Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-08

4 puf of blue smoke rose slo,oly ovcr
 the boat.
 little expedition, while the manner and attitude of the man in the bow sug gcsted the servitude of disciplined soldier slightly relaxed by abnormal circumstances.
 .Who fired that shot? inquired Durnovo, when there was no longer any necessity to shout.
 Joseph" replied the man in the stern of the boat, indicating his con- panion. Was it a near thing?"
 About as near as I care about. It threw up the dust between my legs" The man called Joseph grinned. Nature had given him liberally of the wherewithal for indulgence in that relaxation. and Durnovo smiled rather constrainelly. Joseph was grabbing at the long reedy grass. bringing the canoe to a standstill, and 1t was some moments before his extensive mouth submitted to control.
 T presume you are Mir. Durnovo" said the man in the stern of the boat, rising leisurely from his recumbent DO, sition and speaking with courteous savior faire which seemed slightly out of place in the wilds of central Africa. He was tall man with a small aristocratic head and refined face, which somehow suggested an aristO- crat of old France. L-.... "Yes," answered Durnovo.
 The tall man stepped ashore and held out his hand.
 "I am glad we have met you," he said. T have letter of introduction to you from Maurice Gordon of Lo- ango."
 Victor Durnovo's dark face changed slightly. His eyes-bilious, fever shot, unhealthy-took new light.
 "Ahw he answered. Are you a friend of Maurice Gordon's?" There was another question in this, an unasked one. and Victor Durnovo was watching for the answer. But the face he watched was like delicately carved piece of brown marble, with a courteous, impenetrable smile.
 'I met him again the other day at Loango. He is an old Etonian, like myself"
 This conve.ed nothing to Durnovo. who belonged to different world, whose education was. ike other things about him. an unknown quantity.
 My name." continued the tall man. 'is Meredith-John Meredith-some- times called Jack"
 They were walking up the bank to- ward the dusky and uninviting tent.
 And the other fellow" inquired Durnovo, with backward jerk of the head.
 .'oh. he is my servant"
 Durnovo raised his eyebrows in somewhat contemptuous amusement and proceeded to open the letter which Meredith had handed him.
 Not many fellows" he said. "on th.s coast can afford to keep a European servant"
 "I understand" answered Meredith. with half suppressed yawn, that the country gets finer farther up; more mountainous"
 The proprietors of very dark eyes would do well to remember that it Is dangerous to glance furtively to one side or the other. The attention of dark eyes Is more easily felt than the glances of gray or blue orbs.
 Jack Meredith's suspicious were aroused by the suspicious manner of Durnovo.
 There Is no white man knows this river as do. and I do not recommend it. Look at me, on the verge of taun- dice: look at this wound on my arm. it began with a scratch and has never healed. An that comes from q month up this cured river. Take my advice Try somewhere else
 T certainly shaIl.- replied Meredith ~we will discuss 1t after dinner. Ny chap is a first rate cook Have you got anything to add to the menur
 -No, a thing. I've been living on plantalns and dried elephant meat for the last fortnight
 a-Do<sn-t sound nourishing- We'll ve are pretty ueH provided % perhaps you will give ne the pleasure of your company to dinnerf Come ss yOu sre' nO ceremony. I think I VII wash. thOuzh. It s as vel to keep up these cd custoua-
 CHAPTER VII IN that part of Afrtca vhich hes
 within to1ch Of the equator fife k
 XA