The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-04-16


tree in which Jane Clayton crouched.
painting and trembling. 1t was almost
dark before he finally quit the clear
ing, and even had his place beside the
remnants Of the inangled ape not been
immediately usurped by pack of
hyenas, Jane Clayton would scarcely
have dared venture from her refuge In
the face of impending night.
Tired nature at last overcame even
her fears, and she dropped into deep
slumber, Graded in comparatively
safe, though rather uncomfortable, po-
sition against the bole of the tree, and
supported by two large branches which
grew outward, almost horizontally. but
few inches apart.
The sun was high in the heavens
when she at last awoke. and beneath
her was no siga either of Numa or the
hyenas. Both hunger ard thirst as
sailed her now, and realizing that she
must descend or die Of starvation, She
at last summoned courage to under
take the ordeal of continuing her jour-
ney through the jungle.
Descending from the tree, she set
out in a southerly direction, toward
the point where she believed the plains
of Waziri lay, and though she knew
that only ruin and desolation marked
the .spot where once her happy home
had stood, she hoped that by coming
to the broad plain she might eventual
ly reach one of the numerous Waziri
villages that were scattered over the
surrounding country, or chance upon
rowing band Of these indefatigable
huntsmen.
The day was half spent when there
broke Unexpectedly upon her startled
ears the sound of rifle shot not far
ahead of her. AS she paused to listen,
this first shot was followed by another
and another. What could it mean?
AS the firing became less rapid she
caught the sound Of mems voices,
though she could distinguish no words,
and she heard two men calling to each
other in loud tones. Then there was a
long silence which was finally broken
by the stealthy padding of footballs on
the trail ahead of her, and in another
moment q man appeared in view back
ing toward her, rifle in his hands,
and his eyes directed in careful watch
fulness along the way that he had
\ come.
Almost instantly Jane Clayton rec
| ognized the man as M. Jules Frecoult,
| who so recently had been guest in
| her.home She was upon the point OF
calling to him in glad relief when she
saw him leap quickly to one side and
hide himself in the thick verdure at
the trails side. 1t was evident that he
was being, followed by an enemy, and
so Jane Clayton kept silence, lest she
| distract Frecoult's attention, or guide
his foe to his hiding place.
| Scarcely had Trecoult hidden him
self than the figure of white-robed
Arab crept silently along the trail in
pursuit. From her hiding place. Jane
Clayton could see both men plainly.
She recognized Achmet Eek as the
leader, of the ruffians who had raided
her home and made her prisoner,
and as she saw Frecoult, the supposed
friend and ally, raise his gun and take
careful aim at the Arab, her heart
stood still and every power Of her soul
was directed upon fervent prayer for
the accuracy of his aim.
Achmet Eek paused in the middle of
the trail. His keen eyes scanned every
bush and tree within the radius of his
vision. His tall figure presented per-
feet target to the perfidious assassin.
There was aAsharp report, and little
puff of smoke arose from the bush
that hid the Belgian. as Achmet Eek
stumbled forward and pitched, face
down. upon the trail.
AS Werper stepped back into the
trail, he was startled by the sound Of
a glad cry from above him, and as he
wheeled about to discover the author
of this unexpected interruption, he
saw Jane Clayton drop lightly from a
nearby tree and run forward with out
stretched hands to congratulate him
/ upon his victory.
! Il the Belgian had entertained any
doubts as to the woman's knowledge
of his part In the pertidious attack
upon her home and herself. it was
quickly dissipated by the genuine
friendship of her greeting. She told
him quickly of all that had befallen
her. since he had departed from her
home, and as she spoke Of the death
of her husband her eyes were yelled
by the tears which she could not re-
| press
II am shocked" said Werper, in
well-simulated sympathy; 'but am
not surprised. That devil there" and
he pointed toward the body of Achmet
Eek, ''has terrorized the entire coun-
try. Your Waziri are either exter-
! minated, or have been driven out of
their country. far to the south. Our
only hope lies in travelling northward
as rapidly as we may, of coming to the
camp of the raiders before the knowl-
edge Of Achmet Zek's death reaches
those who were left there, and of OBJ
tanning, through some ruse. an escort
toward the north. It is our only hone