Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-15
n Edgar Rice Burroughs
CHAPTER ].
ntrr TO SEA.

,,,. story from one who had no
hAD a. toll II to me, or to any
NAV credit the seductive il. inru-
aAa, I, an old vintage upon tne ila'rsuOI s,.
- NJ beginning OF II, anu , my thot
-, Incredullty during tne uays ...,s u.ias
.Ie9td ..Iaeorsd for the balance OIL ''e ''' "''e'
lst oorvIvial host discovered that
Nhen r,. nx ,,,s 40 much, and that | was
ts ho .o' o'uoubtfulness, his foolish pride
tttne " ~ task the old vintage mad
sss9meo and SO he unearthed written
cmmenV,,, y, the form of musty manu-
fnaenes dry official records OF the Brit
frfgs a.l.t office to support many OF the
" eo'V,,st sast,,res of his remarkable mar
silent fea'u'e'
nile. .ov the story is true, for did
q ,,",s nO fbe happenings which 1t por-
NJ VIZ. tbe fact that in the telling of
~" W, u have taken fictitious names
~ nrIncipal characters quite sum-
" W Audiences the sincerity OF my own
sf.ls,s mat II may be true.
hnsl 'n,iov. mlldewed pages Of the diary
,sn long dead, and the records OF
rolbnlal ONCE dovetail perfectly with
M narratlvo of my conVlVal most ana
w W sivs YOU the story as | painstakinsly
80 n out from these several various
stinries ga 10 orodih,e ,,ou will
~. Ne aa one with me in acknowl-
,bat II is unique, remarkable and
Ntl'., tha records OF the Colonial Office
w sron, the dead mans diary we learn
wv. Nv certain young English nobleman,
-, ,yo shall call John Clayton. Lord
.n.,opo nhg.n was commissioned to make
ass,tisrIv delicate investigation of condi-
..Ha',, British West Coast African
nOns n0,..., .ron, whose simple native inhabl-
te..y another European Power was
49,, 49, "A he recruiting soldiers for its
Nv. army, which It used solely for the
,''.,hIs collection of rubber and ivory
~, the savage tribes along the Congo
IA the Aruwimi.
IN, natives OF the British Colony COM
,,slned that many of their young men
r.rr enticed away through the medium
4 fair and glowing promises, but that
M IL any, ever returned to their faml-
lies. Act. .
ta,,ber saying that these poor blacks
~sre held In virtual slavery, since when
,h,lr terms of enlistment expired their
Irnnrance was imposed upon by their
-hHa officers and they were told they
hsa vet several years to serve.
And 80 the Colonial Office appointed
John CLAYTON to a new post in British
west Africa, but his confidential instruc-
ilans centred on n thorough investlga-
.Ion OF the unfair treatment of black
pdtIsh subjects by the officers of a
iiendIy European Power. Why he was
IN Is however. of little moment to this
rlory. for he never made an investiga-
lion, nor, in fact. did he ever reach his
dtstinatlon.
rClayton was the type of Englishman
rat one likes best to associate with the
roblest monuments of historic achieve
nent upon thousand victorious battle
fsids-a strong, Virlle fundamentally,
morally and physically.
4 IN stature he was above the average
height; his eyes were gray, his features
regular and strong; his carriage that of
perfect robust health influenced by his
years OF army training.
Political ambition had caused him to
Iesk transference from the army to the
Coonial Office. and so we find him, still
young, Intrusted with a delicate and i'm
roftant commission in the service of the
eusn.
When he received this appointment he
vas both elated and appalled,. The pre-
hfment seemed to him In the nature of
Eell-merited reward for painstaking
nd intelligent service, and as stepping
tlone TO posts Of greater Importance and
lssponsibillty; but, on the other hand. he
had been married to the Hon. Alice
haiherford for scarce three months,
lhd It was the thought of taking this
laiT young girl into the dangers and iso-
alton OF tropical Africa that dlsmayed
md appalled, him.
FoF her sake he would have refused
'ns appointment; but she would not have
% Instead she insisted that he ac-
'spl and indeed, take her with him.