Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-16
THE LOST WORLD

drove me to desperation. | could have torn
my hair and beaten my head IN despair
Only now did | realize how had learned to
lean upon my companions, upon the serene
self confidence of Challenger, and upon the
masterful, humorous GOODNESS of Lord Rox
ton Without them was like child in the
| dark, helpless and powerless | did not
know which way to turn or what | should do
| first.
After period during which | sat in Devil
| derment, | set myself to try and discover
what sudden misfortune could have befallen
nv companions The whole disordered APP
pearance of the camp showed that there had
been some sort of attack, and the rlf1eshot
no doubt marked the time when it had oc
Cured. That there should have been only
one shot showed that it had been all over in
an instant. The rifles still lay upon the
ground. and one of them lord Roxton's)
had the empty cartridge in the breech. The
blankets of Challenger and of Summerlee be-
side the fire suggested that they had been
asleep at the time The cases of ammunition
and of food were scattered about in wild
litter, together with our unfortunate came
ras and plate carriers; but none of them
were missing. On the other hand, all the ex-
posed provisions | remembered that
there were considerable quantity of them
were gone They were animals. then, and not
natives, which had made the inroad; for
surely the latter would have left nothing be-
hind
But, if animals or some single terrible ami
NAL, then what had become of my comrades?
A ferocious beast would surely have de-
stroyed them and left their remains. 1t is
true that there was that one hideous pool of
blood which told of violence. Such mon
I, i ~, ,,r1,4
could have carried away victim as easily
as a cat would mouse. In that case the
others would have followed in pursuit. But
then they would assuredly have taken their
rifles with them. The more tried to think
it out with my confused and weary brain, the
less could find any plausible explanation.
searched round IN the forest; but could see
no tracks which could help me to a con-
clusion. Once | lost myself, and 1t was only
by good luck and after an hour of wandering
that found the camp once more.
SUDDENLY thought came to me and
- brought some little comfort to my heart.
was not absolutely alone in the world.
Down at the bottom of the cliff, and within
call of me, was waiting the faithful Zambo.
went to the edge of the plateau and looked
over. Sure enough, he was squatting among
his blankets beside his fire in his little camp.
But to my Amusement second man was
seated in front of him. For an instant my
heart leaped for joy as thought that one of
nv comrades had made his way safely down;
but second glance dispelled the hope. The
rising sun shone red upon the mans skin.
He was an Indian. | shouted loudly and
waved my handkerchief
Presently Zambo looked up, waved his
hand, and turned to ascend the pinnacle. In
a short time he was standing close to me, and
listening with deep distress to the story
which | told him.
"Devil got them for sure, AIassa Malone,
said he. you got into the devils country,
Sab, and he take you all to himself. You
take advice, Massa Malone, and come down
quick, else he get you as well"
"How can come down, Zambo:"
"You get creepers from trees, AIassa Ma
lone. Throw them over here | make fast
to this stump and SO you have bridge
ave have thought of that. There are no
creepers here which could bear US.
"Send for ropes, Massa Malone.
"Who can | send, and where"
"Send to Indian villages. Sab. Plenty
hide rope in Indian village. Indian down
below Send him."
"Who is he?"
Zone of our Indians Other ones beat