parker" he said. "you' II stop here
with Clements, the black boys and the
pack horses until We come for youl
don't thing you're in At condition tc
travel yet We must hurry on. II its
not too late. and wen come back for
you in few hours. God bless you. my
boy, for what you've done this day"
"But you can't go In this darkness. "
cried. "Why. you won't be able 10
sec your hand In front OF you"
"Whatp'
"what 1 say" persisted. somewhat
testify. wondering at the squatter'i
strange, incompreheasible ejaculation.
Don't you think you'd better stop till
| You can seei You'll miss the way and
90 over the elf II you don't"
II is clear TO me now that my brain
must have been dulled after the shock ]
had been subjected TO-; otherwise
should have realized the true state OF
affairs sooner. What struck me a.
strange was that those around me were
whispering in low. hurried. excited
tones, as II they did not want me tc
hear. II was exasperating. incompre.
hensible - the whole thing was like
some horrible nightmare.
What's the matter with your
cried again. why doesn't some one
speak, You can't go too soon, but You
can't see to go now. What are you al
whispering aboutf"
It was an experience to live In ones
memory forever.
The squatter took both my hands in
his and the voices ceased. There was q
silence that was more terrible than the
awful darkness
Some one stammered ont:
"Great heavens, he must be-
The squatter put his arm round my
waist as il 10 steady me and spoke in g
voice that shook: ''Have courage, my
boy. God never deserted man YET
when he was in trouble.
/ felt a warm glow steal all over me.
I heard the "crick. crick, crick Of
grasshopper, that fanatical sun worship
er, and knew that the sun shone high
in the heavens again-aye. high and
bright in the blue heavens, but not fol
me-not for me.
80 God, have mercy upon mel
cried In my agony, falling upon my
knees.
For knew now that he had laid his
hand upon me-that had been STRUCK
| stone blind.
l could hear the "crick, crick, crick'
Of the grasshopper as 1t gloried in its
existence, baskine in the suns hot rays
l could hear q million living things
that had been for months parched and
dead, like the grains Of wheat in an
Egyptian tomb. spring into full and
Joyous resurrection under the influence
| Of that reyiving rain. Some light heart
| ed bird broke into glorious rhapsody
| Of song. There was whir and mur'
| muir in the balmy air as nature awokt
refreshed from her long winters sleep
could hear the splash and the ripple
| of hundreds of little waterfalls and
miniature rivulets as they fell from the
cliffs and coursed down the sides of the
valley TO make Q freshet in the sadly
exhausted creek. ! knew that in obedi
ence to Gods immutable Laws thou
sands of fairylike and beautiful tokeni
| Of his presence were springing into hfs
to play their parts in the grand scheme
Of creation. There were a freshness and
an earthly pleasant smell In the air.
There was . general rejoicing 'and
Thanksgiving Of all living things II
Gods own wondrous world. But there
were only the blaciness and horror Of Al
eternal night resting over me.
"Blindl Blindi Blindi"
YI.,or The oronn6 wbere had sunl
sorn - vhsr % M the con,ciou.nesr Of INV los,
sight had flashed upon me and foI
svhile remsined buried il my owr