(Copyright.) ERIC DACRES:

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 September 1914, Page 7

(Copyright.) ERIC DACRES:

By "William Murray Graydon, i Author of 'Under the White Terror/ ■'In the Name of the Czar/ Etc., Etc.

A Romantic Story of Adventure during the Wiatabeie War,

PART 9. CHAPTER XX. A NIGHT IN THE BUSH. i In low tones, and with a resolute calmness that surprised Eric, the <;irl related her experience. There ; is no need to set it down in de- ! tail. She had hardly left the coach j at Law'son's when trie first tidings j of the rebellion were received, and i of course the men would not per- | mit her to continue her journey ' home. That her uncle was not waiting at the store caused her keen anxiety, which deepened as time j ■as el on without bringing him. j Tins first night and the following Jay closed without alarm or at;ack ; several refugees came in, swelling the number of men to nine. But the next morning appeared a iarge force of Matabele, who began x vigorous assault. The fightingcontinued at intervals until late in i the afternoon, resulting in heavy ! •oss to the enemy and the death of j:e man in the store. Then the Kaffirs temporarily withdrew, as ivas supposed, and after an earnest discussion the defenders decided to avacuate the place and try to reach a larger store ten miles to the north, where they hoped to find a considerable force of settlers in laager. Two strong reasons urged them to the venture. They were unfortunately . cry short of ammunition, and they had overheard some native policemen who were with the Kadirs say that a whole impi of Matabele were marching towards Lawson's. "So we made the start soon after darkness fell," Doris concluded. "The horses were in the storeroom and the men quickly led them out and mounted, Mr. Lawson taking me up in front of him. But the Kaffirs must have been hiding close by all the time, for we were no sooner in the saddle than they swarmed out and attacked us. Oh, it was iwful ! —the shooting and yelling, rhe flying assigais, and the poor men falling from their horses ! I was too frightened to remember clearly, but I knew that some of us had escaped and were in the bush road. Mr. Lawson was leaning heavily on me, and when we had galloped a little further he suddenly pitched out of the saddle, dragging me with him. I was not a bit hurt, and as soon as I got up I saw that the poor man was dead. And I did not even know that he had been shot." '' F hope he will find his reward in heaven," said Eric. "But what did you do then, Doris ?" "Mr. Lawson's horse galloped on," she replied, "and the two men who were ahead of us were out of sight. I ran at once into the bush, and found a hiding-place in some thick grass. I lay there for.l don't knowhow long, trembling with fright, and expecting to be found and killed. I heard the Kaffirs yelling •uid shouting, and saw the light of the burning store. At last all became quiet, and I ventured to creepl towards the road. Then 1 saw you standing by Mr. Lawson's body, and 1 thought I had gone mad. Oh, Eric" He soothed her with kisses, and for a moment she clung convulsively to him, her arms thrown "about his neck. "I am so happy !" she whispered. "There, that is enough. Please lift me up." He did so, putting her gently on her feet. "Can you walk ?" he asked. "Yes, I feel quite strong," she replied. "What are you going to do now ?" "I am thinking," Eric answered. "I don't suppose you know which direction the Kaffirs took when they' left ?" "No ; but they certainly did not come this way, or I should have heard them." "They probably headed for Buluwayo," mused Eric. "They were not the same who attacked our party a couple of hours ago ; that happened before the store was fired." "The Kaffirs have been gone less than an hour," said Doris. "As I thought. You say that the other store that Lawson's party hoped to reach is ten miles to the north ?" "Yes ; it is called Murdoch's." "And does this bush road lead to itr' "I think so," Doris replied. "That's all I want to know," gaid Eric. "You see, the situation is this : It is possible, even likely, that youi- uncle and his friends will be prevented from reaching Lawson's by bodies of Kailirs in between —at least, for the present. And for your own sake I ought to get you to Murdoch's store without delay." "I will do as you wish, dear Eric," the girl answered bravely. "But, oh, my poor uncle." "Don't worry ; Humphrey Churton is safe," assured F-ric. "Now. this is my plan, darling. I will take you as far as the main road, and fijid a good hiding-place for you in the bush. Then I will go and fetch my horse, and if your uncle and 9,nd party, do not turn uu in au-

