(Copyright.) ERIC DDACRES:

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 21 August 1914, Page 7

(Copyright.) ERIC DDACRES:

— f By William Murray Graydon, Author of 'Under the White Terror,* -'In the Name of the Czar/ Etc, Etc.

A Romantic Story of Adventure during the Rflatabeie War. '

PART 7. "My dear fellow, I assure you I am not," Haygarth interrupted. "I c^n make it all clear to you in a moment.. The girl has been making a long visit to the Coplestons— Lady Copleston is an old friend of her mother's—and just before I sailed she got a letter from her uncle asking her to come home for a few months. We took the same steamer, and parted at Cape Town. Miss . . Churton went by ship to Beira, .~k and then by river, steamer, and rail ■^P to Chimoio. At least, that was her intended route, which would bring her home by way of Salisbury." "And where is she now ?" Eric asked, hoarsely. "Safe, I hope," Haygarth replied. "To tell the truth, she would have been here by this time. It is more than likely that Humphrey Churton has gone to meet her, which accounts for his mysterious disappearance." Eric's face was haggard and anxious. "This is terrible," he groaned. "I can scarcely realise -it yet. Doris . here in Africa —here in Mntaboleland at stich a time ! Cod grant that ■he has found safe shelter !" "I hope and pray that she has," said Haygarth ; and under his breath he swore a merciless oath. Just then Phil, who had entered unobserved a moment before, and had heard most of the conversation, put a hand on Eric's shoulder. With a half-indignant glance at Haygarth he led his friend into the adjoining-sitting-room, and made him sit down on the couch. The scout, who had followed, passed outside. "Cheer up, old fellow," Phil whispered, "T know how you feel, and I'm awfully sorry for you. But it's ten to one the girl is safe " "Then you know all?" Eric asked, huskily. "You knew it before ?" "Yes, I learned the facts from Carter when we reached the house last night," Phil admitted. "I knew that this was Humphrey Churton's house, that he was the uncle of Doris, and that he had probnbly gone to meet her. Carter told his niece was expected on a visi "And why" "Why did I not tell you ?'-' Phil Interrupted. "Because I want,' you to have a good sleep first. 1 ■ knew you were' bound to find out sooner or later, and that you would be needlessly distressed" "Not needlessly, old man," Eric broke in. "Yes, needlessly," asserted Phil. "Be reasonable. Don't you sec that Humphrey Churton would at least have gone as far as Salisbury to meet his niece, and that she would wait for him there ? It is almost certain that he started., several days ago, and that both he and Doris are now safe in Salisbury." "God grant that you are right, old fellow," Eric said, fervently. "You have made me feel easier already. But suppose Churton started a week or a fortnight ago, and that he and Doris left Salisbury before the Kaffirs broke out ? Good heavens, when I think of it" He paused abruptly. "Did you hear that ?" he added. Both had heard it—a distant rifleshot. And now a second shot rang on the air, followed by hoarse shouting outside the house. CHAPTER XV. A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR. There was no need for Phil and Eric to ask what the tumult meant. They knew the men who were out on watch must have encountered the enemy, and that an attack on the jfrouse would probably come speedily. Forgetting what they had just been talking about, they hurried with one accord from the room. Out in the porch they found Carter, the scout, and another man, and the number was quickly completed by the arrival of Jacobus Mynhart and Fergus Haygarth. The latter's wound, painful though it was. did not incapacitate him for duty. \For a moment or two there was 1 iiitense and breathless silence. All eyes looked across the clearing before the house to where the young orange trees ended on the verge of the thick bush. Further beyond, to the north, a wooded kopje towered several hundred feet in air. It was a late hour of the afternoon, and the sun was drooping low. "I can't account for this dead stillness," muttered Curler, "unless ■the poor fellows have gone under— and that's not, likely, for only two shots were fived. Th<\y may be hiding" As he spoke there was a burst of j^. savage cries, a shout, and three "^j shots in rapid succession. ""^■s "Hurrah, our follows are all ?*ssfcht ! " exclaimed Shurlock. rigir"The\!' V re COlmn£ closer and holding the X^ ffirs back-" "TheY re not out of danKer yet," saidCCa rter- "If ln"re's any more firing w£' '^ have to be moving down that way to*J^ a hand- ™<t get the house r^i^jy—il 1<)()k* as though the black devTftSjneant business." In less time than it takes Phil and E-i<\ assisted by tho Boer, •losed a* the heavy shutters. Mean-

