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CHAPTER XIL
A BOUGH ioenSBY.
Jt Was near the end of January—of
all months the most agreeable In Cey¬
lon; the evening was so soft and fra¬
grant; the air seemed to have been
poured down from some purer sphere,
wafting with it songs of rich melody
and scents of tropical flowers.
A long, covered sampan or canoe,
prepared with cushions and mats and
propelled by the broad paddles of three
lusty Malays; Is making headway
against the sluggish stream of the
Quala river. In the stern of the boat
sit two Europeans, dressed in the light
costume of Colombo merchants aix!
wearing white pith helmets with a
screen of muslin hanging a quarter of a
yard down their backs.
Their light and well-manned boat
goes boldly up the stream, skillfully
avoiding the huge trunks of trees which
in this time of the year abound in all
the rivers of Ceylon.
Many a curious sight these adventur¬
ers see as they wend their way. Now
the banks are covered with thick
jungle of thorny brambles, tall cacti,
bamboos and the gigantic creeping
plant, which the sailors appropriately
call jungle-rope, growing in intricate
recesses which are teeming with wild
animals and noxious reptiles, and again
the tall palms wave their feathery tops
in solemn grandeur.
Every now and then they meet some
other sampan, downward bound, pad
died by a bare-backed Malay, with per¬
haps some Cingalese potentate, clad in
a long white robe and with a huge
tomb in his hair, who Is Kis returning to
the city after a visit to plantation.
Darkness comes on, but it does not
impede them, for they have not started
till the heat of the day was spent, so
one of the natives lights a ehule, or torch,
and Axes it in the bow of the boat,
while presently the moon will come
forth in all its tropical glory.
• Thus the night was passed, and
morning saw those tireless paddlers
bending thoir tawny backs to their
tfcsk. But when the sun rose in un¬
clouded splendor they moored their
•ampan under the spreading boughs of
a bread-fruit tree, and, after a hasty
meal, filled their mouths with the
blood-red betel nut and flung them¬
selves down to sleep the torpid slumber
ot the weary.
How hot it wasl
Not a breath of air was stirring
amidst the dense mass of vegetation; not
a twig nor leaf fluttered; the long
white paddy stalks, or wild rlcc,
glittered and sparkled in their watery
resting pieces as though they were
fashioned in burnished silver, The
buffalos had betaken themselves to
their watering places. The birds were
evidently worn out, for they were no¬
where to be seen; the beetles crawled
feebly over the cooler shrubs, but they
could not anmmon energy to get up a
single hum or buzz; and even the ants
dropped their lilllputian loads.
The Europeans could not sleep. A
abort, stertorous, feverish unconscious¬
ness was their apology for slumber,
and before the first hour ot repose was
passed, they rose from their reclining
position, yawned wearily, and looked
with envious eyes at their humbler
companions, happy in the sweet
oblivion of dreamless rest.
“By Jove, Campignon,” said the
younger of the two. “What an accursed
climate! After the delicious coolness
of last evening, this reeking heat is
doubly stifling. It is like stepping from
Paradise into Hades.”
“And what do you think it will be
when we get further away from the
aea shore and the nights will be more
aultry than the days. Mr. Dunbar?”
the elder replied, lighting a cigarette
with provoking nonchalance.
“I must bear it, I suppose."
i “If you can; but you have seen noth¬
ing of the roughness of the trip yet.
In twenty miles more we shall be in
the wilderness, and then look out for
pqualls."
“You are a Job’s comforter, certain¬
ly," Dunbar replied; “but sufficient for
the day is the evil thereof. By the bye,
we cannot be far away from the vil¬
lage where we were to lay in our sup¬
plies, and get our Inst chance of infor¬
mation from the headman."
“It lies just beyond the bend of the
river, not two miles away,” was the re¬
ply. “Were you thinking of going to
•ee the headman while these poor beg¬
gars take their siesta?”
“I confess I was," Dunbar said; “if
yon thought you had sufficient know¬
ledge of the language to conduct the
business; for I guess there are shade
trees all the way, and sitting .broiling
in this stifling atmosphere is simply
maddening.”
