The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-12-12

in his black eyes. He had suddenl.
thrust himself before the big man
directly between him and the wa&
on. and so barred his way.
i've come 10 discuss them, ant
other things, with you-in the shade
OF the wagon
The two men looked squarely into
each others eyes, and, finally, Guy
swung himself around and led the
way in the desired direction.
AS they came 10 the vehicle he
moved rounH to the tail of it as
though to climb into the tent. But
Elwoods voice checked him.
in the shade underneath" he said
quietly. The tent would be impos-
sible in this heat"
His meaning was plain enough to
the other. He had no intention of
taking any chances. He guessed that
Guys firearms were in the wagon.
The latter paused and swung round,
but his angry eyes might as well
have questioned a stone image. He
hesitated a moment, then turned
away with a shrug and prepareil to
mount to the tent in spite of the
warning This time E.wood's words
came short and sharp.
Don't do it," he cried, and glanc-
ing round saw that his hand was
on the butt of revolver.
rs that it?" he demanded coolly
Yes, if you are unreasonable" +"
There was pause, while again
their eyes met. Then Elwood went
on: Let us understand each other.
There is going to be no trifling. /
am not here for the pleasure of your
company, but on business. You
should know that. If you'll wait a mo-
ment Ill just loosen my horses
girths"
Very well.' Guy flung himself
upon the blankets under the wagon
and began to fill his pipe. The 9TH
er's quiet manner was not without
its effect upon him. He, too became
outwardly more COOL but his feel
ings were the feelings of a weaker
nature, compelled by stronger,
Never in his life had he hated so
bitterly as he hated this man just
now.
Presently Elwood joined him. He
did not offer to smoke, but sat
staring at the surrounding bush
with grave, contemplative eyes.
You would be warned" he said
slowly.
"On the contrary I think I was
very much warned"
"And you chose to ignore the warn
ing"
There is no need to discuss that.
What have you done with my cattle?
What do you intend now?"
That's better. BY this time your
cattle are safely sheltered in my
new kraals at Mafeking, and ! in
tend to prevent your finishing your
journey. If you are sensible you
won't attempt to go on, for / give
you my word you'll only waste your
time. You will never reach the Da-
MARYLAND border. You will never de-
liver the letters you are carrying.
Now you understand my intentions.
But l have something else to tell
you; listen carefully to this, it may
help you to fall in with my wishes
Bechuanaland will be British terrific
tory before any other power can in.
terfere; it is nominally so now, /
know, but l mean-practically Troops
are already under orders to move
up here. In less than two months
the foremost of them will be on
the march through the country. |
am not speaking in any spirit OF
bravado, but simply trying to appeal
to your best sense. Your conspiracy
has failed. Read this"
He handed him a closely-written
letter in the firm handwriting of
John Verricker. Guy reluctantly took
it, read the contents from end to
end. And what he read set his last
hopes tumbling about his ears John
Verricker was returning TO Mafeking,
having completed his work The af-
fairs of Bechuanalanll were now in
the strong hands of Cecil Rhodes
and the letter told how, with char
acteristic energy, the great man had
persuaded the Imperial Government
to adopt the matter, and sanction
an immediate expedition OF six thou
sand troops to enforce British con
troll and raise the Union Jack in
Mafeking.