i while the commotion in the bush I had been growing nearer and louder, and now, at Carter's suggestion, it was resolved that all should > ish i forward across the plantation to ; meet their imperilled comrades. ! But just as they were about to start, the missing men—Donovan and Madden by name—appeared in sight. They came leaping together out of the scrub, and each waved a hand at the party in the porch. As they ran nearer side by side through the grass and orange trees, it could be soon that they were nearly exhausted. Faster!" shouted Carter. "They'll make it," he added in a lower tone to his companions. "Have your weapons ready in case of need, but be careful where you aim." At that instant, when the fugitives had covered twenty yards of the plantation, a score of Matabele appeared almost, simultaneously on the edge of the bush behind them. With shrill yells they began to fire, and pud's of bluish smoke spurted from the rifle barrels. "Our boys are not out of danger yet," cried the scout. "Give the black rascals a little lead to divert their attention." A straggling fire was opened at once, all taking part, and aiming carefully to right and left of Donovan and Madden. ' The fugitives, as yet uninjured, made a. desperate spurt that brought them nearly halfway to the house. Then Madden suddenly flung up his arms, reeled, and feli backwards. The Kaffirs had at least one* good marksman among thtm. Cries of horror and anger rose from those in the porch. Donovan, who was a few paces in front, stopped instantly, and went.back to his companion. He bent briefly over Madden, and then stood upright with a gesture that was not to be mistaken. " Come along," shouted Carter, "Don't expose yourself." The plucky man waved a hand in answer. He put his rifle to his shoulder, and fired four shots in succession at the Kailirs. Then he turned and made for the house, staggering like a wounded deer. He reached it safely, and fell exhausted and panting across the porch. The Matabele, seemingly augmented to the number of fifty or sixty, had now swarmed daringly out of the bush, and were advancing through the plantation. Most of them wkre armed with rifles, and j wile's began to strike against the j louse and to whistle unpleasantly • ose to the ears of the white men. I Let them have it hot !" shouted ' < . i er. . 'y, give it to them, partners," Ici i the scout. "We'll teach them 1 a lesson before they drive us ini>ors." A most successful lesson it was, contrary to general expectation. The little party, screened to some extent by the posts of the porch, opened a hot and steady firo. It was not easy to miss, as the Matabele quickly discovered to their cost. They came on for thirty feet or so, yelling and shooting ; then, having lost, close to a dozen of their number, they fled rapidly and disorderly to rhe shelter of the bush. Three Kaflir.l--, more venturesome than the rest, jsoiigbt to reach Maddens body. But Shurlock and Phil picked off two, and Eric shot the third. The defenders wore uninjured, though several had received bullets through their Hoihing. Attention now centred on Donovan, lie was helped to bis feet, and a pull at Carter's brandy flask did much to restore him after his exhaustive race for life. Briefly and in a husky voice he told how they had ke ; it up a running fight towards Ih?> house." "Poor Madden is dead," he concluded ; "the bullet must have pierced his heart from behind. T'll pay the devils off for that. But where are they now ?" "We've beaten them back to the bush," replied Carter. "I hardly think they will trouble us again in a hurry." "Don't you believe it," said Donovan. "There are between one and two hundred Kall'irs in the neighbourhood, and they'll be making an attack in force pretty soon. The rest of the impi moved off to the north a couple of hours ago." "Two hundred are bad enough,' Carter answered. "If there are so many about as you say, it's certain they'll pay us another visit." "Yes. they will," assented Donovan : "so we had better be getting ready to receive them when they come." The situation looked black indeed, as all realised. They entered the house and closed and barred the i door. At an early hour of that same day—when Carter's party arrived—certain precautions had been taken with a view to an attack. ; The thatch over the porch had been ■ out away, and loopholes were pier- > ced through the wall under every ■ window. Now the defenders were posted at : these loopholes—those commanding : the front of the house only—each armed with a rifle and a pistol, provided with plenty of cartridges; fortunately both weapons and ammunition had been found in Humphrey Churton's house. Carter and the scout, though they had loopholes like the rest, took it upor themselves to keep an eye on the . other approaches to the house. However, owing to the nature oJ the ground and the locality of the enemy, no da tiger was apprehended J except from the front. pla^vHalf an hour slipped by without | (l 4arin, the men keeping a sharp

