The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-12-03
CHAPT II.
The "Talklng Paper"

Dr. Robert Wayne, herculean of
stature, appeared in the doorway of
his bungalow and stood toying mood.
kitchen the Kafir cook and mess boys
were preparing breakfast-of fried
vans and coffee. Across the clearing
at the Kafir village, not black was
stirring, though it was now half
hour since sun-up-a fact which
seemed to trouble Doctor Wayne.
The doctor was Joined now by his
man Friday-the man-of-S,Ework in
the missionary carup. This man, Hart
had come all the way from California
with the Waynes, and for three years
had acted as their gr4de, philosopher.
friend and campmas er
There's something troubling you.
DOCTOR" Hart now said. What's ailin
you, sir?"
Come aside-away from the house
Hart l don't want Mrs. Wayne to
hear what I've got to say. Hart" he
continued, when they were we'll away
from the house, "Wambo is expecting
an attack from his cid enemy, Amazu.
I'm sure of it. He las been expecting
the attack for several mornings past
at sunrise. At sun-up each morr1ig
! he and his men keep within their
huts, all armed. Their object IS thus
to mislead Amazu's spies ITO believ-
ing that he, Wambo. can Se taken by
surprise at sunrise. But, careful!
Here comes Mrs Wkyne. We must
not let her know"
Mrs. Wayne came from the bunga-
low, looking searchingly about. And
now when she joined the two men, she
asked:
Where is Edith
Here she comes!" cried Wayne, as
Edith and Bantu bounded into view.
coming from the Jungle.
They bring new g." said Hart. See!
Bantu calls excitedly into the hut
of Wambo, his father"
At the same time Chief Wambo ap-
preached And as If his coming forth
conveyed the signal the whole village
all the Kafirs of both sexes
emerged from their huts in hordes and
set about the work of the day.
Little Edith ran to her parents.
"Oh, papazmamma! Did you hear
what Bantu told his papa? He said:
One horse-and many men-coming
this way!'"
Hart looked his alarm. He whis-
pered to Doctor Wayne: 1T is Amazu
coming to the attack"
But Doctor Wayne, to Harris sur
prise, smiled. mo-" he said mot
with horse. You forget, Hart, that
only the whites can afford horse in
| this country" He turned to Mrs.
Wayne. "Mollie," he said, "guess who
is coming. A horses hoofs have been
heard pounding along the trail-and
as horses are too expensive for the
| blacks, it means that this particular
horse is ridden by a white man.
Guess who he is"
Edith answered for her mother by
exclaiming: at is Uncle Steve!"
Yes, my brother Steve" Mrs.
Wayne said. But how strange! Why.
he's a week ahead of time. Didn't you
tell me only last night, Robert, that
Steve would not get back from the
| river station with the mail for at least
week to come? Why is he hurryin3
back SO soon? But come, papa!-eo-ne
Edith - come Hart! - breakfast is
ready"
| They took their places at the rude
| table under the trees in the outdoor
| kitchen. Kafirs served the fried yams
and the coffee, with some millet and
milk for Edith.
A little later a great hullabaloo
burst forth in the kafir village, and
lone horse and many men," just as
Bantu had prophesied, appeared. To
| the Joy of the whites, the lone horse"
carried the stalwart form of Mrs
Waynes brother, whom little Edith
had taught even the Kafirs to call
Uncle Steve"
The many men" behind Uncle
/ Steve came carrying loads on their
heads, presents for Chief Wambo.
BET you can't guess why I'm back
a week ahead of time," Uncle Steve
said, addressing his brother-in-law,
Doctor Wayne.
BAD news travels fast" Robert
Wayne replied. rs that it,"
Good news?' Mrs. Wayne asked.
hopefully.
Uncle Steve smiled and produced a
packet of letters, from which he took