THE RED STREAK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15234, 22 February 1913, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE RED STREAK.

'.'.''« vOT USHEI> BT'SEBOTAIi AERANGraErr. I

BY WILMOT KAYE, 1 H itrthor ;ol "The Sacrifice,"- " The Homo .' '* Secretary," etc., etc.- . >: COPYRIGHT. ■— —;■ ■■;■■' '■ 3vl\ CHAPTER VH.—(Continued.) -.. fgß warning bell rang, and Basil ao|fe cimpann d bi3 friend_ to the gangway. ]. A; VX'wfi clasp of the hand, and Swayne's face Übwasae' very grave. ;.rf: I'll go away at once, if you don't \ pind, old chap. I can't stand all those weeping females," and his voice shook a I . little. , ■■ ■■'■' '~ : r : If-•. Who can wonder at mothers and sweet-' ftlljiearts crying at parting from -those they •'■" Jove, with the thought of the dread counI jiy that faces them? |i A strong clasp of the hand, and Basil ' hastened to the smokingroom,- talcing a Itflwat in the corner. A few minutes later pill throb of the propeller could bo felt, yi i the steward came to open the bar. , . '"'.* "Four gin-cocktails," ordered one of a I ■ noun of four men... '£•' And then Basil heard his own name &? joe^tioned. " Anions '• i ** telegrams in the saloon, 'here's on-: - '.dressed to Sir Basil Thorn. | 4/' r wonder i". he's the son of tits man . ■ "I am Basil Thorn," he broke in ' fflriekly, and rose. - '•■''■ ; f .-"^ho" speaker turned round, but was not "-'. disco;!'—ted. :* "Th"'■" you have heard there's a wire "'" lor v'Ji'- ' ,'_/ .. ~ ■. •. ■■<'.'- "Thu ■-. you." Basil said quietly. %/ K "Wo:'V you have a ' swizzle '? " the -• oik's jail! with a irank smile. r "I must get my telegram. And 1 may" -'<' Kg well tell you that lam the son of —" 1" "I don't "care who your father h, Sfjy voirtl forgive mo for sayivg jo. Go:-«\?'d. 1 set your ire, and eonit, back fur a drii', ?■ Basil found it impossible, to take offence- j ""for none was intruded, so he hastened i: =■•■"' away and got the telegram. • , ;;• . V "•'Your friend Joan wishes you t».e .©• 4 " ; .--,.- hick ai-d a safe return."--IP -hat wsr r-3; but the masfcge <J;«nrsd % iin up wondrnVdy, *vnd he decided "o *e- 1 ■ i .«ra >» th> Cw.:-M thongl $ ■>)•. , r'ieen \i\h'U to hiV-attitude towards •-ii 4' ho met, .nd it was* evident thi*- ' ' : ''"nothing was to be gained by over-sens*- ■:. »vreness. ■ . '-■ - ; - , • .'»■>• S*>: ''Jerrard —give the jug another swizzle, 5- : <*W fS°f one who had Before spoken. : s * ta'l man with dear-cut .features rose, '%■s'*:& placing the stick—with it?, four 'i M\mfi& at the and--between bis -ft**? hands, • !, einir>.ed tbp mixture until it became a j ' pinkish foam, ami then filled a glass from %y'jJis jug- ■■'■''•'■ ■ ■■■ » ■ "' ' "u.-od luck," said Baal, and swallowed : the drink. -.•■. ,• , ' " ! '" Their conversation was resumed, and he gathered that Jerrard was. an Assistant I ■ District Commissioner stationed at Cape Coast Castle. TLe tt*u who had first , • •'" epeken was '• Eliot, a travelling Commis- ■ awier in Scitheni Nigeria^ -<?ho appeared i " to treat life with levity. A third was ' .'•- Strong, a colonial doctor who said but : & ' li&Ie out who's eyes we.v bright: with in- ■)■ iehWioe; and the fourth was a captain '; " 'in tho West Africa Fronrier Force sta- '- tioned M Kmnassi. It was ike latter who ,- spoko i> Basil :■ ■'■'■' '•„'. ' If '-:-' "If you are Sir Stepfei \>horn s son, 1 ' p-fia distant, coanectica—my , name is 3 .r : BcJairs." - 1 ■', « : You left Woolwich just when I vrenfc \ ' 'up to Oxford—l know you well by name." ■\h Then Beuairs nrbce»ifded to introduce his 1 " : corc<iW3ions, and r 3*3iV was induced) to join . 3 in thenr talk; but hi said very little, for < - all mti time he was- busily gathering un-, 1 ""■■' presrioßS. , •«•»«• %'-■• "Where are you going to? Bellaars 3 ''-;* asked bluntly. i : ' "The Northern Territories. ' r * *;■ ."Then -we sha'n't be w-iry far apart.:i'm at Kumassi, and life there's bad ; "-\ eneagh; but you'll be in the * bush,' Wlthl<rat a white man within a day or two of von. I wish you'd maadge to stir up acme , I ; troible in your districts We're all loag- , ."