The daily morning Alaskan. (Skagway, Alaska) 1899-1904, 1900-10-07
a Fantaau of
South Africa.
By J. F. x. o'oonnor.

Z
1t was after the battle of Tugela River,
+ said General Joubert, when, fatigued and
exhausted by the tension of the last few
months, | went to the house of an Eng
ish lady, the Duchess of B., who had
been personal friend ever since her res
idence in the Transvaal. Feeling per-
fectly secure under the circumstances,
was accompanied by single aid who
volunteered to run all risks 70 secure for
fne the necessary quiet.
| The first night and day passed quietly,
with news that they were SIN watching.
J when on the evening of the second day,
about 8 o'clock, the voices and tread Of
a dozen men were heard on the porch.
Presently the door opened, the duchess
entered. and, to my astonishment, intro
duced Sir Redvers Butler, commander of
the British forces. Both of us were as
founded, started instinctively, stared, but
bowed courteously to each other The
duchess had warned neither. but relied
on the instincts of manhood for an ae-
ceptance of the situation. b We gazed
fxedly one at the other, and each rightly
knew he was facing a foe worthy Of in
tense effort and of the keenest strategy.
stretched forth his hand and said "Sir,
we are placed in a strange situation; l
cannot forget the courtesy due our host
ess, but from the moment we part,
though we have met as guests of the
same respected lady, hostilities are de-
clared." He turned and left the room.
Here was predicament. l was in the
house alone with my aid. Here was a
man bound to defend the honor of Eng
land too much of a soldier to seize me
under the circumstances or to fire with
out giving warning. was as sure shot
as he, IL not quicker. A duel of swords
or pistols would have troubled me but
slightly. To steal away, although ten
against two, was not, to my mind, at all
inviting. / resolved to wait and be on
the alert. All was silence in the house
darkness outside of my room. There was
a creaking sound on the floor above.
CHANGING at the window, l discerned, it
seemed, form just sinking into shadow
from the path of light that streamed
from the window. In an instant | ex-
tinguished tue light and felt the world
grow larger the darkness. had fixed
in my mind three plans of action--frst,
to boldly attack the party; second, to
mount to tn upper floor to be above. the
enemy; third, to wait outside of the
house for a sign of attack.
l gave them all up and decided to wait
in the room.
The hours drew on-11 sounded, IL and
then l, which seemed to prolong its sol
itary sound for several minutes, and then
all was still--a silence deeper than be-
fore.
At half past l heard a rustling in
the hallway and then a knock at the
door. The voice of the duchess was
heard. She was standing outside with
her maid. General" she said, make
your escape at once. If in one hour
from now you are here, General Butler
sends message by me that he will consid-
er that you have surrendered or take you
by force
Madam" 1 replied "if l intended to
escape by flight should not be here now.
No entreaties can move me from my re-
solve"
General" she said. 81 beg of you to
reflect. / have done all in my power;
your fate is now in your own hands,"
and then, In tone of unfeigned terror,
stamping her foot, PRAY, do gov'
She then withdrew, and l waited in
anxious expectation of the outcome.
called quietly to my aid, but there was
no answer. After nearly an hour had
passed. during which many thoughts and
plans rushed through my mind in rapid
succession l opened the door cautiously.
Not an object was visible, nor a sound
to be heard save the tick of the swinging