The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1901-02-16
10

I'll ne got lntO Inc ldteTdl DTdnCuee Vi
the tree on the opposite side. and thence
to the trunk OF that tree, down which
he glided, and stood upon the opposite
bank waiting for us to follow. We did
so as speedily as possible. and, as soon ae
we were safely landed by his side, Du
Chen said: Single file, ALL" and start
ed off, smelling the trees and bushes as
he went.
The spot at which we had decended
seemed to be bummock similar to that
on the other side. but less regular in its
outline; and soon the way by which Du
Chen led US became more and more
difficult and impossible. Often il seem-
ed that the next step would take US
right into the dark and sluggish water,
but Du Chen, almost without pausing
at all, would smell at the leaves and
branches and hurry Oh, now planting
his foot upon clod just rising out Of
the water, now stepping upon a fallen
and balf-rotted log, now treading a
fringe OF more solid ground skirting the
dreary lagoon. but going every moment
deeper and deeper into the most path
less and inaccessible portions of the
swamp.
For nearly two hours this strange man
followed the trail. and we followed him.
At last we came to considerable eleva-
ton OF ground under which opened a
little V-shaped valley made by the water
of a branch which drained the high land
into the swamp. This valley was rather
more than two acres in extent, and
seemed to be clearing. But there was
thick-set growth OF sweet gum, holly
and magnolia across the opening toward
the swamp. beyond which We could no.
see.
With quickened steps, and with many
OF the same signs OF excitement mani
tested by hound when the trail grows
hot, Du Chen followed along this hedge
like line OF underbrush, and at it's far
Their end stopped. There, within three
feet Of where the steep bank ran into
the water. which seemed to be OF great
depth, was an opening IN the hedge.
He slipped cautiously through it, and
we followed him in silence. 1t was a
little garden in the heart of the swamp,
lying between the bills and the water.
At the apex Of the V shaped valley was
a miserable cabin with some fruit trees
growing round it. We gazed upon the
scene with profound establishment.
do you know anything Of this place,
Captain Msrtasf" said I, in low tone.
NO." said he; several years ago, one
OF my field hands, gigantic Abyssinian,
was whipped and ran away to the
swamp; | never followed him, and have
never seen him since. although every
now and then heard of him by the re-
port OF the negroes on the plantation;
suppose he has been living somewhere
in the swamp ever since. and, unless this
is bis his bone. l cannot imagine how
such place came to be here"
The niger is there said Du Chen.
III there are dozen of them l can tell
the right one by the SMELL" and again
be put the old handkerchief to his nose.
IF it is old Todo," said Captain Mar.
tas' he is powerful and desperate
man. and We had better be cautious.''
We formed line, and slowly and eau.
tlously approached. We had got within
ten or twelve feet Of the door when We
saw gigantic. half-clad nergo spring
from the floor, gaze out at us an instant
with fierce. startled eyes. and then, with
yell like that Of some wild beast reused