- ine for a ' &how ' of sorts-** t ■ '' very soon Basil was to discover that this ( :^! was the cms prayer of every officer in the ( V"Waffs," as the force is popularly called. II Unless they get a chance of a D-S.O. or a ( ".' -\" brevet," they all imagine that they have -? been chewed by the Coast. , ' 1 The fii-st Eight passed pleasantly .enough ; , l t hot Basil found! that Captain Belhurs was > , ' hk cabin-mate, md they liked one another - - JTistmr-tively. But the next morning they iiifouhtered a'-.'severs storm, which lasted . 'trntii they had passed through the Bay of .? ■ Biscay, and he spent most of -. tlie ( time •Sialoiie, for he was not in. the humous for * : conversation. "/ But they came into calm i breather, - and when !! Las Palmas was - 1 reached the sun became uncomfortably■ .* hot. ' ; :-, : " •- '■'■'■-. i - "- : , : { *w£J; Captain Seßafrs asked Basil to go ashore ' '§ with him, aid they lunched at the Santa c ; Cataliija, Hotel. Afterwards the. iatte* i • wrote a letter to Joan, and sent her iaany 7 - picture postcards ci the island. ; ; : ; " Yoirll be glad enough to see this place « when 1 you're ; homeward-bound/' Bellairs said grimly; and then be scowled at one I of their fellow-passengers who passed. J "You don't like! Captain Ciirev", re- * marked Basil, who*-had noticed, thai the , 1 ' ■ two never spoke—although they were 3 ■- brothftr officers., '" 'V:;j.V ; i .". "I don't,"/ was -tie ;lacoruc and em- 1 phatic : answer. "■-■■' ■-■ ■ # i 1 There were many who left tie ship .at j I the island, and upon their ' return to the t ?Borutn, Basil encountered quite a different ] : atmosphere. > The awnings were up, men t talked freely, and there was more elbow- • room. Sierra Leone gave them their first I glimpse of West Africa—of black faces; ( and Basil heard the curious "Coast" English which the natives speak and un- t ; derstand. There was a stay of only a few ] hours, and they were off once more. :." This is where the man, new to the ( ': Coast, usually begins to take quinine and ( to get frightened, if he is that sort/' said Bellairs. And now the "swizzle" stick became more in evidence— laughter in the j " smokingroom. more hilarious, and a couple '• of nights later Basil was the witness to a j '.'■ scene-.-that moved him strangely, Bridgo ' been played till a late hour, and when he went to his cabin it was evident that some of the men had drunk deeply, and it 'visa to his regret ho noticed that Bellairs :wfcs amongst- them. Ho had just put on { his pyjamas, when he heard angry voices in the* alley-way. Then there was the j sound of a scuffle, and ha opened the door, " 10 find that two men were fighting and • - struggling together. To his amazement | Bellairs was one of them, and the other ( , wsjv Captain Carew. ■„- 'I'll kill you, you blackguard," Bellairs said fiercely, "but his voice was not There was a gasping sound, and Basil • rushed forward, struggling with all his strength to .separate the two men. But they were clutching at ono another's throats, and he was' helpless till others ■ ran op and assisted. _ A few minutes later Bollairs was lying m his bunk and breathing heavily. " You had better take off your clothes, 'Basil suggested. • - '■ "Give me a, minute or two. Tm dead i x " What was the row over? You're not " What was the row over? You re not drunk, nor was he." "It goes back"several years. My great : pal at Cheltenham was Froemantle. Wo ; : went to the 'Shop' at the same tune i- and came to West Africa together. I ' was. down with the fever, and there came news of a row 'in the bush; Carew ' and Freemantle went off with a com- ;: pany of 'Waffs.' Carew was senior— and—well, Freemantle was killed—left in the lurch. Carew lied like a trooper, and s got a D.S.O. instead of being cashiered." "How did vou find out?" "A year later there was another i 'show.' My sergeant was wounded—ho had been with Freemantle—and" told me. But the sergeant died, and I had no evidence, so could do nothing/' Bellairs said wearily. M : "Did you tackle Carew? J , i .. •"Yes He lied, but. I knew that ha was lying, and he knew that I knew. S Sometimes I can't keep my hands off tha ' man. Freemantle would have been alive -now, if Carew hadn't played the coward. I:'. It's a rummy country, is West Africa. E It's given the scum a D.S.O. ' . I "You tried to kill him/' Basil said I know it. My grandfather often I warned me against my diabolical temper. " Your father's father?" ..' ; "No. he was mv mothers father, ut toutse, io was a Tiers.. Must have been, ■' V" :: - '

