Robert W. Woodruff
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EMORY UNIVERSITY
Special Collections & Archives
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
A thrilling story of love and adventure from a European
castle through the West African jungle, disclosing a deep
insight into the quality and spiritual influence of
African social institutions and conditions, and
revealing a profound psyschic interpretation
of African inner life, all clustered about
the mysterious function and signifi¬
cance of the Leopard's Claw,
By
GEORGE Wf ELLIS, K.C., F.R.G.S.,
Ten years Secretary and Charge of the Legation of the
United States to the Republic of Liberia, West Africa,
Author of Negro Culture in West Africa, The Negro
in Social Progress, Dynamic Factors in the
Liberian Situation, etc., arid Contributing
Editor of the Journal of Race Develop¬
ment, Clark University, Worcester,
Massachusetts.
INTERNATIONAL AUTHORS' ASSOCIATION
NEW YORK
Copyright, 1917 by
George W. Ellis
My fainting soul doth yearn
For thy green hills afar;
So let thy mercy burn—
My greater, guiding star.
Paul Laurence Dunbar.
TO
CLAVENDER SHERMAN ELLIS
A versatile and promising writer of short stories, whose
special knowledge of African life and conditions, whose un¬
faltering fealty and fidelity to the cause of presenting the
African before the world as he really is, and because of whose
rare devotion to truth and letters she was a constant source
of inspiration and help, this volume is respectfully dedicated.
PUBLISHERS' FOREWORD
We have, as publishers, a sincere pleasure and
satisfaction in presenting to the great reading public,
this thrilling story of the "Leopard's Claw" by -Mr.
George W. Ellis. It is a story of true mystery ancf
adventure, in which is interwoven several charming
phases of the gentle passion of love set in different
parts of the globe, ranging from picturesque by-ways
of the English countryside to the wild and lawless
interiors of Africa. The descriptions and character-
drazving are done by one familiar with not only the
places and persons concerned but with human actions
and motives and with an eye to the exciting in
fiction that betrays one long versed in the art of
story-telling. We get in the last chapters a glimpse
of the great ivar just about to spread its heavy pall
over the world. All in all it is one of the best nar¬
rations on which we have ever placed our imprint
and we feel sure the great reading public will heart¬
ily and instantly respond to the fascinations of the
tale.
THE PUBLISHERS.
New York, April, 1918.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
CHAPTER I
DUBLfiY CASTLE
In the county of Worcestershire, Dubley Castle stands
uopn a high eminence overlooking Petting Hill, the great
industrial center of coal mining, iron and electrical works.
Built in the twelfth century, the old feudal castle is sur¬
rounded by high walls, containing port' holes for guris
as in feudal times. The castle'and the surrounding" works
are the property of" his Lordship, the Earl of Dubley, one
of the wealthiest nobleman of the realm.
In the library of this ancient' castle, the Earl sat in
a large arm-chair before an open grate fire although it
was a bright summer morning. For many years'he had
suffered with chronic gout. His infirmity, together with
the loss of' his young" wife in" early life, had rather in¬
creased his choleric and stern disposition. Of middle size
in height and a tendency to stoutness; a clean shaven face
showing his firm and stubborn lips and chin, his Lordship
looked to 'be'about three score"and ten.
His two sons, Harold, now the Earl of Montroy, and
the' Honorable Oliver1 Monchrief, were trained under his
stern discipline.
Lord Montroy, a man of about 35, had made a very
satisfactory settlement when" he married into a very
wealthy but newly made aristocratic family according to
the plans of his father. His light mustache covered
5
6
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
the weak lips inherited from his mother, which represented
a desire for peace at personal sacrifice rather than coward¬
ice. His admiration and love for his young brother had
remained unshaken ever since he assumed an almost
parental relationship in Oliver's early childhood.
Possessed of his father's obstinacy, Oliver was continu¬
ally in friction with the Earl, his father, and Lord Mont-
roy was the invariable peacemaker between the two.
This morning the Earl of Dubley's features expressed
impatience as he frequently looked thru the windows out
upon the road leading to the castle. Finally, he struck
upon the floor with his heavy cane, which leaned against
a nearby desk. Peter, his favorite old valet, in uniform,
stoop shouldered and about 60 years of age, entered si¬
lently and awaited his lordship's pleasure.
"Say to the Honorable Oliver Montcrief that I desire his
presence immediately."
"Yes, my lord." After the valet retired, the Earl
frowned impatiently while he listened for his son's ap¬
proach. But Peter returning, said: "My Lord, the Honor¬
able Oliver did not sleep within the castle last evening,
and he cannot be found."
Just then an automobile drove up the side driveway.
Lord Dubley turned his head and saw, thru the window,
a dark complexioned young man, of about five feet seven
inches, clean shaven, showing a determined contour about
the chin and lips, driving the machine. Five minutes
later he entered the room hurriedly, "Good morning,
father. I hope that you are not suffering from the gout
this morning."
"Sit down," the earl commanded. "I am not suffer¬
ing very much, thank you. But where were you last
evening and this morning?"
"I slept in London last night, father."
"In London? I see that you need to settle down. The
castle has been too long without a mistress. When are
you going to announce your engagement to Lady Cliff?
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
7
I want the matter settled very soon," the Earl announced.
Oliver turned in his chair uneasily, then he arose and
approached his father appealingly. "Father, that can
never be. I am already married to Miss Eva Ennis, the
daughter of squire Ennis, of Stonehenge County, Wilt¬
shire. We were married last evening, and I have come
to ask your iorgiveness and blessing."
Lord Dubley leaped from his seat and shaking his fist,
he exclaimed: "Oliver Montcrief, have you really married
the daughter of that pauper squire of Stonehenge? You
will never have a farthing from me to support that
family."
"But father, Eva is from a very aristocratic family,
and "
"Go away and never return to this castle! Oliver!
»
As he struck the table a violent blow, the gout seized
the old Earl. So he dropped into the chair and grabbed
his right foot with one hand as he shook his fist at Oliver
with the other. Oliver rushed to his rescue, but pushing him
away, the Earl pointed his finger and exclaimed: "Oliver
Montcrief, you are no longer my son. Go!"
Oliver turned and started away, but turned, as he
reached the door, and made a last appeal to his father for
forgiveness and his blessing. But the Earl was obdurate
and ordered Oliver to begone. So Oliver directed his
chauffeur to drive to Montroy castle, in the Scottish moor¬
lands.
CHAPTER II
young montcrief seeks aid of brother
Driving through vales and over hills, crossing rivulets
and creeks, over well constructed bridges, they crossed
Northumberland and reached Montroy castle.
8
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
The castle is a conspicuously well built structure of
sixteenth century Gothic architecture, towering above the
peak of a northern cliff. Viewing it from the main en¬
trance, one sees the portico of huge marble columns of
fifteen or sixteen feet high, and twenty by twenty feet
square, and the flat roof of which is covered with lead.
The three roofs of the main building, about fifty feet
high, are covered with tiles. The whole is surrounded by
a semi-circular wall, ten feet high, of brick, which meets
a segment of iron rails.
Oliver drove up to the castle as the sun disappeared
behind the distant hills. The cool summer breeze wafted
the melodiously sweet musical interpretation of "Scots
who hae wi' Wallace bled, Scots wha Bruce has often led,"
rendered by Lord Montroy's Scottish band, picturesquely
attired in kilts or plaid "petticoats, playing upon the bag¬
pipes in the grand pavilion on the side lawn.
Upon entering the grounds he found Lord Montroy
holding the hand of Georgiana, his five-year-old daughter,
as they fed the animals of the menageries in his Lordship's
park. After a warm greeting Lord Montroy detected
that Oliver's errand was more than an ordinary visit.
He bade Georgiana feed the mongoose as he and the
uncle left for the castle. When they were seated in his
Lordship's private office, Lord Montroy inquired in his
affectionate manner under what new difficulty was Oliver
laboring.
"Harold, old boy," Oliver exclaimed, "I am in a bally
tight corner this time. Dad has turned me out penniless."
He then related the circumstances of his marriage and
paternal denouncement, to which Lord Montroy listened
sympathetically.
"Where have you left your wife?" Lord Montroy asked,
after he had heard the account.
"She is still with her parents, Harold, old chap. Ex¬
pecting something like this, we precipitated the marriage
before consulting you, for which I pray your forgiveness.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
9
We would like to have enough to go to some other coun¬
try, say to Alaska, out in the American wilds, or Australia.
Eva loves the country and we both have decided to try
our fortunes in some foreign land, until father relents.
If you can manage to help us get a start, old fellow, we
will be very grateful."
Lord Montroy tried to discourage the idea of leaving
England and promised to act as mediator. He also placed
his country seat at Roxborough at Oliver's disposal.
Thanking him^ Oliver promised to remove his wife to Rox¬
borough villa, with the understanding, that Lord Montroy
would use his influence to obtain a colonial appointment
from the British Colonial Office in case the Earl of Dubley
refused reconciliation.
Parting from Lord Montroy in a happier frame of
mind, Oliver rode through the evening shadows, into the
English frontier.
Early the next morning, driving down a long country
lane, they approached a large old brick mansion, the right
wing of which seemed to be a recent addition, while the
ivy vines covering the main structure partly obscured the
ravages of time. A gravel walk, the side of which was
bordered with beautiful flowered hedges, led to the front
entrance of the building.
A siender girl in white, reveling in the glow of health
and sunshine, ran down the walk with cheeks which ri¬
valed the nearby primroses. Her heavy waves of dark
brown hair, escaping their confinement, blew about her
face in curls, causing her conspicuously to display the
little gold circle upon her third finger as she tried to
brush away the mischievous curls.
