The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-24

4
watered the horses scantily. They
watched by turns and started out at
dawn. II was ten miles to the nearest
water pool, where the water bags were
to be refilled.
Il believe we've missed the pool, y
said James, toward noon. All around
them was the shimmering desert, de-
void now even of thorn scrub The
horses painted from the heat. James
gave them the last of the water.
Wen strike another water hole
before dark" he said to his compan-
ion.
But they did not strike the water
hole, and by sunset the horses were
unable to proceed farther. James
was down, and Vanderhuizen's stood
trembling, and evidently on its last
legs.
I'VE had better press on afoot, /"
said James. II know there is q water
hole at the foot of the mountains"
And he pointed to where the blue out
lines of distant range rose against
the cloudless sky.
He removed his saddle bags and
slung them across his shoulders. and
the two men proceeded YEARLY. James
Jagged behind Vanderhuizen. who. tor
tured by thirst, walked like q man in
q 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, Z"
he murmured.
James set down his saddle bags,
opened them, and pulled out bottle
Of water. He held it in the air. Van
derhuizen 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"
Vanderhuizen glared at him; then,
with a 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 of the bottle and
was gulping down the life-giving
fluid. James watched him sardonic-
ally.
"You will find the water hole half a
mile distant, at the foot of that eleva-
tion," 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
threats. The animals, revived, stag
gered to their feet. His own horse
was done for, but Vanderhuizen's
seemed capable Of carrying him to his
destination-another water hole along
the wagon route across the desert,
which he knew like book.
He clasped the diamonds to his
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 70 down
country. He himself had never dared
to purchase diamonds from the ma
tives, but he knew Vanderhuizen's
reputation as . successful and daring
thief, and 1t had occurred to him that
there was q splendid opportunity of
compelling the man to share his plum.
der with him.
The advent upon the scene of In.
spector Thompson had been a little
disc0ncerting; but the same chance
which had told him Of Vanderhuizen's
maneuver had given him information
that the police we're on the mans
trail He had then telegraphed to
Kliptontein for the two horses-and
everything had gone like clockwork.
It 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 own
plans could not fail him. He would
strike the water hole, refresh himself
and his steed. and then proceed in a
leisurely manner toward the wagon
path.
At last he reached the place. He
shackled his horse to q torn tree and
climbed the ascent toward the hollow
crater in which lay the pond. But when
he reached the summit he found him.
self staring down into a dry mud hole.
The water had dried up under the
influence Of the hot sun and an unus-
ually long dry season.
For Q few minutes he could not be-
lieve his eyes. Then he lost his self
control. He would have to 60 back to
Vanderhuizen. And his bottles were
empty. He was parched with thirst,
and his animal was incapable of pro-
ceeding farther.
For hours he raved beside the water
hole, clenching his fists and calling
down curses upon his luck. He spread
the diamonds In q 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 90
much water as would wet his lips.
'Ill go back then-back to Wander
huizen," he muttered. and flung him.
self upon the rocks. when l am
rested.
But nature, outraged. revenged her
self upon him by drawing down his
eyelids, and he slept profoundly.
Get up. james,"
He started to his feet. The sun was
high in the sky. Before him stood