yonr grandfather's cousin—the .grandfather who : killed a man and cleared out of ' the country." "- :" ' :- "Yes, that was my grandfather/' Basil answered very gravely. . _. " The Thorns seem to have been a fiery lot, but you're quiet enough." "I've never really been roused." ■ "I forgot—l'm sorry." "You mean ?" \ ' "Let's change the talk. It's gruesome enough." '":";.'' v- j- ; .-;.v- ; : |""- " "You were ,thinking of my father.: You needn't be afraid of being frank." "I was thinking of Sir Stephen. not ashamed of him? " "I'm not." ' "Sylvester deserved to have his life crushed out of him. Hanging -would have been too good for the swine," Bellairs said violently, and then lapsed into silence. Basil did not speak again, but sleep was far from. him. The scene that ho had witnessed and the . subsequent conversation had moved him strangely. Had it been sent to him as a warning? It was prob- . able that Bellairs had inherited this taint through his mother} the*, how rc'J■.•';■« Dioro likely had.he himself been cum ': -.- the same way. It was a real thing"-this taintand always must he be dostl? on his guard to see that he should ha/* no man's blood on his hands. Axhn was Teached, and then Sikcndi, where many of the passengers sanded, amor-;? them Bellairs, to take the railway to 7*..tU'-iassi .""" "V ' look ;->u up ii I get half & chance," the latter said on ''parting, for the two men had grown genuinely to like each other. Capo Coast, with its gleaming white —that drear dungeon which had been the slave market in the days when the traffic was at its height— and the next i morning they reached Accra. Lines of breakers faced them, and for ; the first time in his • life Basil sat in a surfboat. On each side were Elmina " boys " with their paddles held in readiness, and astern stood the brum, a long : steering-oar in hi f ; grasp. A word of command from the latter, and the paddlf went throi'ti'i the •"■stop. ; A melodws chant-, and laey pi.-cie-ixled leisurelyunti?. they reached the first breaker. A hoarse shout, ard the pa£i?te through the water in a strogjjfa ip kee.7 on the top of the breaker, so that th-?><•' "xoorht bo carried a-, far as possi'de f,Ji .rd, the; -ore. ; : At > othc-r huge 7:: vp',' s ..d, the boat rose violently am? i ! en fe' : . into a trough. ■. Tho bo itsm. shouted guttiirally as a 'breaker came lushing towards them, on which they were carried with incredible speed-—? mad dash to got oat oS danger, and Basil found himself in the arms of a huge "boy," who carried him through the water and deposited him 00. ; the yellow sands. ;'- CHAPTER VIII. Sir Hilary Stanton, K.C.M.U., had the ' reputation of being a strong man. and the Government officials of the Gold Coast we* .v of the opinion, that his reputation w 'i'; not belied. In such a climate thsre irr very natural slackness, but the Go vt:ii? made no allowances. His standard v, «*• as high as that required at Ceylon or Cyprus—to mention the Ivxeccas.of the digniiari&s' of the Colonial Service; a.i.L? was in the "habit:« of dealing se-TG- 1 with tha ma,?, who was lax or made j 'Hiistakes, .../■/;■". -• I , The diningwx>m of CI; jstiansoorg Castle ' as large and, commvatively speaking, cool;/ moreover, His Excellency— the hospital—managed to stwure ice from the mail steamers, and therefore Basil had the pleasure of drinking champagne tust was ivot lukewarm.. Dinner was *nd Sir HLai?y led the way to the smoking-room, followed by the padre and Basil his ai,de-de-camp, Captain Sinclair, staying behind to give directions to the servants. ; . "You'll &ftd soKis raiher. quaint ornaments on the : : d*sk," the Governor remarked significantly to the chaplain, and then motioned Basil to a seat near him. "You'll have to . start in the-: morning.. I've just heard that Matthews is down with fever/' His Excellency remraekd." " Yes, sip,*' Basil answered, and he realised tlvj/» ho/V»rs undergoing a keen scrutiny. ' J '■■" You are new to tropical climatesl don't think I need . to warn you againa* drink" , ■'■;,;■ - v':';.. : A faint smile was the only answer to this outspoken remark. "Leave the 'mammies' alone. Don't take a native wife/' the Governor continned bluntly. : "You think that warning is necessary, Sirr .