Oliver stopped, the automobile, leaped < out and, ran
to meet her. Folding her in his arms she inquired about
their fate. They remained at the mansion until the late
afternoon, when with the last au revoir over they returned
to the automobile and drove away as the twilight en¬
shrouded the surrounding scenery.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
! After Oliver's departure Lord Montroy entered his wife's
boudoir. Lady Montroy, sitting in a graceful pose, upon
1 his entrance looked up from the book which she was read¬
ing. A blonde of medium height, she looked to be not
over thirty. Her haughty bearing marred the soft lines
of a very handsome face, sometimes causing her to appear
comical with her rather rotundant appearance.
Lord Montroy seated himself in an armchair opposite
and related his brother's marriage. "You will do me a
great favor, my dear," he ended, "by accompanying me
to-morrow and making Eva feel welcome."
"Never," she exclaimed, "I shall not visit the bankrupt
squire's daughter. Oliver might have married Lady
Cliff, who is related to the duchess of Roxborough and
would have acted as sponsor for our Georgiana when she
makes her debut."
"My dear, you must remember that Eva Ennis comes
from a very old and aristocratic family even if they are
poor," Lord Montroy replied, as he left the room.
He ordered his limousine, and directed the chauffeur
to drive to Dubley castle. He found the old Earl still
obdurate, and after several futile attempts to reopen the
subject of his brother's marriage, he retired in a very
crestfallen state. Leaving Dubley castle early the next
morning, Lord Montroy took the train for London.
CHAPTER III
lord montroy meets an old friend
At the St. Pancras station, he hailed a cab and drove
down Russell Square, down the Strand, crossed over to the
Thames embankment down to Westminster, where he
entered the St. Stephen's Club. Seeking one of the de¬
serted writing rooms he sat in a pensive mood, when a
short, thick built man, with rounded shoulders and a
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
ii
brisk movement, approached him. Lord Montroy recog¬
nized in the tanned features and stubby brownish red
hair upon the low forehead, William Servier, an old
classmate and close friend.
After a hearty greeting and reminiscences, Mr. Servier
described his recent African tour of business inspection
and mentioned that his errand in London was to secure
a manager for one of his West African branch business
houses at Freetown, Sierra Leone.
"What about the climate, William? That part of
Africa is called the white man's grave," Lord Montroy
remarked.
"The health of Sierra Leone has been very greatly im¬
proved since our Colonial Office sent Sir Matthew Nathan
as governor. Sir Matthew being a splendid engineer has
put it in a state of sanitation that is almost incredible
to believe, with a population of over 45,000, 15,000 of
which are white, the death rate being perfectly normal
when compared with European cities of that size.
"The electric lights and water supply with the Euro¬
pean colony make living quite decent and endurable for
an Englishman," Mr. Servier replied.
"What emoluments are paid your manager," Lord Mont¬
roy next inquired.
"This particular vacancy pays £500 ($2500), house
rent and all perquisites free, with an opportunity to make
a commission if the manager is worthy and works the
business above a certain paying dividend."
Lord Montroy then related his brother's hasty marriage
and desire to go to the colonies or some foreign country.
Mr. Servier expressed his great pleasure in offering the
berth to the brother of his friend, and urged Lord Mont¬
roy to give the matter immediate consideration and to
report their decision as early as possible.
Lord Montroy then left the Club and drove out to
Roxbury, the country seat. The Roxbury is a large
concrete villa of Italian model, situated upon a small knoll.
12
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
It is surrounded by terraces and lawns, and orchards and
oak trees form a wooded background.
Driving upon the cement driveway on that bright
moonlight evening, Lord Montroy saw the couple seated
in the floating marquee of the Japanese garden. They
were enraptured so in each other that they did not note
his approach until he hailed them.
When Oliver looked around and saw his brother at the
landing, he quickly reversed the lever which controlled
the automatic pulley, and stood holding his arm around
Eva's waist as they floated back to their moorings. Oliver
presented his blushing bride, who, after kissing her
brother-in-law, stood still as Lord Montroy placed her
hand in Oliver's and gave them both his blessing.
Lord Montroy expressed a desire to remain in the float.
He, expressed his approval of his sister-in-law, sitting op¬
posite, by his almost paternal and devoted glances. The
principal subject of his visit became more difficult to
mention, for to his mind, the picture of the delicate water*
nymph in African surroundings was very unpleasant. Eva
finally retired in order to supervise the preparation of tea
upon the terrace.
Lord Montroy watched her tripping gracefully through
the variegated bordered walks as the moonbeams played
upon her truant curls, and an almost inaudible sigh es¬
caped him as he wondered if it were a premonition of evil
in consequence of his tidings.
"Pull up, old man, I know the old pater is badly cut
up and you hesitate to tell me," Oliver remarked.
"Yes, that is a part of the unpleasant news, Oliver.
Are you really serious about the colonial proposition?"
"Yes, Harold, we have quite made up our minds upon
that subject," Oliver replied. Lord Montroy then stated
the proposition of Mr. Servier, but tried to dissuade him
from accepting. Grasping his brother's hand, Oliver ex¬
pressed his thanks in his usual impetuous manner.
Eva returned and taking her brother's arm invited them
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
13
to tea. Under a spreading hawthorne they sat down to
tea served by a Japanese valet. Oliver related their good
fortune to Eva as the trio wandered about the garden.
Lord Montroy then offered Eva the permanent use of
the Roxbury estate and the perquisites which would bring
an income adequate for a modest living. But thanking
him, Eva expressed in a very delicate manner her desire
to have her husband earn his own income and finally Win
his father's respect and blessing.
CHAPTER IV
oliver and eva sail for west africa
A fortnight afterwards, Oliver had made ready for
his departure. Lord Montroy accompanied him to Dub-
ley castle in an effort to obtain the paternal blessing. The
Earl of Dubley refused to grant an interview and permit¬
ted his son to go away without a word.
At Euston station Lord Montroy assisted Eva to enter
the first class carriage of the 10 A. M. express for Liver¬
pool and accompanied them to the Elder Dempster steam¬
ship Farquar.
At the Liverpool docks the party was supplemented by
Mr: Servier, who also boarded the West African steamer.
As- the signal bell rung, Lord Montroy pleaded for the
abandonment of the proposed1 journey. When the liner
steamed from the dock, Lord Montroy stood waving as he
watched the two figures disappear in the misty fog. An
audible sigh escaped him and aroused his companion's
attention, who noticed'Lord Montroy's pensive1 mood.
Mr. Servier slapped him upon the back, saying, "Cheer
up, Monty. You are not at a funeral. Do not think
of Sierra'Leone as the African jungle; Why, think of
the cable communication and remember that you will
always be in touch with Oliver."
14
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Passing down the Mersey Oliver and Eva proceeded
along the Channel watching the sceneries of the Devon¬
shire and French coasts. Two days afterwards they
passed through the Bay of Biscay and only by a change of
luck and a capable captain they emerged out of one of
the roughest passages the steamer had ever had.
The first stop was at Funchal, Madeira, one of the
Portuguese islands off the African coast. A party con¬
sisting of Oliver, Eva, and Captain Griffith and a few
other passengers, went up by rail to the Catholic estab¬
lishment on Mount Carmel and lunched. The sceneries
of the way are multifarious tropical fruits: bananas, plan¬
tains, oranges, mangoes, pineapples, star apples, sugar
cane, grapes and sweet plums, as well as a rich abundance
of variegated flowers of the sweetest fragrance.
They decided to try the thrills of the human locomotive
power down the steep incline. Seating themselves in
basket sledges, holding a couple of passengers each and
drawn by two strong Portuguese coolies, they began their
exciting toboggan ride down a snowless landslide. Run¬
ning pell-mell at breakneck pace, the coolies refused to
heed the loud and excited cries of "Stop, mad men! Oh,
help!" and numerous other complaints, threats and pleas,
but continued as they shouted in reply: "No stop, no stop,
unless we get vino bibo."
The party finally acquiesced to their debauching de¬
mands, when they immediately halted on the ledge in
front of a public house. The publican, who was well up
in the graft, immediately appeared with a large tray of
sparkling quart bottles of red Madeira and glasses. The
coolies did not allow the wine to be served in the cus¬
tomary goblet, but emptied several bottles in the quickest
possible moment.
They also had a little grafting business in view, for Dr.
Barnes, one of the passengers, who understood Portu¬
guese, heard the head carrier say to the publican: "These
are rich people, you must charge them twice as much for
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
15
the wine and split the profit equally with us when we
return."
When Senor Publican presented his extortionate bill
in accordance with the tip, he was most disagreeably sur¬
prised to understand that Dr. Barnes had already cooked
his goose when he repeated for his information Senor
Coolie's tip in El Senor's own tongue. Standing dumb¬
founded for a moment, he finally recovered himself and
sighingly cut down his bill 60 per cent., as he offered a
sort of shame-faced apology.
Once more the party resumed their journey to the
wharf at a less perilous pace. Boarding a rowboat they
returned to the ship.
Eva stood on the upper deck viewing the picturesque
sceneries of the high eminence of the Madeira mountains
until the country vanished in the distant horizon. Oliver
called Eva's attention to the snow-capped peaks of Tene-
riffe towering in the distance. Looking through the tele¬
scope they viewed the fine docks of Las Palmas Island,
and the numerous ships and warships in the harbor, as
they steamed away in a southeast by east course.
CHAPTER V
arrival in west africa
On the early morning of the tenth day, standing by
her husband's side, Eva leaned over the rails of the upper
deck, watching the African landscape, as the steamer
neared the jetty of the Sierra Leone port.
Freetown presented a panorama quite similar in build¬
ing constructions and plans to Dominica of the West
Indies. The two British West African barracks for white
and colored troops are situated upon two salubrious peaks
about two miles apart in the rear of the town.
Eva, who had never visited the tropics, was very much
i6
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
amused by the sight of the half nude black boys, who
swarmed around the steamer in small skiffs and from their
little craft dived and scrambled for the silver pieces which
the passengers threw to their special favorites.
