Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

200 gully, passing as they did so the base of the death dealing tree. Bradshaw glanced at it, and saw that just where its curve was sharpest the trunk had been cut almost through. The severed fibers protruded like a thousand needles. A little more and the entire tree would have fallen into the gully. Arrived at the top, and panting from the exertion, Bradshaw grasped Pan’s hand in a hard clasp. “Well done, old fellow,” he began, but Pan interrupted energetically: “Not now, Mr. Bradshaw! The danger is still great. Hurry!” Pan had already started on a run, and the American followed, unslinging his rifle as he tore along. When they came into the open, near where they had rested, a flock of vultures rose screaming from the ground. Bradshaw knew what it meant, and his heart sickened as it flashed across him how narrowly he had escaped serv- ing them as food; but he cast no glance in the direction of their pitiable prey, for Pan seized his arm and pointed along the line of the forest toward the entrance to the gully. A number of black men were in sight, peering at them and apparently in doubt as to whether pursuit should be given. One, the same probably who had led the party that came upon Bradshaw, seemed to be urging the others to ac- tion. Bradshaw and Pan halted as with one will, wheeled about, and sent a pair of bullets toward their-foes. Then, with- out so much as a glance to determine the effect of their shots, they ran on again down the long slope up which they had toiled in the morning, and abated none of their speed until they had come well within the forest at the bottom. | There Bradshaw leaned breathless against a tree, while Pan looked back through the foliage, scanning the broad stretch of upland narrowly. THE ARGOSY. “T think,” said he, “ they do not fol- low, but they may be able to fall upon the caravan before we get there. We should lose no time.” “They only know in a general way where the caravan is,” responded Brad- shaw, as he started on again. “True, but they know the forest as we do not.” “Don’t you think we’ve scared them out of any. further hostility? ” “Those few? Yes, perhaps; but there must be many more, and with _ such leaders there will be no end to their war upon us.” “You did for their leader right enough. He won’t give us any more trouble.” “ There must be others to take his place. You noticed him, Mr. Brad- shaw?” “I should say I did! able controversialist.”’ Pan frowned slightly, an indication that he had come upon a new word and He was an ~one that conveyed no meaning to him. “I suppose so,” he said, deferen- tially; “yes, if you say so, but you noticed something else, perhaps? ” ‘““ He seemed to me quite unlike the other fellows,” Bradshaw responded; “not only in his remarkable familiarity with my language, but in appearance.” “T am glad you saw that, for you will understand how great the danger is as long as we remain anywhere near this tribe. That man was not of the tribe he commanded.” “ ‘What was he, then? ’”’ “T do not know. It is all strange, but I think perhaps he was an Arab.” “ By Jove! yes! The nose and lips were of the Arab type, though his hair and color were more like the ordinary native. But I guess he was an Arab sure enough, Pan.” “Then,” said Pan, earnestly, “ you see the danger. There are more of them. This leader wil!:be succeeded by another, and the oti. will have the same reasons for killing you as this one did. The Arabs reach far tr uMfrisal? KS CO