THE CURSE OF THE CARDEWS OR AFTER THREE HUNDRED YEARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 151, 29 April 1909, Page 3

THE CURSE OF THE CARDEWS OR AFTER THREE HUNDRED YEARS.

(All ttlcl'f* >

Ily W. Ml liU \Y nUAYDOtf, Author of 'Tin l Itlncktunilcrs." "Henl ine tk Whirlwind." "Tha llc>r of the I oiutonns, Elc.

iwtrr xx. "My u»iinl luck." tJcolTivy lulil hin.M'lif. " It's all up wlili mm* Th«w» ret I ilcvils lay in ainl»u»h wh«*r thc> heard tut coining, and Ihe chic *avwl our livr» bccaujx* he Mispftwl thnt nr wviv cscnrcd convicts—which iiH-onl that he will earn th< rvtrnr»l an«l fniil nw hark l«» th« Mnitflnuii. Ilut al |»r»«>vnl Ihry a»'C st«»in« th«* wrong wn> f»r thai. I don't understand it. untrc* lh«\\ h»%r noikcwhere «»n th»» riwi in Up south 01 the ItichnrtLn p* tnlp."

TTe Indians numlicrvd fifteen in nth They w«re repulsive-looking Mlnw.w. with harsh and "gly f«*a-tin-.H nml si might black hair, clad m MtV ••?»• but their dyed waist• tiMih.t Se\«-ral «»' the wretchr*. carried human le-ads—the heads oi ttth-t Indians-slung from tln'ir gir rl'f-. and th'.» horrible discovery r»»i»it(vg prercntly to tScoflrey\s nofr«»> gave him some food lor reflection..

The |»«r«> nrnt steadily on. theii h.v'-fe ami ttlrrtiMttt suggesting t.hnt cither they feared pursuit, or hud mhiic definite purpos-e in view ahead The night had fallen, nmi the moon was rising above the mountain range* when they reached th»- short of the Ks.«e»piil»o. They producer four light canoes of bark, which had l:een tonicaled near •>>. and in thr*« I hey transmuted themselves and their prisoner* at ross the river, making two trip*. Taking the canoe* with them—each »n» an «im load »«»r two men— they pr.ireeded for Another mile or s«». and finally Mopped at n rocky place among hill*.

Here they evidently meant t»» spend the night. Tie preparations lor rnuiping were brief and simple, and did not inelmV a tire, which ««» a suspWions *£gn. n» wn* nlsti the posting of two Indian* on guard The rest dijtjxw*! lheurs«lv»» on tin ground in a circle, in the middle of uht.lt. with a low boulder In li'iin against. tJeofir»j and l.i Shell were put »ide l»y side. Their arm* were not unbound. m»r were they offered any of the food—the> could not see what it was—thai was passed round anion? their eaptons. Though it was the dry season of the \ ear. the night air was "ucoiufortablv cool, and t.'eoffiOy felt no inclination for sreep. Sail and <lcpre** d. be looled on >«»r a time. watching tie ring o' sprawling savage* and the guards squalled beyond ihtiii in Hie silvery moonlight, while he pu/zled over s-veral things l«»ring on hi* prolmbl' fate Utr *hirh he could not account- Then, ns his thoughts reverted to other and not lr>j« gloomy »üb.ferl*. his :omponion*s voice broke on his reverr^.

"Von *«%»•?- «h.'t tribe red ;JcvM.«. i*e »" 'nskrd I.i J*hrn. in a low and anxious l««r. "Xo. I don't. I've I>fen wondering, though." "Mr I ell you." rrpli.il the C'hinnman ; nnd be spok" n singb' word (hot nut n chili through fJeolTrey's Mood awl tpiickenr:! his h«-nrt-l»eatß

CIIXITKU XXVIIITIIK C/lIIKF AM» TIIK .IAUI'AH. "Arattak? cve'nnuftl (Undrcy. ithning llif iiriik". "Hv jovr, I hope not ' Ar»* >*>«• "Mr vclly well." dcclnr «l l.i Sluu. "Alkv Mm"' ftghtvc rrtl mean that \«»n vi.Hilc«l Ihvir country with »h«' £ol«l prw|*-ctors ?" "Vr». om- long liuw.'"