“Oh, I guess the old fellow knows a
little English, and my small acquaint¬
ance with the Cingalese will carry ua
through. Sling your gun over your
arm, Mr. Dunbar, and let as start.”
It was not difficult Aw them to find
the hut of the korale, or headman. In
the midst of the thick foliage it looked
like a huge wart on the rich vegetation.
Coffee, banana, cotton and pawpaw
shrubs grew in wild profusion around
It, though it had, literally speaking, no
garden.
Passing through the crazy dried-up doorway
they found an elderly, man
nearly asleep on a hammock made of
{ijjsrs, s flirty, jopj-frntllly pld
*' ----
rascal witn smart beacl-Xlke eyes
glittered with cunning like a serpent’*
Nevertheless he was a great man in hla
community, reaping where he had not
sown, and preying like a vampire on the
poverty-stricken people by whom he
was surrounded. Serfs tracked him
wherever he went; one held a talipot -
leaf over him in his walks; another car¬
ried his stick of office, and a third beat
off the mosquitoes with a switch. At
present he was unattended, save by a
half-naked peon who fanned him with
a punkah.
He was clad In barbaric pomp, yet
reeked in filth, and swelled with Im¬
portance in a balloon-shaped kandyan
hat, a flowing robe and loose jacket and
the usual muslin scarf. As the
strangers entered, the korale sprang
from his hammock, with an agility be¬
yond his years, and began to salaam In
the most approved Cingalese style: bat
Campignon, who had made his acquaint¬
ance in his trading trips up the Quagla,
in a few stern words put a stop to his
capering ceremony. dried and
Could they have fruit, meats
bread? Of course they could; was not
all in the village'at the disposal of the
white lords, on whom might the light
of Buddha rest!
When the commissariat question had
been happily settled, and orders had
been given to the villagers to carry pro¬
visions to the sampan, excellent che¬
roots were lighted, and Campignon be¬
gan to pump Information from the
korale concerning the party who had
conveyed Sir Barry Grahame up the
river.
For many minutes they talked in a
dialect utterly incomprehensible to
Arthur Duubar, and supplemented with
many grotesque gesticulations; but tlie
conference was evidently unsatisfuc
■e
(j
r/
(
ij a
Li
d
A DIRTY, FOUL-SMELLING OLD RASCAL.
to Campignon, for he suddenly turned
to Arthur and said, petulantly:
“We must grease the old villain’s
palms; he cither knows nothing, or will
say nothing.”
“Promise him anything yon like,”
was the prompt accession.
In a moment Campignon jingled a
handful of rupees before the old man’s
eyes.
Then followed a torrent of ejacula¬
tions, little less unintelligible than the
chattering of a baboon. But the wily
Frenchman extracted a meaulng from
the flood of sound.
“The old sinner bites at the bait, but
Insists on having a hundred rupees, as
he very naively says the other party
have promised him that if he holds his
tongue. What say you?”
“Accede to any terms.”
The information given by the korale
was well worth the investment.
He said that six months ago two large
sampans passed up the river, contain¬
ing three Europeans and eleven Malays;
that one of the white men was deathly
sick; that he recognized the natives as
swamp-dwellers, a tribe of great feroc¬
ity who inhabited a tract of country
two hundred miles up tho river, and
chiefly lived by piracy and acts of
plunder; that the white men told him
they were going to live on an island un¬
der protection of the chief of these peo¬
ple; and that to reach it they must pass
through the country of the Rock Ved
dahs.
“The Rock Veddahs! Who are they?”
Arthur asked, when Campignon was re¬
lating these details.
“Did you never hear of the Rock Ved¬
dahs?” the Frenchman queried. "Then
you have yet to be introduced to
the lowest type of humanity, to whom
the Bosjesmen of southern Africa are
polished gentlemen by comparison.
They arc indeed a race of wild men.
"They are a dangerous, wicked race,
and we have to go right through the
heart of their country."
“8t\U if others have done it I suppose
we can," Arthur said, with determina¬
tion.
“You allude to George Archer and
his accomplices, but you forget that
they are under the protection of the
swamp-dwellers, who are, I expect, too
powerful neighbors for the Veddahs to
exasperate."
