Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-02-27

All night they rode, and the day was
still young when they came suddenly
upon party hurrying southwark. 1t
was Bwana himself and his sleek.
black warriors.
At sight Of Baynes the big English
mans brOwS contracted in scowl,
but he waited TO hear Meriem's story
before giving vent to the long pent
anger in his breast. When she had
finished he seemed to have forgotten
Baynes. His thoughts were occupied
with another subject.
You say that you found Korak?' he
asked. You really saw him?"
Yes" replied Meriem; las plainly
as see you. and l want you 10 come
with me, Bwana, and help me find him
again.
did you see him?" He turned to-
ward the Hon. Morrison.
Yes, sir" replied Baynes; very
plainly"
What sort of appearing man is her
continued Bwana. About how old
would you sayT
II should say he was an Englishman
about my own age" replied Baynes,
Bwana turned to his head man.
Take Miss Meriem and Mr.. Baynes
home" he said, Il am going into the
jungle"
Then he motioned to his head man
TO take his horse and commence the
return journey To the farm. Meriem
slowly mounted the tired horse that
had brought her from the village of
the sheik. A litter was rugged for the
now feyersh Baynes, and the little
cavalcade was soon slowly winding off
along the river trail.
Bwana stood watching them until
they were out of sight.
Slowly he turned toward nearby
tree. Leaplng upward, he caught a
lower branch and drew himself up
among the branches His movements
were catlike and agile. High into the
tree he made his way and there com
menced to divest himself of his cloth
ing.
After Bwana had left his party
sending them back toward the farm,
Meriem had ridden for Il short dis
lance with bowed head. WHAT thoughts
passed through that active brain who
may say? Presently she seemed TO
come to a decision. She called the
head man to her side.
Il am going back with Bwana," she
announced.
The black shook his head. "No !" he
announced "Bwana says | take you
home. So l take you home"
Presently her horse passed beneath
a low hanging branch, and the black
head man found himself gazing al the
girls empty saddle. He ran forward
| to the tree into which she had disap.
po4red. He could see nothing of her
He called, but there was no response
unless il might have been low. ;s'unt-
| ing laugh far TO the right. He sent his
men into the jungle to search for her
but they came back empty handed.
After awhile he resumed his march
| toward the farm, for Baynes by this
! time was delirious with fever.
MerieIn, shedding the awkward Arab
| robe they had given her in the sheik's
douar, raced in riding breec5es and
| barefoot straight back toward the
point she imagined Tantor would make
! for. a point where she knew the ele
/ plants often gathered deep in the for
est due east of the sheik's village. She
moved silently ard swiftly. From her
mind she had eArunged all thoughts
other than that she must reach KOrab
| and bring him back with her.
| Now there came to her sensitive nos
trils the scent of Tantor. and she knew
that she was on the right trail aud
close to him she sought. She did not
| call out, because she wished to sur
| prise him, ana presently she did. break
| ing into sight of them as the great
elephant shufiled ahead. balancing the
man and the heavy stake upon his
| head. holding them there with his up
/ curled trunk.
"Korak" cried Meriem from the
1 foliage above him.
instantly the bun swung about low
| cred his burden TO the ground and,
| trumpeting savagely, prepared 10 de-
/ fend his comrade. The ape saan. rec
| ognlzing the girls voice. felt sudden
/ lump in his throat.
"Meriem!" he called back to her.
Happily the girl clambered to the
ground and ran forward to release
Korak. but Tantor lowered his head
omnously and trumpeted a warning
Go back Go back :" cried korak.
"He will kill you 90
(TO BE CONTINUED