Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

216 happened below there that I could not have learned. A small party of men who had been absent from the town for a long time returned unexpectedly be- fore sunrise this morning, bringing in- formation that. has set the whole tribe in commotion. “So important was it that the king was awakened and I was called, too, for I have been the king’s adviser tor some time. what had happened. “ These men reported that they had been attacked by a white man of mar- velous power who not only escaped miraculously {rom the death they sought to inflict upon him, but that he had called thunderbolts from heaven that struck down Dirik, the high priest who was in charge of the tribesmen. They say, too, that this wonderful white man had a black slave who at- tended him, and that these two have taken possession of the sacred place where dwell the spirits that protect the tribe. “There are other details, but these are the main facts as presented by the frightened blacks. Listening to them, and knowing of your presence here, and thinking of your journeying about the country, I inferred that this won- derful white man must have been you, Elmer.” “Yes,” said Bradshaw, “I guess it was. The only difficulty with the story is that I didn’t take possession of their sacred hole in the ground. I ran awav as fast as I could.” “That doesn’t matter. The blacks are superstitious to the last degree, and if you killed Dirik as they say, after es- caping somehow being killed by their tree of execution, you may be sure they were too panic stricken to observe whether you retreated or pursued. Be- sides, they may not be telling the entire truth. Having been scared by your apparent overpowering of their guar- dian spirits, they may ‘shave invented other details to excuse their desertion of the place.” Thus I learned speedily: THE ARGOSY. “Probably they have done so unless it happens that there is another white man traveling through Africa who had a similar experience to mine and who didn't run away but settled down in the sacred hole.’ “No, no! that cannot be!” cried Murdock in great excitement; “it must have been you. I am sure of it.” “Well,” said Bradshaw, soothingly, ‘callit so. The question can be settled easily enough if it’s important. Where was the place that this affair oc- curred?” “Ah!” and Murdock was more ex- cited than before, “that is what I do not know! I must know! You must tell me! It is most important to me, and to you, Elmer.” ““T should think it more important to start for the coast as soon as pos- sible.” . ‘No, not till we have gone to that place where you met Dirik and his men. I have been trying to find it for many long years. We must not return to America without going there. Why! Elmer, that is the richest diamond mine in all Africa!” CHAPTER VII. DISCOVERY OF THE DIAMOND MINE. So, then, the mystery of Murdock’s behavior was partly cleared. He had fallen a victim to the diamond fever and taken up association with a tribe of savages in the hope of finding a valu- able mine. Possessed by that idea, he had re- sented the appeal of friends and daugh- ter to return home and had gone so far as to attempt the life of the man who had come thus far in the friendly effort to save him. Then, when he discovered that this man might be able to guide him to the long sought mine, he had repented his villainy, and his repentance went no further than selfish interest. CO It was not that he feared. Flr Stolk