The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-03-06
IcopyriSht. by RoBEAr BoNSza's soSs
CHAPTER Xxx.
CONTINUED.


men he had with him, who he knew
were trustworthy, did pretty much as
they liked. They were under the i'm
mediate command of lieutenant, who
1ounged along, smoking a pipe, now
and then sitting down by the river to
read a book, then rushing ahead to
catch up with US.
We did very little talking, wethree,
each being too full of his own thoughts
to care for conversation. This was at
least true of Gordon and myself. Sea-
camp, no doubt, would gladly have
chartered, but we paid no attention
to him. We tramped on, keeping q
lookout for human beings or their
habitations.
Late in the afternoon we reached a
small settlement which We judged to
be that spoken of by Orcutt.
It was right on the river-bank, aud
stretched along it for little distance.
It was q typical native village, bu'
there was no person there.
Deserted" said Gordon, coming te
o standstill before an empty grass
house, and looking around him.
'Yet there are signs that the place
is inhabited" said. ''See, there are
the remains of O fre-not an old one,
either. The people who live here are
not far away"
CT agree with you. replied Gordon.
Gas they did not pass US on our way
here, they have probably gone further
up the valley. Let us proceed.
This time Gordon ordered the SOL
diers to keep together and to preserve
silence. A scout was sent on ahead
with orders to observe without being
observed, and at the first sight of a
human being to come and warn US.
''I don't like the looks of the
thing" said Gordon. There is
something up. Some more fooi-wor-
ship, I suppose.
'sLet's shoot them all" suggested
Jollroy Seacamp.
''No; that hardly seems advisable
unless they oppose US" SAID Corr
don.
We cautiously continued, our way
up the winding course of the river.
The falls were passed. beautiful
scene, that would have attracted
either of us under pleasant circum-
stances--but we were in no mood to
appreciate natural beauty.
''St! came a voice ahead.
The growth of trees and shrubs and
tall grasses was now thicker than had
been found lower down. A slight
path could be seen leading through it.
We were following this when we heard
the voice ahead. 1t was the scout.
We crept slowly up to him.
.There's something going on" he
said. ''See that opening between the
boughs Of these two trees ahead:
Look through them. Do you see
that fellow up on the ledge? Way up
on the side of the precipice.
We looked in the direction indi-
Gated. .--.., .
ct see him." whispered. ,.
$50 do l." said Gordon.
ssWhereP Where?" asked Seacamp.
s'That fellow is a sentinel" con-
finued Gordon, ignoring Seacamp.
ls.His position is apparently inaccessi-
BILE. We can gain nothing by show
of force now. We must reconnoiter. !"
General, wait here" said the
scout. "Wait for me. I will res1rn
soon"
"He can be trusted" said Gordon.
That was oil that was said. We
waited, almost breathlessly for about
twenty minutes.
The rustling of grass and swapping
twigs told US of the upproach of the
scout.
'.It's temple" said the scout.
"Caa We reach it without being dis
covered?" asked Gordon.
Yes. That sentinel is watching
the path. found way to get up be-
hind him. Two Of US could gag him
and prevent his giving the alarm"
Good" said Gordon. "What sort
OF temple is it?"
sI don't know. I didn't wait to learn
any more. I heard voices as II pray
ing"
Slowly and stealthily we followed
the scout. He led US through mar
row defile and up a rough Jagged rock
way. He paused and held up his
hand. We waited. He motioned for
another soldier to follow him. A mo-
ment after they were gone we heard a
short scufle.
"Come on" said the scouts voice
ahead of Ms. ssHe's quiet"