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


hired to protect them. what need had
European of prowess to protect his mater
Again the sneer curled Koraks lip.
Hanson and his boy had ridden directly
to the clearing. It was already dark when
they arrived Leaving the boy there, Ham
son rode to the edge OF the plain, leading
the boys horse. There he waited. 1t was
o'clock before he saw solitary figure
galloping toward him from the direction
Of the bungalow. A few moments later
Meriem drew in her mount beside him. She
was nervous and flushed.
When she recognized Hanson she drew
back, startled
mfr. Baynes' horse fell on him and
sprained his ankle" Hansen fastened to
explain. HE couldn't very we'll come, so
he sent me to meet you and bring you
to camp"
I'VE had better hurry" continued Han
son, for we'll have to move along pretty
fast II we don't want to be overtaken."
us he hurt badly?" asked Meriem.
'Only a little sprain," replied Hanson
HE can ride all right; but we both
thought he'd better lie UP tonight and rest
for he'll have plenty hard riding in the
next few weeks"
Yes" agreed the girl
Hanson swung his pony about, and Mer-
lem followed him. They rode north along
the edge of the Jungle for n mile and then
turned straight into It toward the west
Meriem, following paid little attention to
Hansons camp lay. and so she did not
guess that he was not leading her
toward It.
All night they rode straight toward the
west. When morning came Hanson permit
ted short halt for breakfast, which he
had provided in well-hlled saddle-bags be-
fore leaving his camp. Then he pushed
on again nor did they halt second time
until, in the heat Of the day, he stopped
and motioned the girl to dismount.
Va ttgtn ole I.aHa fnr Ina 11 laN
the ponies grace" he said.
II had no idea the camp was so far
away" said Meriem,
"I left orders that they were to move
on at daybreak," explained the trader. 80
that we could get n good start. l knew
that you and l could easily overtake
laden safari. It may not be until tomor-
row that well catch up with them"
But though they travelled part of the
night and all the following day, no sign
of the safari appeared ahead Of them
Meriem, adept in Jungle craft, knew
that none had passed ahead of them for
many days Occasionally she saw indica-
tions of an old spoor-a very old spoor-
of many men. For the most part they
, followed this well-marSed trail along
elephant path and through parklike
groves. It was an ideal trail for rapid
travelling.
Meriem at last became suspicious. Grad
ually the attitude of the man at her side
had begun to change. often she surprised
him devouring her with his eyes
Steadily the former sensation of previous
acquaintanceship urged itself upon her
Somewhere, some time before she had
known this man. 1t was evident that he
had not shaved for several days. blonde
stubble had commenced to cover his neck
and cheeks and chin; and with it the
assurance that he was no stranger con-
tinued to grow upon the girl
1t was not until the second day, how
ever, that Meriem rebelled She drew in
her pony at last and voiced her doubts.
Hanson assured her that the camp was
but few miles farther on.
1--WE should have overtaken them yes
terday," he said. "They must have marched
much faster than had believed possible"
"They have not marched here at ALL"
said Merlem. 'Erhe spoor that we have
been following Is weeks old"
Hanson laughed.
"Oh, that's it, Is it?" he cried. why
didn't you say 80 before? could have
easily explained We are not coming by
the same route; but we'll pick up their
trail some time today. even If we don't
overtake them"
Now, at last, Meriem knew that the
man was lying to her What a fool he
must be to think that any one could be-
lieve such a ridiculous explanation! Who
was so stupid as to believe that they could
have expected to overtake another party,
and he had certainly assured her that
momentarily he expected to do so. when
that party's route was not to meet theirs
for several miles yet?
She kept her own counsel. however,
planning to escape at the first opportun-
ity when she might have a sufficient start
of her captor as she now considered him.
to give her some assurance of outdistanc-
ing him. She watched his face continually
when she could do so without being OBJ
served .
Tantalizingly the placing of his familiar
features persisted in eludlng her. Where
had she known him2 Under what condi-
tions had they met before she had seen
him about the farm of Bwana? She ran
over in her mind all the few white men
she had ever known.
There were some who had come to her
fathers douar in the Jungle. Few, 1t Is
true but there had been some.
It was md-afternoon when they sud
denly broke out Of the Jungle upon the
banks of a broad and placid river. Be
yond, upon the opposite shore, Merem
deserted camp surrounded by high
thorn bona.
CONTINUED TOMORROW