The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS.* A record of some marvelous experiences m the Dark Continent—Why a water journey beneath the earth’s surface was undertaken at frightful risks—A voyage on a raft along an unknown course and without the possibility of retreat. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED. Guy CHUTNEY, an officer in the British army, on his way back to service in India, is asked to stop off at Aden and take important despatches to Sir Arthur Ashby, governor of Zaila, on the African coast. En route the steamer touches at Berbera, where the great annual fair is being held. Here Chutney rescues from death Makar Makalo, by shooting a leopard whose slumbers the Arab had unwittingly disturbed, and a few. minutes later he meets an old friend, Melton Forbes, foreign correspondent of an English newspaper. Suspecting that there is treachery in the wind, Forbes sends his native servant Momba through the town to investigate, who soon after returns pursued by a mob of Somali warriors, It appears that Manuel Torres, a Portuguese fellow passenger of Guy on the Aden steamer, and whom he suspects of reading his des- patches, has brought rifles to Makar Makalo, who is instituting rebellion against the English on behalf of Rao Khan, Emir of Harar. Melton, with his servant, accompanies Guy to Zaila, and at the residency they find Sir Arthur drinking champagne with Colonel Carrington. Their report carries consternation to the breast of the governor, who thinks of seeking safety on board the steamer. But it is too late; the Arabs are already swarming about the place, the Englishmen are all made prisoners, and doomed by Makar Makalo to be sent as slaves to the Somalis of the Galla country. During the journey the prisoners are separated through Makalo’s agency, Guy and Melton being carried by the Arabs to Rao Khan. But the people of Harar, in their hatred of the English, demand that they be executed at once, and the Emir is forced to promise that they shall be sent to the block in four days’ time. Meantime they are waited upon in their cell (Melton having been wounded) by Canaris, a Greek, who has been a favored captive of the Emir for two years. He shows them a document given him by an aged Englishman, who had died in the prison, and which tells of an underground river in the neighborhood which promises them all escape if they might only procure the money with which to make a few preparations. Guy has some in a belt which has been fortunately overlooked, and on an appointed night they overpower the guards and start. They finally reach the entrance to the underground river—guided to it by a fleeing Galla who makes his escape thereby from a party of Abyssinians. But their provisions have been exhausted and they know not what to do until, in one of their night exploring trips, they capture two stray camels, which inspire Chutney with an idea which may mean the rescue of their friends from the Gallas, near whose camp they now know themselves to be. Staining their faces to make themselves pass as Portuguese, he and Canaris ride in among the Gallas, declare that they have been sent from Zaila by Makar Makalo, who is hard pressed by the British, and that the latter will only withdraw on condition that the governor of the town and his friends, who have been sold into slavery, be delivered up to these messengers, with provisions enough to last them on the return journey to Zaila. The matter is still under consideration when Oko Sam suddenly appears upon the scene. CHAPTER XX.—By A HAIR’S BREADTH. NERVOUS shiver passed through Guy as he recognized the repulsive face of his old enemy, and instinctively he pulled his burnous closer around his head. Oko Sam darted a curious glance at the two motionless * This story began in the May tssue of THE ArGcosy. The three back numbers will be matled toany address on receipt of 30 cents. Connie ooo (S@)