The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-03-27

troops come up country you'll be re-
leased"
Dick looked round and admitted that
struggle was useless. luckily he had in
trusted all his papers to Edie before re-
firing for his nap, and, although the
Beers searched him, even down to his
boots and CATERS, they found nothing.
He was hauled off to Strydom's farm
quarter Of a mile distant, with his
bands and legs tied, and put into room
by himself. All the Beers except Stry-
dom and one other, who remained to
guard their prisoner, rode off on n patrol
to another Englshmans farm, promising
to call for Hadlow next day OH their way
into Vryburg.
Just at sunset Edie Janson arrived at
Strydom's house. With her walked a
kaifir servant, carrying large basket.
Herr Strydom," she said as the big
Dutchman rose from his chair on the
stoep. II have brought some supper for
Mr.. Hadlow. Please give it to him.
There is a bottle of whisky also, and as
father thought you might be short of LID
nor with SO many friends in and out, I
have brought you another hottie for
yourself Strydom was secret but ar
dent admirer of the handsome English
girl. He put on his Lest manners, ac-
knowlcdged the compliment in clown
ish fashion and, having cmptied her bas-
ket. Edie smiled pleasantly, babe him
good night and returned home.
Her scheme worked out exactly as she
had anticipated. 1t was fOrIorn hope,
but it succeeded. Frans Strydom and lis
friend devoted themselves after supper
Tin which their prisoner had no share) to
the contents Of the whisky bottles and
by 10 o'clock, when they had consumed
rs much as they could manage, were not
only very drunk. but very sleepy. Short
ly after they were both lying on Stry-
doms rough bed, snoring heartily in a
deep, drunken slumher. At II Edio,
who had long since found means to bride
Slrydoms native servant, who himself,
as she happened to know, was only seek
ing a chance to bolt from his masters
service, made her way into the house.
She was very frightened, but she stole,
with the silence Of a mouse, into Dicks
room, cut his cords-Klaas. the native,
was keeping watch-and released him.
Together they crept out, whispered fare
well TO kIaas and disappeared into the
darkness klaas meanwhile, with two
golden sovereigns in his waist belt pouch,
collected his scanty traps and struck out
for the kalahari, only too glad to es-
cape from Strydonl's hard mastcrship.
A quarter of an hour later Dick Had
low had babe farewell to Mr.. Janyon,
tenlcriy kissed Edie and, with his let ,ers
Il So, I 1
back, mounted his good horse and rode
away again southwestward into the star
lit night. Moving steadily on and i'm
proving his pace as day broke, he reached
Grancsa, Beclluana village, 40 miles
from Mosita, by 10 O'Clock next day.
Here he rested four hours and again
pushed on, this time for Thurman, the
well known mission station, so long miles
ahead No Beers, the friendly natives
said, were cut in this direction, aud the
road was safe. All night therefore he
pressed on, cantering doggedly along the
wagon track and making good progress.
Mosita, another Bechuuna village, was
reached by O'Clock next morning. All
was safe here. No Boer patrols had yet
reached this remote district. Some break
fast and two hours sleep, and once more
he mounted his horse for the 40 mile ride
to Thurman, where Il rcmount could cas-
lily be procured. The gallant black was
looking worn and light and tucked up
now after his 40 miles Of travel, yet his
spirit was keen as ever, and he reached
heartily at his bride as Dick once more
got to his saddle. long, weary day Of
travel under parching sun and over
yellow, ilimitablr grass plains infinitely
to the eye succeeded. Five |
miles from thurman Dick reined up his
tired nag and halted for his last off sad
die.
Half an hour later, as he rose from the |
grass and strrt, ..nd himself by the thorn
tree against which he had been resting !
a bullet whizzed past his ear and ratified !
into the tree trunk. Dick was I'm old |
and knew most tricks Of ma
tive warfare. He threw up his arms as |
IL shot and fell prone to earth, taking
rare, however, to lay one hand upon his
loaded rifle.
As he s1unted out of the corner Of his
eye huge figure of man lurched into
the open from behind Il screen Of thick
brush so yards away. Dick knew the fig
IRE at once. 1t was Frans Strydom. who,
with the skill and venom of bushman,
had spoored him from Mosita and had
thus murderously attacked him. With
ron nerve Dick let the man come well
away from cover--25 yards at least-and
hen, springing on to one knee, leveled
lis rife. Strydom turned to fly. 1t was
90 late. His burly form offered n splen-
lid target. The Lee Metford cracked,
md the bullet sped true for the Beers
light shoulder. flooring him in his tracks.
Dick ran up, saw the wound was not
is well as possible, shortly giving his
opinion of him as he did so, propped him
lgainst q tree and, mounting his own
lorse and leading the Dutchman's, can
cred on to thurman. From Kuruman
lie sent out cart to bring in the wound
d man, a mission which was safely ac-
omplished before nightfall. A long half
lights rest at Kuruman in good bed,
nd, with fresh horse, he went on his
way next morning rejoicing, leaving his
reacherous foe in the hands Of good
Missionary and his wife, all the circum-
tances of the affair having been reported
0 the resident magistrate.
Three days later, having passed
through Daniels Kuil and Douglas, in
'riqualand, where fresh horses were pro-
ured, Dick Hadlow reached Hope Town,
n the Orange river, whence his dis
atches were sent at once southwark In
afety. From Thurman he had Travelled
95 miles and from Mafeking 375. Dead
: tired and stiff and travel worn as he
7as, he could now afford to look back
pom his Journey and it's incidents with .
asst conteptment.-St. Louis Globe-Dem-
crat.