The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. 283 Melton led the way down the street for a little distance, and turning into ‘a side passage, soon stopped before a low, one story building. A dard skinned fellow clad in ordinary Egyptian costume stood in the doorway, and with a cry of surprise Guy recognized Mombagolo, Forbes’ trusty Savage servant, who did much good service for them when they were in Burma together. Their greeting was brief and hasty. ‘¢T have work for you, Momba,’’ said Melton. ‘‘ Something is going on in the town, I don’t know just what. You can go anywhere without being suspected. Find out what you can, and then come down to the wharf. Don’t return here.’’ The man hastened away at once, and then Guy and Melton started for the shore. - ‘‘IT won’t give any alarm at the garrison,’’ said Forbes, as they hurried along. ‘‘ Ill wait till Momba reports. I don’t suppose anything is contem- plated before nightfall at the earliest, and as the troops are scattered it would only precipitate matters if I should have them called in.”’ The last bale of goods was being unloaded from the steamer when they reached the wharf. ‘The captain and officers were smoking cigars against the rail, and catching sight of Guy, the former called out : , ‘* Don’t forget now. Six o’clock sharp.’’ Guy nodded, and followed Melton to one side, where the two sat down on a bale of cotton. Melton briefly explained how he came to be at Berbera. After his return from Burma, he had been despatched as war correspondent of the London fost to Suakim, which town was at that time threatened by the Mahdi. . Mombagolo, or Momba as Melton now called him, had become his faithful servant, and a week ago, the warscare at Suakim having subsided, Melton had come to Berbera to write up the great fair for his paper. Then Guy, in his turn, simply stated that he had stopped off on his way to India to execute a commission at Zaila. He made no reference to the despatches, feeling doubtful whether it would be proper or not, for a govern- ment secret is a thing of weighty importance. The conversation drifted to their perilous adventures in Burma, and the time passed on unheeded. At last Melton glanced up. ‘Do you Observe how quiet it is?’’ he exclaimed. ‘‘ And look! ‘There are but few people in sight.’’ a, It was indeed quiet. A dead, oppressive calm had settled on the sea ; not a breeze rustled, not a ripple broke the glassy surface of the water, and from the town, instead of the loud babel of cries, came only a low murmur like a distant waterfall. A strange calm indeed, the calm that serves as precursor to the unseen storm. Suddenly, with startling abruptness, a rifle shot broke the silence with its shuddering echoes. Guy and Melton sprang to their feet. The officers on the steamer crowded to the rail, up in the town dark figures ran to and fro, a soldier in bright uniform was seen speeding toward the garrison, and now CoORniclsoolks 3