The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-27

q,
soa'en,s cold as spring water. They
watered the horses scantily. They
"a'ched by turns and started out at
ua~n. II was ten miles to the nearest
water pool, where the water bags were
to be refilled.
believe we've missed the pool
said James, toward noon. All around
mem was the shimmering desert, de-
Void now even of thorn scrub. The
nurses painted from the heat. James
gave tnem the last of the water.
wen strike another water hole
Delore dark" he said to his compan.
ion.
But they did not strike the water
noie' and by sunset the horses were
unable to proceed farther. James
was down, and Vanderhuizen's stood
trembling. and evidently on it's last
legs.
We had better press on afoot."
SAD James. Il know there is a water
mole at the foot of the mountains"
ana ne pointed to where the blue out
lines OF distant range rose against
the cloudless sky.
he removed his saddle bags and
Sung them across his shoulders, and
the TWO men proceeded YEARLY. James
Jagged behind Vanderhuizen, who, tor
tured by thirst. walked like a man in
nightmare. On they went. hour aft
er hour, till suddenly the big Dutch
man went down.
You'd best leave me; I'm done for"
he murmured.
James set down his saddle bags,
opened them, and pulled out a bottle
OF water. He held it in the air. Van
aerhuizen leaped to his feet, to find
himself looking down the muzzle of a
revolver.
Hand over the bag" said James.
briefly
/ You scoundrel." shouted Wander.
huizen, through his swollen lips.
This bottle for your half" James
pursued. "And-I know where to find
the water hole"
Nanderhuizen glared at him; then,
Wit. gesture of despair, he took the
precious bag from his breast and tossed
1t to the other. For a man will give
all that he has to save his life.
Next moment Vanderhuizen had
Knocked the head off the bottle and
was .gulping down the life-giving
huid. James watched him sardonic-
ally
You will find the water hole half a
mile distant, at the foot of that eleva-
tlon,' he said, indicating a hummock
in the sand. And he watched Wander.
huizen stagger away.
He went back to the horses and
knocking the heads off the other bot.
ties, poured the contents down their
throats. The animals. revived, stag
gered to their feet. His own horse
was done for. but Vanderhuizer' a
seemed capable of carrying him to his
destination another water hole along
the wagon route across the desert
which he knew like book.
|
breast as he rode, and chuckled. The
scheme had been an excellent one and
had worked out better than he could
have expected. He had heard in Kim
berley, by the merest chance, that
Vanderhuizen intended to go down
country. He himself had never dar I'd
to purchase diamonds fror. the ma
tives, but he knew Vanderhuixen'
reputation as a successful and darinf
thief, and it had occurred to him tina,
there was splendid opportunity o.
compelling the man to share his plum
der with him.
The advent upon the scene of In
spector Thompson had been a little
disconcerting; but the same chance
which had told him Of Vanderhuizen's
maneuver had given him information
that the police were on the mans
trail He had then telegraphed tC
, Kllptontein for the two horses AND
everything had gone like clockwork.
1t was no wonder that he chuckled
Looking back he could see the horse
still lying upon the sand. and Wander
huizen, tiny figure under the moon
: marching painfully back. His OWL
plans could not fail him. He woult
strike the water hole, refresh himself
and his steed, and then proceed in 9
; leisurely manner toward the Wagon
path.
At last he reached the place. He
shackled his horse to torn tree ant
climbed the ascent toward the hollow
, crater in which lay the pond. But wher
he reached the summit he found him
, self staring down into dry mud hole
: The water had dried up under the
, influence of the hot sun and an unus
ually long dry season.
: For few minutes he could not be
lieve his eyes. Then he lost his self
control. lie would have to go back tt
/ Vanderhuizen. And his bottles were
| empty. He was parched with thirst
| and his animal was incapable Of pro
ceeding farther.
5 For hours he raved beside the water
hole, clenching his fists and calling
down curses upon his luck. He spread
/ the diamonds In little heap before
) him and looked at the dull pebbles
: each one worth little lake OF wine
: And for all these he could not get sc
T much water as would wet his lips.
5 IN go back then-back to Wander
! buizen." he muttered, and flung him
I sels upon the rocks. When l an
} rested.
5 But nature. outraged, revenged her
j. self upon him by drawing down his
! evelids. and he slept profoundly.