“If yon are afraid,” Dunbar said,
testily, "say so, man, and turn back.
As for me, I shall reach Sir Harry Gra¬
hame, or die in the effort.”
"And I shall stick with yon tothe
last, sir. When Francois Campignon
signs articles, he means to hold to them
as long as he can.”
“And yon shall not regret your cour
*ge and honesty," Dunbar said, warmly.
rssched the clatter ef Xxttt
Under* wKd*e shade they had left their
sampan, they found a crowd of na¬
tives, who had brought every conceiva¬
ble kind of meat and fresh fruit for
their selection, some even the charms
to warn off devils and evil spirits
which they urgently pressed them to
purchase. But a sampan, light and
buoyant as it is, is only a boat after all,
and its gunwale was soon weighed
down dangerously near the water, so
the order was given to loosen the
painter and cast off into the stream,
notwithstanding the Babel of chatter¬
ing remonstrance from the disappoint¬
ed villagers whose wares had been
brought in vain. Already the broad
backs of the Malays had bent to their
work, when loud cries from the direc¬
tion of the village were heard, and they
saw the korale’s fat body, wabbling to
and fro like a Dutch lugger in a storm,
as ho came on a run, with one peon
holding a huge umbrella over his head,
and another pushing him along in a not
very dignified manner.
“Hold hard!" Dunbar cried, and the
men, obeying his gesture, rather than
his voice, once more swung the nose of
the boat into the bank.
When the paunchy official could suffi¬
ciently recover breath to speak, he an¬
nounced that he had the most important
tidings for the Europeans, which he
would communicate for a consideration.
So consequently Campignon sprang
ashore .and retired with him to a cluster
of trees. A few whispered words
seemed to satisfy the Frenchman, for
he handed over the money, and Dunbar
noticed that his face grew very grave
as the conference proceeded.
“The old reprobate,” he said, as he
took his place in the boat and gave
orders tothe men to cast off, “has added
a little piece of intelligence which it
was lucky we waited for, for fore¬
warned is forearmed, and we’ve got to
look out for squalls.”
r Ah, what now?”
: Why, you see, It appears that yes¬
terday a European passed up the river
In a light sampan propelled by two
strong paddlers. He stopped at the
village just long enough to get provis¬
ions and promise the korale twenty
rupees on his return if he would delay
the passage of any other of his country¬
men who might make the attempt to
penetrate into the interior. He said
distinctly that two men would do so, and
described our appearance so minutely,
that there is no doubt but that he al¬
luded to us.”
“Yet,” Dunbar interposed, “that
seems impossible; for not a soul knew
where we were going when we left
London—not even Miss Grahame.”
“Nevertheless, I believe the secret
has leaked out, and that we shall r—
gret the three weeks we lost at the
cape and our month's delay at Colom¬
bo,” Campignon insisted.
“Well, we cannot reproach ourselves
with that, for we were told that the
river was Impassable till the floods sub¬
sided," Dunbar said, a little vexed, for
the Frenchman’s manner seemed to im¬
pute carelessness on his part.
“Granted; it may be a misfortune and
not a fault, but If some enemy is taking
the wind out of our sails we must be on
the alert.”
“We must catch up with him at any
cost,” Dunbar cried, excitedly.
“As well set a cow b; ehs.se a grey¬
hound os expect us to . ertake that
light-heeled customer, who carries little
or nothing with him.”
"He must have provisions like we
have,” Arthur argued.
"Yet he bought but little at the vil¬
lage yonder, Mr. Dunbar. No, you may
depend upon it that there is some hid¬
den place of supply in the wilderness
provided for just 6uch an emergency.
If it were not so he dared not make the
tourney. Think of itt Nearly two
hundred miles of jungle and forests so
interwoven with brush and prickly
plants that you could not get two miles
from the bank in a day’s march. No,
no, you may depend on it there Is some
half-way place of supply; perhaps up a
creek, where none would suspect it.
