Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 238: what you’re looking at

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

AN AFRICAN SECRET. Murdock had grasped Pan’s wrist, trying to break the black’s fearful clutch, and his jaws were parted in the vain effort to breathe. “What's up?” came drowsily from Bradshaw. “Nothing of consequence,” an- swered Pan, in a steady voice; “I stumbled upon a root.” “We'll put arc lights around the camp hereafter,” said Bradshaw, with a yawn; “ better go to sleep.” “Yes, Mr. Bradshaw.”’ Bradshaw turned over and in half a minute was sound asleep again. Pan never moved his eyes from Murdock’s and the tragic tableau en- dured until the old man was purple and his limbs began to quiver convulsively. Then the black, pointing the knife at Murdock’s heart, whispered “ Si- lence!’ and relaxed his grip. The air rushed into Murdock’s lungs with a gasp and a rattle that seemed likely to arouse the whole expedition, _ but nobody stirred. “TI think [ will call Mr. Bradshaw,” whispered Pan, “ and kill you before his eyes.’ “Oh! spare me, Pan,” whispered the old man; “I did not know what I was doing. I walked in my sleep.” “That is a lie,” said Pan, calmly, “ but you are his friend, and I must spare you.” “Yes!” whispered Murdock, eager- ly catching at the one favorable point, “ Bradshaw would never forgive you if you harmed me. I will make you rich, Pan——” “Stop!” interrupted Pan, in a low but intensely angry tone; “ keep that kind of talk for villains like yourself.” He reached out for Murdock’s throat again, and held up the knife as if he were unable to resist the impulse to slay the old man on the spot. Murdock was horribly alarmed. “Don't!” he whined piteously; “don’t, Pan! I won’t hurt the woman. Pil let her alone, you may be sure of it.” 229 “Get back to your place,” said the black, rising. The old man slowly stood up. He was shaking so violently that he could hardly keep his feet. “You won’t tell Bradshaw, Pan?” he asked. “ Think how it would dis- turb him. You are very fond of Brad- shaw, Pan, and you wouldn’t do any- thing to give him heedless trouble. [ will———” “ IT am thinking of all that,” Pan in- terrupted. “Get to your place.” Murdock stumbled across the camp to his shake down and collapsed rather than lay down there. | Pan spoke briefly to Mtema and then _ stationed himself midway between the two, where he remained, broad awake, till morning. CHAPTER X. DIRIK’S DIAMONDS. BRADSHAW explained his plan for the day’s movements as soon as he waked. Pan listened with occasional nods of approval, and at length said: “T can think of nothing else, Mr. Bradshaw, but I have a favor to ask.” “You may be sure it is granted, old fellow.” “T wish, then, you would walk with your friend. [ 1ike him no more than at first, and it is unpleasant to have him always so near to me and Mtema.’ “I don’t suppose ’I'ema is so very fond of him, either, is she? ”’ Pan averted his eyes. “ Let us march behind the carriers,” he said. “Certainly,” answered Bradshaw ; “you'll come up fast enough if there’s any need of your help. I don’t know what will happen to Murdock when once he sees the mine he’s hunted for so long, but I presume I can manage him alone quite as well as with a hun- dred assistants.” Murdock approached them, hesitat- ingly. He glanced askance at Pan a CO