Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-12-06
Owen Letcher in Land G. Water, London.

We found Strayne lying alongside
the Mahenge pathway IN a pool of his
own blood. At first we did not iecos
ME him. so blanched was his face. His
heard had grown, his uniform was torn
md ragged and his legs were black
With the ash of burnt grass. Altogether,
II was difficult to believe that this was
StraNne. in peace time Il famous ele-
Ihant hunter, and in war the dapper
intellisence officer Of the eastern col
uinn.
It only requires a moments scrutiny
u make 1T clear tina Strayne vas APP
preaching the end of his last "|safari'
tourney. He had two CHASTITY wounds
n Just above the heart and the
ofltel through his right thigh. They had
evidently been made by the wicked IL
mi!linetre soft lead bullets used by the
German Askari in the Central and East
African campaigns.
.iDetth Stared at us out of his eyes.
which seemed to urn like hot Goals far
a"ay lack in his head. But we did
what we could for him. The column
doctor was on the scene almost inn
mediately and u machilla 500 came
doubling up from the rear.
Why, good God. it's Strayne." eiacu-
lated the adjutant and the doctor to-
ecther.
N9uder where he's been" muttered
the adjuiant. Wonder what informa-
ton he's got. It's 10 days since he left
us I" try and find out what Brauer-
mann's strength was"
The doctor looked up quickly from
the vel! night l%ifeless form that lay i'm
the stretcher. Il don't think StraNne
will ever make any more intelligence
feports-not In this world said he.
Strayne Tells of Wife.
StraSne died that evening, and per-
AapS because | am Il sentimental SOL
der and not a warrior of business.
ne made a supreme effort and spoke a
few words to me before he crossed
the great divide. Then for the first
time did ! become aware of the eXis-
tence of Il Mrs. Strayne. We had all
put Strayne down as a bachelor. al
though we had no~real cause for do
ing so. He was Il man not given to
talk; in many ways he was a vast
human mystery.
4 want you to see that my wife is
looked after. Maudsley." he said with
fairly worship her. 1 left home for
her sake, and. whenever I've bagged
Il good Jumbo it has been halves
partner with the tusks."
n doctor came silently into the
nut. but ,Strayne motioned him away,
and l held up a finger and shook my
head. There's something 1 want to
- $500 NV NoiltIIiQtu. ana
his voice died away almost to a
whisper as the doctor crept out of the
nut.
Lets heal it, Strayne. I'll promise
III do what | can" He gave me a look
of great gratitude and weakly clasped
my hand. When he spoke again his
voice was so faint that I had to bend
closely over him to catch the whispered
words.
II want you to sell 1900 tusks of
ivory for me and send the money home
as soon as this show is over.'
Nine thousand tusks!" 1 calculated.
Why old thing. 1t means a %fortune!"
About u quarter of q million | rec
kon.' whispered Strayne. 1T ought to
set up my wife for the rest Of her life
! was silent, for 1t had suddenly
dawned on me that Strayne had prob
ably taken leave of his senses.
Where are they" 1 asked with "A
view to humoring him.
In the place where the elephants
die" said Strayne.
The place where the elephants diet"
Where had | heard that expression be-
fore? Their was a curiously familiar
ring about the words. but for the life
moment.
Between tho Ranges.
Il went there once said Strayne
and had an exciting time of it. You'll
have to be careful. but you can do it
all right. God! what a sight it is. It's
only Il few days from here, between the
Mufinga and Mustn't ranges. down in a
deep deep valley. map In my field serv-
Ice note book"
l tried to catch the rest. but the
whisper subsidized into a hushed gurgle
and a minute later Strayne died in my
arms.
We buried him the following day be-
meath a great bacbab tree. under the
rr,D , -,