Say, sir, are you man enough to risk
the danger of flinging overboard half
our supplies, and take your spell at a
paddle for six hours ont of the twenty
four? Don’t answer in a hurry—think
of it a bit—it means going on half ra¬
tions and straining yourself pretty se¬
verely, facing perhaps death and very
surely sickness, for the fever is pretty
certain to get hold of you if you over¬
exert yourself.”
"All this I will gladly do,” Arthur
said, resolutely; "but how about these
poor Malays? It Is hardly fair to ask
them to share dangers they never con¬
tracted to endure.”
"Give them double pay, sir, and they
would face the devil himself; for there
is nothing a Cingalese will not do for
monoy.”
“Then so be it; only make them quite
understand their contract.”
So Campignon explained to the brawny
fellows what they wanted of them,
adding, too, on his own account that
Dunbar was a great American prince,
whose generosity knew no bounds, and
who would reward them when they
reached Colombo in a manner beyond
their wildest expectations, and indeed
he was not very far exceeding his in¬
structions as the sequel will prove. But
the most intelligent of the Malays ob¬
jected to the immediate abandonment
of the provisions, insisting that they
should carry them for fifty miles into
the interior, where they could hide
them in the trunk of some rotton tree,
as tor that distance the stream was very
slow, and in case of need they might be
reached. This reasonable amendment
was adopted, and a little later the two
Europeans took their places at the
paddles, tolling manfully during the
long hours of the night, and managing
matters so that the boat was iq motion
for eighteen "hours out of the twenty
faaiEk
(TO BE CONTINUED.) IPgPF
Children Cry for Pitcher 1 ! Cetterhu
I EGAL ADYEBTISEMENTS.
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
All person^ having demands against
the estate of S. H. destased, Anderson, late of
Rockdale county, deu are ands hereby
notified to render in their to
the undersigned according to law; and
all persons interested to said estate are
required This May to make immediate payment.
4th, 1892.
John H. Almand,
Admr.
S. H. Anderson, deceased.
LETTERS ADMINISTRATION.
CITATION TO SELL LAND.
OEORGGIA, Rockdale county.
To All Whom It may concern:
"Whereas W. T. Husod, adn inistrotor
of Mrs. Ann T. Aycock, late of said
county, deceased, has in due form ap¬
plied to the undersigned for leave to sell
the lands belonging to the estate of eid
deseased, and said application wills be
heard on the first Monday O. in Seamans, June, 1892.
fo-t. Ordinary
GEORGIA ROCKDALE CO.
To All Whom It May Concern :
Whereas J. O. Barton, has in due form,
applied to the court of Ordinary for li ¬
ters of administration on the estate i i
Mr. N. A. Carr, late of said county, de¬
seased, and I will pass Monday upon said appli June, ¬
cation on the first in
1892. O. Seamans,
fo-t. Ordinary.
CITATION FOR DISMISSION
GEORGIA, Rockdale County.
Whereas J. S. Granade, Administra¬
tor of the Estate of H. J. Granade. rep¬
resents to the court in his petition duely
filed and entered on record that he has
fully Administered H. J. Granade’s Es¬
tate, this is therefore to cite all persons,
kindred and creditors, to show cause, if
any they can, why said Administrator
should ministration not be and discharged Letters’of from the Dis¬ Ad¬
receive
mission on the first Seamans, Monday in July, 1892
3—m. O. Ordinary.
CONTRACT TO BUILD PILLARS.
SEND IN YOUR BIES.
Will be let to the lowest bidder on the
6th. day of June, 1892, the at 10 pillars o’clock a
m, the building of rock at the
Me sealed Knight bridge place and on fcouth bid wdl river,
by received and proposals, considered no unless be
it is
handed in sealed up. I reserve the right
to reject any bid or all of the bids if I
choose to do so. And it is understood
that who ever takes the contract will be
required ity to give a bond with hundred good dollars secur¬
in the sum of fifteen
(if1.500) for the full and purfect perfor¬
mance of the work to be done on and in
b aiding said pillars. This May 4th
1892. O. Seamans,
fo t. Ordinary.
