Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-02
CHAPTER Kill

a couple of hundred miles or SO by
rail had brought me to the verge of the
Great Karroo, l cut away from the
railway line altogether and struck
across-country on my expedition.
A Cape wagon, drawn by team of
16 oxen, three or four of the ugliest
quadrupeds that were ever dignified
by the name Of horses, a couple of
pointers and some Hottentot drivers
and yoorloopers completed the train.
Before we had been many days on
our way, began to find that I had
made mistake in not waiting until
] could have induced some other fell
low to Join me. Distance had already
caused my fears of young Mullion's
pranks to fade, and I regretted that
had not taken the old DOCTORS advice,
and put off my expedition until he,
with or without his nephew, could
have Joined me.
Game was plentiful and the expert
ence novel and pleasant. I slept very
comfortably at night on the kartel,
OR strong wooden frame, which, sus-
pended under the tent of the wagon,
and covered with mattress and rugs
made comfortable bed enough.
At first the heat of the days did not
much distress me; but when I had
been away from civilized life for about
fortnight, began to pine for some
companionship besides that of the two
stolid English servants and the yelling,
noisy blacks, and to think that the sun
made me feverish and oddly fanciful.
1 began again to brood over my
strange experience on board ship, and
to have uncanny notions that I was
being stalked by some unseen pursuer.
I did my best to fight this folly, as
could not but consider it; but having
no one with me to whom could talk
out the subject, found it difficult to
get rid of it, even increasingly difficult
as the time went by.
One night when was lying in the
wagon, neither asleep nor fully awake,
conscious of the cracking of the camp
fire outside, and of the snoring of
native under the wagon, an odd sound
made me sit up and listen, and then
look out
The night was dark and still. The
glow of the dying fire still shed enough
light for me to distinguish the forms
near my resting place. But saw moth
ing strange, nothing to disturb me.
Yet as lay down again, could not
divest myself of the notion that had
heard the voice of Dick Mullion, speak
ing in a low tone words too indistinct
for me to hear.
Nothing would get the notion out of
my head, and though did not fancy
that I heard the sound again, it was
long before could get comfortably to
sleep.
On the following morning the re-
membrance of my fancy was SO strong
upon me that l put few questions to
Tom, the less unintelligent of my two
| English servants.
Tom" said l, ''it's long time low
since we had any civilized society,
isn't it?"
He looked at me rather oddly, |
thought. But. to be sure, mine was
rather an odd question.
How do you mean, sir?" asked he,
still keeping his eyes fixed upon me in
what thought strange way.
We'll, l mean that we haven't me an
Englishman for good many miles
now, have we?"
He hesitated before replying.
well, we haven't met SO many, sir
that's certain" he admitted at last.
| p,rcra6 tho spl,ico{ O rorly
MANY! Why no, not one within the
last four days." said I.
He looked at me strangely.
"Why, no, don't know as you have,
sir" he said, quietly.
You don't know that have?" l re-
torted, quickly. why, surely, you
know that you haven't either!"
| Then out came the avowal had been
expecting.
well, sir, I did see man took for
an Englishman about last night, who
asked me some tritling questions. But
i took it into my head he was after no
good, and told him to be off, and he
went quicker than he came"
"Was he a tall, dark man, with black
hair and thick, black mustache?''
asked l, SURPRISING all signs of nerv-
Gus agitation as well as could.
| CHATS him, SIR" said Tom.
"Then why didn't you tell me about
his coming at the time ?" asked, sharp.
ly.
SWELL, you've seemed so out of sorts
and nervous-like the last day or two
sir" said Tom. frankly, that thought
as I'd better hold my tongue about il
till you asked me. Then had tc
speak"
1t may be imagined that, in the low
spirits was mat the time, these words
upset me good deal. 1t was hot
day, and the sun seemed to burn into
my very bones; the hot ground begar
to dance under me as l rode, and 9
strange singing in my ears seemed tt
portend some i'll to me. / was half-in
clined to give in at an early hour ani
to take to my bed, which would un
doubtedly have been the best place fol
me. But had worrying notion that
once in bed, especially if the fever
upon me grew high, should be at my
enemy's mercy; and so all through the
hot, weary hours ! rode on, missing
every shot tried, seeing phantoms ii
the hot, dry air, longing for rest, We
fearing repose.
At last, when turned my horse!
head toward the outspan where tn,
wagon was. It was pretty well dead
| heat and hv the time bad e,yo I