Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-13
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
 VT was nearly dark when the little
 coast steamer secured by Maurice
 Gordon for the service turned her X brow northward and steamed away. ...ta,...... B. ..s> Q d.
 "The truth is," Durnovo took an early opportunity of saying to Oscard, ''that my nerve is no longer up to this work. I should not care to undertake this business alone, despite my reputa- tion on the coast. It is wonderful thing how closely the nerves are allied to the state of ones health.''
 "Wonderfulv' acGuiesced Guy Os- card, with a lack of irony which only made the irony keener. #
 "I'vc been too long in this country ? exclaimed Durnovo. That's the fact. I'm not the man I was." @ <a.
 Guy Oscard smoked for some mo Ments in silence, then he took his pipe from his lips. .,, .-..,... .-..-...
 ''The only pity is," he said judicially, "that you ever undertook to look For the simiacire if you were going to funk it when the first difficulty arose."
 Without further comment he walked away and entered into conversation with t5e captain of the steamer. .a
 "All right" muttered Durnoyo be- tween his teeth-"all right. my sar- castle, grand gentleman. I'll be even with you yet"
 In due time Msala was reached. As the canoes suitable for up river traffic were by no means suf1cierGto trans port the whole of the expeditionary force in one journey, division was made. Durnovo took charge of the ad- vance column, journeying up to the camp from which the long march through the forest was to begin, and sending back the canoes for Oscard and the remainder of the force. With these canoes he sent back word that the hostile tribes were within few days march, and that he was fortify- Ing his camp. F S2yL A7s5A1.=A
 This news seemed to furnish Guy Oscard with food for considerable thought, and after some space of time he called Marie.
 She came, and, standing before him with her patient dignity of mien, awaited his communication. She never took her eyes of the letter in his hand. Oscard noticed the persistency of her gaze at the time and remembered it again afterward.
 Marie" he said, T have had rather serious news from Mir. Durnovo. It will not be safe for you to stay at Msala. You must take the children down to Loango. Twill send two men down with you, and will give you a letter to Miss Gordon, who will see to your wants at Loango."
 "Yes," said she softly, T know" And she went into the house.
 The next morning brought further rumors of approaching danger, and it seemed certain that this news must have filtered through Durnovo's forti- fed camp farther up the river. This time the report was more definite. There were Arabs. leading the tribes. and rumor further stated that an or ganized descent on Msaia was in- tended. And yet there was no word from Durnovo; no sign to suggest that he had even thought of securing the safety of his housekeeper and the few aged negroes In charge of Msala. This news only strengthened Oscard's de- termination to send Marie down to the coast. and he personally superintended their departure before taking his seat in the canoe for the up river voyage. The men of his division had all pre- ceded him. and no one except his own boatmen knew that Msala was to be abandoned.
 Despite disquieting rumors. the ex- petition was allowed to depart from the river camp unmolested. For two days they marched through the gloomy forest with all speed. On the third day one of thc men of Durnovo's division captured q native who had been prowl- ing on thcir heels In tic line of march. Victor Durno-o sent captor and pris one- to Ihe front of the column. wi.h a message % oscsri that be woull come presently aad see what Inforns- ton was to be abstracted frcn the captive. A. the midday halt Durnovo accordingly joined oscard. and the man was brought betcre them. He wns hardly worthy of the name, so disease str.cker. so miserable and half starveS! vas he.
 Ask h.-," said oscarc. "whethe- he knows Itat tbsre Is an Engiishman w.h a large force on the tor c. z mountain far to the east"
 prraovo translated, and the man n. swe-ei with smile. In reply to some further question the negro launched into de:ailed narrative. to which Dur novo listened eagerly.
 "He says said the latter to oscari, "tha: tie plateau is in possession of the Masals. It was taken two months ago. The blacks were sold as slaves: the two En<lishrasn were tortured 10 death and their bcdies burned"
 Oscsrd never rnOvSl a muscle.
 "Ask him if he is quite sure about It.
 "Quite." replied DurnOvo after ques- tioains. What a pity. But I always knew it. knew it was quite hopeless from the first
 He passed his brown hand nsrvo-sly over his faee. where the ps-spiratiOn stood in seads.
 -Yes.- said Oscar1 slowly. but .., -ss4 = - m A..