Mr. Solomon, a representative of the firm, met them
upon the deck and introduced himself. They had almost
to fight their way to the stairway, through the numerous
boat boys who tried to assist in taking the luggage and
renting their respective craft to tow the party to the
landing. At the wharf,Mr. Solomon assisted Eva into
the sedan chair borne by four boys with an ornamental
and canopy shaped parasol which shaded the sun.
Seating themselves in similar conveyances the two men
followed through a curious group of Sierra Leone market
men, women and children, changing in color from black
to light brown. The loose wrappers, slippers without
hose and bright chrome yellow colored handkerchiefs of.
the women were to Eva as a replica of an exhibition scene
at the Crystal Palace.
The black coolies trotted along at a very fast pace and
soon turned up Market Street and Regent Road. The
party passed numbers of passengers in hammocks and
similar conveyances to their own. Imposing stone and
brick buildings arose along the principal residential sec¬
tions. The coolies, trotting a short distance down the
Regent Road, halted in front of an iron gateway which
opened upon a cement terrace leading to a short stone
stairway of a brown stone residence.
The house was of a pattern most unusual fori the" tropics,
on almost square and massive stone structure;: plain, out¬
side except for the . green lattice window shutters and
rough stones, it had no pretense at architectural beauty.
Two ill-kept flower gardens gloomed at the^front on
each side of the cement walk, enclosed in an'iron fence!
If the outside were not as picturesque as they might
have hoped, they were agreeably, surprised upon entering
to find themselves ushered into a spacious hall of polished
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
17
hardwood floors with a circular stairway, and a wide ma¬
hogany balustrade facing the vestibule. On the first floor,
the hall extended to the back porch. On one side a long
dining room opened to the butler's pantry, leading into
the spacious and bright kitchen. On the other side were
the drawing room and a library which opened into a side
entrance leading to a large flower garden containing palms
and other tropical ornamental trees and the travelers' foun¬
tain, while a small room in the rear assigned to the maids,
overlooked the back yard and an outhouse of brick used
as the servant quarters.
Up the stairway Eva discovered her private suite and
immediately decided upon the change of her boudoir.
Oliver and Eva were both delighted over their quar¬
ters and would have doubly appreciated it had they known
the cost of cables and other efforts to persuade the late
owner to accept a grant of a lease, when Mr. Servier
learned that the brother of his chum would consent to take
charge of his interest.
After taking the couple through the house Mr. Solomon
summoned the servants and explained that they were Mr.
Servier's personal attendants, whom he had desired, if
acceptable, to be retained in their old positions.
A medium sized, stout and good-natured young black
Ebo girl, dressed in a loose gown, stood before her mis¬
tress in a grinning and open admiration.
"Yanga is my name, Mam," she said, in answer to
Eva's smiling query.
"Well, Yanga, I think we will get along nicely, so let
us begin at once by unpacking," Eva remarked.
Varnee, the Vai valet and steward, was the next inter¬
esting character. Of about 6 feet, erect and quick car¬
riage, he seemed to have been about 20, and was possessed
of straight features and copper brown in color. He wore
a clean white gown over a large pair of dark colored
bloomers. His ready wit soon won both his master and
mistress.
i8
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
The Accra cook next caused a roar of laughter when he
uttered a name which neither of the prospective employ¬
ers could pronounce; so they compromised on Tobey and
advised him to prove his culinary arts by serving a short
order quick lunch to the hungry party.
Tobey wore about 12 yards of cloth draped from the
left shoulder, while his left arm and side and lower
limbs remained partly nude, showing his stockingless feet
enclosed in slippers. His lazy gait did not promise much
for a quick dinner when, slowly bending his 6 feet 5
inches he ambled away. That appearances often deceive
was very soon demonstrated, when Varnee announced
dinner in a surprisingly short time. If Tobey's name and
appearance did not appeal" to the esthetic and critical
faculties of the couple, the dinner certainly must have
appealed to their epicurean tastes, if the remnants of the
repast expressed their approval.
Mr. Solomon joined in the dinner and afterward invited
Oliver to accompany him to the mercantile house. Stand¬
ing together Mr. Solomon stood the same height as Oliver,
and but for a dark mustache and distinctive, racial, long,
straight, pointed nose they might have passed as doubles.
They left the house at last, after Oliver had run back
several times to say good-bye, about 3 o'clock p. m., and
walked to the Kissy Road. Through the narrow streets
they picked their way, and jostled with the crowds of
market buyers and very insistent peddlers who pulled at
their coat sleeves as they offered their wares spread along
the road side.
Mr. Solomon pointed out to Oliver a large two-story
slanting roof and corrugated iron building about fifty
by seventy feet with a thirty-foot L attached to the rear.
From the direction of their approach it stood at the
right side of the street and presented a side view, showing
the veranda of the L joining the porch of the rear half
of the main building, and the wide front portico upon
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
19
which stood quite a number of natives of Sierra Leone as
they patronized the upper store.
Around the acre of barren ground was a six-foot wire
netting fence, which enclosed, beside the store, several
iron warehouses with thick heavy double wooden doors,
and iron bars leaning beside the front walls.
In the front yard about thirty square feet on one
side was covered with loose piassava, African palm fibre,
which two squatting half nude yard boys lazily turned
over to dry in the sun, while two other boys in long
shirts bound up into small bundles the little piles which
the other first two laid aside, and added them to a large
pile that strong men were preparing for shipment. While
the front and side yards contained coffee, kernels and
loose bags and crated piassava for shipment, the back
yard was the scene of great activity, stacked high with
cases of dry goods and gin which the store boys were
busily stowing into their respective warehouses, under
the inspection of two European clerks.
On entering the open gate, Oliver read the two signs in
large letters over the upper front door, "P. Z. & Co.'s
Store," and the lower, "P. Z. & Co.'s Retail Store." Two
long stairways led up to the upper piazza from opposite
sides and terminated in a wooden banister rail in juxta¬
position.
Mr. Solomon escorted Oliver up one of the stairways,
clearing his way through the gaping crowd as they went
along. Oliver entered a long store room down the middle
aisle of which two rows of counters extended.
Back of the counters were shelves built upon the walls,
reaching to the top and packed with merchandise, while
the European salesmen and native African store boys
moved about attending to the customers.
Mr. Solomon introduced Oliver as he passed along and
entered the L compartment containing storerooms and the
office departments. He ushered Oliver into his future
apartment of two rooms at the rear. The small recep-
20
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
tion room was plainly but tastefully and comfortably
furnished and opened into the private office furnished in
the usual office style. They both opened into French win¬
dows upon the side veranda shaded by green canvas
movable shades. Scattered upon the veranda were cosy
Madeira and deck chairs, in the midst of which stood
several small tables.
Mr. Solomon presented the office force to the future
manager, in conjunction with which post he filled, ad
interim, with his position of head salesman. They spent
half an hour upon the veranda, where they were served
whiskey and soda and other drinks by the steward boy,
wearing a clean long white shirt. This Oliver noticed that
the European merchant traders were not entirely void of
luxuries in their African quarters.
After dispatching one of the accountants to obtain a
temporary permit for Oliver to drive his machine, Mr.
Solomon summoned the office porter. A heavy-set black
giant, of about seven feet, whose brawny muscles well
might cause the envy of Jack Johnson, answered the call.
Acting upon instructions he unbolted and raised a heavy
trap door, which no two men of ordinary strength could
budge. After securing it against the wall, he stood in
readiness for further orders.
Oliver hesitated a little to proceed when he noticed
the slender iron hook holding up the door, but Mr.
Solomon, assuring him of its firmness, proceeded down
the steps.
They entered the retail department from the rear en-
trpjice and passed up the ill-smelling and littered aisle.
Oliver interrupted the lifting of some of the tobacco leaves
from the open drum propped against the rear end of
the counter by some small urchins who seized the oppor¬
tunity while the party conversed.
The retail department was under a young Sierra Leo-
nian of about thirty, dressed in stylish European clothes,
and with an English college education. Two underclerks
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
21
of the same nationality and a native store boy completed
the force of this department.
They then proceeded to the front yard when Oliver
supervised the uncrating of his automobile, in the pres¬
ence of a curious crowd of the Market Street Sierra
Leonians. The honk of the auto-horn caused a general
panic, and it was with the greatest difficulty that Oliver
piloted the machine under the direction of Mr. Solomon
down the Kissy Road through the ruined market wares
and stumbling pedestrians.
CHAPTER VI
oliver meets governor of sierra leone
The next morning at 11 a. m. Oliver drove up to the
capital, where he had an appointment to meet the Gov¬
ernor. The large mansion, constructed of stone and
brick, was built with two wings in which the legislative
bodies assembled.
Situated upon a slanting hill side, it is surrounded by
court yards and ornamental trees. Oliver was ushered
into the Governor's private office, where Governor Row,
a middle-sized man of about thirty-five, light complexion,
sandy hair, blue eyes and with a sharp pointed mustache
and goatee, sat beside a table. When Oliver was an¬
nounced Governor Row arose and, holding out his hand
to Oliver, exclaimed: "I take great pleasure in welcom¬
ing to our colony the son-in-law of my old friend, Squire
Innis. I have not had the good fortune to visit Stone-
henge since your good wife was quite an infant."
Oliver remained to lunch and left very happy in the
anticipation of the surprise and pleasure Eva would ex¬
press at his tidings.
During the cool of an afternoon Mr. Solomon accom¬
panied the couple on a drive through the town. On pass-
22
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
ing the large three-story brick building of the British
West African bank, they halted and watched the large
crowd of Sierra Leone natives passing up and down the
stairway, on to the large Furabay College, the massive
historic buildings on the outskirts of the town, then down
the country road to Fulla Town, passing tropical fruit
trees, frame cottages, log cabins and bamboo huts.
They halted before a small native village and watched
the syncopated steps of the half clad young women
dancers who whirled and danced to the sounds of the
tom-tom, gourd music, hand-clapping and sweet, melo¬
dious but weird minor strains. The excitement of the
automobile caused a loud crowd to attempt to race with
the iron horse, and to give vent to a boisterous expression
of mirth when the racers found themselves quickly out¬
distanced.