It «a» th»n. tiwfiin- no longer doubted. Aravrnks ! H«* frail often heard ml them. had learned lo regard the name with a sort of loathsoiw horror. Ah he glanced m>«r at th«* cirele of. swarthy lacsx* with a fre*h interest. n shuddering inir. thev wiiml to grow more hiiHioi an«l repulsive In the moonlight. So the*- were the fierce trile-mrn. the most barbarous ctnd untamed of the aborigine* of the laud. who dwelt in the north-west of ltrit:i»h tJuinna. over townril# the \'en»-/»wl«n —tha daring nutricKfrr* who. from time to tim» l<nr'ruting lar to the south-enM. ten murderously and wlh-ii least e\l. « ii|H>n their ancient foe* th.Carilw r These the depraved wrelrhe» who were bsmtM on sound authority to he—cannilmls ".Arawoks eat men." said the Chinaman. stolidly. "You no go back to 3J«zarunl." . ~ The inference was unmistakable, ami tSeoflrcy. already filing a sensation of nausea. shivered again, and experienced a creeping of tlu (trail p It wa> too ghastly to contemplate, and he sought lo forget it —to find a reverse to the picture foi bin own and his companion *a comfort. lie had lupen putting two ami two together during the last couple of minuted, and the things that ha«l puzzled him wen? arrayed In a clearer light. "No. we shan't be handed over t«i the prison warder*. Li." he said : •>« much !« certain. If these fel!ii«r ar> .Irn waks» —an«l I don't doubi it—they earv pofhing for esca|ied ronvict* and rewards, P<> you sec lhii»" human heads ? That tells* tlu »tur>. Thin litt'e band l»a\e lieeu on an r*|**lition against the Carilif, ami they are r>-luming lo their owr country now. They are afraid ol being pun«uetl and overtaken. That accounts for their rapid travelling, and for the sentries." LI Shen was of the same mind, and mild as much in a few- words. "What they do with us?" be adre I. "Makco big feast—eat us up 1" "They won't get the chance," Geoffrey answered, hastily. "You ran away ?" "Ym. that's what we'll do. Sooner or later. If wo keep our eyes open, we'll find a means of tscopc. So

J chcr tip. Li. You needn't I c afraid hat vo are Koing to lie I:i 11--<1 nn.l N, make n cannibal f«M«ri!■ ■ -[.ok-- 11 • >lll tin 1 I'ps. lint :ron Ain I indeed ».lu-*r was t\ liii.m.s comfort in 'III S! I■l ;i - j>s 'With well k.VW. Th...>ii <if the horriblcO end iha' i«l I!.|-.-atCIH«I them was not to l ani.shi-il. It kept thrni awnki !<■: a long time, but finally th'-y into a restless s!eep. from . \\ hirli th'-y were roused at the first flush of dawn. That first night's camping-place—-it was about twenty miles to th» until h of the Richards estate. on«> considerably more from San I'nriuu; —was the "nearest point to civiliza tion that the Arawaks touched Henceforth they trended steadily awoy from the settlements. <li-o|R-r nnd dee|>er into the heart of the unknown wildernww. I'ny by da> they pressed on to the north-west. I»y mountain and valley. fori-M sum. Ktieam. As they took the cauoct wilh ihem. they crossed with eas< the crocodile-infested rivers that buried their line of march—the Cuyuiii and the I'artini. the latter a remote tributary of the Jlazaruni And more than once (.'colTrey remeiiiIwred with a feeling of sii|»erstitioiif awe—and wondered if he was indeei n purposeful instrument driven blindly by dsstiny—that he was drawing near to* the region referred t«: fn his ancestor's treasure-chart. lh< land that was El IHmtjlo when th« 'dauntless Raleigh ploughed strange for Kngland's glory. At linn-." moreover. so- subtle a s|»ell |nwws-M-d him that In* imagined he was livimr in the dead pqM three cent>ui«s ago.

.The h«»|»c «»f CM - n|»c was never out •M' his mind. but it wns evident from the start that the thinjr would 1.,- dHlii-utt to accomplish, if it coiiK 1 1* done at all. Though the armsn the captives were untied at the t •■niiiieiscemciit of the second march, and were not Imund again, they wire klom'lv hemmed about each night, the Indians took turns in guarding them, thro? at a time. Had they endcavoui ed to elude th-se watchful sr.tvagts. instant death would probably have It-n tl*e |"cnaliy. That they wre well treated and unsparingly supplied with food was a xign of the worst kind, in which they rend a continuation of iheii f.. n rs ; for the Arawal.s would naturally "not starve those whom Unintended later to eat. '•Wo must wait /or n better rhanC" I —thm ,- » no help for it." Ceoflrey said to his fellow-prisoner in lhe"eoin>e of the eighth day's march. * Their village can't Ih» v.-ry far ofT. and once we reach it they may not guard ns so closely." •"Wachec a lift; same." replied Li Shw». in a gloomy tone. "Hed luvil-meii kill and cat. We no run away." ""Vuu'll tec." (JeofTivy tolil him. "Something will turn up and as he sftokc he felt a st rong present iiiteut. a confidence cheering beyond word*, that wherever his destiny miglit lead him. it would ortainly not In* to the flesh-pots of lite cannibal Arawaks. Something did turn up. and that v , r> >oon. though in the meantime (Jeoffiey'H cheerful spirits had turn"d to u lit of ill" black" fit depivsiion. The day wore on as usual, mile ailer mile being coveritl nt a -.toady pace, and the approach of of evening—the sun's ra>s were still glinting through the trees— found lie party crossing a high ami ileii-»ely-wo«Kle«l plateau. Tin* chief was in front, pushing along a narrow I rail that frequently *eeiucd to lose (tself. and the others followed him i hrrc abreast. each of the prisoners lieing disposed for safety lielw -ep two savages.

