The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-20

.uo. uvue naO passed aneaG
of them for many days. Occasionally
she saw indications of an old spOOr-
a very old spoor-of many men. For
the most part they followed this we'll
marked trail along elephant paths and
through parilike groves. 1t was an
ideal trail for -apid travelling.
Meripm at ia>l became suspicious.
Gradually the attitude of the man at
her side had begun to change. Often
she surprised him devouring her with
mis- eyes.
Steadily the former sensation Of pre-
vlous acquaintanceship urged itself
upon her. Somewhere. some Zine be-
fore She had known this man. Ii was
evident that he had no. shaved for
several days A blond stubble had
commenced TO cover his neck and
cheeks and chin. and with it the as
surance 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 a few miles farther on.
1t was lnidafternoOn when they sud
Cenly broke out of the jungle upon the
banks of Il broad and placid river. Be
yOnd, upon the opposite shore. MerleIn
deserted camp surrounded By Il high
thorn bona.
Here We are at last" said Hanson.
He drew his revolver and fired in the
air. Instantly the camp across the riv-
er was aStir. Black men ran down to
the rivers bank. Hanson hailed them
But there was no sign OF the Hon.
Morrison Baynes.
In accordance with their masters H.
structions the blacks manned Il canoe
and roWed across. Hanson placed Me-
riem in the little craft and entered it
himself, leaving two boys to watch the
horses, which the canoe was TO return
for and swim across to the camp side
Of the river.
Once in The camp Meriem asked fol
Eaynes. For the moment her fears
had been allayed by the sight of the
camp, which she had come 10 look
upon as more or less OF a myth. Han
son pointed toward The single tent that
stood in the center OF the Enclosure.
There. he said and preceded her
toward it. AT the entrance he held the
flap aside and motioned her within.
Meriem entered and looked about. The
tent was empty.
She turned toward Hanson. There
was broad grin on his face.
where is Mr.. Baynes?" she de-
manded.
'He amt here" replied Hanson
'Leastwise l don't see him. do you;
But I'm here. and I'm better man
than that thing ever was. You DOM
need him no mOre-yOu got me- an, !,
he laughed uproariously and reached
for her.
Meriem was looking full into his face |
Ne she fn,s<hr for freedom when there |
came over ner u sudden recOiiectlOn OF |
u similar scene In which she had been |
a participant and with it full recognt.
ton OF her assailant. He was the |
Swede Milbihn, who had attacked her
once before, who had shot his compan
ion, who would have saved her anG
from whom she had been rescued by
Bwana.
His smooth face had deceived her.
but now, with the growing beard and
the similarity of conditions, recOgni
ton came swift and sure.
But today there would be no Bwana
to save her.
AS Meriem struggled with Malbihr
hope died within her. She did not
utter sound for she knew that there
was none to come to her assistance
and, besides, the jungle training of her
earlier life had taught her the futility
of appeals for succor in the savage
world of her upbringing.
But as she fought to free herself ore
hand came in contact with the butt
of AIalbihn's revolver where it rested
in the holster at his hip. Slowly her