The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-06

lamps in and out with inconcelynble ro.
putty and left them quite blinded during
the intervals of darkness.
90 tIiut on the whole, as Carter realized
very fully, II the King of okky had set
men 70 waylay them. these could scarce
~ DC incompetent enough to miss their
in'irk. But he did not admit this knowl-
edge TO White Man 's-Troubc When that
krooboy stated things exactly as thy
were. Carter pool-looed his deductions
nightly enough, and stormed at the man
because lie was ignorant of the most
approved method OF pipe claylng shoes.
An African moon floated clearly over
head, and great African stars pune
turcd the purple roof of heaven, and to
Carriers chilled fancy he and the Kroo-
boy were as conspicuous as two actors
strutting under limo light. But there
were two things he overlooked, and these
believe must have been the salvation
of the pair of them. The thick night
mists were steaming out of the forest
and from the surf the thick white sea
smoke drove in on the land breeze to
meet them. This translucent fog though
it might not be very apparent to the eyes
of the walkers themselves, would be quite
enough to screen them from the gaze OF
hostile pickets who, after the manner
of Africans, were already half scared
out of their dusky skins by the fear OF
ghosts.
They had made the journey out to
Smooth River in five and quarter
hours; they completed the journey back
to Malla-Nulla In four which meant good
travelling; and because a heavy march
like this may not be undertaken without
physical payment in the stewy climate of
the Coast, Carter felt certain premonitory
symptoms which told him that a good
tI,ttt, H.. IL.
when once he slackcned his efforts and
gave 1t chance to take charge. But
lie was not much alarmed ut the cir
cumstanccs. As lie told himself cooily
enough, either by the time tile fever
came on he would have rejoined Mr.
Smith at MALTA Nulla, who in that case
wa2 perfectly capable OF looking after
him, or he would have rejoined Mr..
Smith in the Shades BEYOND, and a fever
owing to his body left behind on earth
would not matter. As it happened nei-
Their of these alternatives had to be bar
gained with.
Malla-Nulla factory was caves deep in
white wet mist when they got to 1t,
and found 1t earthly smelling and empty.
IT was unmarked by fire, unsmrched by
signs of battle. and, strangest OF all,
unlooted.
The pair of them cnarGed up the ver-
anda steps, Garter il the lead. with the
twelve-bore held ready for an instant
discharge. The krcoboy with matchet
upllftcd and teeth ut the snarl looked
the very picture of savage desperation
ard ferocity. They stepped into the emp
ty mess-room and lit matches and
lamp. The land breeze sang through the
bamboo walls. and Carter's homemade
punkah swlshed overhead to the unseen
impulse OF the water wheel; but Of quick
human life, there was not II trace
He had iitted up bells about the place,
or rather strings that actuated wooden
clappers which could beat on wooden
drums. He set these all a-clang and
listened The place reeked of its usual
inildew, and the smell nauseated him
They had got rid OF the mildew scent
at the Smooth River factory. But tere
was not q mur1nur OF reply 10 ms
clamor
White-Man' s-Trouble delivered hiraself
of wisdom. ooh Carter, / think dem
smith. an all dem boys at factory no
for die. Dis place lib for full of ghosts.
! fit for run back for Smooth RIVER.
run away, then" said Garter VINO
was beginning to examine thc mess
room systematically.
T,,a i5roohoy covered in Il chair and
covered his ewes. "Oh, Carter no III
for march back alone. Dem ghosts plen-
tvtno-much fond o. 1<roo chop. oi'
Garter. YOU no be dam fool an stay nele.
You lib back for Smooth River ali-e-saihe
me- - "a
my pagan friend don't get 700 al
ni,ior The next time | hear you caii-
ing me names, shall break my knuckles
nm against one of the places where the
worsted's been shaved off your skuii.
observe''-said Carter, and poured some
whiskey onto the table top ana SCI i.sn
~ ~ CONSERVE those blue flames that
crawl and nicker about, but do not burn
the wood. In those the ghosts that nave
been threatening you are now being most most
painfully consumed Do you oeneys gh ~.
81 ut for see 'em die sad Whi'e
N,ar,s-.,rouble devoutly. "Oh. Garter you
nlenty-much-nne witch doctor | MT lor
nine-clay dem shoes. three pair a aaS.
Oh. Carter. if okky men lib for come
you burn them. too?" ,, -
"certainly,, said Carter anything "
.ontha vonr nerves Though, as matter
Of fact, should demonstrate to them
with a shotgun, not by burning meths