Arriving at Fulla's Town the party halted at a distance
and dismounting walked a few paces where they stood
listening to the Fatie and watched the Mohammedan vil¬
lagers, some clothed in flowing gowns, while others, wear¬
ing only waist draperies, bowed silently with the faces
toward Mecca amid the Islamic strains of "Bismi Allahi."
A fortnight after they were settled in their colonial
home, Eva stood watching Oliver coming home to lunch,
as she peeped through the curtains of the drawing room,
until he was near the gate, then running through the
library entrance to the side garden she stood conspicu¬
ously in hiding behind a large cabbage rose bush, as the
pink and fragrant petals of a large half open bud brushed
against her truant tresses.
Oliver pretended to search for her when finally run¬
ning suddenly, he smothered her in his arms, crushing the
gallant rose bud against her cheek.
"Guess who this letter is from dearie," he said, as he
held an envelope behind him. After a childish guessing
game and forfeited kisses, Oliver opened an envelope bear¬
ing the executive official seal and they both read together
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
23
an invitation to the Governor's ball, of which they were
to be the guests of honor.
This was to be Eva's first debut into society and for
a few minutes an anxious frown flirted across her fore¬
head. "Oh, Oliver, what shall I wear to such a swell
affair?" she exclaimed.
"Why," said Oliver, in careless surprise, "you are not
allowing a small thing like that to annoy you, darling?
You will rival the fairies in anything you wear, so come
in and let the ball look after its own affairs, dear."
CHAPTER VII
after eva's first ball
On the evening of the ball Eva certainly fulfilled Oli¬
ver's predictions, when in a simple evening gown of white
crepe de chine, she stood before the mirror, clasping a
pearl necklace around her throat. She wore no other
jewels except a large solitary upon her finger. Her simple
costume made a perfect setting for her rich cream and
pink complexion, and very girlish figure.
In the large reception of the Governor's mansion, Eva
made her first debut amid the bejeweled dames of Euro¬
pean and Sierra Leone official elite.
One morning Oliver walked to the store during a heavy
shower, and upon reaching the yard he saw the bales of
piassava and loose fibre crated for shipment, standing out¬
side in the rain, while the yard boys sat and reclined under
the porch.
Walking quickly up the store steps in a thoughtful
mood, he decided to inaugurate his contemplated reforms
that same morning. He called up the chief shipping
clerk over the office telephone, immediately upon his
entry. Mr. Anderson answered the summons. That
this was an unusual procedure could be readily seen by
his surprised expression as he entered the office.
24
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
"Good morning, Mr. Anderson, please be seated," Oli¬
ver began, as he pointed'to a chair, "I want a little in¬
formation upon the export commodities under your super¬
vision. Will you please enlighten me as to the best
method of preserving the fibres for shipment so as to
obtain the highest European market prices?"
"By thoroughly drying the piassava and grading it
before shipment," Mr. Anderson replied.
"I notice that you take the opposite method in this
firm. May I inquire if the bales stacked in the yards for
shipment were registered as first or second grades?"
"Both," the clerk replied.
"You will kindly oblige me by personally supervising
the loosing and drying of the same and whatever loss
occurs from next week will be borne pro rata in propor¬
tion to your salaries."
Oliver spent a very strenuous day, and before closing
time, every department showed signs of the new era. He
had set the store boys to work under a European clerk,
separating the broken grains from the good grains of
coffee. He repeated the same with the palm kernels, and
then turned his attention to the rubber which lay strewn
under the counters, stuck to the floor and full of trash.
He then assembled the employees, and told them that be¬
ginning Monday the company would only bear the loss
of perishable commodities when it was through no fault
of the employee, and that he would take stock at the end
of the week.
On the next day he visited the cooper shop and watched
the colored American youth of about 20 as he dexterously
handled the iron gauge while measuring palm oil in the
large wooden puncheons. Oliver borrowed the gauge and
surprised the gauger when he pushed it through the bung
of the barrel as if he had gauged oil all his life.
After examining the registered number of gallons re¬
corded upon the iron rod, he compared the same with the
numbers recently recorded upon the books. Detecting
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
25
a discrepancy, he tested others with the same result, and
not until by an accident the rod slipped and registered a
higher figure, did he solve the puzzle and discover the
tricks of the gaugers and shipping clerks' neatly planned
grafting schemes.
True to his impetuous and firm disposition Oliver was
determined to make a success of his undertaking, and in
an incredibly short while he was drawing a commission
upon the surplus profits of an increased dividend.
But it was not all business life with Oliver; he spent
much time with Eva also, sometime helping her in the
kitchen as she made the butter-scotch and fudge that he
said could not be equalled. On these occasions they af¬
forded much amusement for Varnee and Yanga—their
devoted worshippers—and aroused the anxiety and im¬
patience of Tobee, who sat in the window of the outhouse
viewing through the kitchen window, the scene of Eva
trying an apron string around Oliver's neck amid kisses,
and shrugging his shoulders with an air of disgust he said
to a visiting crony, "Dem two English people be too much
crazy and all same pickanninie. Lookum at de master, he
say he lif helpum Missus cook. Oh, oh! I smell dem
candy. Dey go leavum dat pan wid plenty burned candy
and me go washee bad mess. White woman be plenty
spoiled; he set down house all day, when man bring the
money, umph!"
CHAPTER VIII
oliver meets the african miner
Thus the time passed for the voluntary exiles very
pleasantly. After about eight months of their residence
Oliver was out in the pias9ava yard inspecting the boys
at work one afternoon, when he was approached by a
tall, black, native African, wearing a striped native shirt
26
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
of coarse cloth and of native manufacture and reaching to
his knees. Over this hung down the right side a large
leather bag suspended from the left shoulder. His hair
was in a checkered pattern of four inch small plaits and
separated by cleanly shaven inch wide lines, sometimes
varying from square divisions, triangles and circles, just
as his tonsorial artist had fancied.
Extracting a red bandana parcel from his bag he
squatted upon the ground in front of Oliver and unloaded
the package. "You wanna buyee dis silver daddee," he
added as he held up two bars of platinum of about three
or four ounces respectively.
Oliver examined them and said, "This is no silver, where
did you get them from?"
"Dat be for silber, true it get some brass dere, but
true, true, I tell you, me no put him dere; so me got
him from dem mountain."
The poor fellow had been unable to use the hard sub¬
stance and decided it was amalgamated with brass or
copper, therefore he had hesitated to take the metal into
the store for fear of being detected.
Oliver paid him £2 ($9.60), twice as much as he had
asked, and thus won the confidence of the man. He told
Oliver of the Kamee Mountain, or gold mountain, at a
short distance in the interior. Oliver made notes and ob¬
tained his promise to return shortly with more and to act
as a guide.
After supper Oliver sat in his favorite armchair as he
watched Eva embroidering the dainty little articles over
which she smiled so dreamily. "Eva, here are two pieces
of platinum weighing nearly half a pound. I paid £2
for them to a fellow from the interior who asked only
one," Oliver remarked as he walked over to Eva's chair
and held the bars for her inspection.
"He promised to take me to the mountain where he
says gold and other metals are also plentiful."
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
27
A cloud passed over Eva's face. "Oh, Oliver," she ex¬
claimed, "you are not going to leave me."
"Silly, what are you talking about?" Oliver replied as
he kissed her. "Do you think I would leave my little
girl at this time? Not for all the diamonds in Africa.
But I refer to some time in the near future, when I shall
try prospecting so as to make enough money to take you
back home and support you in the manner our social
standing demands."
"But we are happy here, and I am satisfied. Why don't
you wait until we can save enough from your salary?"
Eva replied.
"Because, dear, I never cared for the mercantile life.
If you will recall it was prospecting we both decided upon
at first. I don't want our child to grow up in Africa,
and I could not accept my brother's bounty. He has a
daughter of his own and my sister-in-law has never had
very much love for me. Let us say that for dress and
incidental, the commission will suffice, and I can place
£500 to my credit. How many years it will take to
accumulate a sufficient sum to retire and live in England.
It will require at least £1000 per annum to live through,
so you see if I can locate the gold mountain I can sell
the mine and soon return to our native heath."
"Yes, darling, I understand, especially since you are
trying to assist father recover a part of our ruined for¬
tunes. Oh, you naughty boy, you tried to hide it from
me. Never mind who told me. I know and must kiss
you for it.
"But Oliver," she continued in a more serious tone,
"promise me upon your honor that you will never attempt
to make the trip without me."
"But that would be impossible, Eva, I could not take
you into the interior; the risk would be too great."
Eva smiled but continued to urge her plea very insist-
ingly until Oliver made her the promise. Would that
some fairy had tipped her to urge the abandonment of his
28
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
project, for then their lives might have remained one of
unbroken happiness.
The advent of Miss Lucretia Montcrief soon occupied
their time, so that the mining proposition was for a time
forgotten.
CHAPTER IX
miss lucretia montcrief
Miss Lucretia's aristocratic rule and patronizing man¬
ner tended to draw the couple closer, rather than the
monopoly of Eva's attention; for to the latter's chagrin,
Lucretia let it be plainly understood from the first that
she preferred the arms of Yanga when she desired repose,
and Eva and Oliver only when she cared to satisfy the
appetite or to be amused.
Eva had a large-sized photo taken of Lucretia when she
reached her first birthday. She wrote upon the same
"to Grandpapa, from Lucretia Montcrief, Freetown, Sierra
Leone, West Africa." She mailed this to the Earl of
Dubley and repeated this each succeeding year.
If her countenance expressed a little wistful sadness
when the home mails failed to bear an acknowledgment
of the receipt of the photograph, no one noticed it, and
she carried her secret with the hope that some day the
Earl would relent.
After a year or two Oliver began the study of miner-
ology and thought seriously of the interior trip. That
the Earl had not relented caused him a bit of unhappiness
as Lucretia grew older.
