Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-11-17
CHAPTER XII.
a Night Ride.
n n ER1EM and Bwana were sitting
NI on the vcrandn together the fol-
1oViOy ,jov WHOM

NTERllIM and hwana were sitting
lVl on the vcranda together the fol-
lowing day when horScman
appeared in the distance riding across
the plain toward the bungalow.
Bwnna shaded his eyes with his hand
and gaZcd out toward the oncomng
rider. He was puzzled. Strangers
were few in central Africa. Even the
blacks for distance Of many miles In
every direction were well known to
him. No white man came within
hundred miles that word Of his COM
Ing did not reach Bwana long before
the strang" every move was re-
ported to the big Bwana-just what
animals he killed and how many of
each species, how he killed them, too,
for Bwana would not permit the uso
or prussic acid or strychninc and how
he treated his boys"
But here was evidently one who had
slipped into the country unhcralded.
Bwana could not imagine who the ap-
proaching horseman might be.
After the manner of frontier hospI-
tally the globe round. he met the new
conner at the gate, welcoming him even
IL
tall, well knit man OF thirty or more,
blond Of hair and smooth shavcn.
There was tantalizing Familiarity
about him that convinced Bwana that
he should be able to call the visitor by
name, yet he was unable to do SO.
Bwana was wondering how lone
white man could have made his way
through the savage. unhoSpitnbl miles
that lay toward the south. AS though
guessing what must be passing through
the others mind. the stranger vouch-
safcd m explanation
Il came down from the north to do q
little trading and hunting" he said,
and got way Off the beaten track. My
mead man, who was the only member
OF the safari who had ever before been
III the country, took sick and died We
could find no natives to guide us. and
so simply swung back straight north.
We have been living on the fruits OF
our guns for over Il month
Didn't have an idea there was q
white man within Il thousand miles of
us when we campcd last night by
water hole at the edge OF the plain.
This morning started out to hunt and
saw the smoke from your chimney, so
l sent my gun bearer back to camp
with the good news and rode straight
over here myself. or course I've heard
OF you-cvcrybody who comes into CEN
trail Africa does-and I'd be mighty
glad or permission to rest up and hunt
around here for n couple OF weeks"
"Certainly." replied Bwana. Mako
yourself at home"
They had reached the veranda now.
and Bwana was introducing the stran,
ger to Mcricm and My Dear who had
just come from the bungalows interior
This is Mr.. Hanson" he said, using
the name the man had given him. lie
is trader who has lost his way in the
jungle to the SOUTH
My Dear and Mcricm bowed their
acknowledgements OF tho introduction.
The man seemed rather i'll ut ease in
their presence. His host attributed this
to the fact that his guest was unaccus-
toned to the society Of cultured wo-
men. ana so found prctcXt to cXtri-
cate him quickly from his seemingly
unpleasant position and lead him away
to his study and the brandy and soda.
which were evidently much less en-
barrassing to Mr.. Hanson.
When the two had left them Meriem
turned toward My Dear.
ut is odd" she said, but l could
almost swear that had known Mr.
Hanson In the past. 1t Is odd, but
quite impossible" and she gave the
matter no further thought.
For three weeks Hanson had re-
manned. During this time he said that
his boys were resting and gaining
strength after their terrible ordcals in
the untracked junglcs to the south, but