The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1906-10-30


time the report was more definite.
There were Arabs leading the tribes.
and rumor further stated that an or
ganlzed descent on Msala was in
tended Aud yet there was no word
from Durnovo; no sign TO suggest that
he had even thought OF securing the
safety Of his housckeepcr and the few
aged negroes IN charge OF Msala. This
news only strengthened oscards de
termination TO send Marie down to the
coast, and he personally superintendent
their departure before taking his seas
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 disquietlng rumors. the ex-
peditlon 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 the men of Durnovo's division
captured native who had been prowl-
Ing on their heels In the llne OF march
Victor Durnovo sent captor aud pris-
oner TO the front OF the column. with
message TO DISCARD that he would
come presently aud see what lnforma-
ton was 20 he distracted from the
captive At the midday halt Durnovo
accordingly Joined DISCARD. and the man
was brought before them. He was
hardly worthy Of the name. so disease
stricken. so miserable and half starved
was he.
ASK him." said DISCARD. whether he
knows that there is an Englishman
with large force on the top OF
mountain far TO the east
Durnoyo translated. and the man an-
swcred with a smile In reply TO some
further question the negro launched
into detailed narrative. to which Dur.
novo listened eagerly.
HE SAYS" said the latter TO DISCARD,
"that the plateau il IN possession OF
the Masals. II was taken two months
Rgo. The blacks were sold as slaves:
the two Englishmen were tortured TO
death aud their bodies burned"
Discard never moved muscle
ASK him II he is quite sure about
IT,"
"ouitc." replied Durnovo after ques.
tlonlng. What a pity! But | always
knew It. knew 1t was quite hopeless
from the first"
He passed his brown hand nervously
over bis lace. where the perspiration
stood In beads.
YES" said DISCARD slowly. but
think we will go on all the same"
"what!' cried Durnovo. Go on?"
"YeS" replied Guy DISCARD. I'VE will
10 on and n | find you trying TO desert
I'll shoot you down like n rat"
About as bad ms they can be- SIR.
That's how things Is Joseph set
down his masters breakfast on the
rough table that stood In front OF his
tent aud looked at Jack Meredith.
Meredlth had way OF performing
most OF his toilet outside his tent. and
while Joseph made his dIscouraging
report he was engaged In buttonlng
his walstcoat He nodded gravely. but
his manner was not that OF a man
who fully realized his position of i'm
minent danger Some men are liLe
this. They die without getting at all
clustered.
There's not more nor two or three
out OF the whole lot that can put any
trust in" continued Joseph.
Jack Meredith was putting on his
coat
Il know what barrack room mutiny
is. I've felt IL in the atmosphere, so
to speak. before now. sir"
And what does 1t feel like;" In.
qulred Jack Meredith. lightly arranging
his watch chain.
But Joseph did not answer. He
stepped backward into the tent and
brought two rifles. There was no need
OF answer. for this came in the sound
Of many voices. the clang aud clatter
Of varied arms.
Here they come, SIR said the sol.
der servant. respectfully mindful OF
his place even at this moment.
Jack Meredith merely sat down be-
hind the little table where his break
fast stood untouched. He leaned his
elbow on the table and watched the
approach OF the disorderly band Of
blacks. Some ran. some hung back,
hut all were armed
In front walked small. trueulent
looking man with broad shoulders aud
an aggressive head.
He planted himself before Meredith,
and. turning with wave OF the hand