The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-02-08
Diamonds Of Malopo


pecting that Malopo prices would b,
} considerably in advance of those II
Taungs, hurried into the first store III
saw which did not seem to have a ma
tive clientele. There he threw himself
, upon the mercy of the proprietor who
equipped him with sensible outfit con
sisting Of a small tin trunk-the white
ants would eat through his leather
suitcase In one night, Wlntor was told
and a correct up-country costume
Winton sent for his baggage, which the
proprietor obligingly agreed to store
for him, and presently strolled in sensi-
BILE khaki, with wide-brimmed felt hat
rising into peak, and high boots. He
took his seat among the miscellaneous
crowd of passengers. and. while the
mob outside cried fantastic offers for
seats through the window. the mules,
now ten In number, started.
On the box sat the Hottentot driver,
cracking his twenty-foot whip Of hip
popotamus hide, and fiicking the slack
est mules with a dexterity that was
never at fault On rolled the coach
through the infested streets, into the
clean desert, making in the direction
of ridge of pale-blue mountains west
ward.
1t swayed and creaked upon its way,
the baggage humping In the boot, the
mules dancing over the sand, the pas
sengers good-humoredly jostling one
another at every movement. 1t began
to pass the travellers Of the morning
men riding thirsty Basuto ponies, carts
with thin donkeys, crawling at a snail's
pace between heaven and sand; daring
and resolute pedestrians walking be-
side donkeys, their only friends, laden
with baggage and water-bags.
Winton turned his attention TO his
fellow passengers Besides the old
man and the girl there were number
Of prospectors and mining men, evil
IDENTIFY old residents of the country, to
judge from their tanned faces and the
brick-red arms disclosed under the up
rolled shirt sleeves. There were two or
three clerks or storekeepers, and one
man seated In a corner, with his hat
over mis- eyes, whose insolent demeanor
and fiashy clothes arrested Winton's
attention.
Winton sat rather uncomfortably
against the strap that ran across the
width of the coach In the center, d.
viding 1t into two portions, and fur
nishing an inconvenient, swinging sup
port for two rows of passengers, back
to back. There was another row at
either end of the coach; thus there
were four lines Of seats, the occupants
of the first and second, and those of
the third and fourth facing each other.
Opposite Winton sat the girl and her
father. The old man, who had taken |
several pulls at a flask In his pocket, |
was lying back half asleep. AS Win
ton watched him, he saw his eyes open,
travel from face to face, and suddenly |
fix themselves upon some occupant of |
the farthest row with look of terror
and abasement. q
Involuntarily Winton turned to per-
ceive that the man with his hat over
his eyes had pushed 1t up and was
watching the older one with a smile of
Winton thought his face
was one of the most sinister that he
had ever seen. He was about forty
years of age, and not Unlocking; but
the smile on his countenance was a
wolfish snarl. There was greed there,
and cruelty, and utter heartlessness.
Yawning, the man rose, and, without
a word of apology, strobe over the
strap, pushing between the seated pas
sengers. He went over to the girl. Be
side her was an inoffensive little clerk.
He jerked him by the arm.
"Tl change places with you," he
said peremptorily.
The little clerk rose obediently and
made his way across the strap, the
other passengers, who had not dared to
resent the first disturbance, remon-
,trating vehemently as they dislodged
to allow him passage.
"Well, Sheila, my dear" said the
newcomer, grinning into the girls face,
glad to see you. I'd been wondering
low you could stay away from your old
riend De Witt so long,"
He was referring evidently to him
elf Winton started at the name. He
lad an introduction to De Witt in his
pocket, but now he hardly felt like !
presenting 1t.
De Witt sat down beside the girl.
there was nothing in the mans words !
hat need be especially offensive In a
ree-and-easy community, but the ia
niliarity of the coarse tones, which
nade the girl vince, stung Winton to :
ury.
swell, who'd have thought to see you :,
ere, Daddy Seaton?' the man con- !,
Inued. "Come to try your luck on the !.
elds? It's never too late to strike 1t =
Ich. You and have been old friends, :
addy, since those days down at Sand
liver"
The old man, who had been watching q
he other like q fascinated rabbit, put =
ut one hand with an involuntary ges- !,
Ire which seemed to be warding off a =
low. :,
"I-didn't know you were here, Mr.. :,