The Delta independent., 1916-07-21

nOdOnS. Now l was In the last Delt
of trees which separated me from Fort
Challenger. raised my voice in
CHEEKY shout to allay their fears. No
answering greeting came back to me.
My heart sank at that ominous still
ness. l quickened my pace into a run.
had left 1t, but the gate was open.
rushed in In the cold morning light
it was a fearful sight which met my
eyes. Our effects were scattered in
wild confusion over the ground, my
comrades had disappeared. and close
to the smoldering ashes of our fire the
grass was stained crimson with hide
GUS pool of blood.
was so stunned by this sudden
shock that for a time l must have
nearly lost my reason. l have vague
recollection, as one remembers a bad
dream. of rushing about through the
woods all around the empty camp.
calling wildly for my companions. No
answer came back from the silent
shadows. After a long period. during
which sat in bewilderment. / set my
self TO try to discover what sudden
misfortune could have befallen them.
The whole disordered appearance of
the camp showed that there had been
some sort of attack, and the rife shot
no doubt marked the time when it had
occurred That there should have been
only one shot showed that ii had been
all over in an instant. The rifles still
~ .Nft thAr,
Lord John's-had the empty cartridge
I'm the breech. The blankets of Chal-
lenger and of Summerlee beside the
fire suggested that they had been
asleep at the time. The cases or am
muniticn and of food were scattered
about in a wild litter. together with
our unfortunte cameras and plate car
riers. but none of them were missing.
On the other hand, all the exposed pro-
visions-and l remembered that there
were a considerable quantity of them
were gone. They were animals. then.
and not natives. who had made the
inroad. for surely the latter would
have left nothing behind.
Suddenly a thought came to me and
brought some little comfort to my
heart. I was not absolutely alone In
the world. Down at the bottom Of the
cliff and within call Of me was waiting
the faithful Zambo. went to the
edge Of the plateau and looked over.
Sure enough. he was squatting among
his blankets beside his fire i'm his little
camp. But. to my amazement. sec
ond man was seated in front of him.
For an instant my heart leaped for
joy as ! thought that one of my com
rades had made his way safely down.
But second glance dispelled the hope.
The rising sun shone red upon the
mans skin. He Was an Indian.
shouted loudly and waved my hand
kerchief. Presently Zambo looked up.
waved his hand and turned to ascend
the pinnacle. In short time he was
standing close to me and listening with
deep distress to the story which told
him.
Devil got them for sure. Massa Ma
lone" said he. You got into the devils
country. sab. and he take you all to
himself. You take advice. Massa Ma
lone. and come down quick. else he get
you as we'll"
How can | come down. Zambo?"
You get creepers from trees. Massa
Malone. Throw them over here. l
make fast to this stump. and so you
have bridge
I'VE have thought of that. There are
no creepers here which could bear U.S."
Send for ropes. Massa Malone"
4 u ,lat-
Send to Indian villages. sab. Plenty
hide rope in Indian village. Indian
down below: send him.
"Who is heY'
'One of our Indians. Other ones beat
him and take away his pay. He come
back to us Ready now to take letter.
bring rope-nnything."
To take a letter. Why not? Perhaps
he might bring help. but In any case
he would insure that our lives were
not spent for nothing and that news OF
all that we had won for science should
reach our friends at home. | had two
completed letters already waiting. |
would spend the day In writing third.
which would bring my experiences alb
solutely up to date. The Indian could
bear this back to the world. ! ordered
Zambo. therefore. to come again In the
evening. and spent my miserable and
lonely day In recording my own adveD-
lures OF the night before. I also drew
up a note. to be given to any white
merchant or captain OF steamboat
whom the Indian could find. imploring
them to see that ropes we've sent to
us. since our lives must depend upon
it. These documents | threw to Zambo
In the evening. and also my purse.
which contnIned three English sover-
eigns. These were to be given to tn,
Indian. and he was promised twice a.