otiier hour, we will push on to Murdoch's store ; and I am sure men from there will gladly come back to meet our friends." ; Doris highly approved of this course, and they set off at once, prudently keeping in the scrub at one side of the bush-track. Eric halted a few yards short of the main road —he wanted to spare the girl the '. ghastly sights there revealed by the moonlight—and found a snug and safe shelter for her in the heart of I a thick patch of grass. It was the I best thing to do, but he was greatly troubled to have to leave her even for a few moments. "Are you going now ?" Doris asked. "Yes," he replied. "Have no fear J :my darling; I shall return very soon. Don't attempt to move." "You will leave me your pistol?" | "Yes ; and you will lire it as a i danger signal. But 1 am .certain no j foes are about." ! Eric gave her the weapon, kissed I her, and hurried away. All was I quiet as he crossed the main road, and tin; silence runained unbroken when he had circled round the i clearing—where the embers of the j store w. re still red —and was approaching the locality in which he had tied his horse. Danger to himself was not in his mind. lie was uneasy about Doris, and he was tilled with apprehensions for the safety of Humphrey Ohurton and his companions. That I they had not reached Lawson's by this time was a had sign, and he | considered it only too likely that tiny were besieged on the kopje. "As for Mynhart," he reflected, "the poor fellow has almost certainly been waylaid and killed by 'Kaffirs. But I believe Phil and his friends can hold out, and I hope a party from Murdoch's store can be spared to go to their rescue. I won't mention my fears to Doris, though, because" Just then he detected a faint and indistinct sound from some distance ahead. He crept forward as quietly as a cat for a few yards, determined not to be baulked of his purpose as long as there was a chance. He paused, listened, and realised the alarming truth. He heard the whinny of a horse and the harsh voices of Kaffirs talking in whispers. "That settles it !" he said. "The fiends have found the horse, and they expect to do me up when I return for it. Some of them will lie yonder in ambush, and others will likely reconnoitre the bush in the direction of Lawson's." The latter thought alarmed Eric. Perhaps the Kaffirs were even now stealing upon him ! Me retreated far more cautiously, and of necessity more slowly, than he had come. He kept in the bush, yards from the verge of the clearing, and came out on the Buluwayo road some distance from the store. All was quiet behind him as he crossed to the other side and entered the scrub. He quickened his speed, and soon reached the girl's hiding-place. She was safe, and in his joy he clasped her to his arms. 'JI am so glad you have come," she whispered. "But where is the horse ?" Eric explained in a few words. "We must start for Murdoch's at once," he went on. "It will be both useless and perilous to wait for your uncle's party. They are safe —be assured of that—but they have found it impossible to reach Lawson's at present on account of the Kaffirs." "Yes, we will go," said Doris. "The Kaffirs who found your horse may follow us." "1 am not much afraid* of that," declared Eric, though in his heart he was. "What distresses me chiefly is that you must walk. 1 could carry you, but we should lose time —you know the night is slipping by." "Yes, and we must reach Murdoch's before daylight," the brave girl replied. "1 am strong, Eric, and can walk for miles ; and with you to protect me, L do not fear any peril or hardship." A moment later tluy were on the way, threading the low scrub and keeping the bush road always clo.se to them on the right. Eric carried his rifle, and Doris held the revolver in her hand. They spoke but seldom, and then in low whispers. They were in a hostile country, and it was impossible to tell what peril or foes might lurk in the surrounding bush. So they pushed on for hours through the quiet and moonlit night, bravely despising hunger, thirst, and fatigue. Eric had un- [ fortunately lost his small supply of food given him at Ohurton's house. Mile after mile was covered, in spite of the rugged nature of the ground, and nothing was seen or heard of the dreaded Mutabele; i but on the other hand there was no I sign of Murdoch's store, or of any ! settlements. And now a faint grey] streak began to glimmer on the j eastern horizon ; the much-feared i daylight would soon be upon them. Suddenly Doris stepped on a stone that turned under foot. She uttered a little cry of pain, and would have fallen had not Eric caught her. "What is the matter ?'-' he asked, anxiously. "I ha\e sprained my ankle," she replied. "Oh, this is too unfortunate ! What shall we do now, Eric ?" "Can't you walk, darling ?" She made an attempt, and her face turned pale. "[t is impossible," she said. "Then I must carry you," declared Eric. "Don't worry, dear. Murdoch's must be close by ;we will reach it before daylight." .lie ulaced the carl .on the around

