The Winslow mail., 1924-06-06

appear. 1t did not disappear. The
entire herd seemed moving in the di-
rectiOn of the hills, now about four
miles away, travelling almost parallel
with the horses, yet with sufficient in
clination to make it probable that,
If it were indeed a real herd, it would
pass into the valley toward which the
riders were making.
At last Winton called the Judges
attention to the flock But Judge Da-
Wis, seeming hardly to be aware of
his presence, shook himself impa-
tiently and rode on, immersed in his
morbid intrOspection.
The flock appeared to keep pace
with the horses, and it was now
clearly converging toward the pass.
WintOn, watching it, abandoned the
Idea that it was a mirage. Yet it
could not possibly be any mans flock.
There were hundreds Of thousands of
the animals, moving, apparently,
without herdsmen.
The valley opened before them.
Wint0n recognized his location the
native village was not far away. The
riders were already ascending into
the foothills. AS they rounded one
Of the bases Of the mountain chain
WintOn looked back, and saw the herd
much nearer. Then it was lost to
sight, and he thought no longer of
the prodigy in thinking of Sheila.
They rode along the winding pass,
ascending. descending, until at last
the cluster of beehive huts appeared
In the distance.
Suddenly Winton saw that Judge
Davis was clutching a revolver in his
hand.
The sight shocked him but less than
the look which Davis face had now
assumed. If SeatOn was in the vii
lage there would be murder. Winton
tried to take the weapon gently from
Davis hand; but with an adroit
movement, as if he had been on guard
all the time, the Judge wrenched him
self away. and suddenly spurred the
horse he rode, which darted on ahead
down the valley. ,A
AS WintOn followed half a dozen
antelope came bounding past him. and,
glancing back for moment, he saw
that a struggling band was following
them. They had short, lyrate horns,
white faces, and rufous bodies. And
then he understood what the herd sig
nif1ed.
The herd was not sheep but ante
lope-springbuck. It was in fact,
one of the periodical migrations Of
these animals, of which Winton had
heard. After a drought, when the
rain falls, they travel from the inte-
rior in countless numbers in search of
water. turning aside for nothing, pass
ing even through populous cities.
Herds Of half million have been en-
cOuntered.
And what had looked like an orderly
progression, seen at a great distance,
was a succession of the gigantic leaps
that have given the animal its name.
The springbuck were streaming into
the valley, jumping to a height Of ten
or dozen feet, and jOstling against
the riders horses, as if devoid of fear.
WintOn gallOped through the adj
vance guard in pursuit of Davis, who
was far in advance of him and near
ing the village. He emerged out OF
the pass suddenly, almost into the
middle space among the beehive huts.
The village appeared deserted, ex-
cept for an old man and an aged
woman who had crOuched over the
embers Of dying fire. The woman
was the old queen of the tribe; the
man was SeatOn He rose and faced
Davis.
Winton saw the judges hand tight
en- upon his revolver. But suddenly
the weapon was lowered The judge
was looking into the old wOman's face;
his own seemed to become rigid as
plaster cast, and he noticed SeatOn no
longer.
$50 it is you, Amy?" he said. Il
have found you at last?''
''Yes, it is l." answered the woman
in strange cultural voice, speaking
as if the words were difficult To pro
nOunce
II have come to take you home,
my dear; you and the child"
Home" mumbled the old woman.
Home the judge repeated impa-
tientiy, passing his hand across his
forehead
How long ago it seems since you
went away! You must have been i'll,
l think Or perhaps it is |. Bring
our baby; / want to see her. What
did we call her? | have forgotten"
Il forget what we called her." an
swered the old woman; but she is
called Sheila now
"A pretty name" answered the
judge.
As he spoke, SheiIa came out of one
of the hutS. She fixed her eyes on
Wintou in inquiry; he could see that
Seat0n had told her the truth. Then
she looked at Davis She stepped
toward him.