Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

236 way of the river, and stole off to our camp in the belief that he could induce you to go direct to the mine. “You may say that there was even then some chance that you might dis- cover his shameful course, but, in the first place, he was willing to take great risk for the sake of finding the mine, and in the second place, if you should discover it, there was always the rem- edy of murder. He would not have tried poison again, but a stab with a knife, a blow with a pick, these might have been tried, and they may yet be tried, Mr. Bradshaw.” “ T shall be on my guard, Pan,” said Bradshaw, gloomily, as the black man paused impressively. “I suppose his hostility to "T'ema was due to his fear that she would expose the truth just as she has done.” “Yes. Mtema lived near him. There is a shameful story about a great wrong that Murdock did to her father, but it is not necessary that you should know it. His hostility to her will per- haps be clearer when you know that it was through his influence that her father was sent with Dirik to the mine.” “[sn’t it possible,’ asked Bradshaw, turning for relief to a matter that had no direct bearing upon his problem, “ that Murdock had ’Tema’s father sent to the mine in the hope of discovering through him where the mine was lo- cated?” “T can only guess at that,” Pan an- swered, “ but my guess is no; for I be- lieve Dirik, always suspicious, would find cause to execute speedily any man who had been sent up by Murdock’s influence.” Bradshaw bowed his vinced. “And now,” said Pan, “I suppose the hard question is, what is to be done? ” “Tam more than ever sure that he is mad!” cried Bradshaw; “he is hopelessly, incurably insane! I[ will not think otherwise of my [rene’s father.” head, con- to a final course. THE ARGOSY. “ It is well to think so, but i“ “T will not think otherwise, Pan!” “Then I will say nothing.” “No! no! do not take that attitude. I have need of every thought you can possibly have on the matter.” “ I was only going to say that mad or not he is dangerous. He stole the knife with which he attempted Mtema’s life from the camp kitchen, undoubted- ly with the intention of so disposing of the weapon that suspicion would fall upon one of the carriers. Here he has other weapons at hand, picks and so on, and it might be well to make a pris- oner of him at once.”’ “ I think not,” said Bradshaw, slow- ly. “To make him a prisoner would mean either that he must be taken with us, or released when we depart. I can- not at this moment make up my mind It seems impossible to take such a moral wreck home with me, and yet, that is what I came to Africa to do. I must have opportunity to think, Pan, and by the time the raft is ready I will be decided. Meantime, with caution, we can prevent any trag- edy.” “We cannot be too careful,” said Pan, regretfully, “not to let him sus- pect that Mtema has exposed . him. There would be no end of murderous attempts if he knew.” “For the present, then, we will go on as before, but with great watchful- ness. I had planned to appeal to Mur- dock to be satished with the plunder he has obtained, but I shall give that up. Perhaps,” Bradshaw added bit- terly, as he rose to give his attention to raft building, “ perhaps I should urge him to return to his Marotse wife.” “Where he would certainly be killed,” said Pan. CHAPTER XII. “THE MAROTSES ARE COMING!” BRADSHAW did not go up to the mine until it was time for the evenmg meal. AOOLK CO CONMUG