The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-06


of deliciously clear cool water.
The antelope steaks were by this time
ready. and we all sat down 10 breakfast
together. For my own part, 1 must say
1 thoroughly enjoyed the meal; but / was
sorry to observe that Smellie a.e with but
little appetite, drinking large quantities
OF water. however. The poor fellow made
no complaint, but could tell by his hay-
gard look, his flushed cheeks. and his slit
tering eyes that II was quite time his
wounds were attended to, or we should be
having him down with fever In the hush.
and then Heaven alone could tell when
we should-if ever-be able to rejoin the
Daphne.
But we were not 10 be allowed TO sink
tamely into a state OF dependency OF
apprehension: our sable lady friend prov
ed to be. like the rest OF her sex a great
talker, and she seized the opportunity
afforded by the discussion OF breakfast to
plunge into an animated conversation.
She began by introducing herself, which
she managed In quite an original fashion.
Pausing for moment, with piece of
steak poised daintily on a large horn,
she pointed to herself and remarked
Mono: then touched Smellie and me
lightly on the breast and added "Ingeya";
"lngeya." We nodded sravely 10 Sig
nifty that we understood, or thought we
did; upon which she pointed TO herself
babemba."
which, being interpreted. means. as l
take IL. that her ladyship's name is Lu-
hem by-soine; ling. Your most obedient
servant. Miss Lubin by"
She laug led very pretty musical lit
tie laugh at Smellie's elaborate assump-
ton OF mock gallantry and his bungling
efforts TO pronounce the name
''Lubem- ba -bemba," she corrected him;
and this time the gallant second lieuten-
ant managed to stumble through IL cor
recty. at which thede was more laugh
ter and rejoicing on the lady's part. Then
which. having paid the most praise
worthy attention whilst Smelle was re-
ceivng his lesson, l managed to do very
fairly.
Then. flushed with her success, Miss
Lubembabemba made a further attempt
at conversation. Pointing to herself and
repeated her name, she next pointed 10
Smellie and asked:
"Ingeya2"
Her meaning was so evident that Smell
lie answered at once, with another elab-
orate bow.
Harold Smelie: at your service"
toserveece?' she re-
peated with wide-opened eyes Of wonder
at what she doubtless thought very ex-
traordnary name.
We both burst involuntarly into
laugh at this really clever first attempt
to reproduce the second lieutenant's po-
lite speech; at which she first looked de-
cidedly disconnected. but Immediately af-
terwards Joined heartily in the laugh
against herself.
mo. no, no." said Smellie. that won't
do; you haven't got 1t quite right. Har-
old; Harold
"fiarold?" she repeated. And after two
or three ate attempts s to put her risht-at-
ability to pronounce the "r'-Smellie was
obliged 10 rest content with bolng hence
forward called ''Halold."
Then. OF course. she turned TO me with
the same Inquiry:
'Ingeya?'
Dick" said l.
This time she caught the name accur-
ately, and then, to show. that she clearly
understood the whole proceeding. pointed
to Smellie, TO me. and to herself in ro-
talon, talon, pronouncng our respective names.
you have learned your lesson very well
indeed, my dear; but we shall never be
able to remember that extraordinary
know: besides. II will take us a dog
watch TO pronounce It In full; so | pro-
pose that we change II and reohristen
Daphne you know. How would you like
that? ou-Daphne-I-Halold since YOU |
will have II so; and this strapping young !
gentleman, Dick. Would that suit your |
Daphne-Halold-D pointing to each |
OF us I'm turn.
Her ladyshIp seemed TO take the pro-
posal as a tremendous compliment. for |
she kept on pointing round The circle and |
repeating d-Dick-Daphne" until |
breakfast was concluded. And thence |
forward she refused to answer TO any |
other name than Daphne. assuming an /
air OF the most complete unconsciousness |
when either OF us presumed TO address |
her as "Lubembabemba" (the butterfly. |
Breakfast over, l thought II was high |
time TO attend 10 our wounds. The first |
requirement was water-plenty OF Il. and |
this want ] managed with some little diff 4
fculty to explain 10 Miss Daphne Com |
pretending my meaning at last. she inti- |
mated that n stream was 20 be found at |
no great distance; and we at once set OF |
in search OF Il, our little black friend |
carrying along with her a live ember |
from the fire. which. by waving Il occa-
sionally I'm tho air, she managed to keep |
glowing.
We had not very far 90 go-most for |
tunately. for I saw that Smellie's wounds |
were momentarily giving him increas scd |
uneasiness and pain. a walk OF about a |
quarter OF an hour took US TO seques- |
tered and most delightful spot. where we |
were not only perfectly concealed from |
chance wanderers but where we also |
found a small rocky basin full OF dellc. |
iously cool and pure water. which flowed /
into II from tiny stream meanderins /
down the steep hillside.
Tn ka AAA t.