110 USE FOR SALE.
side A good of the five railroad, room house Oakland cn the South
near Sem¬
inary, known as the Hale house is offer¬
ed for sale by Mr. J, J. Langford ad¬
ministrator of the estate of J. W*
I.angford, deceased. If you want a
nice quiet home cheap, call on him at
Almand & Langford store, Conyers Ga.
He has also a fine, new double seated
buggy for sale at a bargain, Call and
see it.
SOVES, TINWARE, ETC.
BUY AT HOME!
If you want a Cook Stove o
any kind of Tinware,
-GOTO
if
They buy direct from
actory and by buying from
them you save the Middle
Man’s profit. They make
Tinware and guarantee it. By
patronizing them you help to
Mi q dm Industry
You can get of them all kinds
of repairs hu* stoves; if not in
stock will order them direct
for you from factory.
They keep also
Engiae Repairs l Eta
Piping, and will sell at as low
prices as Atlanta.
"W e do our own work which
enables us to sell lower than
those who pay clerk hire,
Come and see us is all we
ask.
Respectfully,
JOHNSON & ALMAND.
MUNcisSees%^ W• ftmtish IV. Kart yea. Sa n*. Too "voM
rour iwn m**m*ii»*, or ail your timt to tha work. »*»■
•ntin*If bernnar* new aadgiod ..min* bring* from Ui sronderfWI to •*© •ocerta P"?"*™***??]?* to •^J™***
*r- ftmiiah to* am.
and mora a tittl* axrerienee. lutK. W* e*n yo*»
pl.-ment aoJ la«b ray >o aroa. to
ts farm few •***. T"*’'
MILES & STIFF
H 1 G H G >
I 1 A DE Px A v Os
AND ORGANS
21 MARETTA, and 28, 30 AND 32 N b Road
ATLANTA, sr;
....
' GEO!
-r—fc?>w
Messrs. Miles & Stiff show in their magnitcei, J
lor by far the complete Pi **
most and best line of Pi™
gans to be found in the South, consisting 0 f such
nd time-tried instruments well
a as the’
HAZELTON BROS, EEHR BROS.. JAMES U. J
’
A. B. CLOSE, PEASE & CO,
And the celebrated Packard Organs.
Those contemplating the purchase of a piano or
invited ‘nvestigate both the orga
to quality of the instrument?
price, and terms and it it will be found that their price
fully 20 per cent, lower, the lasting and tonal qualities i
ered, that are offered by any other first-class house. 1
cost nothing to investigate this, and may be the means o;
ing $25.00 or 50 dollars, ;
MILES & STIFF,
2i MARIETTA AND 28, 30 AND 32 N. BROAD STR]
ATLANTA, GE l
~ »2&.
R. L. GTJRPIN, Representat
CONYERS, GEC
DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, Cl.OTHING ECT.
WW/WA/WW
NQW FOR 1892
H.lrqqnd Langfo
c=vf=^. ~
— CARRY A FINE LINE OF—
GENERAL MDSE
They return thanks to their many customers of thi
andean say to them that they are prepared Call to aga
good goods on goods terms. an see
you
i—’(BSaf.
Almand & Langford, Conyers,
MILLINERY. //A'vAV/
Miss Emma ffil / i
HAS A BEAUTIFUL STOCK OF NEW MILLNEBf
Embracing everything that is wanted '
children or infants. Beautiful line ot Eats, cap ; P
trimmings ribbons, ’ ^
ers and all other kinds of ; anything' w » the ro
velveteens etc, etc. "When you want #
line call on her and you can get tie re west a
lowest prices. STREET,.............. CONTE®
CENTER
PIANOS fcC.
BEST ORGANS AND PIANI
Fo Easiest Payments
thrirftmtmiOrgam^KanoVfoMhree offer to rent_8D
monfe S'“
of to te
persou hiring full opportunity does not longer - t \[ b‘
home, and return if he am0 uDtM
ties to hire it until the agregate of rentpai
price of the instrument it becomes h with => P j et prices. P fH J
er payment. Illustrated Catalogues, con
MASON & HAMLIN ORGAN NEW* YORK. AND PI ^ ag0
BGSTCN.
^sgsm
AMOS WARD, Rres t •i