look-out. But not all were thinking- of the dreaded attack of the ; Kaffirs. There was an ugly gleam lin Fergus Haygarlh's eyes, and oc- > casionally he whispered to Jacobus I Alynhart, who was next him on the • right. On Haygarth's left was Eric, and i during the interval of waiting he ■ pondered over the strange things he . had heard that afternoon. He had . brought himself to realise that it ? was all true —that Djris was in South Africa, that the dainty bed- ■ room behind had been fitted up for her use, and that this was her . uncle's house. ■ i'or the rest his brain was in a • whirl of indecision, of doubt and , fear and agony. It thrilled him to think of meeting the girl. He longed to see her, to clasp her in his ■ arms, and yet dreaded such an or- , deal to his self-control and honourable resolutions. When he thought of her possible peril he clen-hed his teeth and very nearly groaned aloud. "Cod help her • God spare her!" he muttered under his breath. " I , should be a happy man if I knew that Doris was safe in^alisbury with her uncle. But if she left there within a day or two before the revolt broke out ! Oh, merciful Heaven, what has been her fate ?" Just then there was a low, eager cry from Shurlock. "Be ready, partners !" he said. "Yes ; the devils are coming," added Carter. "Let them get close, and shoot to kill. They can't stand much of it." Every eye turned to the loopholes, through which the rifle barrels already protruded. A savage clamour was heard, and a force of more than a hundred Kaffirs were seen advancing over the open ground. They came on with a rush—the fearless and desperate old Zulu charger-and then of a sudden the house vomited its leaden rain. It was a terrible and deadly storm and so well delivered thnt the attack was of short duration. But while it lasted it was hot and exciting. The crackling of rifles was deafening as the defenders fired steadily. In spite of heavy losses, of men falling dead and wounded shrieking with agony, the Matabele swarmed on, and some were killed at the closest range. Then British valour overcame savage fanaticism. The Kaffirs wavered, fell back, and doggedly retired to the shelter of the bush, leaving about thirty dead behind them. Of these, two had been shot in the porch itself, and half a dozen were just outside it. On the other side there was slight harm done-r- ---. spent balls coming through the shutter had hit Donovan in the arm and grazed Carter's shoulder. After such exertions the victory and the rest were grateful, but every man knew that danger still hung darkly over them, that their chances were but little improved. "Do you suppose they will again attack us ?" Eric asked of Haygarth. "I'm sure they will," was the reply ; "but the3''ll wait till nightfall, which is not far off." "Yes, that's about right," joined in .Shurlock. "And if we repulse them ?" said Phil. "In that event, which is unlikely," the scout coolly answered, "the Kaffirs may abandon the siege and give us a chance to push towards Buluwayo." Outside, the twilight faded and darkness came on rapidly, but nothing disturbed the silence save the occasional cry of some wounded Matabele. Part of the men kept watch, while others fed the horses and prepared light refreshments for themselves and their comrades on duty. Soon the last glimmer of light vanished, and the darkness was so black—there was no moon up yet— that those 4at the loopholes could see only a short distance beyond the ■ porch. And just at this thrilling time, when danger seemed to brood in the silence of the night, a quick, sharp rapping was heard at one of the l>ack windows of the house. CHAPTER XVI. HUMPHREY CHUUTON'S STORY. ' This strange story, coming under such circumstances, immediately suggested some trick or ruse on the part of the Kaffirs. All voices 1 were hushed, and the men clustered i together near the solitary candle that was burning in the house. With ■ anxious faces they looked at one " another. For a moment they lis- ■ tened in silence. Rap ! rap ! rap ! Again the mysterious visitor knocked, and it was s evident that he was just outside the s window of the sitting-room. i "What can it mean ?" Eric whispered. l "Perhaps a white man—a fugitive . settler—is out there," suggested i I Phil, "and he wants us to let him - in quietly." r "That's possible," muttered the scout; "but T'm afraid the Kaffirs j i are up to some devilry." r, "We'll take no risk, anyway," said i Carter, in a low voice. "Keep an , eye on those" loopholes, men, in case ;i of a surprise." -i With (hat, and just as the rapping - I was heard a third time, he stepped I i across the sitting-room floor to the - | window. i i "Who's there ?" he demanded in a i loud whisper. . "A friend !" came the low and inf stant reply. "Are white men mii side ?" I ' "Yes. Who are you ?" ! "Humphrey Churton," the voice ; answered, distinctly. "Let me in, ) quick !"

