Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-12-19

lie go!" he gasped.
But the hand at bis neck neither |
relinquished nor contracted. When
they reached the beach the fembarka-
ton of the little army was going for
ward under Maurice Gordon's super
vision. Victor looked at Gordon. He
reflected over the trump card held In
his hand. but he was too 'skiliful to
play it then.
CHAPTER XVI.
TT was nearly dark when the little
coast steamer secured BY Maurice
Gordon for the service turned her
L prov northward and steamed
away.
"The truth is," Durnovo took an
early opportunity of saying to DISCARD,
''that my nerve Is no longer up to this
work. l should not care to undertake
this business alone, despite my repnta-
ton on the coast. 1t Is wonderful
thing how closely the nerves are allied
to the state of ones health"
"Wonderfulw acquiesced Guy Os-
card, with lack of irony which only
made the irony keener.
1--WE been too long In this country"
exclaimed Durnovo. That's the fact.
I'm not the man l was.''
Guy DISCARD 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 simiacine IL you were going to
funk it when the first difficulty arose"
Without further comment he walked
away and entered Into conversation
with the captain of the steamer.
IAN right" muttered Durnovo 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
tie canoes suitable for up river traffic
We're by no means sufficient to 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 DISCARD
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 fertify.
ing his camp.
DISCARD with food for considerable
thought, and after some space Of time
he called Marie.
: X
She came. and, standing before him
with her patient dignity Of mien.
awaited his communication. She never
took her eyes off the letter In his hand.
DISCARD noticed the perslstency Of her
gaze at the time and remembered II
again afterward.
"Marle," he said, II have had rather
serious news from Mr.. Durnovo. 1t
will not be safe for you to stay at
Msala. You must take the children
down to Loango. will send two men
down with you, and will give you q
letter to Miss Gordon, who will see to
your wants at Loango."
eyes," said she softly, II know
{ And she went into the house.
The next morning brought further
rumors of approaching danger, and II
seemed certain that this news must
have filtered through sDurnovo's forti-
4 fed camp farther up the river. This
time the report was more definite.
There were Arabs leading the tribes,
and rumor further stated that amor.
ganized descent on Msala was In.
Il tended. And yet there was no word
Il from Durnovo; no sign to suggest that
i he had even thought Of securing the
safety of his housekeeper and the few
LACED negroes in charge Of Msala. Thu
4 news only strengthened Oscard's de
termination to send Marie down to tht
coast, and he personally superintendet
their departure before. taking his sea-
In the canoe for the up river voyage
The men Of his division had all pre-
ceded him, and no one except his Owl
boatmen knew that Msala was to b,
abandoned.
Despite disquieting rumors. the q
petition was allowed to depart from
the river camp unmolested. For twa
days they marched through the gloom,
forest with all speed. On the third da!
one of the men Of Durnoyo's division
captured native who had been prowl
Ing on their heels in the line OF march
Victor Durnovo sent captor and pris
oner to the front OF the column, witt
a message to DISCARD that he woult
come presently and see what inforrna
ton was to be abstracted from tn,
captive. At the midday halt Durnov'
accordingly Joined DISCARD, and the mai
was brought before them. He wa
hardly worthy of the name. 10 diseas
stricken, 80 miserable and half Starve,
was he.
"Ask him." said DISCARD, whether b
knows that there Is an Englishmal
with large force on the top Of ,
mountain far to the east"
Durnovo translated, and the man an
| swered with u smile. In reply to SOM
. further question the negro launche,
into detailed narrative, to which Dur
, novo listened eagerly
HE says" said the latter to DISCARD
: that the plateau is in possession o
!, the Masais. 1t was taken two month
ago. The blacks were sold as slaves
the two Englishmen were tortured t
} death and their bodies burned
i Oscard never moved a muscle.
. TASK him II he Is quite sure abou
it."
"Quite," replied Durnovo after que,
tioning. What a pity! But Away
knew it. knew 1t was quite hopeless
from the first"
He passed his brown hand nervonsl
over his face, where the perspiratiol
, stood In beads.
YES" said DISCARD slowly, ':but
think we will go on all the same"
what" cried Durnovo. go on?'"5