THE ADVENTURES OF SAMBO AND POMPEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2092, 29 March 1894, Page 45

THE ADVENTURES OF SAMBO AND POMPEY.

A STORY OF AFRICAN ADVENTURE. By mubray Aston.

'Chapter XI. Diamonds. A few more hours of steady trekking followed after the incidents related in the last •chapter ; and Jamrach one fine morning, daring the halt for breakfast, announced that about midday they might expect to ■catch sight of the river, in the bed of which he had promised them a plentiful supply of diamonds. Upon fae&rlng this statement the professor Jhurrie* on the meal, and he moreover proftnfs€d a present to the Zulu who had the good fortune to catch tbe first glimpse of their expected Golconda. Of course Sambo and Pompey were not allowed to participate, as their place was in the van, and doubtless they would therefore discover the longed-for water; but the promise, had the effeot of stirring up Bhopa and Dingan, who urged the bulloc&s to greater efforts, to which the vriliicg creatures readily responded The professor and Jamrach were riding leisurely in the rear of the waggon when they were startled by tbe harried appearance of Sambo and Pompey, who, breathless from their smart run, announced that tbe river was in sight, but that other white men were already there before them, as they bad made out two waggons with their oxen and several horses in camp by the water. The Boer and the doctor could not help a Seeling of dejection on hearing this depressing intelligence, and for a minute or bo their feeling of disappointment permitted neither of them to break silence. At last the doctor said : "Let's push on and reconnoitre. They may know nothing of the diamonds, after alll" " Dot vos bossible," returned Jamrach. And puttie g their willing Bteeds at an easy canter, they were soon in a position, led by the Zulus, whence the strangers oould be easily seen. • " The river's in flood 1 " exclaimed Dr Goodwood. " Dot vos so," replied the other. "Then very likely they are not oamped there permanently, but only waiting for the waters to subside before crossing," went on the doctor. "Righdt you are!" joyously exclaimed Jamrach. " Led's go for dem." And they forthwith made for the party as fast as their good steeds could carry them, accompanied by the boys, who, were compelled to hang on to the stirrup irons in order to keep pace with their now impetuous leaders. A few minutes brought them to the camp of the strangers, who accorded them a hearty greeting. They were a Btrong party of Boglißhmen, wealthy men, strongly equipped and armed with all the newest weapons, including a French quick-firing gun, or mitrailleuse, which they carried for defence in the event of attack by what might otherwise prove an overwhelming number of natives. It was exclusively a sporting party, and had no quest for minerals on their programme. There were 10 Englishmen in all, and a number of native servants, also two Boers, experienced huntsmen, who acted as guides. No reference was made by our friends to the cause of their visit to tbe river, but Dr Goodwood told them part of the reason for his expedition, which was, as the reader already knows, to gather specimens for a wealthy patron in the Old Country; and, while the river was falling — and the process took several days— the professor delighted his new friends with an exhibition of some of his entomological and botanioal treasures. All reference to geology was avoided, and diamonds were not even mentioned, and the doctor did not see the necessity to mention the fact of their wonderful discoveries in the cave, although it is bat true to say that once or twice under the influence of good fellowship he had been tempted to tell hiß countrymen all about their treasure-trove, and let them gloat over the sack of old silver coins and bars of yellow gold. At last the hunters took their leave, greatly to the relief of Jamracb, who was anxious to be at work in the river bed, which was now quite low enough for their purpose. Accordingly the waggons of their friends were scarcely out of sight when the Boer, the doctor, and the Zulu boys made for the river and began an eager search for gems. Some hours passed, and no sign of any diamonds. At length an exclamation from Jamracb, who was observed to be regarding intently something in his hand, caused the others to hasten towards him. " Ach, vot is dis 1" he said, and he turned a stone over to the professor, who examined it closely for a few seconds, and then said : " Yes, Jamrach, it's a regular octahedron form. A fine stone, too— colour perfect, I should imagine. Weight not short of 20 carats." Sambo and Pompey pressed forward to get a closer view of the diarriond, which having done Sambo at once recognised the gem as something he had seen but a few minutes since, and hastening away he soon returned with no less than eight large stones which he had found together in a rocky crevice. Dr Goodwood asked him to show the spot where he had found the diamonds, and was greatly surprised to find many more small stones— all of value, however— which Sambo ia his innocence considered to be beneath notice on account of, tbeir size. Nothing ucder a five-carat stone commanded sufficient respect to be picked up by him until lLc doctor had explained that a stone no rucger tb.E.u a pin's head was of use, and therefore of emimerciil value. The result of their first daj'=> work v. ds an accumulation cf nearly a L-T.ditd diamonds of all siiei and coloms. Souia o£ thecj were v de» p yellow in colour, and tL' - the doctor said were highly jji i .ed l<y L'-uuoitseur*.

garded as " off colour," and of considerably less value. AmoDg their treasures they found two of an exquisite shade of blue, and these were regarded as among the mot>t precious. A lovely pink stona, however, the doctor declared was not far behind in the scale of rarity, beauty, and value. The day's work over, a strict watch was observed during the night, as Jarmach told them that they were in the proximity of dangerous tribes, and tbe distant roar of the lion mingled with the cries of other ferocious animals warned them of the extreme danger of a false sense of security. (To be continued )