CHAPTER XXXIX

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 22 May 1912, Page 2

CHAPTER XXXIX

TERESIN AS ABDUCTION. !

Filled with consternation, I called our men together, and telling them what had happened bade them be in the square fully armed within the next few minutes. k In the interval, while every man was preparing with a will, I consulted with Hesketh and Peel as to the course we should pursue. It was clear to us that nothing but a bold front would secure my wife's restoration after she had so strangely disappeared. While I saw to the loading of my revolvers, the impression grew strong upon me that Komeh had done this thing; that he had carried out the plan I had frustrated the night before,'when he entered the hut, thinking to kill me and gain possession of Teresina, whom he designed to have as one of his wives.

The time that passed before the men assembled covered but a few minutes, yet to me; in .my impatience, it appeared interminable. The plan agreed upon was to leave a few men to collect our belongings into one or two huts and guard them well against any serious attempt to rob us of them, while with the others Hesketh and I should march to Sechele's palace—if the huge straw, roofed hut could be so dignified— demand an audience, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, ancf if the monarch was slow to take measures to recover Teresina For us, to take all risks, and hold him as hostage for her safety -and our own.

The sound of our steady tramp in the dead of night alarmed the people of Machodi, who came out of their huts and;gazed at us with every expression of fear. They knew by experience—perhaps at the hands of Arab slave-raiders—the power of firearms, for as we marched up on the hill those who were at their doors fell on their faces as if in token of the absence of any wish on their part to harm us. But when we reached the palace, the guards gathered before the entrance to the outer court, spears and shields all ready, and presented a formidable obstacle to our further progress. ' After a short parley among ourselves I stepped forward, my rifle slung at my back, and my revolvers in my belt, so that I approached with empty hands to shew that my intentions were peaceful..... Khonko accompanied me, and with his assistance I was able to express my wish to see the king at once.

"He is asleep," said the captain of the guards."

"That matters not. I must see

him."

"It is death to disturb him." "Neither does that matter, must see the king."

"I dare not do this thing," the Officer of- the guard protested, speaking with much respect.

"Then I must disturb him myself."

"But tKat cannot be."

"I say it must be," I declared, firmly. "Go, tell those who are above you that if I am denied admission to his majesty my men will kill your guards and burn the palace. I have pressing need to see the king at once. Say that it is a matter of life and death."

The captain of the guards stuck his spear head jnto the ground, and left it there as a token of his wish to do his best to please and trust me. He then entered the enclosure, and left me standing near the spear. But a long time passed during which I waited for the man's return. I was consumed with Impatience, and frantic with the thought that Teresina might be dead, or experiencing some horrible indignities at the hands of that black savage, Komeh, who had undoubtedly abducted her in his infatuation.

At last —when more than half-jm-hour had pessed —Hesketh and Khonko accompanied me past the warriors into the palace-court. Before us was a long lane of guards, a treble row of blacks on either side, standing in close order, with spears half levelled, and shields so formed as make a long wall of whiteness in the moonlight.,, At the palace gate there was^ another halt, but we were presently admitted into the presence-chamber, where the king was seated, as if he had not moved from the spot where I had left him some time before.

"Why have you come to see me at this late hour?" Sechele demand-ed,-angrily, for the tone in which he put the question left me in no doubt as to his displeasure. But when I told him of Teresina's disappearance, and of what had taken place the night before', and how I suspected Komeh of having abducte3 my wife while I was with the king, his anger seemed to know no bounds. He turned to one who was apparently the general of his warrior forces.

"Go search for Komeh!" he cried; "and bring to me the white woman! See that no harm comes to Her, and look to her comfort!"

(To be Continued.) D t P.~3ot

Science may raise us to eminence, but religion alone can guide us to felicity.