■.-.■< -. • -..:-: :/: "Yes. You're a man, anr?. you'll find it very lonely. I doa't givs you tins advice from; any moral point of view. It is of youi- influence as a commissioner that I am thinking. , One of the greatest of the men who ever came to the Coast believed that it was better for the white to have his native wife. I don't agree with" him; : but it's too big a subject to talk over now. - Such a menage leads to many complications, and it lessens your authority. Therefore, I say don't." .'' I.do not think I shall be likely i> take a native wife." Basil said quietly. " I prefer that answer to a downright , promise that you won't. A few words > more. Dismiss from your mind the 'nigger* point of view. You'll find the natives have their good points so long as you treat 'them equitably. Always maintain your authorityand if you make a mistake, stick to it through thick and thin. If there is a necessity for punishmant, see that it is done thoroughly, so that there will be no need to do it again. I think that's''.aiy the Governor wound op. "I am obliged to you, sir." "I sup pose you came out here because of that wretched business?" "Is there any need to discuss my personal affairs?" Basil aaked quickly, and His Excellency frowned. "I made the remark because—well — doesn't matter. By the bye, do you play chess?" ItjL little," Basil answered cautiously. And a few minutes later the men- were placed out before them. It chanced that Basil was really an excellent player, having represented his 'varsity; and a royal battle ensued, with the fortunes continually varying: "I think that is mate, sir?" Basil announced at last. *'~■; " You're right. Thorn, I am sorry you are going to the bush. -night." And for the fb»t time Sir Hilary smiled pleasantly as he held out his hand. Basil was staying at the chaplain's bungalow, and they went back in the letter's go-cart with three stout Kroobqys to push them along. " So you beat ELL.," the padre remarked, with a chncklii " I was so fortunate." " It's the first time he's been licked this tour, and you've gone up a hundred per cent, in his estimation. If I were coming out to this Coast for the first time I would study the game at homo under the best masters, and then I should be sure of get- < ting on!" • "You're joking V ' "More or less." Above the rattle of the cart over the hard-baked road could be heard the continual thud of.J;he surf,'and in the distance could be seen the breakers gleaming white in the moonlight. "What a beautiful scene," Basil murmured under his breath. " How I loathe the sight of —the smell of it. Beautiful—yes, with the beauty of a courtesan. Fair to the sight and rotten underneath " "You speak feelingly.' " I buried my best pal the week before you arrived," the chaplain said simply. Although Basil had only been in Accra for three days, he had discovered that ; the padre was beloved of every white man in the place. He wa3 a Christian without cant or bigotry. • A sportsman through and through, a good man and loyal. Yet at home he would have been looked down upon as unorthodox, and there would have been a constant and acrimonious corres- j pondence between him and his bishop. i Before they went to bed Basil received much sound advice, which was given frankly, and without a hint of the preacher. Hence it had all the greater effect. ! At daylight in the morning Basil started on his long journey into the bush. A | hammock was slung on to a pole, the ends i of which were placed on the heads of I muscular natives, and as soon as he had seated himself they started off at a jogtrot. There followed a long line of bearers with his boxes and " chop but, they had scarcely reached the-outskirts of

