The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-05-27
CHAPTER x111.-(Continued.)

honi." answered the black. Just BE-
noni.'
Americana" asked Larry.
rive lived there" volunteered Be-
noni. Where are we going now?"
Anywhere to get away from them."
replied Johnny.
Then don't go so far to the right
Turn at the next crossing-there-n
turn to your left again-see? Beyond
those hills We'll find a snug defile!
Here we are!"
The motor wheezed and grunted and
turned awkwardly into the debouch-
ment of the mountain side.
How'd you come to get in such
scrape?" asked Larry. Ever see that
woman before? Do you know her at
all? What was her animus?"
Benoni nodded. Yes, gave her
passage money to go back to Maine to
her family once. and she gambled it
away. Then she came to me again.
and wanted some more money and
refused to give it to her, and she's
hated me ever since. guess. hadn't
seen her for years"
Like a woman" commented john
ny.
Larry smoked in silence, till Benoni
asked: Exploring? Or just touring?"
How long since you've been in the
States?" asked Johnny.
Just came from there week ago.
replied Benoni.
Then you heard of the Wayne muir
der mystery, of course? Well. we're
hunting for the abducted Miss Lam
cey. We think she's in Africa here"
Benoni raised his woolly eyebrows.
You're a nice hunt" he observed.
Have you any trace of where she
might be? Africa is very large. larger
even than your Wanted State Of
Texas"
Il know" responded Larry, CURLY.
"But If a mans hearts in the hunt
he doesn't stop to reckon the length
OF the chase"
Miss Lancey?"
Not yet" said Johnny. Hes just
hoping that way
Benoni sprung out of the car. He
paced by its side nervously for few
seconds, and then stopped beside Lar
ry.
II am black, as you see," spoke
Benoni. but / own the blood of kings
and my mind has been subjected to a
thorough course of education in Euro
pean universities. 1 am in Africa now
on an errand similar to yours. l am
seeking my wife, Meta. Unlike you. l
have an inkling as to where I may
find her. Perhaps the woman you are
hunting for is not far away from Meta.
Will you join forces with me? I am
single handed. and I may need foreign
,aid-men I can trust!"
Larry and Johnson grasped- at the
straw. 1t was something tangible any
way, in this great wanton waste of
sun and sky, desert and barbarians.
And far more likely of result than the
neatly red-taped government assist
ance that had been proffered them.
So they made a compact with Be-
noni 1t was taking long chance
with a stranger. but the boys had
learned that long shots frequently won
when the short arc failed altogether.
The three were to meet at the defile
on the morrow-early-bef the sun
waxed unbearably hot. Benoni told
them to leave behind all 1ugga ge; that
he would attend to all of that, and to
take with them but nominal sum OF
money, if any at all.
you can both rider" he questioned
''Wel, I'm not much at it," confess
ed Johnny.
The black surveyed the small red
headed man half contemptuously
hot ,<l,i -.
blurted out the American You're
thinking that barring the color of the
skin and head that you've got me beat
on being man. Perhaps you have
Anyway, 1 don't grudge you anything
and you needn't mel"
They rumbled into town as the false
dawn broke. Benoni left them at the
corner of an obscure street, and Larry
and Johnson took Suiveler back his
auto. Suiveler was not yet home, 81
they went to the cafe, where they ha6
left him early in the evening, anl
found him there browsing
What a shame" groaned Johnny
How can a man with a mind do sucl
things as this?"
you never did," said Harry, QUIETLY
Here, let's take him home Come
Suiveler. come on. we've got somethin,
TO tell you
CHAPTER XIV.
Benoni was waiting at the dedIe
With him was a small Arabian serv
ant. Benoni himself was astride
magnificent black horse, and smalle
mounts were saddled for the tw
Americans. The little Arab rode
wizened but sturdy beast and led RI
pack horse by a short tether.
The black was still more of RI
physically perfect by daylight than h
had been under the lamplight and tn
later CLEAN of the moon He was eve
yet more taciturn. Larry and Johnso
logged along side by side. Benonf pace
them. at times making far excursion
anead, returning with foaming hors
and flushed face.
Al noon they, stopped beside scar
niue creek for rest The sun was un
enouraole and despite their visore
And yelled helmets. Johnny and LAIR
were suffering terribly from sunbur