Of a sudden. \v*illi n bloodcurdling. riiNping scream that woke a thouMiml echoes from I lie surrounding forest. a grcal tawny least. I»lack ami jellnwish-brown in colour, sprang from n bough to the right of the path. and landing fairly upon •he lender bore him to the ground. It was a jaj»nr. the fierce ami terrible monarch uf th>* Sunlit Amerirnn continent- So unexpected was the attack, mi disheartening the dread inspired l»y this formidable animal, that a «»•»«• of panic and confusion was the immediate result. With loud cries of "Tigrc ! ligre the Indians looked ou helplessly, some holding thoir ground and sonic backing away. Not one could muster sufficient courage t«> u.ic his weapon, and for an instant it seenii."d that the Arawak chieftain's fate was waled. With blazing e>es and lashing f nil. roaring defiance to tho fpghtened crew the jaguar crouched on the prostrate form : and then as it was about to seize its victim by the shoulder and bound away with him. compassion for the unfortunate man. foe though he was. impelled (Jeoflrry to a brave and prompt-d«-i»d. lie did not Mop to think of Ihe possible con>eipieuo-s to himself. "You cowards he cried, in angry scorn. With that, snatching n long spear from the savage next him. he sprang fearlessly to the attack, and with quick, unerring thrust the luissile inlo the West's o|»eit jaws. With all his strength hp rammed it ilccper down the cavernous vhroal. lienelrating to the very vitals. Thi sharp teeth came together. snapping the spear in two. and though the animal was sorely wuumled. und uttering gurgling screams of agony )t would now have leapt upon t!euffrpy had not- M Shen joined in the Hrugg'**-

Jerking a knolt-d war club from the trembling granp of one of hi* guards, the Chinaman pushed by (JcolTrey and dealt a swinging blow that caught the jajuur on the skull as it was in the art of springing. The givat toast staggered, reeling and swaying for an instant ; and (hen. licfore it could rally for a last charge. tho Indians, brave enough when the danger was over, rushed in and despatched it with I heir spears ami clubs. The limbs were still twitching as a dozen hands pulled the carcase ofl the body of their leader, on which It partly lay. The Arj.vak chief, who had witnessed 'he whol«* nTct|r while he waited for dcnh, r.v-c tc bis feet with surprising ngi'-ity. He was bleeding front numerous scratches, and there was an ugly laceration on one shoulder ; but he scarcely appeared to feel his Injuries as with rage and scorn flashing from hi* dark eyes, he uobraided his craven followers Jn a torrent ui nu-v>vu:

