In Quest Of Africa’s Treasure

Southland Times, Issue 22158, 28 October 1933, Page 18

In Quest Of Africa’s Treasure

IN WHICH MORRIS IS SAVED FROM AN UNTIMELY END. CHAPTER XV. As Morris gazed excitedly down at the shining object in the palm of his hand, he heard a footstep behind him and turning round he found himself confronted by Tom, who had come down to see why he was so long. Instantly he showed him the diamond. Tom looked at it and gazed at it eagerly for some time. “Yes,” he said after a brief pause, “unless I am mistaken we’ve had a lucky find. Come, find the others.” Hurriedly they rushed to the camp, where their comrades were busily engaged in various tasks and excitedly Morris showed the diamond to his father. “Where did you find it,” he gasped when he recovered from his surprise. “That’s hundreds!” Morris then related how, when walking on the riverbank he had found the precious stone. Greatly delighted at the valuable find, the little party that night celebrated the event with much vigour. Although they did not get the treasure, they had found something just as good. The next week passed uneventfully, but they were steaCily nearing Cape Town. One day as Ken was busily climbing a cocoanut palm he saw to his amazement away in the. distance, maybe two miles off, the shining roofs of —Cape Town? Joyfully the band marched on to arrive In a few hours at the town. What congratulations! What a joyful entrance! Many friends showered compliments on the party, insisting on hearing their adventures. The H.M.S. steamed slowly

out of C. Town harbour, carrying on it six young men, bronzed and tanned by the heat of the African sun. The adventurers had been six months amongst the wilds of the jungle, braving the lion, the leopard, and many ferocious animals of the wilds on a dangerous quest. The explorers never had a moment’s peace, as many admiring passengers followed them about insisting on hearing their story. It was on a certain morning when Morris who was up aloft looking around, suddenly lost his hold and fell with a shriek to the water below. Instantly one of the long-boats was launched to pick him up, but just as Morris came to the surface a black fin came in view, gliding swiftly towards the swimmer. Morris realized that it was a race for life and struck out desperately. He could see every movement of the shark as the little Pivot fish drew nearer to him, guiding the hungry sea monster on. Then it made a dart for Morris, its teeth gleaming savagly as it turned on its back for the stroke. Savagely Morris struck out, threshing the water furiously, and scaring the monster away for a moment. There were now only about twenty more yards to safety, but those twenty were more to him than one hundred yards! Then, to his joy, he reached the side of the long-boat, but just as he was clambering over the side something gripped his leg tightly! It was a second sea tiger, evidently attracted by the commotion in the water. Was he to be dragged down into the green depths to be eaten alive? Desperately he struggled to free himself as he felt himself being dragged down, inch by inch. At last, with a desparing yell, he slipped and fell into the water, the shark darting at him. (To be continued.) —3 marks to Cousin Desmond Stone (12), Morton road, Invercargill.