and knelt beside her. With trembling fingers, he untied and drew oil her ragged little hoot. The difliculty lie had in doing this, and her stifled moans of pain, satisfied him thai the sprain was a bad one. "Have counigo !" ho whispered. fie strapped his ride across his back, lifted Doris in his arms, and started off. For a quarter of an hour he advanced alone,' the edge of the road, while the light of dawn grew stronger. It was an exquisite delight to I'eil the girl on his breast, to look into her beautiful face, and he scarcely heeded her increasing weight. Suddenly he emerged oh the edge of a considerable clearing, and for an instant both believed they had reached Murdoch's store. But they were quickly undeceived and disappointed. Tin y saw a cluster of small huts, seven in number, and about a hundred yards beyond these ■roue the timbers of a mine shaft. "What can this be '?" exclaimed Eric. "! did not hear the men speak of it. ' -laid Doris. "1 am afraid we ha\ • lost our way." "It is rather a sign that we are i Citr Alur-ioch's store,'' Eric replied. "'At all events, the place seems d. - serted. I think I will have a look about." !le left Doris at the edge of the bush and crept cautiously forward, and what he had expected and feared to find was there. The huts were all empty, and in the spaces surrounding the furthest ones lay the the mutilated bodies of four white men. Some of the miners had probably escaped, and the rest had been murdered by (heir native helpers or by Mutabele. It was evident that the deed had been committed several days before. After a careful inspection of the place, Eric hurried back to Doris, and found her still and white in the grass. She had evidently fainted from fatigue and the pain of her swollen ankle. He had already decided what to do, and, picking the girl up, he bore her to the nearest of the huts. It contained, besides other furniture, a rude but clean couch. On a shelf were a loaf of bread, some dried meat, . and a jug of water. Eric put the girl tenderly on the couch and wet her forehead. He soon had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes open and the colour return to her cheeks. "Where am I '?" she asked, with a faint smile. In one of the huts of the mining I camp," he replied. "We are safe for the present. The Kaffirs raided the place a day or two ago and went away ; it is not likely that any will return.""Then we can remain here until night ?" "I will think over it," said Eric. "The road leads beyond the camp, and I feel sure that Murdoch's store is not far off. When you arc rested a little, we will decide what to do." "Jf, is quite daylight, Eric, is it not "?" "Yes ; but you need have no fear. For the present we are safe—there can be no Kaffirs in the neighbourhood." Eric was by no means sure of the last statement, but he did believe that the hut was quite safe. His | motive in tarrying was twofold: |to consider what step he should j take next, and to give Doris a chance to rest. "Look what 1 have for you," he aflded, showing her the food and the jug of water. Her eyes brightened, and she sat up. „ | "How good you are, Eric !" she whispered. "There is plenty for [ two. Come, breakfast is ready." |He smiled at the jest, and drawing a stool alongside of the couch, he sat down. His rifle lay across his knees. CHAPTER XXI. A RACE FOR LIFE. Never was a meal more enjoyed, though the meat was old and tough and the bread and water stale. When they had eaten, they felt amazingly refreshed and in better spirits, and then they fell to talking —first of their adventures in South Africa, and next of memorable things in Algeria and London. For the time being they forgot all else. The silence of the surrounding bush the loneliness of the little miningcamp, lulled them into false security. Through the open door of the hut the morning air came sweet and cool. "It is like a dream," said Doris, "that we should both be here. And the strangest thing is that neither knew the other was coming. Were you glad when you learned I was in Africa, Eric '}" He turned his head aside. "Cllad ?" he exclaimed hoarsely. "You know I was, Doris. But— but" "But what, Eric f" "I came to Africa to escape from temptation," he replied. " I came prepared to spend years in toil ! and hardship—to win a fortune for ' your sake." I "It was a worthy, motive," Doris whispered, and her voice trembled a I little. "It was the sacrifice of a hero. But you were foolish to rim away, Eric. Oh, can't you underj stand" <He turned round quickly, and his i resolve melted before the light in her eyes. My darling, do you really love me ,so much ?" he cried. Blushing deeply, Doris drew his . face close to hers. "I love you more than I can tell," she whispered. "1 love you with all niv heart, Eric, i.n_y hero ! Dur-

