The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-18


inside, still tremulous with hunger and
the chill of the heavy night dews. He
seemed an utter wreck, confirmed
tramp, but that did not debar him from
Il greeting in 4 restless country where
nearly every pioneer has at some time
been wallaber.
Morning, matey," said trooper
cheerfully. "Camped on the veldt last
night?''
Lawrence slipped off his blanket roll
and esayed to answer with some appear
ance of similar cheerfulness.
Good morning" he said. "Yes, that
was my i'll fortune, and / fancy that
even i'll Africa there are occasionally
obtainable more slmptuous couches."
The troopers laughed and locked agains,
the voice is countersign. The troopers
at him more keenly. In the freenasoniy
OF gentlemanhood there is no need OF grip;
asked him to sat down.
1--WE can sy1npathize with you" said
the first speaker, and at once the rllder
salution OF 'matey" was discarded
Most of us have sought the lee OF a
rock in our time. ALLOW ME. Ny name
is Donne, and my friend is Wyv! both
guileless products of Harrow"
Harrow" cried Lawrence. with q
sudden flush of anxiety. "Ah, yes, but
you must have been long after my time.
Ny name is-aal-Lawrence, also Of Har-
row and Trinity, CAM
g They shook hands ON that, and Dome
called the servant.
Such coincidence" said he, ''as that
of three old Harrovians meeting III de-
sert wilds mast not be allowed to pass
mtoasted. Won't you take something
to kill that chill? Hi, you. Lay another
plate for breakfast"
At the meal the wreck exerted him
self to be agreeable in spite OF his
WEAKNESS, misery and longing lor slcep
and forgetfulness. He was forced TO
think. Those who would follow him
were not likely to be lons behind, and
be recognized the need of doing sumo
thing to hide himself The troopers
were lads of an equal hgh.acss OF heart
and head. at least a dozen years young
er than he. Lawrence fastened to the
youngsters; and later in the day. shaved
and groomed. he rode away with Them
ON a hired horse to the not for distant
barracks. He had been many things IL
his long exile, and death had spared
him in brawl and desert and fever. IN
trooper guise, the desola," cutcast
hoped the end Of it all might come
more surely. Also people would lot be
so curious OF the identity Of a fallen
soldier as Of that Of man scaffold
hung.
4 gallOping horseman came sweeping
down the trek from the direction of the
Transvaal His sweating horse dashed
Iast the railway station without stop
ping although an official yelled to the
rider as he passed
rs that true we've heard about Doctor
Jim?'
True" the horseman shouted back.
and was instantly beyond hearing. as
the anxious looking railroad man raised
his hands i'm wondering vexation.
4 he horseman put his mount to the
steep. rurted muddy road which led to
the town, and pressed it onward without
| pause. At canteen midway, a Dutch
man ran out, followed by his customers.
| "Wacht cen beety's!' the Landlord
| cried. West, Doctor Jim?"
"a prisoner" shouted the rider and
spurred on, while the Beers retired
within with loud jests and happy smiles.
AT the edge of the town, the last house
OIL the main street was an hotel and
there the horesman threw himself off.
His horse was at once taken charge or
and led to the stables and its rider was
. met by a middle-aged woman.
is it true, John?' she asked, as he
went into the bar, and was surrounded
by many men drinking there. whose
eyes reiterated the question. The wires
say hardly anything
| The fellows at Johannesburg did not
keep their word. They were not ready.
or funked or something. Our men We're
surrounded by the Beers. There was
some fighting. A number Of English are
killed. The rest are prisoners on their
way ito Pretoria"
90 John. Can it be true?" his wife
asked in horror.
i Il got it straight from the jew who
keeps the place at Jankill, and Beers
were there, who had come right from
the battle. There's no doubt of it, and
for my part. all I've got to say is that
Paul Kruger, though he's always pray
ing has the devils own luck"
There was silence in the IN gliShman' s
hotel as gloomy as the noise in the
Beers canteen was hilarious. After
awhile the wife behind the bar spoke
again.
J There was many lad known in Nl.y-
burg with Dr. Jim Did you hear of any
of them!"
| Field Cornet Hafbauer was at Janklli,
the same that bought the farm MAIZE
king way. | was in too great hurry
TO get home to ask much. The Trans
yaal Beers are too cocky after their VIC
tory 10 make it pleasant there for an
Englishman. but Hofbauer knew Vance
and Butler and Corp Dome, and he says
they were not among the prisoners,
So"
! The woman began TO cry.
| did you ask after Wyvii, poor boy :!
He had u letter saying his scrape was
all arranged and he was going home.
lie can--if they don't hang him at
, Pretoria
The customers protested loudly.
prisoners of war; they cried Dom
Paul wouldn't dare
Il wasn't aware there was any war,
said the host, drily. Not more at
! least than there would be between me
! and onv burglar who broke into This