Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-19


got the paddles to work and We cracked
on at top speed
Il do not know" said the missionary.
who was more anxious at the moment to
reassure the women than to answer queS-
tions.
But is there any bush fighting going
on? Everything was reported to be all
right when left Ibi.''
May heaven be praised that you We're
prompted to visit US. My wife. Miss
Dane. our interpreter and myself-four
out of two hundred-alone remain in the
mission. Some of our people stole the
canoe and made off. and every other
native In the compound has gone into the
bush. When We heard your paddles just
now we thought that the. war canoes of
the King of Oku were approaching But
please come with me to the house. The
mere sight of your uniforms will show
the ladies' that our danger is at an end"
Colvile was young, but he was old in
experience. He had also learned the eX-
ceeding wisdom of REFRESHING opinions
that were not called for.
wait a few seconds" he said. Here
is Lord Fairholme. But for his urgent
wish to visit Miss Dane. we should not
have been in Kadana tonight. Hello!
Who the dev-what canoe is that
Even while he was Speaking another
craft shot out from the dense layer If
Though The trees on tie opposite bark
were clearly visible in the ever-spreadin:,
moonlight. the Benue Itself was invisible.
Hausa sergeant challenged from
launch and the reply came in his own
tongue. A small native boat. propelled
by two paddles, grated on strip Of
single. and an Arab and negro stepped
ashore.
BY this time Fairholme had joined Col
vile and had been introduced TO Hume.
The Arab hardly wa ting an instant for
response to a curt inquiry, stalked to-
ward them. He tall man. gauIt
but why, and he carried himself with tue
liStleSs air of one barely convaleScent
after a severe illness.
But there was no trace of listlessness in
his voice He singled out Colvile imme
diately the officer i'm charge of the
party and addressed him in the Hausa
language.
You would better bring your men
ashore. run the launch as far up the
bank as possible and harricade yourself
in the strongest building available he
said. The men of Oku are out. Three
of their war canoes are stationed at the
bend in the river and their occupants are
armed with Manlicher rifles. Escape that
way is impossible. Your only chance is
to hold this post as long as Allan permits.
| shall try to pass the bIockading canoes
and reach Ibi though L fear it will be
too late"
Colvilie hardly knew at which. he WAS
most amazed. the commanding tone ~
this iaggard son of the desert or the
founding news he brought.
Say. then, hail. he cried half iron
ically. What plague has broken out in
Oku that the whole line of the Benue
should be threatened
THE chief plague is that of blindness
among officers who fail to see the pits
dug for them by crafty natives" was
the stern answer. Il speak truly, young
master You have half an hour. at best
IA ..i, ions
But these war canoes You speak of
they not at the bend: have just
come up stream.
They passed but now. You did not see
them for the mist. | accompanied them"
why did | not hear them?'
They drifted down quietly lest they
should arouse the mission
And yet you came here? Why?
ITO warn the mission people. Hurry. l
pray you. and waste no time in useless
talk
"Oh. 1 say. Colville." broke in FAIR
holme who understood word of this
dialogue and wondered why the Englisn
officer should permit an Arab to detain
him. cant Mr.. Hume take me to Miss
Dane? If she is sick of this rotten
river as ] am she'll be jolly glad to see
me-"
Certainly" said Colville. Il shall fol-
low you soon. This chap seems to be
able to explain matters, SO / must remain
here few minutes.
Hume, eager TO get away, led Fairholine
in the direction of the house, The young
soldier felt strong hand grasp his
shoulder and English voice whispered:
''Colville. don't you know me-
They We're standing i'm cleared space.
where the moonbeams gave some degree
of light. The Arab had pushed back his
burnous. revealing worn, handsome
face, tanned brown with exposure.
Though The characteristic traits of his
supposed race are the heavy lip and the
a WklikP nose this Sfraip ht-
nosed and thin-lipped. He was cadaverous
enough. but no Arab
Go be continued tomorrow1