The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-12-10

tionality Nerper assured Abdul
Mourak that he was Frenchman.
hunting In Africa. and that he had
been attacked by strangers. his safari
killed or scattered. and himself es-
gaping only by miracle.
From chance remark Of the Abys-
sinian, Werper discovered the purpose
of the expedition. Lest he might again
fall into the hands of the raider he dis
couraged Abdul Mourak In the further
prosecution Of his pursuit. assuring the
Abyssinian that Achmet Eek command
ed large and dangerous force. and
also that he was marching rapidly to-
ward the south.
Convinced that 1t would take long
time to overhaul the raider, and that
the chances Of engagement made the
outcome extremely questionable. Mou-
rak, none too unwillingly. abandoned
his plan and gave the necessary orders
for his command to pitch camp where
they were, preparatory to taking up
the return march toward Abyssinia the
following morning.
1t was late In the afternoon that the
dtlCAtiOu "a lie CduIp was atti ANtSu
toward the west by the sound of a
powerful voice calling single word.
repeated several times: Lady Lady
Ladyw
True to their instincts of precaution.
a number Of Abyssinians, acting under
orders from Abdul Mourak. advanced
stealthily through the Jungle toward
the author of the call
A half hour later they returned.
dragging Mugambi among them. The
first person the big blacks eyes fell
upon as he was hustled into the pres
ence of the Abyssinian officer was NJ.
Jules Frecoult the Frenchman who
had been the guest of his master and
whom he last had seen entering the
village of Achmet Eek under circum-
stances which pointed to his familiar
ity and friendship for the raiders.
Between the disasters that had be-
fallen his master and his masters
house and the Frenchman. Mugambi
saw a sinister relationship, which kept
him from recalling to Werper's atten-
tion the identity which the latter evil
IDENTIFY failed to recognize.
Pleading that he was but a harm
less hunter from tribe farther south.
Mugambi begged to be allowed to go
upon his way; but Abdul Mourak. ad-
miring the warriors splendid physique.
| decided to take him back to Ads Abe
ba and present him to Menelek-
Mugambi had not the slightest doubt
but that during the course of the jour
ney he would find ample opportunity
to elude the vigilance of his guards
and make good his escape.
Then there came a time when he
learned very surprising thing. by ac-
cident.
The party had camped early In the
afternoon of a sultry day upon the
banks of a clear and beautiful stream
The bottom of the river was gravelly
there was no indication of crocodile
those menaces to promiscuous bathing
in the rivers of certain portions Of the
dark continent, and SO the Abyssinians
took advantage of the opportunity to
perform long-deferred and much need
| ed ablutions.
AS Werper, who. with Mugambi, had
been given permission to enter the
water. removed his clothing the black
| noted the care with which he unfasten
ed something which circled his waist
and which he took off with his shirt
keeping the latter always around and
concealing the object Of his suspicious
solicitude.
1t was this very carefulness which
attracted the blacks attention to the
thing. arousing a natural curiosity ir
| the warriors mind. and so 1t CHANGED