Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-05-30

rifle and about 80 ROUNDS OF arntnuhi
ton, also q revolver and a few car
tridges. The revolver he handed to me
We then retired to my corner ant
listened.
There was a hot argument goint
ON at the mouth Of the pit. but no on
ventured down. All the better Tor US
we thought, for every moment mean
that help was getting nearer. ,s
| Presently we heard shout, ane
soon learned what 1t meant DoWI
the shaft came a bundle OF LIGHTED
thacht. then another and another. II
half a minute the smoke was blind
ling.
O'Leary kept his head well.
"Put that stuff out" he gasped
Throw grain at 1t. Get 1t out some
how or we're done for.
| For the next few minutes we WORK
ed like fury, but the Matabele gave
no rest, throwing down more ano
more grass till the place was aglo"
with fire and thick with pugnan'
smoke.
Look here!" yelled O'Leary. 1--WE
have got to plug that hole. where's
that blessed nigger?"
Turning round, he snatched at the
unconscious mans shoulders, bade
me catch hold, and by main force
we heaved the warrior up the smart
He had only been stunned, and
could feel him kick feebly as we
lifted him. Suddenly we felt the
natives weight taken of our arms
He began to go up the shaft.
Hang on to his leg," shouted
O'Leary. They're trying to hoist
him out" -.
hung on with all my strength pu'
could still feel him going up. There
must have been quite lot OF Mata-
belle pulling at him.
Bend his leg over, or they'll nave
him out" snapped O'Leary.
pulled one way. O'Leary the 9TH
er, but it was a mighty hard jop 70
keep our human cork" in position.
The unfortunate negro had by this
time recovered his senses and was
shouting his opinion Of the proceed
ings in no uncertain voice, kicking ana
struggling like madman, so that II
was all we could do to keep our hold
on him.
Failing to achieve their object py
main strength, the Matabele up above
now tried another plan, and incident
ally showed us what little value they
attached to human life, even that OF
their own kith and kin. Bringing up
a musket, they showed it down along
side the poor wretch in the SHAFT ana
pulled the trigger, no doubt hoping
to hit one Of us. In the confined
space the report sounded like thunder
but beyond scattering the grain like
a charge Of shrapnel, the bullet did us
no damage. I believe, however, that
it passed clean through the Mataoele
In the shaft, for they let go of him,
and we felt his body sag Imply, but
we managed to keep him in position.
Work round to my side,' said
O'Leary. II think we've got Gil
beat"
AS he spoke, down came some
pieces of thatch, and more still, and
then pieces Of burning grass dropped
past the figure in the shaft. 1t was
his life or ours, however, so we just
held on grimly, though our arms
were aching and our eyes blinded
with smoke.
After while the fire ceased, and
suddenly the place was in darkness.
Whats up now?" said O'Leary, in
surprise. Pull down or cork"
We hauled the warrior down, and
he dropped Imply on the floor-stone
dead, killed by his own comrades.
O'Leary took one glance at the
corpse, then he stepped to the SHAFT
now dark as night.
See" he said, they've covered us
up, and I'm going to investigate. Get
me one of those assegais."
Cropping around, found one and
handed it to him. O'Leary then stood
on my shoulder, and using the spear
blade, managed to slightly prize up the
flat stone which covered the top of
the pit.
YES" he said, calmly, they're
putting more thatch on, and are going
to try to roast us. But they'll de-
feat themselves. ALI that stuff on the
top is bone-dry. and when it's well
alight they won't be able to get near
He paused, then added, in different
voice, "I don't know whether we shall
roast, but anyway, youngster, you're
going to taste hades for WHILE"
With that he jumped down, leav-
ing the assegai in position under the
stone, and we took It in turns to get
small breath of air by prising 1t up
There she goes" said O'Leary,
suddenly, and 1 heard dull roar as
the pile Of thatch over the pit-mouth
caught fire. We promptly retreated
to the end Of the cave and lay down.
1t had been hot enough in the place
before, but now it got hotter than
ever. 1 felt sick and miserable, and
also decidedly scared. I had no hope
of getting out alive, and saw nothing
| before me but a dreadful death. The
temperature was raising momentarily'
Every breath hurt my lungs, and the
roaring of the fire, to my excited
fancy, seemed to be getting louder and
louder. 1 suppose I must have said
something which showed my state OF
mind, for the iron-nerved O'Leary
soon brought me to my senses.
Don't be an ass" he growled.
This will soon be off, and the smoke
of the fire will bring our fellows back
double quick"
Presently it seemed to us that the
place was a little cooler, and my
companion moved closer to the mouth
of the pit.
Come along" he said. THE grass