Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-06-27

That's all right, Dick" answered
hr- Martin. 81 should like TO per.
suade Nancy to go, but I'm going to
stick to the farm
You run great risk. Mr.. Martin +"
said Hendrick. IF you stay here. Won
VIII be commanded to Join the Roer
army"
am an Englishman. and my farm
ls In Natal; that. | take II. is out OF
their Jurisdiction"
Possibly, but 1 hardly think they
VIII draw so fine line"
wen, anyway 1 stay here. and II
won't be healthy for the commando
that interferes with me"
Then, II you are so determined. I
must ask you TO be equally determined
IN insisting upon Miss Nancy going to
Durban- My married sister lives there.
and she would be quite safe"
After much discussion II was decid-
ed that Nancy should depart for Dur-
ban Immediately, with HendrIck for
an escort. Dick Harvey would accom-
pany them rs far as Mooi river. where
he would have TO leave them, and Hen
drick was TO rejOin Dick as soon as
Nancy was safe at the coast. Hendrick
knew now that Nancy could never be
to him more than a friend. and I'm that
friendship lie determined that no sac
riiice should be too great for him.
The three rode together until Dick
had TO leave them: then with n tender
and almost heartrending farewell he
passed her into the care of Hendrick
ana departed. They reached Durham
without miSnap. and Hendricks, having
consigned Nancy 10 the care of his sis
ter. prepared 10 return.
thank YOU. IIcndrick. for your
care of me
i wish for no thanks. To bc OF
service To You is the aim and end OF
my life"
She looked at him curiously and
seemed To penetrate his secret.
i am going to the war" he contin-
ucd slowly. fixing his gaze upon the
ground, TO fight for your countrymen
and you. II may he that shall not
survive. and ] should like you 10 think
kindly of me. You are the only Eng
lish woman | have been privileged TO
Know with any degree OF friendship.
ana the days have passed happily with
me. \ hope full OF vanity was born
within me that perhaps the caprice OF
fate might turn your heart toward me
i'm love. Forgive me for saving this.
am only foolish man. but thought
l would like YOU 10 know"
Poor Hcndrick,"
Il have seen the man you love. and
my vanity is dead. Goodby! | should
like-may I-cr-I should like TO kiss
your hand 10 seal my VOW that hence
forth my life is consecrated TO serving
you and yours to the death"
The tears rolled down her cheeks as
she gave him her hand. The strong
man kissed il passionately and depart
ed
Hendrick made his way back 10
Dick Harvey and was formally en-
rolled as Il volunteer. News came soon
after that the Beers had crossed the
border and were invading Natal. and
Captain Harvey began to have fears
for the safety Of John Martin. He
consulted Hendrick on the subject
What do YOU think Of it. Hoop
stady'
Bad. very bad. John Martin viii
have 10 join Il commando or be shot"
$50 l fear and want you TO start
tonight and make your way TO the
Caladon farm. If YOU find John Mar
tin there, persuade him to come back
with you. But. If our worst fears are
realized and he has disappeared, find
out what has become Of him."
Il Will start in an hour. and thank
you for giving me the opportunity"
Good luck go with YOU"
In an hour Hendricl took the road
for John Martins farm. Numerous
parties of Beers were about, and eX-
treme caution was necessary. This
meant slow progress, and IL was not
until the second evening that he reach
ed the homestead. DismOunting. he
raped on the door, but elected no re-
spOnse, and ii was soon evident that
John Martin was absent. Upon looking
around Hendrick discovered the fright
ened face OF n Kaffir boy peeping at
him over a fence.
Hello. Cabbage! Where is your mas
terY'
"Baas. i'm dung one way"
Where tor
"Baas Shiel i'm dun took i'm way"
'ShielY'
"Sarten. I'm ride up, big many. took
Bass Martin, tied um hands an dun
gorn way"
(which way did they ride?'
Cabbage um follow Baas-Glencoe-
then um come back here an wait TO
Baas."
And then Hendrick realized that the
worst had come to pass, and John Mar
tin was prisoner in the hands of
Shiel
II Will not return with such meager
news" he said TO himself Il will
push on toward Glencoe and learn
more, even if have to penetrate into
their camp"
he accordingly made his way toward
Glencoe and found his progress more
difficult every mile. Time after time
he was stopped by bands Of Beers, but
always got away by saying that he
was riding TO join ShiePs commando.
AS he had taken the precaution to wear
his own clothes. this explanation was
accepted as satisfactory.