Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-09-17
CHAPTER u.
In Which I Am Afforded Glimpse Into
Euturlty-posslbIy Useful.


Futurlty-PossIbIy Useful.
Two or three evenings before we
were due to sail. at one Of our snug
gerry conclaves, I put the question
whether anyone had eyer tried the d.
vinng rod for treasure in the islands.
Old John nodded and said he knew
the man I wanted, q half-crazy old ne
gro back there In Grants Town--the
negro quarter spreading out into the
brush behind the ridge on which the
town of Nassau proper Is built.
"He calls himself king he
added, "and the natives do, l believe,
regard him as the head Of certain
tribe. The lads call him odd King
Cofyce'-a memory l suppose OF the
Ashantee war. Anyone will tell you
where he lives. He has a name as
preacher-among the Holy Jumpers -
but he's getting too old TO do much
preaching nowadays. Go and see him
for fun anyway"
So next morning I went.
had hardly been prepared for the
plunge into Darkest Africa" which
found myself taking, as, leaving Gov
eminent house behind, perChed on the
crest of its white ridge, l walked a
few yards inland and entered region
which, for all its green palms, made
similar sudden impression OF perVad-
ing blackneSs on the mind which one
gets on suddenly entering n Coai-min-
ing district after travelling through
fields and meadows.
There were far more blacks than
whites down on Bay street but here
there were nothing but blacks on ev,
cry side.
The roads ran in every direction,
and along them everywhere were fig
urcs of black women shuttling with
burdens on their heads. or groups of
girls, audaciously merry. most Of them
bonny. here and there almost beauty.
There were churches and dance halls
and saloons-all radiating, so to say,
prosperous blackness.
At first the effect Of the whole scene
was little sinister, even little
frightening. The strangeness Of At
rican Jungle, was here, and one was
white man in it all alone among grin
ming savage faces. But for the figures
about one being clothed, the Illusion
had been complete: but for that and
the kind-hearted salutations from
comely white-tur6aned mammies
which soon sprang up about me, and
the groups of elfsh children that
laughingly blocked ones progress with
requests-not in any weird African
dialect but in excellent English-for
"a copper. please"
This request was not above the
naidenly dignity of quite big and bux-
ON lasses. One of these. n really SUI
perb young creature, asked for "a cop
per, please" but with saucy coquet.
ry betting her adolescence.
"Tll give you one if you'll tell me
where the king lives" said I.
"Ole King Coffee2" she asked, and
then fell into very agony of negro
finger 10 her lips, suggesting silence,
and said:
"Come along I'll show you'll"
And walking by my side, 1.-THE as a
young animal, she had soon brought
me to a cabin much like the rest,
, though perhaps little poorer looking.
"Shh! There he is" and she shook
all over again with suppressed giggles.
I gave her sixpence and told her
to be good girl. Then advanced up
q little strip Of garden to where / had
caught glimpse Of venerable
white-haired negro seated at the win
dow, as if for exhibition. with a great
open book in his hands. This he ap-
peared to be reading with great solem-
nifty, through enormous goggles.
though thought caught side-glint
Of his eye, as though he had taken a
swift accommodating glance In my d.
rection-a glance which apparently
had but deepened bis attention and
increased the dignity Of his demeanor.
Remembering that he was not mere
~ roya, but p!ous also, made my SAL
| utation at once courtier-like and sane
timonious.
"Good day to your majesty" said ;
Goods good. God looks after his serv.
| ants"
"De Lord Is merciful," he answered
| gravely; God takes care Of his chill
dren. Be seated, sar, and please ex-
cuse my not rising; my rheumatism Is
! n snre eff1Iction IN mo-"
| was not long In getting to the sub
ject Of my visit. The old man listened
to me with great composure. but with
a marked accession Of mysterious i'm
portance in his manner.
TITS true, sar," he said. when I had
finished. II could find 1t for you.
| could find 1t for you, sure enough; and
I'm de only man In all de islands dat
could. But / should havelto 60 wild
you, and it's de Lords will to keep me
here In dis chair wild rheumatics. De
rods has turned in desc old hands
many time, and 1 have faith in de
Lord dey would turn again--yes. I'd
find 1t for you; sure enough. I'd find
It II any man could-and 1t was de
Lords will. But mebbe I can see IT
for you widout moving from dis chair. 7
do you mean. brother. that the
Lord has given you second sight"
dat am I'll Glory to his name, hal.
lelujah !" he answered. II look In q
glass ball--so: and IL de spirit helps
me I can see clear as a picture fai
.--- ~ IL No. -