The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-03-27


which could help me to conclusion.
Once I lost myself, and it was only
by good luck, and after an hour of
wandering. that / found the camp
once more.
Suddenly a thought came to me
and brought some little comfort
to my heart. l was not absolutely
alone in the world. Down at the
bottom of the cliff, and within call
of me, was waiting the faithful
Zambo. 1 went to the edge of the
plateau and looked over. Sure
enough, he was squatting among
his blankets beside his fire in his
little camp. But, to my amaze
ment. a second man was seated in
front of him. For an instant my
heart leaped for joy, as l thought
that one of my comrades had made
his way safety down. But second
ElaJIce dispelled the nope The
rksng sun shone red upon the
mans skin. He was an Indian. l
SHOUTED loudly and waved my hand
kerchief. Presently zambo looked
up. waved his hand, aud turned to
ascend the pinnacle. In short
time he was standing close to me
and listening with deep distress to
the story which told him.
Devil got them for sure, Massa
Malone" said he. You got into
the devils country. sab, and he
take you all to himself. You take
advice, Massa Malone, and come
down quick. else he get you as
weal."
How can come down, Zambo?"
You get creepers from trees,
Massa Malone. Throw them over
here l make fast to this stump
and so you have bridge.
I'VE have thought of that. There
are no creepers here which could
bear us"
Send for ropes. Massa Malone. -
Who can l send, and where?'
Send to Indian village, sab.
Plenty hiderope in Indian village.
Indian down below; send him."
who is he?"
"One Df our Indians. Other ones
beat him and take away his pay.
He come back to us. Ready now
to take letter. bring rope-any-
thing"
To take letter. Why not? Per-
haps he might bring help; but in
any case he would ensure that our
lives were not spent for nothing,
and that news of all that we had
won for Science should reach our
friends at home. / had two com.
pleted letters already waiting. |
would spend the day in writing a.
| third, which would bring my cx-
periences absolutely up to date. The
Indiana could bear this back to the
world. ordered Zambo, therefore.
to come again In the evening and 1
spent my miserable and lonely day
in recording my own adventures Of
the night before / also drew up a
note, to be given to any white
merchant or captain of steam boat
whom the IndiaE could find, implor-
ing them to see that ropes were
sent to us, since our lives must de-
pend uopn it. These documents I
threw to Zambo in the evening, and
also my purse, which contained three
English sovereigns. These were to
be given 20 the Indian, and he was
promised twice as much If he re-
turned with the ropes.
CHAPTER XIII
"a Sight Which Shall Never For
getf'
Just as the sun was setting upon
that melancholy. night 1 saw the
lonely figure of the Indian upon the
vast plain beneath me. and I
wached him, our one faint hope of
salvation. until he disappeared in
the rising mists of evening which
lay rose-tinted from the setting sun.
between the far-off river and me.
| 1t was quite dark when I at last
turned back to our stricken camp
and my last vision as / went was
the red CLEAN of Zambo's fire, the
one point of light in the wide world
below, as was his faithful presence
in my own Swallowed soul. And yet
felt happier than 1 had done
since this crushing blow had fallen
upon me, for it was good to think
that the world should know what
we had done
II WAS an awesome thing to sleep
In thai Inflated camp; and yet 1t
was even more unnerving to do so
in the jungle.
l closed the door OF the zareba, lit
three separate fires in a triangle,
and having eaten q hearty supper
dropped off into a profound sleep.
from which I had strange and
most welcome awakening. In the
early morning, just as day was
breaking, a hand was laid upon my
arm, and starting up, with all my
nerves in a. Jingle and my hand
feeling for rifle, gave a cry Of
joy as in the cold gray light saw
Lord John Roxton kneeling beside
me.
1t was he-and yet it was not
he. / had left him calm In his
bearing, correct in his person, prim
in his dress. Now he was pale and
wild-eyed, gasping as be breathed
like one who has run far and fast
His gaunt- face was scratched and
bloody, his clothes were hanging
in rags, and his hat was gone. 1
stared in amazement, but he gave
me no chance for questions. He
was grabbing al our stores all the
time he spoke.
Quick, young fellah! Quick!' he
cried. Every moment counts. Get
the rifles, both OF them. I have
the other two. Now, all the
cartridges you can gather. Fiji UP
your pockets. Now. some food.
Half a dozen tins will do. That's