The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-03-30

cleaned angrily. his voice thick with
passion.
WHAT'S the life of a nlgger runner
WORTH he growled.
Hes a man, anyway" Tom Baker
retorted. suppose 4 refuse 10 leave
the IeilOW?
"Then"-and now Shaefer became
forced TO remind YOU that your horse
is my property. 1 go. and the horse
you ride. goes with me. You can come
or not, as you Please"
Barker turned pale. THAT is the
choice you offer me? Then / say you
are a biackguard.
And l say indifferently. that you
are fool. Come will you mount?"
No. furiously.
The Reuter- correspondent shrugged
his shoulders.
have IL your own way" he said,
you'll be food for the Beers before
morning" And gathering up the reins
of the second horse, he prepared 10
jump into his own saddle. But here
Barker sprang upon him suddenly. mo.
YOU don't" he cried. You shall leave
me one horse, you brute. though IL were
hundred times your property"
stand off, the German cried.
Tom Barker's answer was 10 close
with him silently, and there ensued a
trial OF strength, the ssue of which
seemed for several minutes doubtful.
The men were not badly matched.
Shaefer was little heavier. but he
was also the elder by fifteen years,
and Barker's 1.-THE body had known an
English public-school training. The
result OF the fight seemed uncertain.
when the German suddenly loosed his
hold and fell back, leaving the reins OF
the second horse almost in the others
clutches. But barker, rails ng his head
and about to seize the reins found him
self covered by his antagonists revol-
yer.
Now. perhaps" the German corre-
spondent observed, you will listen To
reason. / know you haven't got a gun
on you. my friend. l know something
of your strange English character.
There is nothing like being ready for
any emergency that may arse"
Tom Barker, under the covering re-
volver. stood erect and mute. To argue
further with man prepared TO COM
NIT murder on behalf of a horse and
few news dispatches of no great i'm
portance would be simply waste of
breath.
Keeping the muzzle of the revolver
pointed full at Barkers breast, Shaefer
jumped into his saddle, and sezing the
reins OF the other horse he started off
a sharp trot. AS long as Barker re-.
mained in running defiance the Ger
man occasionally looked back to be
sure he was not followed. In five min
utes he was but speck in the distance
on the South African veldt Its your
own fault remember. IL you lose your
life and fail to get your news in Mon
days London T." was his final
greeting as he disappeared over the
crest OF the nearest kopje. turning TO
his right.
When he had disappeared. Barker
looked around him. reviewing the sit
uation. II was not very cheering
prospect that met his eyes--two hills,
or kopjes, of some thousand feet rose
to the right and left. and he could
see the setting sun on the horizon be-
tween them far beyond on the veldt.
The day had been intensely hot.
Il don't know what the deuce to do
now" thought Barker. AS If in answer
10 the question. the wounded guide roll
ed over on his side, making an effort to
rise.
Where's Mass shaefer," he said.
looking around him in surprise.
Barker gave the negro drink of
brandy. mixed with water. from his
canteen, and the man presently seemed
to revive sufficiently to sit up.
Barker laughed grimly "He's gone
down the path leading to the Tugela
river, leaving us both here in nice
mess" he said. The darky rubbed his
hand over his eyes. wearily. and then
gazed steadily along the road ahead.
"Yo' say he go long the right trail?"
muttered the man.
Yes" replied Barker.
Then he's sure gone wrong. That
right trail leads down to the Bo' camp
and he'll get nab or killed for spy" the
guide said slowly.
1t was too late now to warn the Ger