- ~ "';•■»•.■..■-'■• ... . - .-".' --~ '■- -.•■:. the town when a " boy" rushed up to the hammock. •' •- - : '.| "Massa, I bring you book," he cried breathlessly. -- '■''-''•> '■■' : - ! .. '■'•■' Basil opened the note, which was from the chaplain. ; .-.-... " " Kwofi is less of a thief, and not such a fool as the average boy.' H you will take my advice you will make him your servant. He is not a Christian," Basil read, and then his eyes . rested on the grinning face. "I fit for be massa's boy? I savvy plenty tings." " I take you for my boy/' Basil said impulsively, and never regretted having done 80. ■■ ■ ::?/Y:[ t ''. During the heat of the day they rested, but went on in the cool of the evening, and time did not hang, for everything was so,new and interesting. However, it was with a sense of relief that Basil reached his future home— roughly-built house with a wide verandah, upon which there was a deck-chair with a man reclining in it. For the first time Basil saw one who had just gone through a severe " go"- of fever, and he was aghast at tho thin, sallow face, and the unnaturally bright eyes. "I am glad you've come. Of course, you're Sir Basil Thorn?" Matthews said, and then called to his 'boy.' "Make cocktail one time." During the next few days Basil had not an idle moment, for he had lots to learn, and Matthews was eager to get away. "In*a month I shall be home. My God!" the latter said, and there was awe in his voice, for there had been nothing of blasphemy in the utterance of . the Deity's "name. . And a (Lay later Basil shook him by the hand and w-.tched him disappear into th& bush. Imr 3di a he began to work, for he dared not think\ The only white man in a hugs district, it was his duty to uphold authority with the aid of -a handful of Hausast Thousands looked to him for governance and guidance, and he must not fail thorn. The ctet-ya passed quickly; but whra night came he was so terribly alone. The->- ! r*sre books to read, but they all seemed ' > lack grip, and he would \ojsav J hem aside impatiently. And then came his fh'st temptation. Cue night IvwOa announced a visitor--: v. /niddie-pged wo»f.an, who i/icceeded to I o'ie? him a wife., and insisted *"jK>n produ;> l»g fear wares. , " You givo' me one ounce gold, and y>u fit \skko which you want, massa." He willed to his "boy," and the "mamink., 1 ' w"&h her young girls, were forcibly removed. And yet the latter had not been positive) - repulsive, with their slender and yet we* Vdeveloped figurrs, their bright eyes, '&: gleaming white teeth. And Basil had lev 'many captivating romances _ of tbo £*\vUJJCf -, white man and his native wue. How tenderly he hau been cared for in sickness, and how she had grown to love her master with dog-like devotion. It was so terribly lonely in the bush". And tho nest 'sight he was tempted to send for the woman. In fact he had called F.wofi for that purpose; but there was no answer for a while, and then the " boy" appeared. :-'f? "Bearer, he bring this for massa." "Letters;" Basil. cr:ed excitedly as be J opened the package. . ! Swayne's was read, and ''mm one from Mr. Foster. ' A few others of no cons®quence, and then the last, addressed in a girl's handwriting: ' "My Dear Friend," it began, " when you get this I expect you will bo governing your little kingdom. How I • ivy you. I wish I were a man. I havo missed you very much. And often I ami thinking of what you are doing.. It is such a dreadi»i country, but I am sure that you will take care of yourself." She went oil to tell him of things she thought would be of interest— her uncle's 'guests— to the theatre —and a smile came to hie face as he read. Then she wound up in a more personal note: "I believe you will rise in the service, and -uncle thinks so too. In years to come vou will he a Governor, with a K.C.M.G. and all sorts of pretty decorations. Uncle has just come into the room, and he says I am to tell you to remember his advice. Tasked him what it was, so that I might repeat it to yon; Ht he said, 'don't be inqtrisitiiv3,' : But ho is a dear. How do ye* like Sir Hilary? I think he is rather a silly. He treated me like a child. Do write me a long letter telling mo everything. I want to know all that you do. Won't- you keep a diary and send it to mo every week? Til gnasd it so carefully, and no one shall see it. "Gcod-bye, and keep well.' . _. < Then there were a couple of words that had been carefully inked over. „ "Yours affectionately, Joax Seymouk. Basil wondered what the .words might nave been; but the work had been, so caretolly done, that he could not satisfy his ' curiosity. Almost at once be sat down and wrote her a long- letter, the composition of which presented not the slightest difficulty. His C7ery-day life was pictured minutely, and he told her of his difficulties ami troubles: v , '•'Your let.a: came at a time when I \%£i a most fearvul fit of the blues. They I have vanished, thanks to you, little one, i and I hope that they will not return. Tell your uncle that I have implicitly followed his advice, and shall do so in the- future, with God's help. "It was a lucky day for me when you give me your friendship. • Except one man, there is no one else who would care if I were to die, but don't think that I'm notfit. I'm quite well, thank God. I know you will write, and I shall look forward to your letters. Good-bye, little one.