\ ing he ;•-;.■.:;• ■■• < .v.i-e 1 i in'iigiiL of ; you every hour —i wondered how T. j should bear my life in Africa withj out you. Anil now to realise that I the wide sea is not between us ! ! You won't run away from me again, j Eric V" ' • ■■ Never, my darling," he cried. \ ' "Kate is too strong for me—l submit to it. Here, when peace is re- , .stored, shall be our new home. With ' you for wife I can conquer any mis- I fortune." He ,pressed hot pisses on the girl's lips and eyes, and sin: trembled with happiness in his arms. For a few moments they remained thus, in speechless, content, each thinking only of the other ; then Eric gentle released Doris, and rose to his feet. "Your safety must be my first care, darling," he said. "I am afraid we dare not think of spend- , ing the day here. Is yuur ankle any better ?" " Yes, much better," she replied. "I feel scarcely any pain while I am lying down ; but it is impossible for me to walk." "I will carry you," Eric interrupted. "It will be a sweet and easy burden. We will lake the road on the further side of the camp, and I trust it will soon lead us to Murdoch's store. Are you ready ?" "Yes ; but first I want to tell you something, Eric." "What is it, darling?"----"It is about —Fergus Haygarth," Doris continued. " I have been thinking of how you met him in the cave two days ago, and I am sure you will see more of him in the future. For my sake, Eric, beware of that man. Always be on your guard against him. Promise me, dear." There was a ring of earnestness and appeal in her voice, and Eric did not know what to make of it. " You don't like Fergus .Haygarth ?" he asked. " I hate him,"& declared Doris, "and so does my uncle." "Then you must have a reason, darling.-'-' "I have many. I will be plain with you, Eric. I have known Fergus Haygarth for years here in Africa. Three times I have refused to marry him, and the last time was on the steamer in which we came over together. I could not escape him. During the whole voyage he worried me with his hateful attentions." y Eric's face grew ominously dark. "There shall be no more of it," he said. "It is my right now to protect you, Doris. Poor fellow !" he adiied, in a milder tone ; "it is natural that I, who have won your heart, should pity him a little. And he has always seemed to me a generous, open-hearted man. I confess that I like him." "Most men do," said Doris, with an indignant and angry light in her eyes. "He is cunning and crafty; he is a perfect actor. But if you knew Fergus Haygarth as well as 1 know him" She stopped with a little scream. A sudden shadow had darkened the open doorway of the hut, and Eric glanced up to see a sight that nearly froze his- blood—a huge, halfnaked Matabele warrior standing on the threshold ! The fugitives were taken by surprise, and what followed immediately on the discovery could not have been prevented. Like a flash the Kaffir gave a loud yell and dashed inside, an uplifted knob-kerry in his hand. He aimed a blow at Eric— which the latter quickly dodged— and then caught hold of the Englishman's riiie near the st< ck. A brief but furious str iggle now ensued. TKe two scuffled from one side of the little hut to ;.he other, each bent on getUng pos.1- >ssion of the rifle. Doris was sitting upon the couch, trying to take aim with the revolver, but she was afraid for fear of hitting Eric. The Kaffir was the stron :est of the two, and suddenly he foi ed his antagonist against a stool. Eric tripped on this and fell backward, with his foe on top of him. By a tremendous jerk the Kaffir wrested the weapon loose. Then, as he was about to draw back and fire, he saw Doris aiming the pistol at him. In sudden, fright he dodged and bolted through the door, and the yell that followed the sharp report told he was hit. By this .time Eric was on his feet, reckless of bruises. "Plave courage !" he cried, as he snatched the pistol from Doris and dashed out of the hut. He saw the Kaffir half a dozen yards away. The fellow was running towards the nearest bush, shouting at. every leap. He carried i the rifle in his left hand, and his I right arm hung limp and bleeding— which explained why he had not ; stopped to make use of the stolen weapon, Eric aimed and fired, but his hand shook and he missed. The Kaffir | sped on unhurt, and the'next instant with savage cries, six more Kaffirs burst from the bush and advanced to meet their comrade. They apparently had no rifles, but were armed j with assegais and knob-kerries. Eric took careful aim and shot one !of the wreiches. The rest halted, : yelling angrily at the Englishman. | The Kaffir with the broken arm ' 1 gave the rifle to another, who fired ' two bad shot?;. Then all began to 1 advance. ' | | "There is just one chance for us," ', thought Eric. With an awful fear 'at his heart he thrust the revolver I down his belt and dashed into the hut. In a trice he snatched Doris : up in his arms. "We must try to get into the shaft of the mine," lie whispered, hoarsely. "Don't be afraid ; T will save you !"' "Or we will die together." the brave girl said.

