Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-13
s76e SONOF TARZAN

Baynes' plan to send a messenger directly
to the nearest coast town, and from there
communicate with the nearest cable station,
sending the Hon Morison's request for
funds straight to his own solicitors.
No, the sheik was cautious and wary. He
knew his own plan had worked we'll in the
past In the other were too many untried
elements. He was in no hurry for the
money--he could wait year, or two years
II necessary but II should not require over
six months.
He turned to one of the Arabs who had
been standing behind him and gave the fell
low Instructions in relation TO the prisoner.
Baynes could not understand the words
spoken in Arabic, but the jerk of the thumb
toward him showed that he was the subject
OF conversation. The Arab addressed by the
sheik bowed 10 his master and beckoned
Baynes to follow him.
The Englishman looked toward the sheik
for confirmation The latter nodded impa-
tiently, and the Hon. Morrison rose and fol-
lowed his guide toward a native hut which
lay close beside one of the outside goatskin
tents.
Into the dark, sitting interior his guard
led him. then stepped to the doorway and
called to a couple of black boys squatting
before their own huts. They came promptly,
and. in accordance with the Arabs instruo-
tions, bound Baynes' wrists and ankles Sc
curely.
Inc fIngllSnman ODJeCleu SlTenuOuSlS
but as neither the blacks nor the Arab could
understand a word he said, his pleas were
wasted
Having bound him, they left the hut. The
Hon. Morrison lay for a long time con-
templating the frightful future which
awaited him during the long months which
must intervene before his friends learned
Of his predicament and could get succor
to him. Now he hoped that they would
send the ransom-he would gladly pay all
that he was worth to be out of this hole.
At first II had been his intention to cable
his solicitors to send no money but to
communicate with the British West African
authorities and have an expedition sent to
his aid
His patrlcian nose wrinked in disgust
as his nostrls were assailed by the awful
stenches of the hut. The nasty grasses
upon which he lay exuded the effiuvia Of
sweaty bodies, of decayed animal matter
and of offal
But worse was yet to come. He had
lain in the uncomfortable position in which
they had thrown him for but few min
utes when he became distinctly conscious
of an acute itching sensation upon his
hands. his neck and scalp. He wrggled to
sitting posture, Mortified and disgusted.
The itching rapidly extended to other parts
of his body-it was torturc-and his hands
were bound securely at his back
He tugged and pulled at his bonds until
he was exhausted; but not entirely with
out hope, for he was sure that he was work.
ing enough slack out of the knot to permit
eventually Of his withdrawing one of his
hands
Night came. They brought him neither
food nor drink He wondered If they ex-
pected him to live on nothing for a year
The bites of the vermin grew less annoy
ing, though no less numerous The Hon
Morrison saw a ray Of hope in this indica-
gf
tion. He still worked weakly at his bonds
And then the rats came. If the vermir
were disgusting, the rats were terrifying
They scurried over his body, squealing and
| fighting. Finally one commenced to chew
at one of his ears.
With an oath, the Hon Morrison struggled
| to q sitting posture. The rats retreated
He worked his legs beneath him and came
| to his knees, and then, by superhumar
| effort, rose to his feet. There he stood
reeling drunkenly, dripping with cold
| sweat