The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-23
THE COMPACT The Story of An Unrecorded Conspiracy
 In South Africa
 by RIDGWELL CULLUM
 Author of "The Watchers of the Plains,'' ssThe Night-Riders," etc.
 (Continued.l CHAPTER XVI. 
(Continued.l CHAPTER XVI.
Two Messages.

Two Messages.
 Guy hustled his jaded horse over the brief nine miles of moonlit road to his home at the Roof Grond. It was a short enough distance--a bare hours riding-but it was long enough to give him much time for thought. With many another of like nature, he quickly moulded. His selfish im- pulses swept him into a rough sea that had no confining boundaries of rectitude. He preferred to run be- fore the wind of his feelings rather than keep head to sea on a laid course. He was nervously cheerful when he reached Joe Schumann's little canvas store.l
 Three days sufficed to distribute his orders for the preparations necessary for his long trek. He needed "salt- ed' trek oxen, which Schumann was to obtain for him from the northera Transvaal; his supplies were to come from Pretoria, and the Kafflrs accom- panying him were to be procured from distant points, so that none might know them, and they might know nobody in the district. See cecy was his object, therefore noth- ing was to be obtained within fifty miles of Mafeking. The wagon and all his supplies were to await him at point on the Molopo River, sev- enty-two miles west of Mafeking. Thence he would embark on his jour- ney through the ''thirsts" of the des- ert.
 He knew his business. He had served too long an apprenticeship to the life of the frontier to fail in his preparations. He could do all that with perfect skill and care. 1t was not in such matters that he was like- ly to fail.
 All these things arranged for, he turned his attention to plans that were more secret still-plans which he hugged to himself, and which ev- en his comrades were unaware of. His month was all too short, yet a longer time would hardly have serv- ed him better, for lie was never man to delay.
 The fourth morning after his re- turn from Sitlagoli found him sitting on the plank and trestle counter in Joe's store.
 A Joe," he said, looking into. the fer ret face and squinting eyes of the trader lounging on a sack of mealies beside barrel of "cape smoke" ..I mustn't be seen purchasing a thing. The whole thing must be kept the profoundest secret. don't want even a pound of sugar from your stock, or from any one else's in Mafe- king. i've look to you. And re- member, ~all your care and trouble will bring it's reward a hundredfold later. By the way, I'm going down to Groonfontein tomorrow. I may go on to Kunwana, but I'm not sure. I sent word to Mick to meet me- There's nice fat district wants stirring up down that way. We must keep the pot boiling. I SUD- pose you haven't notion of joining in?"
 Joe shook his head and grinned.
 s1t's no good to me. I'm on the wrong side of tho border for Groot- fontein. I'm on for any Kaffir bait ing over Mafeking way. It's easier and more profitable, and would be Going the country service in get ting rid of few of those black dew ills. But on this side, amongst the Boers-not for me. You see I'm a peaceful trader here. They might re- taliate."
 .'Yes. I suppose you're right. Your little concern is much too useful to us to risk it.'' Guys eyes became sombrely thoughtful. However, we may operate Mafekins way before go. And then"
 Count me in.''
 Guy smiled at the little mans ea- gerness.
 You've made a goo6ish bit here in this deserted region, Joe?"
 "So, so." The Jew was uppermost at once.
 "Ah, yes. It's always so, so.' with your people. r wish I was like that. I go for the spurs every time. It's no use to me in small bits. That's the difference between our ra- ces."
 There's more difference than that