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

~ NE morning three months later
4 Guy DISCARD drew up in line
his flying column. He was
going back to England with
the first consignment of simiacine.
/ During the twelve weeks that lay be-
hind there had been constant reference
made to his little body of picked men,
and the leader had selected with 4
grave deliberation that promised well.
The lost soldier that was in him was
all astir in his veins as he reviewed
his command in the cool air Of early
morning The journey from Msala to
the plateau had occupied busy two
months. DISCARD expected to reach
Msala with his men in forty days.
Piled up in neat square cases, such as
could be carried in pairs by man Of
ordinary strength. was the crop of
simiacine, roughly valued by Victor
! Durnovo at 100000. Ten men could
| carry the whole of it, and the twenty
cases set close together on the ground
made bed for Guy DISCARD. Upon
this improvisel couch he gravcly
stretched his bulk every night all
through the journey that followed.
1t was on the open ground in front
of the tents that Guy DISCARD drewup his
i quick marching column before the sun
had sprung up in its fantastic tropical
way from the distant line of virgin for.
est. AS he walked along the line, max
ing IL suggestion here. pulling on a
shoulder rope there, he looked stanch
and strong as any man might wish to
be- His face was burned so brown
that eyebrows and mustache stood out
almost blond. though In reality they
We're only brown. His eyes did not
seem to be suffering from the heaviness
noticeable In others; altogether, the
climate and the mystic breath of the
simiacine did not appear to affect
him as they did his companions. This
was probably accounted for by the fact
that, being cLicf Of Tie hunters, most
of his days had been passed on the
lower slopes in search of game.
Discard gave the signal for the men
to start, and the loMg caravan deti!ed.
Tie porters nodded to Meredith with a
great display of white teeth, while the
head men, the captains of tens, stepped
out of the ranks and shook hands
Before they had disappeared over the
edge Of the plateau Joseph came for.
ward to say goodby to Oscard.
And II Is understood" said the lat.
ter. that pay in to your account at
Lloyd's bank your share of the pro.
ceeds.'
Joseph srinnel. Yes, sir; If you
please; presumin' It's a safe bank
Meredith walked a little way down
the slope with Discard.
"Goodby. old chap" he said, when
the parting came. Good luck, and all
that. Hope YOU Will find all right at
home. By The way" he shouted after
him. give my kind regards to the Cor,
dons nj Loango."
! And 50 the first consignment of
simacinc was sent from the plateau to
the coast.
Guy OscarI Was one of those decep
tive men who only do Il few things and
do these few very well In forty-t three
days lie deposited the twenty precious
cases in Got.loI's @,1-downs ut LoangC
ard paid Off Ne !iGiiers. of whom he
had not lost one. These duties per
formed, he turned his steps toward tho
bungalow. lie had refused Gordon;
invitation 10 stay With him until thu
next day. "i!e! tie coasting steamer
WAS expected. 10 toll the truth, liz
was not very mech prepossessed IL
Maurice's favor. I'D IT was with ,
doubtful mind that lie turned his step,
toward tie little house in the forest be
tween l-oango and tie sea.
"And when did you leave them?'
asked Jocelyn, after. her visitor hat
explained who he was
Il left them forty four days ago" 1t
replied.
And We're they well?'
e. &c: yes" he replied. you know