Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

AN AFRICAN SECRET. — fight for defense against savages; but - what could he say to Irene as to her ’ father’s thoughts of her? What token could he bring to her that she had been in her father’s thoughts at all? Suddenly he remembered the small diamond that Murdock had found in the sands of the pit. That had not been rifled from a dead man’s garment; it had been unearthed by Murdock’s own endeavor. Bradshaw had noticed that Murdock placed it by itself when he stowed away the pebbles in his pockets. He stooped over the old man’s body and put his hand in the pocket where that diamond had been placed. It was there, alone, and Bradshaw took it. “ For aught I know,’ he said to him- self, “ Murdock may have intended this as a present to his daughter. She shall - have it, and in its pure rays she shall see nothing but the goodness that ought to have been in her father’s life.” Two hours before sunset the raft, with all on board, was poled out into the stream. When they had gone so far that they could see beyond the bend, they had a view up the river that ex- tended not less than two miles. No sign of human life was there. If the surviving high priest should think of pursuit, his quary was certain to have a long start. The current bore them swiftly, and when they went ashore for the night, it was with no anxiety as to further con- flict with the Marotses. Two days after leaving the mine they came to the Zambesi. There were then fully fifteen hundred miles of waterway between them and the ocean, with diffi- culties and perils from rapids and catar- acts, and many tribes of savages to be passed. More than once they had to abandon their craft and proceed overland to a point where another could be construct- ed ; once they experienced partial wreck by running upon a submerged rock; often they were delayed by the necessity of parleying with solemn chiefs; but -the greatest hostility they encountered 245 was that of nature, and her obstacles were Overcome with sturdy persistence. So, at last, they found themselves at the mouth of the Zambesi, whence it was possible to reach other parts of the world by the contrivances of civiliza- tion. It was a feature of Bradshaw’s con- tract with his carriers to return them to St. Paul de Loanda, far away on the western coast, and he held to it faith- fully, great though his longing was to return to America and [rene with all possible speed. There was no going by a direct route. A trading vessel took the party to Mo- zambique, where, after a wait of several days, they took passage for Cape Town. Another wait there, a long voyage up the coast, and at last the low Angola hills appeared as blue spots upon the eastern horizon. Bradshaw and Pan were on deck en- gaged in earnest conversation. It was a topic that they had discussed often since leaving the Zambesi. “Tt is useless, Mr. Bradshaw.” Pan was saying; ‘‘ I cannot go with you fur- ther. I am an African “ But not a savage, Pan.” “You are very kind to say so, but my home is here. It is the same with Mtema. My wife will be happier in a country that is comparatively familiar. She will be, even here, far enough away from her kindred.” ‘“T cannot have it so!” exclaimed Bradshaw ; “ you were born for civiliza- tion, if not in it, and ’ITema will be happy wherever you are.” “It may be so. I hope so, but we cannot go with you. After all, Mr. Bradshaw, I am a good deal of a savage. There is too much blood on my hands— ‘ All shed in honest warfare, Pan.” “You always think kindly of me.” “T should be a villain «f I didn't! Think of Murdock, Pan.” “Of Murdock!” exclaimed Pan, with a start. “Yes. There was a men bora in CO