The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

494 THE RIVER OF DARKNESS, ‘“No,’’ answered Canaris, ‘‘ but before he died he gave me this;’’ and pulling a folded bit of linen from his pocket he handed it to Guy. ‘“Can you read that ?’’ he asked in strange excitement. ‘‘JI have never been able to make anything out of it.’’ Guy pulled it carefully open and gazed with interest on the faded char- acters that had apparently been written in blood. ‘“Ves,’’ he said after a pause, ‘‘I can read it. It is French.” ‘Go on,’’ said Canaris. ‘‘ Tell me quickly what it is.’’ ‘“ It translates as follows,’’ rejoined Guy : Half way between Elephant Peak and the Lion’s Head. ‘The south side of the stone kraal. The rock with the cross. Canaris sprang to his feet and staggered back against the wall of the dungeon. : ‘“‘It was providence that brought you here,’’ he cried. ‘‘ It is wonderful, wonderful.’’ ‘What do you mean ?’’ said Guy. ‘‘ How can this aid us?”’ ‘“TIt is the secret of the cave,’’ replied Canaris. ‘‘ The stone kraal is a curious formation of rocks that lie between the two mountains that bear those names. Close by is the village of the chief of all the Gallas.’’ ‘But how under the sun can this discovery benefit us?’’ repeated Guy half angrily. ‘‘ Can you open our prison for us, Canaris?’’ The Greek threw a cautious glance toward the door and then whispered in a voice that trembled with emotion, ‘‘ Nothing is impossible ; hope for the best. But stay,’’ he added in sudden fear. ‘‘I must have money, or all is lost. Alas! You have none, I am sure.’’ _ For answer Guy hastily rose, and loosening his clothes, unhooked a small buckskin belt. He tore open the end and dropped a stream of golden sov- ereigns into his hand. ‘‘Here is money,’’ he cried. ‘‘ The Arabs overlooked this when they searched me.’’ The Greek’s eyes glittered. ‘“ Give me twenty,’’ he said ; ‘‘ that will be plenty.’’ He stowed the coins away in his clothes and picked up the lamp. ‘“T must leave you now,’’ he said. ‘‘I will return inthe morning.’’ He would have added more, but steps were heard in the corridor. The dungeon door clanged behind him, and Guy and Melton were left in darkness half stupefied by the strange story they had just heard and by the hope of escape which the Greek so confidently held out to them. CHAPTER XII.—A DARING MOVE. WHEN daylight came, the captives could scarcely believe that the events of the preceding night had not been alladream. There was the document, however, to prove their reality, and Guy was deeply studying its faded char- acters when the Greek arrived. His face was radiant with happiness, an expression which quickly gave way to deep sadness as a big Somali entered with a platter of food. The 3 Comichooks