Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

AN AFRICAN SECRET. Then he went alone to summon Mur- dock. He found him seated on a sand heap. The old man had taken off his coat and spread it over his knees. On it were scattered a score or more of peb- bles which he was counting and fond- ling. “ Dirik’s scarf was a good find,” he said quietly, as Bradshaw approached, “but it is onlv an indication of what there is stored up here for us. See this,” and he held up a small stone; “ I found that myself. It should make a bnlliant worth hundreds of dollars in Maiden Lane, and yet I could toss it away without a thought in view of the treasure that 1s to be uncovered.” Bradshaw was astonished. There seemed to be no trace of madness in the old man’s demeanor. His tone was cool and calculating, and his estimate of the stones on his lap was no more than might have been expected from any miner. Evidently the frantic excitement that had marked his advent to the mine, had been worked off by the tremendous en- ergy with which he had applied himself to digging. It came upon Bradshaw with sickening force that Pan might be right in regarding Murdock as a de- generate for whom no palliation in the way of madness could be found. “We ought to have better mechani- cal devices than can be had short of a long journey,’ Murdock continued, “but they will come in time. Dirik could have had them. He brought up this screen, apparently, but I suppose he feared to bring much in the way of implements lest some of the prospect- ors at the south should follow and learn the location of his bonanza.” “It is supper time,” said Bradshaw. “Well, I’m ready for it. I haven’t done so much hard work in many a long day.” The old man carefully stowed the stones in the pockets of his coat and put it on. “ We'll have a long talk this even- 237 ing,” he said, “ about putting the place in defensive condition. Some of the men can be occupied with that while others can be put to work directly at digging in the mine.” Was not this evidence of insanity, thought Bradshaw? The tone was rea- sonable and so, from one point of view, were the thoughts; but how could a sane man forget so quickly that but a few hours previously Bradshaw had manifested unshakable aversion to the whole diamond scheme? Murdock certainly had forgotten it, though he made no .further offer to share his find with Bradshaw, for he talked as if rt were a settled thing that the expedition was to remain there and work the mine. ‘The men are busy building a raft,” said Bradshaw. } ‘“There’s no hurry about that,” re- turned Murdock, calmly. “ Of course we must have a raft, but that can be made later. The first thing is to pre- pare defenses. Don’t you think so?” “ We'll see,” Bradshaw replied. Murdock continued to argue on the way to the huts, and after supper he sought to resume the discussion, but Bradshaw begged off on the plea of fatigue. “ Busy yourself as much as you want to in the mine tomorrow, and I will look after outside matters,” he said evasively. “All right,” answered Murdock, cheerfully, “ but you’d better follow my advice. We’re going to be rich; multi- millionaires, my boy!” and he slapped Bradshaw familiarly on the back. Bradshaw recoiled from his touch and ‘had much to do to control himself. In the gathering gloom he could see Pan’s eyes glaring hatefully at Mur- dock. How would this dreadful matter end? Through the night Bradshaw and Pan kept watch by turns, both fearful that Murdock might be plotting new mischief, or that his delirium, as the American chose to regard tt, might te-. CO