—Your affectionate; friend, Basil." -■ He began to look forward to the mails, and Joan's letters became the one break in his life. It was easy to read between the lines the development that was taking place in her character even in a few months, and! he noticed with what intelligence she commented upon what he told her about West Africa. ' It was nine months before Basil had, a really serious attack of malaria, and for a couple of days he waa delirious. '3ut Kwofi was a reliable nurse, and, like the majority 'of. native servants, looked after him with devotion. The fever was bad enough, with its racking pain, and delirium, but the convalescence was infinitely worse. There comes such a terrible feeling of depiesfiiot,! when the desire for life seems to vanish, and it is at those times that men die. During these months of work Basil had eucceedad in avoiding all thoughts of himself, but with weakness he became a prey to morbid imaginings- The Thorn curse leapt into reality, and he regarded the future with' horror, with its infinite possibilities of ill. When he was in the . depths of despair, a mail arrived, and a letter from Joan brought him to his senses. There was also a communication from Sir Hilary, who had just returned from leave, • and who announced his intention of making an exhaustive tour of the colony, in the course of which • lit* would pay Basil a. visit, but he could not give an approximate date. In due course Basil recovered from his attack of fever, the only legacy being an irritability and impatience that were strange to his character, and which he could not control. During his illness reports had been brought in which caused him some concern. A couple of < days' march away from his headquarters there was a rubber plantation, managed by a man named Skoyne, whom it appeared had)very drastic ideas of the treatment of his native labourers. Onco Basil had paid him a visit, and had left with a very disagreeable impression; but he himself had obtained no evidence of any wrong-doing. However, evidence had since accumulated, evidence as reliable as it was possible to obtain from native sources, and after care' ful consideration he came to the conclusion that it was his duty to go there without any warning. . Basil had no • ultra-sentimental idea, of the proper management of the negro. Ha himself periodically gave his servants a mild thrashing, which did them much good, and earned their respect. There once was an English barrister who paid a visit of a few months to the Gold Coast for the purpose of fighting _ a big concession " palaver." He arrived with the fixed idea that " Roman father " was the proper way of dealing with his "boys." To his credit, he earned out his amiable methods for fully a month. Every day' he would summon his steward and deliver an oration that was crammed with the most benign sentiments. As a result he suddenly missed a valuable gold watch and a set of cuff-links which he particularly prized- His three "boys" were brought before him, and he demanded the return of his papgerty, and of course .they iVv.,'