" c'.s, together,'' Eric muttered, i With that he was out of the door, and running with his burden in the direction of the distant shaft. He ! heard savage yells, and when he glanced ' behind he saw the Kaffirs '. coming- in hot pursuit. The race that followed taxed Eric's ■ endurance and courage to the ut- ; most. He had to twist in and out ' among the interlying huts, making \ the distance longer. Though Doris J was heavy in his arms, he covered the ground with great strides. | Nearer and nearer came, the blood- j thirsty Kaflirs, till he could hear the ' light patter of their feet. The one ! with the rifle kept firing at intervals, but the'bullets went wide of the mark. On and on, until the mouth of the shaft loomed less than twenty feet ahead. On a board above it was painted the name— Rocky Hill Reef. Eric was almost played out ; his breath came in short gasps. The Kaflirs were very near, and knobkerries and assegais were beginning to fly around him. "God help me !" he muttered, in his despair. He staggered on desperately, hug- i ging the girl tighter to his breast. A knob-kerry struck him a glancing blow on the back of the head, but the pain did not stop him. With a final effort he gained the mouth of the shaft, and vanished with his burden in the friendly but uncertain darkness. CHAPTER XXIT. The entrance to the Rocky Hill Reef was what was called an "incline shaft," descending for one I hundred feet or more at an angle of about forty-five degrees. Down this steep slope Eric plunged at a dangerous pace, clasping Doris tightly in his arms, and throwing- his body backward as much as he could. He realised the risk he was running, but preferred that to giving his enemies a chance of overtaking him. He could hear the Kaffirs shouting and yelling, and twice he was fired at. At first all went well, in spite of the steepness of the shaft and the pitchy darkness. The floor of the incline, which was partly clay and partly stone, had been worn, smooth by the constant treading of thtj miners, and cleared of all obstructions ; so for a time Eric kept his footing, and managed also t-i steor clear of the walls on each side. Thus he advanced for fifty or sixty feet—the distance was covered in almost less time than it takes to tell —and then he suddenly slipped. He tried to hold his balance, and failing in that, he succeeded in falling undermost on the soft clay. At once he began to roll over and over, pressing the girl to his breast, and by a clever use of his heels he finally steered himself against one of the side walls. "Are you hurt, dearest ?" he asked eagerly. "No, not a bit," Doris replied, in a faint voice. "Thank Heaven for that !" Eric whispered. He ,gave no thought to his own injuries, which consisted of several bruises and a Ing lump on the back of his head caused by the blow from the knob-kerry. Fie rose to his feet, lifting the girl up also, and glanced towards the mouth of the shaft. A semi-circular patch of white light was visible, but no Kaffirs were outlined against it, and not a sound could be heard. "Have they really gone '?" Doris asked. "It looks that way," said Eric,; "but we can't be sure yet. Come, we must get down into the mine and find a hiding-place there." "I can walk, Eric." "No, you can't—not with a sprained ankle." He picked her up gently and crept on down the shaft, feeling his way along the wall with one hand. He had gone but a few yards when he I discovered a sido passage cut at right angles to the incline, and on the impulse of the moment he turned into it. He advanced several feet and then placed his burden on the ground. "Plave we reached the bottom ?" Doris' questioned. "Xot yet," Eric replied. Knowing that he was off the main shaft, he took a box of wax vestas from his pocket 'and lit one, and as the yellow light flamed up , the fugitives saw the surroundings clearly. j They were, as Eric had correctly judged, in a vertical shaft. For some reason the cutting had been ; abandoned at the depth of a dozen \ feet ; but the roof was fairly high, i and the ragged walls of stone were [ a couple of yards apart. Close to the rear wall lay a heap of loose , rocks, behind which was a recess sufliciently large to shelter two per- j sons. j Doris held a second vesta while \ Eric loaded the empty chambers of , his revolver. The listened for sev- \ eral moments, but the silence was '■ still unbroken. Then looking at I each other, they were almost tempted to smile. Both were thickly crusted with dirt, their faces only having escaped contact with the soil. The little flame suddanly expired, and a. chilling and oppressive dark-iie=-3 blotted out everything. Eric ' knelt lo.sidc Doris, and drawing 'nri- to luiu he kissed he^ repeatedly. With a sigh of contentment the girl nestled in his arms. "I fear nothing- with you to protect me," she whispered. "How brave and noble you are, Eric ! And you have saved my life so many times ! Do you think we are safe now '?" (To b*> CoutiuueU.)