| £■'. me of the men uttered exclama- j i tion ;of surprise and pleasure. With:' : a low cry, Eric started forward, j and then stopped ; his heart was ! beating wildly with mingled hope and fear. I! ygarth bit his lip, and glanced with a scowl at Jacobus Mynhart. "It's Churton, sure enough," exclaimed Carter. "1 know the voice." PTe quickly opened the window, ! helped the waiting man to clamber in, and then closed and barred the shutter again. And Eric's heart sank, for Humphrey Churton was alone ! It was a thrilling moment. The missing owner of the house, now returned so strangely, was a big and handsome man, with a silvered brown beard and moustache, and with that indefinable something about him that stamped him as a gentleman by birth. He had clearly been having a hard time of it. His face was haggard and anxious, his hands grimed with powder, and he had lost his hat. Humphrey Churton made no re- ! ply. He put down his rifle, and in a dazed manner he shook hands with the men he knew, as they greeted him one by one. To Fergus Haygarth, however, he merely nodded curtly. "So you have come back ?" he said, in some surprise. "Yes," assented Haygarth, "and I chose a bad time for it, too." Churton pushed through the little group, and walked unsteadily towards the door leading to the adjoining bedroom. But he stopped short of it, as though half afraid, and turned round with a countenance that seemed suddenly to have grown aid. "Is—is shei there ?" he asked, hoarsely. "Do you mean your niece ?" replied Carter, with swift understanding and pity. "Yes—Doris. Surely she has arrived ?" Carter shook his head. "We have seen nothing of her," he answered, reluctantly. "I thought you had started to" — Churton uttered a low cry of keenest agony, and covering his face with his hands he dropped into a chair. "God help her !" he moaned. "God help poor Doris ! She is lostlost ! Curse the day I sent for her to come back to this hellish country !" "Sir, why do you say your niece is lost ?" inquired Eric, coming forward. "We thought you were together, and safe in Salisbury. For Heaven's sake tell me quickly what you know—what you suspect !" Humphrey Churton looked up, evidently surprised by the young man's eagerness. "Who are you ?" he asked. " I remember you." "No ; we have never met before. But I know Miss Churton, and shared a common peril with her in Algeria a year ago. My name is Dacres." "Ik it possible you are Eric Dacres ?" "Yes, the same." Churton clasped his hand. "God bless you !" he said, in a broken voice. "I know the whole story. My poor girl owed her life to you —she described the adventure in a long letter." "1 was there, too," joined in Phil. He introduced himself briefly to Churton, who recalled his name, and gave him as cordial a greeting as his grief would permit. j "I am deeply interested in Miss Churton's welfare, as inde >d we all are," Phil went on, "and if there is a possibility of aiding h< il, you can depend on us. So I beg that you will compose yourself, aid tell us the facts as clearly as y>u can." "Ay, that's right," exel .imed the scout. "You've told rs nothingyet, sir. Let's hear how matters lie. Did you lose the girl on the way here ?" Humphrey Churton shook his head. "I have not seen her," he replied. "I have very little to tell—it is all conjecture. But I did hope to find Doris here, and the—the blow is a hard one. Oh, my poor t irl !" He took a drink of brandy from Carter's bottle, and a little colour came into his haggard cheeks. "The chances are all ihe wrong way," he resumed ; "but you have given me a ray of hope, my good friends, and when I have explained, you shall decide what is best to do. To put it in a few words, I started from here two days ago to meet my niece, knowing that she was about due from Salisbury. I should have gone ten miles straight north through the bush to Lawson's store on the Salisbury and Buluwayo j road, where Doris would have left I the coach and expected to find me . waiting . But instead of that. I j took a longer route across country to the northeast, aiming for Blake's store on the Salisbury road, which ■is some miles to the east of Law- [ son's. I did this because I be- | lieved there was plenty of time to i spare, and that I would see Doris a day sooner than if I waited for 'her at Lawson's." Churton paused a moment in his narrative. Mis hearers waited | breathlessly, and Eric's strainer! and : anxious face drew general attention. | Fergus Haygarth stood in the background, seemingly the least coni cerned of a_Jl ; but in his heart was a gnawing fire of hatred and pas- ' sion, of torturing fear for the girl ! he-loved so desperately. !"I reached Blake's store about noon yesterday," Churton continued, huskily, "and there I learned that . the coach had passed early on the previous evening. 1 also heard the first news of the Kaffir rising, half a dozen refugees having come into the store from dilYerqiit. localities

