GOLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 165, 14 July 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

GOLD.

(By DORIS BROVTX, Teuton St., Siratiord, aged 14.)

Tine dilapidated, old coach rumbled, into a gun-baked South African town,, and a crowd of idlers at once collected round it. Jim Daniels elbowed bis wav through it towards "a man of sombre mien and stricken countenance. <r \\ hat s. the matter, dad?" he queried. "The gold, bov! The gold: That robber Periez us up. Robbed 1 Robbed! Robbed!" — — -• - - Tibe boy quickly gathered that they bad been held up about a quarter of au hour ago. Everything had been stolen, including his father's fortune, for which, he had toiled three years. Soma mounted police determined to try to regain the gold, but they felt that it W£is a hopeless task. When Jim offered his services, loud laughter greeted him, but, despite the derision of the onlookers he still wanted to go. At last they took him with them. After "riding for some hours -at a scorching pace they espied a cloud of dust ou the veldt, which, on closer examination, proved to be Periez—recognised by Lis beautiful horse, famous for speed. Bending low over Xight's neck. Jim urged him on, and, having soon out-dis-tanced tho others, was lost in a cloud of dust.

The robber, turning, found he was being followed and urged his mount in a direction at right angles to the one' ho was taking. As a sound of falling water broke upon Jim's welcome ears, Peric/: disappeared over a cliff. Jim followed the outlaw later, and was surprised 10 see him fording the river about 300 yards away. He had no bags attached to his saddle, and as Jim came over the clifT he laughed over his shoulder and. spurring tip his refreshed horse, soon disappeared, a small cloud of red dust showing where he moved swiftlv across the veldt.

Jim tried to urge Night, but the gallant horse was already tired. tioon tha mounted police rode up. Jim pointed to the little cloud and said: "There he goes."

"It's no use," 6aid the sergeant, two hours later, when they had arrived back at the waterfall, after a fruitless chasc, "the horse wasn't made that '"ud catch that one. We'd better camp here until the moon comes up. The sun'll be setting soon."

They made a fire as the sun abruptly set. Jim leaned wearily against a big stone. How he hated to return to dad and acknowledge defeat- Was it fancy or did the stone really move? Poor old dad. after working all these years. u> lose everything. It was not faney. This time the rock really moved. He exerted all his strength and moved it from its earthy bed, disclosing a new-made cavity underneath. The ruddy firelight shone on a collection of bags in which something gleamed and winked. ''Look! Look!" lie cried. "Well." said the sergeant, after examining the bags, "This looks like the missing gold." The moon rose, flooding the scene with white light. "Let's go now," cried Jim. They rode back under the cool starlight, leaving two men to wait for Teriez who was afterwards captured. Into the main street of the mining town they rode—the ccntre of interest--but Jim heeded nothing; he was for his father. At the door of one of the shacks stood a tall man. who ran towards him. "Dad," said Jim, -St-'v found the gold. It's safe." and he co;lapsed into Ms fathers arms