language that mn<'c 'he:n hang 1 h.'ii' heads in sullen shnin.-. Jlo g< si ivulated angrily, pointed :Yori oi.e to another, until they were si 1:115 almost beyond endurance, an.l then, having hurled a last taunt at ti-em, he did a most unexpe-tod thing. Kither gratitude had ln-en awakened in the depths of his brutal nature. or he had conceived the idea of visiting upon the cowardly tribes men—through their appetites—a punishment that would be adequate to their fault, or jK-ihaj s it was both. At all events, he turned to the prisoners with a sinister smile, and addressed a few words to tf!e:n in a tongue which, of course, they did not understand in the least. They were totally unprepared foi what happened ne\i. I lis brief oration ended, the chief handed a spent to i.l Shell, and returned to tJeofgrey his own revolver, fully loaded, lie lifted his right arm, and with a gesture that unmistakably meant "Uo," with a warning expression that said with equal clcarne.-s. "You had lietter Ik? off at once if you value your lives," lie pointed to the forest. It was swiftly done, and it is a wonder that the captives, in the faceof this amazing ami" incredible surprise. did not spoil their chance from shier ItewiNJerment and hesitation. Hut happily they understood both the gift an«l its attendant peril —they could hardly have faile.l to do so—and the flight of a start led deer was not more sudden than the celerity with which they availed themselves of the invitation to freedom. They sprang to tin; left—none .siu>><l lo check them in that direct ion—;in<l as the gap in the swaying l>i r;'ii s swung to and hid them, ami they sped on side ,by side, the \engefui chorus of yells told that the\ had indeed been not an insiant t<"> soon, and that the chief had accurately foreseen the result of his merciful act. They realised their danger. Knowing that the Arawak leader would not lie able to keep his followers in hand, and that a stern chase had to be r«*ckoned with, they strained every nerve to escape. It was bad running, but they could not stop to circumvent obstacles. Shrouded in deep, greenish gloom, pigmies in comparison with the gigantic tropical growth that rose hundreds of feet above their heads, they slipped in and out among the trees, heating a way through serried vegetation and flout re. stumbling over stones ami fallen logs. Monke\s and parrots screeched at them angrily, but they heard only the hue-and-cry—it s< oncd to !;e drawing a little.nearer—of the baffled Indians. who naturally were bound to aave the advantage. I'nlcss they :ould find safe hiding, or something ;lsc should intervene in their favour, it was unlikely that the fugitives would enjoy th«-ir freedom long. , "Red devils wll.v soon catcher." said Li Shen. "What do ? Stop and fightec "Yes. when the last hope is gone," panted Geoffrey : "not InM'ore. We've g;ot lo keep ahead of them. Faster, Li, faster !" They had crossed the plateau now, and the ground began to drop. I'he clamour was at their very leels. ringing with the shrillness of hounds on a hot scent, as they lalf - slid, half-scrambled among sprawling rocks and trees and thickets. trampling orchids of rare lujauty under foot und heating festoons of parasites away from their Tares. The.v were at the hot turn, bruised anil bleeding. A dozen -.tricks, and they barely clucked themselves on the brink of a stream. It was fairly wide and sluggish, and to fJeofifrey's-eye it was deep. "The only chance," he cried. "They 1 arc almost upon us. Here jo'S. Splash, Li, if wc have to swim."

Tn they went, reckless of what Jeailly reptiles might lurk there, and waded hastily until they were submerged to the neck, when they swam with difllcultv for eight or ten »ards, Geoffrey holding his pistol above water. Then they touched bottom again, and the worst of the passage was over. They struggled off. gained the further bunk, and dragged themselves through a margin of reeds (o firm soil.

CHAPTER XXIX. FROM BAD TO WORSE. A moment before, uliilc (JcofTrcy and the Chinaman were swimming iml splashing across the deep stretch their pursuers had reached the verge if the stream. Here they halted in i group.* each apparently waiting for the others to make the next move and that they discharge*! neither s|tears nor arrows was doubtless because they still hoped to recapture the prisoners alive. Xot all the Arawaks had joined the chase. I'hoKe on the rear bank numbered .•igh». ami the chief himself was not among them. Such was the situation when the two fugulives pulled themselves ashore, breathless and well-nigh exhausted by their itrenuous exertions to escape. They bloppcd waist-deep in tall grass, and as they turned ami looked back, alarmed by what they saw, one of the Indians leapt bodily into the stream, an example that was promptly followed by the rest. An instant later, as Geoffrey levelled his pistol and was about to fire, a horrible tragedy took place before hln ,\ves.

A pointed imout and scaly spine, belonging to an iuiincn.se crocodile, rose suddenly to tha surface. Then was a fearful yell of agony, a brief, »|»la.vhinft struggle that threw up jets of spray, and then the farcmost savage and the hungry reptile disappeared together, leaving the foamy water tinged with blood. The rest of the Indians, appalled by tin* fat< of their comrade, floundered in mat haste back to shore, uttering shrill cries of fright. At the cost of a human life the fugitives had won * reprice. |>erhap3 immunity from further pursuit.

"By heavens, it might have- been us Instead oi that poor devil '"exclaimed Geoffrey, as he thrust tin revolver into his bolt. The thought of it turned him faint for a moment. We were lucky to get acrosf in time," he added. "Come along LI, we must make the most of oui advantage. Those fellows won't put foot in the water ni-.aiu. nor I imagin-'. will they go to thotrou hie ,ji iVf-hing the <anof~ so iar a: this. 1 l,e!i.-vc w- a p.- r;d oi tn^a

for irouil," t/I'u i.-c Cur.iir.ucJ)!