Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-07-06

into a corner of the tent and drew a
revolver from his pocket.
This time" he exclaimed, 1--WE are
going to make an end of The Hands.
Out you go now, girls. You can leave
me to finish things up"
One by one they stole along the path.
Quest came out and watched them dis
appear. Then he gripped his revolver
firmly in his hand and turned towards
Craig's tent. Then. from the thick
growth by the side of the clearing. he
saw dark shape steal out and vanish
in the direction of Craig's tent. He
came to a standstiil, puzzled There
had been rumors of lions all day, but
the professor had been incredulous.
Then the still, heavy air was suddenly
rent by wild scream of horror. Across
the narrow opening the creature had
reappeared, carrying something in its
mouth, something which gave vent all
the time to the most awful yells.
Quest fired his revolver on chance and
broke into 4 run Already the Mon
CARS, disturbed in their evening amuse-
ment, were breaking into the under
growth in chase. Quest came to a
standstill. 1t was from Craig's tent
that the beast had issuedi When he
reached the meeting place. he found
the professor standing at the corner
with the rest.
From the commotion.' he an
nounced, Il believe that, after all, a
which we have heard were distinctly
the cries of native
Quest shook his head
"A lions been here all right" he
said, "and he has finished our little
job for us. That was Craig. 1 saw
him come out of Craig's tent"
The professor was dubious.
You see that tree that looks like
dwarfed aloe?"
What about it?"
Craig was lying there ten minutes
ago. He sprang up when he heard
the yells from the encampment, but
l believe he is there now
Got the horses all right?" Quest
inquired.
Everything is waiting" the profess
sor replied.
I'll have one more try, then,
Quest declared.
He made his way slowly through the
underground to the spot which the
professor had indicated. Close to the
trunk of tree Craig was standing
Feerda was on her knees before him
She was speaking in broken English.
Dear master, you shall listen to
your slave. These people are your
enemies. 1t would be all over in a few
minutes. You have but to say the
word My father is eager for it. No
one would ever know"
Craig patted her head. His tone
was filled with the deepest despon-
dency.
ut is impossible, Feerda,' he said.
You do not understand. / cannot tell
you everything Sometimes l almost
think that the best thing l could do
would be to return with them to the
countries you know nothing Of"
That's what you are going to do,
anyway" Quest declared, suddenly
making his temperance. Hands
up"
He covered Craig with his revolver
but his arm was scarcely extended be-
fore Feerda sprang at him like little
wildcat. Hesgripped her with his left
arm and held her away with diff
Guilty.
Craig" he continued, you're com
ing with US. You know the way to
Port Said and we want you-you know
why. Unite that sash from your waist
Quickly"
Craig obeyed.
"Tie it to the tree" Quest ordered
Leave room enough"
Craig did as he was told Then he
turned and held the loose ends up.
Quest lowered his revolver for a mo-
ment as he pushed Feerda towards it.
Craig, with a wonderful spring, reach
ed his side and kicked the revolver
away. Before Quest could even stoop
to recover it he saw the glitter of the
others knife pressed against his chest.
Listen Craig declared i've made
up my mind. won't go back to Amer
lea. I've had enough Of being hunted
all over the world. This time l think
I'll rid myself of one Of you, at any
rate"
viii your"
The interruption was so unexpected
that Craig lost his nerve. Through an
opening in the trees, only a few feet
away, Lenora had suddenly appeared
She, too, held revolver. her hand
was as steady as rock.
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