The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-07-25

"netner delay VIII not mean 10 time,
as many lives and 100 smes the treas
ure.' A united Africa; Hat is my idea
an Africa free for the Anglo -Saxor
from Cape Town to the Zambczi."
The dreamy gray eyes Lad lighted
up; the words came faster and fasto,
III tbs glow OF the great idea, and rs
he spoke there breathcd out OF tbis
man something mysterious aud won
derful, as out Of unfathomed DEPTHS. n
spirit which could stlffen the hearts ot
other men and drive them forward
reckless Of barriers. Young phillins
gazed ut him. and the cold s,,snicion
melted out Of his face.
guess maybe said he slowly
that, aftrr all, l am wild younp
thing"
The leader smiled. "I thought So"
snld ne, and Mon we arc glad to
know, man with mind OF his own.
well, 1t Is good to meet them once in
awhile and to know that. after nIl, they
do generally get the danger ann q" =
glory and the profit" Hc dropped on
the heights to sober matter OF fact.
"Such men," he remarked. "don't do
make the figure"
ooh, | guess" replied Phillips, "that
If Burton and | can put this through
we can trust you for the rest OF it,"
The big man glanced at the other
men. and a little laugh all around
showed their appreciation Of how Phil.
lips had risen to his chance. always
did like the way you Americans could
grasp Il point" the leader said and
shook hands. A moment later Athcr.
ton brought In another telegram and
remarked. "Pcoplc up home display in.
crcasing agitation"
Bah" said the big man, with an.
other laugh and crumpled up the tclc.
gram.
The day after Burton and Phillips
rode out Of Klerksburg and turned
their horses eastward. They left the
railroad line upon their left. and aS
they struck into the open vcldt and
saw around them the wide circle OF
earth and Sky their spirits gayly rose
to this adventure. Darkness found
them still six miles from the camp OF
the border police. but Burton knew the
ground. and they pushed forward. Fi.
nally. when it was grown so dark that
they hardly could sec the cars Of their
horses. both pulled up suddenly, for
from the vcldt upon their right they
heard a voice as Of one in distress.
"Who are yOuY' Phillips called.
There was 10 reply. but Il figure arose
from the darkrncd plain and stood
tottrring before them. They swung
themselves out of the saddle. and q
match tlared in Rurton'S hand. "Ap-
pears to bc kind OF Il man." he drawl.
ed, after cynical inspection.
"Gcm'n," came from the figure,
"scuge me If am not quite m'self."
His words, like his high silk hat, ap-
pcarcd to have been crunplcd up b.,
the catastrophe. "McdchinS all smash
cd. horse gone Off; 'bandonrd. you see,
on the lonely plain" He lurchcd upon
Hurton's neck. "Scuge me-" he walled
chccrfully, but | am so drunllv'
"fou arc, indeed" asscntcd the 9TH
or. "and that's your horse about 20 feet
from here" 1t was so, indeed Al.
though the patent medicines had ali
| been smashed, the faithful stcr1 1aae;
manned. He seemed to glance ut them
with look of resignation and sub.
mittrl without comment while they
hoiStrd the rider up again
"Might rs well take him along" said
Burton in disgust. "Appcnrs to be
plcklrd well. but ought not. you know,
to remain out here" The rescued man
tumi'j'uH Off now and then like the
White Knight in "Alcc," but by rid.
ing one on each side OF him they gen.
orally caught him in mhar Proceed
ing thus. they reached the camp of the
border police and were greeted with
ironirnl applause. Burton knew most
or the men: letter which hr brought
made thpm still more wclcomc They
ate and aftcrward among Their hosts
lay back ut ease around the c:lmpiirc.
Invisible horses champcd and shulllcd
upon the plain around them, the troop.
crS smoked and looked up at the
watching stars, and presently for lack
OF something better they began to
have fun with the patent medicine
man.
He stood up in the freight. which
fiickrred upon his silly face. wcll pleas.
ed to have such an audience. "Gem'n,"
said he, don't mock a follow man.
These friends of mine, who brought
me out or danger. WHO knows where
they thcmsh"lvcs may be tomorrow
Who knows what peril lies bcfor.
them? Then. | shay, don't mock {
victim Of circumstances .tS wrong
gcnl'n."
"TIat'S right somebody said. "W,Si
that the victim had left lis some of hi:
circumstances, though. I'm thirsty"
But the orator, now in the moraliZin.
line, scared 10 still Iof,icr heights Hnt
touched affairs Of state. "rhiSl war;
he cried; 'oh. my, what an iniuUity
You young men pant after Came anC
fortune. but liSht TO my ripper wisdom
For again shay it's wrong, gcm'n."
"Wrong, is it?' said the captain OF
the police. He thoughtfully blew som,
tobacco SMOKE at the stars, and then Ii,
spoke urllDorItpIN nc onn win, It,,, 80,