Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

230 if to discover whether the black had reported the episode of the night, and his voice was more than ordinarily tremulous as he asked: ‘Shall we reach the mine today, Elmer?” “I expect so,” Bradshaw responded, “but we cannot halt there long. We must make for the Zambesi.” “Not halt there!” cried Murdock, excitedly; ‘“why, what are we going there for?” : “To let you see it, I] suppose, and because it is on our way.” “But, Elmer, think of the dia- monds! ” | “ Would you linger there to be over- whelmed by the Arabs and the Ma- rotses? ”” demanded Bradshaw. “They won’t come, Elmer. I’m sure of it. The Marotses would be afraid to approach the place unless they were so ordered by Dirik’s partners, their high priests, and the priests have gone to the Transvaal. Ask the woman. She will tell you that I speak the truth.” “IT am not doubting you, but “And before the priests could ar- rive,’ Murdock went on passionately, “we could fortify the place so as to resist any attack they could possibly make. You see, the Marotses do not use firearms ; the Arabs have prevented that.” ““] won’t discuss it,” said Bradshaw, sharply. Nevertheless he had to discuss it in one way and another during the ensu- ing march, for Murdock was so frantic with excitement that he talked persist- ently and would not be quieted. It looked to Bradshaw as if the only way in which he could accomplish the pur- pose of his journey to Africa would be to make Murdock a prisoner and a9 so compel his presence with the expe-. dition. — Against that plan was the terrible possibility that any such measure might undermine the last vestige of sanity the man possessed. He was THE ARGOSY. even now little short of a monomaniac on the subject of the diamond mine, and not a harmless one at that, as Bradshaw had occasion to know. He might readily be thrown into total men- tal wreck by any violent opposition to his desires. So it was with a very heavy heart that Bradshaw at last saw stretching before him the long, bare slope that led to the place of the execution tree. “Is it up there?” asked Murdock, eagerly following Bradshaw's gaze. Turning to Pan, Bradshaw said, “ I will go on ahead with one man to see that the way is clear.” “Let me go! let me go, Elmer!” cried Murdock, well nigh beside him- self. “Yes,” said Bradshaw, patiently, “you can go, too. It will give you so much more time, 1f the mine proves to be deserted, to pick up loose dia- monds.” The sarcasm was lost on Murdock. “There won't be anybody there,” he responded, “ you may be sure of that; and if there were we could drive them away easily enough. Come on! We waste so much time.” Rather than yield to his mad impa- tience Bradshaw took more time than was necessary in making arrangements for the scouting trip.. He disposed of the expedition within the shelter of the forest and had a picket placed at the very edge whence a view could be had up the slope to a point not far from the mine. Then he arranged a little code of signals in accordance with which the men were to follow or remain in con- cealment, as circumstances might de- mand. . | Murdock fumed and fretted during all this, and Bradshaw paid not the slightest attention to him until, worn out with waiting, the old man set off alone. “Come back, Murdock!” com- manded Bradshaw, then, with all stern- ness ; “ you shall not go one step unless you agree to obey orders, and the first CO MUG LOCOCO) CO