In Search of an Unknown Race — page 91: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VAN, SI cating the group who had halted a little in the rear, “says no such t’ing—but you was boun’ to come anyhow.” “But, in the name of all that’s wonderful, Mr. Briscoe, tell us where you disappeared so suddenly, and how,” said Bob Martin, eagerly. Van explained in a few brief words, interrupted now and then by an astonished ex- clamation from his hearers. Their own story was soon told. As Van had conjec- tured, they abandoned the boat at the beginning of the rapids, and made their way along the eastern bank of the river, meeting with hardships and privations similar to those encountered by Van, besides—as Tom expressed it—being scared out of a year’s growth by the shock of the earthquake. A runner from Itambez had met them on their arrival on the lake shore a couple of days before. He had brought a message to the lake dwellers, who were sub- jects of Itambezi, though an inferior race of people. In effect this message was that the wise men of the city had announced the coming of strangers—three in number—whose arrival at Canuma Lake was to be watched for, after which they were to be guided safely to the city. “T knew,” said Bob Martin with a simple earnestness contrasting strongly with Van’s half incredulous smile, “that if the wise men had said that three strangers were coming, then you, Mr. Briscoe, must be all safe, and would put in an appearance sooner or later. I tell you it took a big weight from my mind.” While they had been talking, the lake dvetian’? who were not unlike the Mumuru Indians in feature, though of much lighter hue, had brought a large raft to the stone > Gomichbooks (G(@)