■ professed to have no knowledge of , the thief. But the lawyer was rather famous for his powers of ;,, cross-examination, and at last he was quite satisfied, who was ,-•', the guilty person. Then very quietly ho locked the door. With an expression of - , great pain he took up a stick and flogged the suspected one soundly and i»with skill, ' the while making remarks in a quiet but reproachful one. ''-■" Massa, I go bring them. Massa, no flog, I \fit for get them," the "boy" '■ 'cried.' But the " Roman father "waa taking no risks, and he accompanied the "boy" to | the native hut, where the watch and links were found. But the initials. engraved on . the back of the former had been scratched away with some skill. During tho rest of his stay in' West '•' Africa his servants were flogged porio--1 dically, and with a heavy hand. Fireside moralists will call that well-known barri--1 ster an inhuman brute buo he was made • comfortable, and no more thefts occurred. ' But, according to thft rumour, Skoyne was not content with mild floggings, but I was using some of the methods of the .Bel-- : gians in the Congo. It was said that he ' had served an apprenticeship with those adepts in the science of the torturing and • maiming of human being.}. ; The task was not a peasant one; but • Basil was determined to make a thorough investigation, and took with him his Hausa sergeant and a few men. The > journey was tedious, for the country was < rough, and for a great portion he was obliged to wall.. The plantation was the result of the i rubber boom, and many trees- had been im- • ported with the idea of eventually floati mg a company. They drew near about five o'clock, and Basil was reclining irj his i hammock, fov they had reached a pvimi- > tive sort of mad that made the "going" . easier. L Suddenly th.vy were startled by piercing , screams of a man in mortal agot:y, and the sound w;is not far distant. Basil t jumped to the grouna and hastened along, I closely followed by his cvrgea-nt, until &; arrived at a charmv-;. wjvVq his eyes encountered a sigh. thfat for Uie moment un Halved him. ;■ •■• £aoyne was standing over a uative with i upvaised hand, and the hand held iS whip j of ririnocarous hide, an importation from the Congo. A singing sound through the ail, and the weapon was brought down on ( to qnivsrir. - flesh Viifh a dull thud. And ' Basil saw that the native was unconsriws j and that his body was a mass of bleeding ; wounds. ;-: , j 1 . His walk became a run, and his eyes' were fixed .the cut and. torn flesh. His | \ breath came in gasps, and, he made a fierce i struggle for self-control. But something • seemed to snap in his brain. He was i;o • longer Basil Thorn, but some animal with ' a mad lust for blood. With a cry of rage ' I he threw himself on Skoyne, and gripped : his throat with his fingetij. There was ' the uttevance of no word, only a wild. sobbing sound escaped hiin as' he tried ' to throttle the life from the man whom he felt was not fit to live. Skoyne fought, but in •?nin, and soon *f!i 1 back senseless. Even then Basil could nJb.. think—could not reason. The mad -it still ' held him in its clutches, and he seised the hide whip, and with freui.led strokes cut the white drill from the man's body. Stroke sreceeded stroke until the clothes '■ became red, then in an instant his brain ' became clear. . What had he done? Was Skoyne dead? Was he a murderer? A deep sot escaped him, but hia ©yea were dry. Was the maxi de&<3? , Basil w«3 incapable ©£ : moving; hi« limbs '• trembled, and ha turned, to find that t'ir Hilary Stanton was regarding him wiYh grim disapproval. Behind the Governor were several whito men, a.nd to one of them His Excellency : .' spoke. Attend to that man," ho said curtly, 1 and pointed to Skoyne. "la he dead?" Basil asked hoarsely. It won't be your < fault. if he isn't," • .Sir Hilary answered. Basil swayed a little, and his sergeant ran towards him, arriving in time to 1 catch him. "Put him in the hammock/' Sir Hilary '' said quietly. ' The doctor had been examining Skoyne and gave directions to a. black tarvant. ■ "Will he live?" the Governor asked. "Yes, sir. But he's iiif-.for a bad time," * " Serve' the brete right. Give a look to Sir Basil Thorn.? But the latter had opened his eyes, and was endeavouring to rise. "Yo*z will return to voor quarters at 1 onco. '"■'! *¥iH ■ 'jcjil you thera as booh as possible," & Hilary said in a cold, even voice.' .-■ ' '-■. " I should .like ig> explain, sir." "Go at. once. , Your explanation can wait." ' ' "But, sir— ."Go at once , -. And the Governor gave orders to the sergeant, ho in turn spoke to the bearers, and the poro of the hjaiamock was placed upon their heads..... _ Basil realised that it woujd be useless to protest, and he sank back with a groan. (To toe writnmod on. Saturday, next.) POTUSHKD BY SPECIAL ARB.AMGEMENT.