I There was" only one thing to be done. I was certain that Doris, not finding me waiting for her, would be sent on home by Lawson or some of his men. It was urgent that I should get back as soon as possible, and 1 started at once on the same bush track by which I came. Tlrore is no need to describe my adventures—my hairbreadth es- t capes. I have had to fight for my life, to make long detours through the hills. And this is the end of jit all—my poor girl probably a victim of the Matabele !" CHAPTER XVII. ON THE ROAD TO LAWSON'S. Having concluded his brief story, Humphrey Churton leaned forward in tin attitude of utter- despondency, his face buried in his hands, and a tear or two trickling between his fingers. "Cheer up, old man," said Carter, patting him on the shoulder. "Compose yourself. There is good reason to believe that the girl is safe, andI'll tell you why later. Just now I want a little information from you on another point." He digressed for a few moments to explain to Churton how the house chanced to be occupied, and to relate the two attacks and repulses of the Matabele. "But where are the Kaffirs now?" he went on. "They can't be about, since you gained the house in safety." "They have gone," replied Churton. " I'll tell you what I know;. When I had come within a couple of miles I heard firing, and I judged the house was being attacked. I dismounted and tied my horse— I can find the spot again—and pushed ahead on foot ; I knew it wasn't safe to ride any further. About twenty minutes later I heard a lot of the Kaffirs talking as they went by, and when all was quiet I hurried to the house, not being molested on the way." "Then it's pretty certain that the rascals have departed," said the scout. "Yes," assented Carter. " And which way were they going?" he added. "To the north-west, as nearly as I can tell," Churton answered. Carter turned to Donovan. "Didn't you say the rest of the impi took the same direction ?" he asked. "Yes ; that's right," the man replied. "Then it's almost certain," suggested Carter, "that the whole body are moving- towards Buluwayo ?" "No doubt about it," agreed the scout. " I share your opinion," said Humphrey Churton. "The rising is already widespread, and it is rumoured that the Matabele impis are for the most part marching against Buluwayo, thus shutting off all the roads to the town. The only chance for such settlers as are yet alive is to collect in small parties and try to hold out until the tide turns." "But what about Miss Churton ?" Eric broke in, appealingly. " Something ought to be done at once." "Ay, at once !" echoed the girl's uncle. "God help her if she has fallen into the hands of the Kaffirs ! I must know the best or the worst speedily, or I shall go mad." "T'm coming to that now," said Carter. "Listen, Churton, and give me straight answers. First, are you certain the girl was on the Salisbury coach that passed Blake's store a couple of days ago ?" "No doubt of it, Carter. She was seen by Blake himself." "And by the time the coach reached Lawson's, do you suppose the rising was known there ?" "Yes, certainly ; it must ~-have been." j "Good ! Now: for the next question. Do you consider Lawson's store safe ?" "The chances are all that way," replied Churton. "It was a strong place, and could muster eight or ! ten fighting men." I "Then the situation looks more j hopeful than I expected," exclaimed j Carter. "Here's my argument, ' Churton. The girl gets to Law- ' sou's store all right. They know of the outbreak, and won't let her I come on home. And that's where ' you'll find her, in a place too well j fortified and guarded to have been i taken by the Matabele." j "God bless you !" cried Humphrey. | Churton. "I believe you are right. ' I must have lost my head not to ' think of these things before. Yes, there is hope for Doris." I Hope for Doris ! The words echoed with a good refrain in Eric's ! ear. The relief was so great that he caught Phil's two hands and wrung them heartily, and all seemed to agree with Carter—there was not a dissenting or doubting voice. "And now for Lawson's, good friends," cried Humphrey Churton, rising to his feet and taking his 'rifle. : "Yes, we'll be ofT as soon as "possible," said Carter, "and the best • of it is that I don't look for much trouble in getting there. Tf the Kailirs have headed for Buluwayo, ' the bush track to the north will likely be open and safe." A scene of bustle and excitement now ensued ; nor was haste permitted to interfere with proper preparations. A huge pot of coffee was I reweil and 'drunk, and a small supply of rations was served to each man. Ammunition was handed out, and rifles and revolvers were inspected and loaded. The horses were led from the enclosure to the front of the house, and Shurlock mounted and rode away to make a circuit of the plantation. (To be Continued).