Thus the Montcriefs lived an uneventful life in their
colonial home. One afternoon, as luck would have it,
as Oliver was about to leave the front yard of the store,
the fancy barbed head fellow of the platinum deal five
years before, approached him again. Oliver soon recog-
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
29
nized the hair cut and stopped to greet him. "Hello
plaits, so you are back at last."
"My name be Fahn, Sar," the evil genius grinningly
replied. "Me bringee some fine rock dis time, see you
wanna buyee."
Oliver examined the stones which he took from the
same bag. He discovered among the white diamonds
three rare stones of pink and a dozen or more rubies.
Oliver determined then to make the trip at once. Per¬
haps had Oliver stopped to figure the length of time Fahn
had taken to return, he would not so easily have been
deceived and made to believe that he could reach the
mines and return in a year's time. But such is fate. He
acted in this as in everything, and began the preparations
of his interior trip.
When he showed the stone to Eva and told her of his
determination, Eva only reminded him of his promise and
added, "Oliver, Lucretia will be five years old next week;
won't you write a letter to your father asking his forgive¬
ness with Lucretia's photograph enclosed? I don't think
that you should leave for the interior without his bless¬
ings." Was that a foreboding which she felt?
"All right, little one, I shall write Dad by the same
mail that I write Harold. I am writing Mr. Servier for
a year's leave of absence. I am sure that it will be
granted, for I have remained upon the field these five
years. Eva, I feel like an exile and had hoped that
Harold could have managed Dad; but it seems that I am
really disinherited, so that you see, my dear, we will have
to make our own fortunes and return to our country
very shortly."
Had Oliver followed Eva's wishes and written the letter
to the Earl immediately, all might have ended well; but
he allowed the rush of the preparations to crowd the let¬
ter to the last moment.
30
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
CHAPTER X
death of the earl of dubley
Lord Dubley set before the fire in his library when
old Peter, his valet and faithful servant handed him the
first photograph of Lucretia in the morning's mail.
The Earl looked earnestly at it, but when he realized
that the handwriting was not that of Oliver, his features
contracted and, opening a drawer to his desk, he slipped
it gently within and locked it.
Many times when he was alone the little face of Lu¬
cretia kept him company and several times when Lord
Montroy called he hardly had time to conceal his secret.
If Oliver had been less like his father and had taken
the original of the photographs to Worcestershire to plead
his forgiveness, or even had written himself along with
the photograph which Eva so faithfully sent, the Earl
would have relented and urged their return; for he felt
the loneliness very keenly, especially when he thought of
the beautiful grand-daughter so far away in Africa, who
would bring sunshine into his castle.
When Oliver's letter accompanying the photograph ar¬
rived, it was with shaking hands and dazzling eyes that
the old Earl first opened them.
Fortunate for him he did not understand Oliver's
tidings about prospecting for minerals, but the world had
changed for Lord Dubley, and now his face was all sun¬
shine and, summoning his valet, he bade him call in his
lawyer.
When old David Payton, the old family lawyer and
friend arrived, he found the Earl still smiling and look¬
ing upon the row of photographs.
Lord Dubley made his will, bestowing upon Oliver the
greater part of his private fortune, and completely re¬
stored him to his original good standing, forgetting neither
Eva nor Lucretia.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
3i
After Mr. Payton retired, the Earl read Oliver's letter
and began an immediate reply.
In the meantime Lord Montroy had met Mr. Servier
in London and had learned of the preparation Oliver was
making for the interior trip, which Mr. Servier disap¬
proved, but had been unable to prevent. Hurrying to
his club where his mail was sent, he found the letter from
Oliver informing him of his early departure in January,
during the dry season in Africa.
Lord Montroy took the noon train for Worcestershire
and rushed to make a last plea with the Earl, his father,
to prevent the mad attempt of Oliver.
Arriving at Dubley castle just at dusk, Lord Montroy
hastened to his father's library. Walking in unannounced
he saw the old Earl sitting in his chair, with the row of
photographs propped before him, while in his left hand
he held Oliver's open letter, and in the right the pen with
which he had just signed his name to the following letter:
Dubley Castle,
Worcestershire.
My dear Oliver:
Your long expected letter has just reached me.
We both have been too stubborn in our dispositions;
but your dear wife has brought sunshine into my
life for the last five years. Bring Eva and Lucretia
at once to your dear old dad. I need little Lucretia's
sweet face to cheer me.
Come at once to dad. All is forgiven.
Your father,
The Earl of Dubley.
And upon the Earl's face the smile remained after the
spirit had taken its flight. So he was spared the tor¬
tures of the suspense and grief, soon to follow.
Lord Montroy hurriedly dispatched a cable to his
brother:
32
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Oliver Montcrief, Freetown, Sierra Leone,
C|o P. Z. & Co.,
Come at once. The Earl of Dubley died just after
forgiving. Come by first steamer.
Harold.
Oliver and his party had left Freetown before the
telegram arrived. Mr. Solomon dispatched Kiafa, a na¬
tive messenger, to intercept Oliver enroute. Kiafa ar¬
rived at Pendembu, the first native town of consequence,
two days after Oliver had left the town. The villagers
were making merry over the birth of a young prince.
Kiafa happened not to have been a Mohammedan, so he
drank freely of the palm-wine and liquors, which were an
important part of the celebration. The festivities lasted
two weeks, after which time Kiafa recalled his mission,
but decided that the hospitable town was preferable to
the woods and so extended his visit two weeks longer.
When Kiafa finally decided to return to Freetown, he
limped into Mr. Solomon's presence, a pitiable object in
rags, with a harrowing tale of his bare escape in the
jungles and the important report that Oliver had ad¬
vanced far into the interior.
Mr. Solomon reported the circumstances to Lord Mont-
roy, who anxiously awaited further tidings of Oliver.
CHAPTER XI
Oliver's interior trip
After mailing the letters to England, Oliver prepared
to start upon his interior trip. Arriving at the Govern¬
ment railway station, he saw to the shipping of his large
amount of supplies, and took the train with Eva, Lucre-
tia and Yanga in the first class carriage; and Vamee,
Tobey and Fahn rode in the second class compartment.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
33
Through woodland scenery and native villages, they
rode for 200 miles until they reached the terminus at
Pendembu.
Pendembu is a large African town of mud huts, many
of which axe plastered with kaolin clay and polished to
a smooth and glistening surface.
The houses are arranged almost in circular rows, the
center of which is the court, or open "kitchen," where the
king holds audiences. Numerous palm trees surround
the town and are enclosed by a heavily bordered forest.
King Kyndemah was also the caliph of the Mohamme¬
dan faith in that section. He was a tall, imposing, black
man; clean faced and dressed in a long striped ulster robe
of native manufacture under which was a white robe.
Around his neck hung beads, several rows of leopard teeth
and claws, and upon his feet were sandals. By his side
lay an elephant tail, while behind him two boys in white
robes fanned away the troublesome flies with palm leaf
fans.
Seated upon a stool in his kitchen court sat the King
with others as he received.
He received Oliver's party kindly after the exchange
of gifts in the court and offered the hospitality of the vil¬
lage, as he made efforts to secure carriers and interpreters
according to the Governor's previous instructions.
After two days the party began their journey; Eva was
carried in a hammock by four men; Yanga with Lucretia
in another, Oliver with a long staff with a sharp pointed
iron on the bottom, walked between either at the side or
behind, as the road permitted. He carried his coat across
his arm, while a rifle was strapped to his shoulders and
two revolvers and cartridges belted around his waist. He
as well as Eva wore a helmet, while Lucretia wore a
bonnet.
Varnee, Tobey and Fahn carried light articles for im¬
mediate use and a gun strapped upon their shoulders,
while a caravan of 40 men carried the camp and mining
34
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
supplies strapped to their backs in kingjars, palm leaf
constructed articles for bearing heavy loads upon the
back, and large packages upon their heads.
The party began their journey at 7 o'clock as the sun
began to shed its beams across the high mountain peak
towering in the distance.
Passing through the palm grove they penetrated the
thick forest and disturbed the morning solitude of the
birds and monkeys, which began loud chirping and chat¬
tering as they proceeded.
Traveling through the forest with no adventure other
than the shooting of a few wild pigeons, wood chuck,
some game and an antelope, which they ate in the after¬
noon in a temporary camp. Oliver had a little shock and
was very much provoked when he saw Fahn about to
kill a monkey, which held a baby monkey in her arms
in an attitude of suppliance before her, and in spite of
which and Oliver's warning, Fahn killed both monkeys
and proceeded calmly in the midst of Oliver's impreca¬
tion to prepare them for a meal.
That was Oliver's first experience of the other side of
African life.
Emerging from the forest about 5 o'clock, they heard
the echo of the tomtom o'er the distant hill, sounding
faintly and then louder as they approached the hillside.
Upon the summit, they entered a dark forest* when
the weird music burst forth in confusing and loud minor
strains.
CHAPTER XII
WEST AFRICAN FUNERAL RITE
As they approached the middle they found a space
cleared of trees and vegetation, in the center of which was
a tall black man, wearing a long white robe, over which
were hung numerous charms and jujus. He wore his
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
35
hair in numerous small plaits of about 6 inches long,
to the end of each was attached a small horn, leopard
claw, leopard tooth and other charms and fetiches. His
face was covered with a long beard which terminated in
a plait and a small leopard tooth.
In his hand he held a long torch, which he flourished as
he danced and performed other mystic rites. Around
him, in the twilight, were about a score of young maidens
wearing only white waist draperies as they whirled in a
most phantasmic dance, clapping their hands and singing
in loud but plaintive soprano voices.
The musicians kept step also as they shook the sassas
(gourds with beads on them) and beat the drums.
They were paying their respects to their dead chief
so as to start him upon the road to the mysterious regions,
with a lighted taper and the sound of music.
Passing on, a town was sighted down on the plains.
