Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-24
ey RONALD MUIR FERGUSON.

T@WO figures slid from the dense
bush. slipped like snakes over the
camp fence, and melted into the
deep shadow thrown by the nut.
rfhev crouched for moment
listening intently. Like ghosts they
crept in at the wtde-open nut ooor'
and then. by the dim moonlight INSIDE
- s~asd statbing-SpearS rose ana 1eti'
repeatedly trsnsflxing the still figure
Their work completed. the ossasSins
tl,Taed TO steal back the way they mao
Con,e-and walked straight INTO tile
arms of the native police. who: appear
ine from the thick bush, mad sienVty
surrounded the hut.
Three DAYS previously one Everaro
DANNY. from his gold-mining property
away in the Bushveld, had sent his IN
DINA (headmanl with a note convey
ms the typically casual intimation that
there was something on that might IN
tarsst us" and referring us to the bearer
for particulars.
IT was not often that Dandy sum-
moned police assistance, ana. after
making certain dispositions indicated
BY the information given us by his ma
tive hea6ran. we had started forthwith
on cur 40 miles journey.
Corpl, Stuart Carnac now lit the
lamp. and then, stripping OF the spear
rinped but bloodless be6-sheet. we ad-
rliringlv inspected the arrangement OF
meal sacks and buck-sginS which our
host had disposed to resemble his own
lathy figure.
we sat down. Carnac at the writing
table. and examined Danby's would-be
executionerS with interest. They were
unknown to any of us, and seemed ex-
tremely unlikely material to ever de-
velop into successful conspiratorS.
Carnac dipped his pen. and, through
Madonela. our sergeant of native police,
began to inquire particulars-an impoS-
ing preceding which had its effect.
'PitSeng ka Lerotllodi. Phofolo ka
TaHane," he said at last, addressing the
prisoners by name. out of the black
ness of your hearts you have tried to
send home tkalD my brother Nond-
waytza (Danby). Eho has eaten neither
cattle nor women = YOURS. Truly the
name of him who CIT sT2s such snakes
shall be hunored by the people"
"Barena," began enc of the prisoners,
"evil follows our fathers house. Crops
have failed, many cattle have died.
whereby marriages are delayed and men
made poor. My brother here has lost
his sweetheart. and twice lately dog
has climbed to the roof Of my fathers
hut-a portent of evil from which it is
evident that we are under the spell of
powerful witch. Wherefore. Barcna, we
consulte5-we consulted"
The speaker paused and glanced I'M
easily at his brother.
yes? You consulted-whom?" AS
Carnac asked the question, Dandy leaned
forward eagerly to catch the answer.
I'VE consulted very famous doctor.
the boy went en-, hurriedly. He tcld us
that the land was being ruined by the
white men: they are killing the people
with taxes and the cattle with disease.
The eyes CT the government must
be p,ucked cut, the doctor said" Pitscng
concluded. $50 will prosperity return to
the land. That is all. Barena."
Dandy and Carnac conferred for @
minute Then.
Not quite all. think, Pitseng," said
Carnac Perhaps our ears are dull, but
we have not yet heard the name of this
doctor whom you consulted Surely
he speaks with the mouth Of the Great