The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

150 THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. figures on the camels and then advanced to meet the head man, who broke off the conference and: greeted his newly arrived chief in a most servile manner. ‘' Don’t despair,’’ whispered Guy ; ‘‘ those infernal Abyssinians have be- come drunk, and allowed their eon: to slip away just at this critical time, but all may go well yet.’’ It took but a short time to make Oko Sam acquainted with the. facts of the case. He strode up to the camels, and gazed long and haughtily at the two strangers. Then, apparently satisfied awith his scrutiny, he addressed a few words to the wizened Arab, and, turning to his people, jabbered away volubly for two or three minutes. When he ceased, half a dozen men started off in different directions, and the interpreter proceeded to communicate the decision to Guy, who, in spite of his calm bearing, was greatly agitated. “Oko Sam say yes,’’ began the Arab. ‘‘ He friend of Makar Makalo ; he no want Makar lose Zaila ; he give plenty food for journey ; he give six, ten, twenty men go long, so bring back much gift from Makar. You say Makar give much, hey ?’”’ " Yes,’’ replied Guy, repressing with difficulty his extreme joy, ‘‘ Makar will give big rewards to Oko Sam.”’ The Arab turned aside with a grunt of satisfaction as half a dozen natives came up, bearing leathern sacks of provisions, which were handed up, one at a time, to Guy and Canaris, and slung across the necks of their camels. This proceeding was barely over, when, to Guy’s amazement and disgust, a band of Gallas, fully armed, and bearing each a sePply of food strapped on their backs, advanced into the open space. This was Oko Sam’s promised escort. Instead of two men there were twenty. : ‘““These good fellows here go long,’ said the Arab. “‘ They no have camels ; they go on foot one day’s journey, then reach other tribe, where find plenty atic! am This statement relieved Guy eoncdctaty. It would not be so difficult, after all, to get rid of the troublesome escort if they were on foot. And now came the crisis. Ata signal from Oko Sam the guards about the hut flung open the entrance, and in a moment two emaciated, half starved figures were led forth, whom it was actually difficult to recognize as the pompous Sir Arthur Ashby and brave Colonel Carrington. They still wore their uniforms, but the cloth hung in folds about their shrunken limbs, and their faces were pitifully thin and distressed. Guy’s heart beat fast with indignation as he gazed on this melancholy sight, and then he purposely half turned his face away, lest the prisoners should recognize him and unconsciously cause the failure of the whole plan. The people drew back as the little group reached the camels. ‘The two Englishmen were lifted up behind the supposed Portuguese—Sir Arthur with Canaris, the colonel beside Chutney—and so weak and. helpless were they that it was necessary to partially strap them in their places. All was now ready. Guy and Canaris were prepared to start, the pris- oners were in their possession, and the armed escort were exchanging fare- wells with their comrades. Eomichbooks (S()