Kahn re la Hun is a large and prosperous town of the
Mendi country and is composed of pagan and Moham¬
medan natives.
The mud huts are circular, clean and roomy. Numer¬
ous lilies abound back of the huts in the rear of the village^
The chief assigned quarters for the party and informed
Oliver of the death of the chief.
"Oh, Miss Eva," Yanga said, "tell de master to turn
back; dis will bring bad luck to us all."
"What are you talking about, Yanga?" said Eva, who
was also in a very uncomfortable mood.
"Come to new town meet dead man be no good, I tell
you."
"Come now, Yanga, don't be silly. Lucretia will hear
you soon and there will be trouble sure enough."
Oliver, who had been seeing to the quartering of his
carriers and the stowing away of supplies, returned, and
they soon were lost in a well earned sleep upon the bam¬
boo cots within the huts.
The next morning the new chief, a young man of Mo-
36
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
hammedan faith, clothed in white robe and dress, sat in
the open kitchen and received his guests.
Oliver presented him with the usual piece of white cloth,
handkerchief cloth, rum and tobacco.
He in turn presented a goat, piece of ivory and fowls,
but his countenance did not express the goodwill that the
king of Pendembu had shown.
"Me wan some powder and gun all same one you get,"
this chief Quirlebah made known to Oliver the dash was
insufficient
"Well, you will have to send to Europe and order the
gun if you desire a duplicate of this, and my powder is not
for dashes but for work I am going to do in the country.
Sorry I cannot oblige you, chief," Oliver replied, as he
started to summon his carriers.
Chief Quirelbah's eyes flashed. "I must hab gun pow¬
der for shoot gun to burry de Chief," he called out to
Oliver.
Turning back Oliver approached him and said, "What
would you have done for salutes if I had not arrived?
Don't try any of your tricks with me. Governor Row
will see that you pay for any annoyance you may cause
my party."
"Governor Row, foh, foh! (pshaw) dis country no be¬
long to English, I be chief here, me be free people, 110 fear
Governor."
Oliver soon realized the truth of this taunting boast
when he left the audience court. His carriers crowded
around him clamoring for their pay and refused to pro¬
ceed. It seems as if they had been informed that war
was on the pathway they had planned to traverse.
Oliver found himself helplessly tricked by Quirlebah
and decided to offer a compromise of gun powder so as
to leave the unhappy town.
This restored order, the chief dashed Lucretia a canine
pup and the carriers resumed the burdens. The caravan
started interiorward about i p.m.
THE LEOPARDS CLAW
37
Passing through a dense bush of wild coffee, ferns, etc.,
they entered a marshy forest. Oliver was taken upon
the shoulders of one of the carriers and they waded the
small ponds; sometimes the carriers' feet sank so deeply
in the mud that they had to be relieved of some of their
heavy burdens in order to be extricated. They made
very slow progress and the night shadows approached
just as they landed upon the dry ground, amid the dense
forest.
CHAPTER XIII
jungle terrors
With a pocket electric light Oliver assisted with the
clearing of space and the putting up of a temporary tent.
Lucretia began to cry when the night shadows began
to enshroud the forest and the cries of the owls and
other night visitors protested at what they considered
intruders.
The little dog curled up at Eva's feet, when without
a sound, a leopard with a quick bound seized the little
animal before anyone was aware of its approach. The
yelp of the dog causer Eva and Yanga to look up to
see the little creature disappearing in the dark jungles.
The whole camp became alarmed and Oliver was so
nervous over the narrow escape that he would not leave
their side and ordered fire to be made around the camp
after stowing his loved ones safely in the tent. He then
divided the carriers into watches and stood guard nearly
the whole night, only snatching a few moments of sleep
when Varnee and Tobey assisted and watched in his
stead.
Lucretia rested well except for the mosquitoes, and
Eva's and Yanga's faces showed the anxious vigil they
had kept within the tent.
Continuing their journey through the forest, they ar-
38
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
rived at a deep and swift-flowing creek. The carriers
were obliged to cut trees which, acting as a bridge,
enabled the party to cross them only with great difficulty.
At a short distance further they reached another creek
with no suitable trees near for logs. Oliver started up
the bank a little ways to search for means of fording,
when Varnee, who followed, cried, "Jump back, master."
On looking as he jumped Oliver saw a monstrous croco¬
dile pursuing. They both began running, but remember¬
ing the wife and child, Oliver turned into the woods and
thus lost sight of his pursuer.
When he returned he found Eva hysterical and Lu-
cretia crying but trying to comfort her mamma.
The carriers in the meantime had discovered sub¬
merged logs waist deep under water, so they crossed on
this slippery and uncertain footing upon the shoulders of
the men, when one of them slipped and plunged in with
Eva. The crocodile, which shortly before had been
foiled of its prey, leaped into the water and swam toward
Eva.
Oliver jumped into the creek as soon as Eva fell and
holding her in his arms, dived just as the crocodile was
within three feet of Eva. As soon as their heads ap¬
peared above the suface they were assisted by Tobey
and Fahn, while Varnee and some of the carriers beat
away the crocodile and prodded it with Oliver's long
sharp pointed traveler's staff.
They emerged from the forest at 4 p.m. and the bright
sun upon the wide sandy plains dazzled their eyes. Their
feet sank into the deep sand as they passed through
fields of waving guinea grass, reaching to the waist.
For miles and miles they could see only a broad expanse
of waving grass, dotted here and there with palms. They
camped near a small wooded grove. Early the next morn¬
ing, while they were busy in the camp, Lucretia became
attracted by a beautiful butterfly, which she endeavored
to catch. In this way she wandered far from the camp.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
39
Suddenly she came upon a large elephant which was hav¬
ing its morning meal of rattan buds. The elephant
picked up the child and placed it upon its back.
When Lucretia's disappearance was discovered the pa¬
rents made a search and arrived just in time to behold
the spectacle of Lucretia sitting upon the elephant's back
and being chased by other elephants.
For a moment the situation was a tense one, as they
did not know that this elephant at one time was a pet
and a present of a native Indian prince to an African
chief. Eva and Oliver climbed a tree, as luck would
have it, and just as the elephant passed under them, Oli¬
ver reached from a limb and seized Lucretia from its back
before the other elephants arrived.
The caravan resumed its journey and arrived at a town
called Furca about i p.m. It was a gala day for them.
Three Fembas or native devils, attired in grass robes and
wearing wooden masks upon their heads, made the time
merry for the numerous spectators enjoying the entertain¬
ment. They were celebrating the commencement of the
gree-gree bush girls, who were just completing their work
from a secret native school.
After the Femba whirled and danced the place was
cleared for the snake charmers, who swayed and whirled
as the serpents kept time with their heads. At one part
of the dance the charmers kicked their feet into the air
and the snakes leaped over them. This program fright¬
ened the party of Oliver, so that they decided to leave the
village immediately.
CHAPTER XIV
desertion by carriers
Passing along the main road they found a place to
camp. During the night the carriers stole most of the
40
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
provisions from the camp, while Oliver was asleep, and
ran away.
The next morning Oliver found, besides the three boys
brought from Sierra Leone, only five carriers. While
Oliver was puzzled over his dilemma, Varnee held coun¬
sel with the remaining carriers and approached Oliver and
said, "If the antelope escapes the leopard, the leopard
goes after other meat."
Before Oliver could understand what he meant they
began gathering up ropes and dividing themselves up
into couples, hid along the road behind clumps of bushes,
awaiting the appearance of single pedestrians, upon whom
they pounced unawares. Having bound their victims,
using the slave system strategy, they returned to the camp.
Continuing this method for several days, they had se¬
cured twenty carriers to replace those who had run away.
They abandoned some of their luggage and resumed
their journey.
Traveling in the direction E.E.N.E., they crossed the
Vakkah hills and came to Ballallatah at noon. They
were halted before the gates of the barricaded town and
waited until they were inspected by the town people
outside.
The people wore many pieces of gold jewelry and offered
to barter nuggets and rings for trade goods.
Oliver then became encouraged and questioned as to
where the mineral was found. He was told of a river
called the Maaqua where gold abounds.
Taking a N.N.E. direction as instructed, they passed
through long grass and cane brake, until they reached a
large plain dotted with hillocks and covered with grazing
cattle.
They entered Musada, a barricaded town of Western
Soudan, containing a large market of earthen pots, soap,
tobacco, corn, iron, kola, etc.
Oliver was very much surprised to see the progress
of this Mandingo town. The town contained a number
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
4i
of soldiers on horse back. They were preparing for a
Mohammedan service.
The King in a long gaudy shirt of fine native manufac¬
ture, rode on horseback, holding an elephant tail in his
hand.
The service was held outside of a cone shaped and
polished mud mosque on the eastern side. The Imam,
dressed in a scarlet cloak, carried a stool covered with
a white cloth, while six attendants held a large white
covering over his head, during the time he was reading
the service, after which he blessed the head warriors and
soldiers.
The congregation knelt in rows upon their knees.
After the religious ceremony they brought out the most
fiery and vicious horses, having a knack of kicking and
biting, and offered prizes for the successful mounts.
Oliver watched the tricks and finally volunteered to try.
After a few attempts he successfully mounts, to the ad¬
miration of the villagers.
He, Eva and Lucretia were presented suitable mounts
by the king.
Mulley, an old priest, wearing a white gown and squat¬
ting upon a mat in the court, sent for the party.
He offered to read their fate for them, and after read¬
ing from the sand spread out before them, he seized Oli¬
ver's hands and said: "Go back to the gold across the
big waters which awaits you. Leave Africa's wealth and
secret undisturbed. The price you will pay is too great.
Take heed and return whence you came."
Eva became nervous and would not have him read for
her, but for Lucretia he said as he shook his head and
sighed: "It is your fate, oh, little one, whom the elephant
would not harm, to finally bring happiness to this poor
family, through the leopard's claw, in the Valley of
Allah."
