Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

AN AFRICAN SECRET. “Yes,” said Bradshaw; “ we shall start at once.” A gleam of intense satisfaction ht up Murdock’s eyes and he sprang to his feet almost with the alacrity of a young man. “TI will do anything to help,” he cried. “ Let me be a carrier, so that we may gain time.” The blacks were even then finishing their preparations for the march. As Murdock looked around to see what he might set his hand to, he saw the woman whom Pan had brought from the town. Instantly his face clouded with a most ferocious expression and he turned to Bradshaw, saying: ‘“ How the devil did she get here?” ‘Pan brought ther,” Bradshaw an- swered, with marked deliberation. “They were going to execute her down there.” “Why didn’t he let them do it, then? ” ' Murdock’s tone was well in keeping with the expression of his face. It aroused the attention of the woman, who had been sitting mournfully quiet, a little apart, ever since her arrival. She looked up, saw Murdock for the first time, and immediately gave plain signs of extreme alarm. Pan, who had gone to give some or- der to the carriers, was also attracted by Murdock’s voice, and he came back hastily. “That question doesn’t deserve an answer,’ Bradshaw was saying. “She must go back to the town,” cried Murdock, “ or no; that might be dangerous, for she would betray us. Better that she be put out of the way here.” Bradshaw was. so_ profoundly shocked at this brutal suggestion that he hardly had the voice to say, “ She goes with us.” Murdock stamped his foot and shook his fist. “ She shall not go,” he cried. choose between us, Elmer.” “You 225 ‘“‘ Mr. Bradshaw,” said Pan, “‘ excuse me, but I know you must take your friend with you. You need not take the woman if she is in your way. She shall not go back to the Marotses. I will take her with me.” “ And leave me, Pan? ” asked Brad- shaw. “Yes, Mr. Bradshaw, leave you and your friend,” “Well, by Sam Hill, I guess not! Mr. Murdock the matter admits of no argument. The woman goes, and you go, too. If you choose to go as a pris- oner, that is your own affair, but as a prisoner, you won’t see the diamond mine, nor be released until we are on the ocean.” Murdock panted inarticulately, star- ing from Bradshaw to the woman and . Pan. Evidently he was struggling be- tween his mad desire to see the mine and some equally mad hostility against the unfortunate woman. Bradshaw had found his voice, and he could not restrain it at once. “If you were anybody but Irene’s father,” he said, “ you would be left to your fate. Perhaps you would like to go back to the Marotses now? You have been absent long enough to jus- tify King Bangwe in giving you a pe- culiarly warm welcome.” ‘“T cannot go back now,” whispered Murdock, his eyes still wandering; “the king would regard me as a de- serter. And the mine! After all these years! I must see it, Elmer. You must forgive an old man’s quick tem- per. Don’t think ill of me, Elmer.” His voice had reverted to his char- acteristic whine. “Oh! don’t appeal to me like a sick child,” exclaimed Bradshaw; “be a man and behave yourself,” and he turned in disgust to give directions to the carriers. Immediately he heard Murdock speaking 1n a low tone to the woman, and he swung about again. The woman was shrinking away from Murdock and looking terribly frightened, while ECOMRRIC Oe <S CO