The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-08-01
Diamonds of MalOpO ]
By VICTOR ROUSSEAU

I stone obliterated all the past, ending
the cycle of misfortune that had begun
with the theft. He caught Sheila to him.
1--WE are going to begin now-begin
to live" he said.
He read her acquiescence In her
happy eyes.
"And l am going to have this cut
and set for your engagement ring. even
IL 1t isn't ready before the wedding
ring" added Winton.
After that they went on more brisk
| ly. Their hunger only made them
more buoyant and resolved to reach
their destination before their strength
failed them But as the day grew
hotter and the sky remained cloudless
their speed slackened. A natural re-
action and depression came on them.
They rested at noon and resumed their
journey silently. There was no hope
Of getting near Malopo that day.
1t was middle afternoon. and their
thirst had grown almost uncomfortable
Still, they hoped. Rain would come,
must come by nightfall. The sun was
halfway down in the west when sud-
denly Winton, lifting up his eyes, per
ceived horseman approaching them.
He uttered glad cry. For the
rider was Individually white man, and
he was riding in the white mans
fashion, with toes turned In and
tight snaffle and loose curb.
That was where Winton made his
second wrong guess that day. The
man was not white but coal-black; he
seemed to blacken the air around him
within the distance of an aureole.
1t was Sam.
They're all out searching for you
and Miss Sheila" he cried. Med
Burns and half Malopo. took an idea
that I'd strike of this way l pre-
sumo that was an inference from intui-
tive premises, Mr.. Garrett? But, thank
God. you are both safei"
How about Malopo?" shouted Win
tom
"Safe and sound. sir. II seems there
was a detachment of police with a
couple OF Maxims on the way up from
Vryburg before the row began. The
government had been wider awake
than we gave them credit for being.
And those nlg-colored aboriginal Ban
tus-ran right into them. They didn't
have much heart for fighting after they
got few rounds at FIVE hundred yards. |
only lost seven men, and not a
child or woman hurt. And the half /
that isn't out looking for you IL put
ting the debris underground. And.
Mr.. Garrett, Malopo's going to give
you and Miss Sheila a triumphal pro-
cessIon, especially her"
Wintons face grew grave. But 4
glance at Sheila made it change
swiftly.
1--WE won't bear malice against Ma
opo-we can't now" he said softly;
md Sheila agreed
Then he grew very serious.
Were about finished. SAM" he said.
How far is Malopo?"
Right over yonder," answered Sam
Not ten miles away. Miss Sheia can
make 1t on my horse in an hour"
Sam, 1 see you haven't a water
'ottle."
"Why. Mr.. Garrett, we've got a
'ackhorse with water skin. If only
hadn't left the crowd We might
light them on the way back, though,
nd Miss Sheila is sure to come upon
ONE of them"
IF only we had something moist,
am" groaned Winton.
''Why, Mr. Garrett" exclaimed Sam,
l never thought Of it, but here's some
hing l found growing in the desert. l
licked two of them, and l think I'll .
axe the seeds back and plant them. ,
m glad l didn't eat both"
And from the other side of his saddle ,
e detached huge Wild watermelon.
'hich he divided with his knife. He ,
anded half to Sheila and the other ,
alf to Winton. .
The fruit was insipid in flavor, but
tasted to the travellers like nectar. 3
Winton discarded the gnawed-out ,
lell. SAM" he said.
"Sir?"
81 hate to be personal. Sam, but
ally"
pray don't mention It," answered n
I'm politely a
"How about those primeval in I
incts, Sam" n