The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. » 483 caravan started again before dawn, and, as before, traveled rapidly and steadily until sundown. At the end of the second day they had become in a measure accustomed to the motion of the camels, and no longer suffered as much. Yet in all this time no words had been exchanged. Each man was kept apart. The Arab with whom Guy rode could speak some English, and from him he learned that ‘the chief object of the caravan was to carry to Rao Khan the news of the capture of Zaila. Further information the Arab refused to give. The caravan comprised a dozen Arabs and thirty or forty Somalis of the Galla country. It was to these crafty savages that the captives belonged. The Somalis had assisted Makar in the revolt, and these slaves were their reward. ‘Their chief, who accompanied the caravan, was none other than Guy’s vindictive enemy, Oko Sam. Late in the afternoon of the fifth day the caravan came to a sudden halt. In the distance were visible green hills and rolling plains covered with verd- ure. ‘The desert seemed to have ended. It was evident that something of importance was about to happen. All dismounted, and while the Arabs and Somalis entered into an excited conversation, the captives were for the first time allowed to converse. Their hopeless situation was too well understood for discussion. Strange to say, Sir Arthur was the only one who had not abandoned hope. “The government will save us,’’ he repeated gloomily. ‘‘ They will send an army into the interior.’’ No one ventured to dispute this assertion. ‘They talked in low tones of their probable destination, and regarded with some tineasiness the conference going on atnong the Arabs, which had now assumed a more excitable phase. “They are quarreling over something,’’ said Guy. ‘‘ Why do you sup- pose they have stopped here ?”’ ‘‘T don’t know,’’ replied Melton, ‘‘ unless they intend to separate, the Arabs going on to Harar, the Somalis to their own country, which lies to the south of Harar.’’ Melton’s theory was very plausible, but before any one could reply the conference terminated suddenly, and the Arabs, drawing apart, came quickly up to the captives and laying hold of Sir Arthur and the colonel, led them over to the Somalis. This was repeated with Momba, Captain Waller, and the Hindoo sol- diers, but to their surprise Guy and Melton were ordered to remain where they were. | Foremost among the Somalis stood Oko Sam, his leopard skin dangling about his loins, and a fiendish expression on his face. He advanced a step or two, talking fiercely, and pointing with his spear to Guy and Melton. ‘The Arab leader strode out toward him, and cried in a loud voice, ‘‘ Makar has ordered it. The two white men must go to Harar.’’ Scarce had the words left his lips when the Somali chief poised his spear and hurled it forward with such force and accuracy of aim that it passed through the Arab’s body and the point came out at the back. With a cry he dropped on the sand. Gomllcbooksico 3