The party remained quite a while in Musadu when
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
they supplemented the carriers and started with fresh
guides for the Maqua River.
"We are near the end of our journey, dear," Oliver said
as he assisted Eva in the saddle upon her horse.
He did not allow the gloomy forebodings of Mulley to
influence his feelings, for with the gold nuggets, rings and
guides he felt sure that they would soon reach the Maqua
River, if not the mountain they first started out to find.
Passing through a dark forest Fahn called out to
Oliver; "Lookee, Master, dem bigee flagya" (flying ser¬
pent), as he pushed the party back. Oliver saw the red
eyes of a large green snake upon a tree just about to
spring.
Shouting very quickly, he saw the snake leap far into
the air, twisting its tail as it flew away. The natives
called it the flying snake and say that they are very
poisonous.
Wandering through the forest, they sighted the wild
serval, the hartze beasts and numerous other scampering
jungle inhabitants. Finally, the rainy season set in and
Oliver had not succeeded in locating either the mountain
or river of his quest. So he decided to build a permanent
camp and prepare for the heavy rains.
Oliver selected a high hill near a river. The site was
very picturesque as well as strategic, in the event of an
attack from either man or beast. It was then that both
Oliver and Eva showed a surprising adaptability to cir¬
cumstances.
Oliver donned his overalls and tackled the saw and axe
with the native laborers, and in a short space of time he
moved his family into a comfortable log cabin. Several
bamboo huts were also erected for the accommodation
of the servants and the carriers, while the largest of the
tents was stationed in the rear of the cabin and served
as the storehouse. The camp was enclosed with a double
barricade of stout poles.
Oliver discovered a large tree which had been previously
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
43
cut and left to season by the natives. He immediately
set to work upon it and in a little while, they had burned
and modeled it into a very serviceable canoe.
Varnee and Tobey discovered a deserted farm nearby.
Eva learned the first lessons in the West African culinary
art. She assisted Tobey in peeling the sweet cassava
(manihot palmento), in the preparation of the fufu and
dumb-boy. The fufu was soon an indispensable dish upon
the menu. So Eva learned to soak the peeled cassavas
until they fermented, and took advantage of physical cul¬
ture training at the same time, while she pounded the soft
cassavas in a large wooden mortar before straining and
cooking them into the famous fufu. But the sauce!
Oliver said it was "delicious!"
But cooking was not the only accomplishment that Eva
acquired; while Oliver was supplying the table with veni¬
son, wild and river pork, fish and other game, Eva was
learning to make soft and beautiful mats from the heart
of the bamboo, which she dyed in lovely colors from the
vegetable dyes, she made under Yanga's instruction.
Lucretia, in the meanwhile, took advantage of the fresh
air and hardy country life to blossom into a beautiful
young tom-boy, who looked to be at least ten years old.
CHAPTER XV
oliver leaves on prospecting tour
Soon after the heavy rains were over, Oliver said to
Eva: "Eva, my dear, I found some iron pyrites while
hunting, and I am sure that we are near the gold regions.
I shall take Fahn and a few of the carriers and go a
little distance, prospecting. You are safe and comfort¬
able in the camp and I feel that you should remain here
with Lucretia, because we have had too many adventures
already to take further risks."
44
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
"But, Oliver—you promised never to leave me behind.
I don't see how I can let you go, even for a short dis¬
tance. When you are away hunting, I think of the fly¬
ing snake, the crocodiles and the numerous other things
in these jungles that might harm you. Oh, Oliver! we had
better listen to old Mulley and go back home," Eva re¬
plied sobbingly.
Oliver managed to soothe her and assured her that he
would not go more than a day's journey and would re¬
turn in less than a week.
The next morning Oliver kissed Eva and Lucretia good¬
bye after committing them to Vamee, Tobey and the
five original carriers for protection. He mounted his
horse and started away with Fahn and five carriers, when
he rode back and kissed Eva and Lucretia again.
"Oh, Mister Oliver," Yanga cried, "it is bad luck to
turn back. Don't let him go away, Miss Eva."
"Do not start any of that stuff, Yanga. Eva is already
upset and must not be bothered with absurd supersti¬
tions," Oliver commanded as he kissed Eva and Lucretia
again.
Proceeding on his way once more, he waved as long as
he was visible.
They took the river trail and surprised a large hippo¬
potamus grazing in some wild cane beside the river bank.
Oliver was close upon it before he was aware of its pres¬
ence, when it plunged into the river just as he fired.
After missing such a prize, they watched along the way
and killed a large red river hog (potamocholrus porais),
and halted and camped. After a feast of wild pork and
the long day's journey, they soon fell into a sound sleep.
A war party was scouting along this route and came
upon the camp at midnight. They were of a tribe never
before met by Oliver. Dressed in grass petticoats and
feathers, with heavy iron anklets and carrying long spears
and bow and arrows, they made a frightful appearance-
Creeping around the tent they sought one of the guards
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
45
while five rushed in and seized Oliver before he was able
to pull out his 44 Colt revolver. They tied him as the
others pillaged and destroyed the camp supplies. Fahn
and another of the boys made their escape.
They bound Oliver hand and foot and strapped him to
his horse's back, which they led as they continued the
river trail. The next morning the party separated, one
division continued the river trail while Oliver was sent
in care of five into the open prairie upon the forest trail.
When the sun was at its zenith Oliver was nearly dead
with thirst, fatigue and the heat which beat down upon
his upturned face.
They suddenly came upon a wild buffalo which imme¬
diately charged upon the party. The horse, taking fright,
galloped toward the river and arrived at the bank just
as the other division was about to embark in canoes.
They unbound Oliver, who was unconscious, gave him
water and bathed his head until he recovered. Then
binding his hands and feet again, they placed him in a
canoe and paddled down the stream.
They arrived at a large town of bamboo huts, not as
clean and well made as the towns formerly visited.
The warriors took Oliver and the three other prisoners
before the king, who sat in his grass, feathered and beaded
dress in an open kitchen in the center of the town.
By his side stood two rival priests, one Alpha, an Ara¬
bian of light complexion and white gown and sandalled
feet. He was of a light figure, medium height and wore
a goatee. He possessed a very crafty appearance.
The other, Zodopanga, was a tall, black African with a
plaited beard and clean shaven head, with a gray band
around. He wore only a grass petticoat, charms and fe¬
tich over his besmired body. His frowning countenance
betrayed his open antagonism to the Arabic priest.
As soon as Alpha saw Oliver he thought of the gun
which he naturally supposed Oliver would have had, so
while the party approached the King, he left and walked
46
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
down toward the canoes. He met one of the warriors
bearing the spoils and looking hastily over them he se¬
lected the 44 revolver, which contained only four car¬
tridges and was the only piece of ammunition saved.
Alpha secured the same and returned to witness the re¬
ception awarded Oliver.
King Wango nor any of his people had ever before
seen a white man nor had they heard of firearms.
When Oliver was brought before him he was very much
surprised at his color. But Zodopanga, who had disap¬
proved of the war, stepped forth and, speaking in the Afri¬
can tongue, said: "Oh King and fellowmen, when the
war party set out upon the path, I told it would be of
no use and we would only lose our men. But you people
listened to Alpha, who said there would be many slaves
to take word to the other world for us and we would find
plenty of rich spoils; but what has the party brought
back? Only three slaves and one white man, who must
be a moon man and not much good.
"I pray you hasten to send the white man on to old
Chief Popowa and have him beg Popowa to head us in
our next battle."
Alpha stood forth and said: "Oh great and wise King
Wango, the war has brought to you the greatest capture
you have ever had. To you the god of lightning has
sent his son to save you from your great enemy, the
leopard, which destroys your people and keeps you from
farming.
"His father the lightning has given him a piece of iron
that can kill the leopard and the elephant. Give to me
the white man and I shall keep him until he destroys
your enemies."
The king listened in doubtful amazement, while Zodo¬
panga pressed his suit and argued that if the prisoner was
really the son of the lightning, the God would send a bolt
and secure him from the Bofimah (or Bouform) priests.
They placed Oliver's right leg in stocks and carried
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
47
him into a dark circular hut. He was glad for a place to
rest and soon fell into slumber. When he awoke his eyes
could not distinguish in the darkness; so that as he looked
around he was surprised when he was addressed in Eng¬
lish: "Daddie." A young brown-skin fellow about 20
years, very thin from fasting, crawled near Oliver and
continued: "I am Twe, a mission boy, who was caught
by a war party. I have been starving so as to try and
slip through the rope when they tie me for the Borfimah
Society. I am so thin they say I cannot walk fast
enough to go as messenger."
"Messenger to whom?" Oliver asked.
"They tie the prisoners and leave them near the river
bank for the crocodile man to come and kill. The croco¬
dile men are the Burfimah priests who meet in the woods
near the river and hold their meetings where they take the
prisoner's heart and make medicine, which they say sends
the spirit of the dead body on to the other world to take
messages, wait upon some king, or keep the company of
some big person who has just died.
"The crocodile men come under the bottom of a canoe.
They have a small canoe turned upside down under the
large one (a kind of diving bell), so that the priest re¬
mains under the water and is not seen by any one pass¬
ing."
Oliver unconsciously felt for his revolver as Twe told
of the Borfimah Society, but he discovered that he was
not left with even a pocket knife.
"I suppose they will dispatch me soon," Oliver re¬
marked.
"I don't know. I heard the people talking about you
outside and they said that Zopodanga wants to give you
to the Borfimah, but Alpha is trying to save you. They
never agree and-they will do all in their power to have
their way. If Alpha is in favor with the King he will
save you," Twe replied.
Oliver remained in prison tortured with suspense for
48
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
three months, during which time Twe became very much
attached to him.
One day the news came that the King's head warrior,
Kryneseh, had died on the battle field. The town was
very much aroused as to who would bear Kryneseh com¬
pany upon his long journey into the unknown world.
