Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

AN AFRICAN SECRET. the enemy, and knowing that the fight was won, Bradshaw would have re-. strained his men from unnecessary slaughter, but they were beyond his control, some of them apparently be- yond the reach of his voice. They dashed into the bushes, firing at will, as they had all through the brief battle, and with wild yells chased the panic stricken Marotses to their canoe, which had been beached at the point near the bend. The first who came to it pushed it out into the water, and later comers swam to it if they were not picked off by the exultant carriers, who banged away as long as any ammunition was left. Meantime, Bradshaw stood looking at the dead Arab for a moment before taking a complete account of the result of the conflict. “You deserved it,” said Bradshaw, “for your treachery, but on account of the Marotses I can't help feeling sorry you had to be killed. It’s a misfortune to the tribe.” “It may be so,” said a familiar voice behind him; “if you say so of course—— ”’ Bradshaw whirled about at the first sound. He stared a moment at the grave face of his black lieutenant, and took up the characteristic formula : “Tt may be Pan come to life. Of course, if he says so it is so, but I do not think so.” “You are quite right, Mr. Brad- shaw,” said Pan, seriously, “for I haven't been dead.” Then Bradshaw burst into laughter that was almost hysterical. He threw his hat into the air and it lodged in a tree so high up that eventually one of the carriers had to be sent up to get it. He wrung Pan’s hand and danced around him until the solemn black man seemed to be alarmed for his employer’s sanity. “And did you really think they had killed me, Mr. Bradshaw?” he asked, when he had an opportunity to speak. 243 “ To be sure I did! Why shouldn’t [Pe 99 “Well, perhaps you should, for that was what I meant the Marotses to think, but I presumed you would know that I was pretending.” “Hal I promise never to believe anything else of you as long as you livé.” - “I don’t think you mean that, but no matter. One of their arrows gave me a little scratch in the side which won't trouble me. I fell, for I was pretty certain that if I ran back to join you, I would be hit by a bullet before — I could get there. As soon as our men fired I rolled aside so as not to be stepped on, got up, and went to fighting with the rest.’ “ Did you bring him down?” asked Bradshaw, pointing to the Arab. “T think so,” Pan answered indiffer- ently. “ You don’t know yet what else has happened? ” “No, and I am ashamed of myself. I must see 1f any of our good fellows are hurt. Some of them seem to be finding targets still.”’ * Yes, they'll fire as long as there is a Marotse left in sight. I think none of our carriers are severely hurt, but see here.”’ He turned Bradshaw about and pointed up the lane, where, a few paces distant. lay Murdock, face to the sky. Bradshaw went up to the old man at once, and his face was very grave. Murdock was dead. * Hit by a bullet,” said. Bradshaw in a low voice. “Yes,” Pan responded; “the Arab at least had revolvers. Tell me, Mr. Bradshaw, does this solve your hardest problem? ”’ ‘“T think it does, Pan,” Bradshaw answered solemnly, “for there is an ancient proverb that I shall take for guidance: de mortuis nil nist bonun. ” * What does that mean, Mr. Brad- shaw? ”’ “It means that one should speak nothing but good of the dead.” GONMIUG DOOKS CO