The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-01-17
BY
GEORGE AGNEW
CHAMBERLAIN

have worried. When she stepped out
early next morning dressed for the
held in compliance with message
from MSungO to put on her toughest
ana toughest she was so excited that
even the memory of her doubt was
bloIted from her mind. Something was
in the air of the craal that could be
felt rather than heard the sort of
something that one could imagine DOS
Sessing hive just before it began TO
hum.
Msungo was already sitting under
the dining tree engaged in a diminu-
tive palaver with three wizened blacks
who squatted on the ground sauiut-
ing up ut him and speaking in turn
IN answer to his patient questioning.
Around them but at a respectful dis
lance were gathered various members
OF the camps personal staff. On the
faces of the wiZened three and also on
MsungO's was the same look of
fanatical exaltation. the look that pro-
claims any group of diverse men
brothers at heart.
what is it," asked Andrea, breath
less from hurrying.
Elephant" replied rsungo. He
drew a chair to his side "Sit down"
he said softly as one whose mind is
half-narcOtized and fearful OF losing
the dream, watch and listen, for
these men bring great tidings." He
smiled almost like boy.
One of the wizened produced a thin
wand, about twenty inches in length.
freshly broken ut one end. He passed
it to his companions; who stared ar It
as though they saw il for the first in
stead of the hundredth time, fingered
it, gurgled over it and finally gravely
handed it to MsungO. He went through
more or less the same process and re-
turned it TO the man who first pro-
duced it with what was apparently
sighting remark
The man glanced up with q panied
look on his face, arose, laid the wand
on the ground as measure and with
Il
mighty oval. M'sungo leaned across
the table and gazed with fascinated
eye; Andrea, watching him, could see
the pulse throbbing at his temples. He
was new MsungO. somebody young.
apprOachable, lOvable, an eager boy.
She leaned close to his shoulder.
please, White Man." she murmured,
please tell me-"
Without turning he put one hand
out and grasped her wrist as though
to still her. "The little man." he ex-
planned, ais drawing the spoor of a
mighty beast. Look at it and learn ii
by heat. for it will be photograph"
Having completed the circumference
of his oval, the native was making
various tracings on its face. dividing it
as with maze of tracks. When he
had apparently finished, he sank back
on his heels and gazed critically at his
handiwork.
Watch" said Msungo. Before he
gets up. he'll put in some mark, some
distinctive feature that distinguishes
this spOor from all others"
No sooner had he spoken than the
black leaned forward and with a sure
touch deepened two of the cracks till
they formed long narrow V running
diagOnally half across the oval. That
done he turned abruptly from his
drawing. joined his comrades. turned
his back on M'sungo and unstoppering
cartridge case. proceeded to take
snuff.
MsungO Strengthened with a long
quivering sigh. 1T is well,' he said in
dialect. "We will CO." The three
wizened men nodded their heads many
times and grunted. With no further
instruction. gunbearers, water boys.
truckers and Marguerite's attendant
scattered TO their various prepare
tons, hindered by excited women and
children. The camp hummed. Bathtub
slapped breakfast on the table and
then stood on one foot, then on the