Zrododanga soon relieved the situation when, standing
before the King, he said: "Oh King and people, we need
a fast messenger to overtake Kryneseh. We have in
prison the son of the lightning god, so says Alpha; he
must be very fleet-footed to keep up with his father, so
we must give him to the Borfimah this afternoon, so that
to-night he will be sent to join our beloved warrior. He
should overtake Kryneseh at the foot of the first moun¬
tain and bear him company through the dark forest."
This was readily accepted, since it saved the voluntary
offering of the town people for the sacrifice.
Two stalwart warriors went into the hut of Oliver's
confinement; lifting both him and the log, they started
out when Twe leaped toward them. One of the men
turned with a grin and gave him a light back-handed
strike, when he fell upon the floor.
Oliver's hands were bound and his other foot tied
to the log which held the right foot.
He was then taken through a bit of woods and laid face
upwards upon a steep bank overlooking the river. Zodo-
panga took a piece of brown chalk and marked a heart
which he enclosed in a circle, upon Oliver's forehead, and
the whole party returned, leaving Oliver to meet his
fate alone.
Alpha realized that it was useless to oppose the sacri¬
fice and would only cause the triumph of his rival over
him, so he decided to use the occasion to show that he
had championed the son of the lightning and thus humble
his rival.
He had witnessed the loyalty of Twe and as soon as
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
49
the crowd gathered around Oliver, he slipped by the
prison, opened the door and beckoned to Twe.
"Go to my house," he fairly hissed as he strolled back
to the path. When they left for the bank with Oliver
he went into his house, pushed something into Twe's hands
and whispered instructions, and on leaving imitated an
owl, shook his finger and went to the King's court.
Oliver opened his eyes and looked down the stream
where he saw that silent messenger of death, the empty
canoe, slowly drifting toward him.
His first thought was a fight for freedom, but twisting
or turning could not free his hand, and even if the hands
were freed, how would it be possible to remove the iron
band which bound his leg to the log.
He finally saw the hopelessness of his position, and lay
thinking of his Eva and Lucretia, of the old Earl of
Dubley, as he watched the silent messenger coming still
nearer every minute.
"What a wretched death, thought out by fiends alone!"
he exclaimed aloud.
"Mr. Oliver, thank God I am here before the crocodile
man." Oliver turned his head and saw Twe's half nude
body crawling upon his stomach.
Twe pulled a knife out and cut loose the rope on
Oliver's hand, and then handed him the revolver which
had been looted from Oliver, as he whispered: "There is
only one cartridge, you must wait and be still until he
comes near."
"But where are the other cartridges?" Oliver asked,
before he had finished. Twe then slipped the knife into
his hand and disappeared.
Oliver looked into the river when he saw the canoe
nearing the landing. He gripped his revolver tightly and
lay very quietly as a large black man, clean shaven and
wearing only a loin cloth, emerged from the canoe, holding
a long bowie knife in his right hand.
5°
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
He leaped upon the landing, took several deep breaths,
then danced a weird cake walk.
He then proceeded toward his victim. Just as he is
about to spring upon him, holding the knife to plunge
it into his victim's breast, Oliver pulled the trigger and
the crocodile man threw up his hands and fell backwards
near the edge of the embankment.
Twe sprang toward Oliver and grasping his hand for
a second, said:
"Mr. Oliver, give me the knife and gun and let me
tie you quickly before the people come."
"But I must try and escape, Twe. You may take the
gun since it contains no more cartridges, but from the
knife I shall never part," Oliver stubbornly repeated.
Twe managed to persuade him to allow himself to be
retied.
Slipping away with the gun Twe hid behind some ba¬
nana trees near the King's kitchen and hooted three times
like an owl, according to the signal agreed upon.
As soon as the report of the revolver had sounded, the
king and townspeople were all frightened. Zodopanda
volunteered to go and find the cause when Alpha stepped
forward and said: "Oh mighty king, to-day the great light¬
ning god is defending his son, let no one interfere, or
venture near until his anger has calmed, for which I will
offer prayer before you."
Turning around and swaying himself, Alpha performed
mystic pantomime rites until he heard the signal hoots.
Bowing before the king, he invited them all to follow
him. When they reached the spot they were amazed at
the sight of Oliver remaining still tied and unharmed,
while the "crocodile" priest, for the first time visible to
the layman, lay dead upon his back.
All might have gone well if Oliver had given up the
knife.
After the shock was over, even Zodopanda was inclined
to believe that it was a miracle, but when the king or-
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Si
dered Oliver to be unbound and carried to town in tri¬
umph, Zodopanda stood watching the carrying out of
the orders, when he noticed the knife which Oliver still
clasped in his hand.
He at once denounced the whole as a scheme of Alpha's
and claimed that Oliver had had assistance and had killed
the priest with a knife.
This caused a great commotion and divided the towns¬
people. Oliver was again returned to prison.
Alpha was very angry at Oliver and Twe's blunder, but
was obliged to stand by them in order to protect himself.
On the next day the king heard both sides of the argu¬
ment and ended the matter by saying: "Oh Alpha! Oh
Zodopanda! hear me, I pray. This matter is easily set¬
tled. If the lightning god defends his son, we will see
if he can defend him from the wild bull, as we all look
on. Now make ready for the test."
Oliver was more amenable to suggestions, since he dis¬
covered his blunder, so when Twe returned him his re¬
volver and three cartridges, he listened attentively when
he was told to be as calm as possible, and try to kill
the wild bull which he was to face with one cartridge,
so as to save the other two for some future use.
He realized that to attempt to escape would only mean
to kill three men and eventually to be recaptured. He
decided, therefore, to be guided by Twe's and Alpha's
advice.
In the meantime, Zodopanda was busily overseeing the
digging out of a pit arena. After a space of about 20 ft.
diameter was leveled, they built a stout fence around the
edge of the same, leaving an opening with a gate, as a
slanting means of descent into the pit.
After this was completed, a number of stout warriors
entered a small enclosure and drove a large, long horned
wild steer, which they goaded with the ends of their
spears until it entered the pit. They beat drums and
threw missiles at the beast until it was mad and furious.
52
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Oliver was then brought forth and taken out of the
stock. He could hardly use his limbs at first, but soon
overcame the stiffness as he walked.
He was led to the gate of the pit and bidden to descend.
Some of the men threw a cloth over the bull's head just
as Oliver began the descent.
The mad bull, succeeded in extricating himself, rushed
at Oliver, who dodged his attack. This tactic continued
until Oliver got a good aim at the back of his ear, when
he fired and sent the ball straight to the brain.
The spectators were so frightened at the report, that
they held their hands to their ears and ran in every
direction, so that when Alpha called the king to witness
the end of the bull, Wangi and Zodopanda returned to
see the bull stretched upon the ground and Oliver standing
with one foot upon it.
The warriors descended into the pit and bore Oliver
upon their shoulders. He was finally seated in the audi¬
ence court and asked to show the iron which could carry
thunder and lightning, but taking a cue from Alpha, who
had warned him against the same, he told them that it
was within the steer's brains, and that his father gave
him only one at a time because of its danger. To this
they listened credulously and held him in awe. But
Zodopanda, seeing the advantage Alpha was gaining,
stepped forth and asked how it was possible for Oliver to
have been captured and held in captivity with such
power at his command.
Alpha explained by saying that the gods had sent
Oliver to defend his people from the great leopard and
that he should not be harmed but carefully guarded and
that he should be fed and housed and made his assistant.
Oliver was given a hut for his own use and offered a
slave when he begged to be given Twe. He was virtually
Alpha's prisoner, and his hut was continually guarded.
While Alpha jealously kept away all visitors, he was per-
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
S3
mitted to walk around the town at certain hours under
an escort of five.
At these times he usually pointed out to Twe such
things as tobacco leaves, the small stems of wild cane
and corn cob.
When he returned and prepared himself for the luxury
of a smoke, he would in this way improve his condition
as he continually planned his escape.
One day Twe handed him a large pearl, saying: "Mas¬
ter, this is what Alpha is doing in this town, buying
pearls with beads from these silly people."
"Where did you get this?" Oliver asked. "
"One of the men gave it to me for a small piece of
your tobacco. I followed them and saw Alpha let them
into his house, and when they came out they were laugh¬
ing over some beads.
Oliver lighted his corncob and stretched out in his
bamboo easy chair, manufactured by himself and Twe,
before the fire in the center of the hut and built upon the
floor.
He thought of the happy hours spent in their Sierra
Leone home kitchen, when with an apron tied around his
neck and shirt sleeves rolled back, he assisted Eva as
she carved and molded wax beads for Lucretia's amuse¬
ment.
An idea came into his mind. Why not try some of the
Kaolin clay and the native dyes. Perhaps he could bribe
Alpha to assist in his escape as the price of the secret,
he thought.
Calling Twe to his side, he ordered him to bring in
some of the gray clay, some small cane reeds and to beg
some of the colored dyes from the women, especially the
red and yellow.
When Twe returned with the articles as directed, Oli¬
ver mixed the clay with some of the bright red dyes, until
he obtained the desired color. He directed Twe as to the
length he wished the hollow reeds, then rolling the dough
54
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
over the reeds, he continued doing so until they were
molded into oblong, slender and other shaped beads.
After this he cut the ends off with a knife and placed
them in an earthen pot over the fire until they hardened
and finally polished to a bright glazing appearance.
His first attempt was a great success. He called Twe
to him, and tying them in a banana leaf, instructed Twe
to take them to Alpha with his compliments.
"Oh, master, you do a bad thing for send dose beads
to Alpha. He go make you stay for make plenty more
for him. You better make plenty more and lemme buy
you plenty of pearls. If no be Alpha is jealous of Zodo-
panda, he no for save your life."
But Oliver's sense of gratitude and honor prompted
him to disregard such advice and to send Twe on to
Alpha.
Alpha naturally was very much surprised, and his
cupidity aroused his cunning. He called upon Oliver im¬
mediately and was all smiles, and pretended friendship.
He was also cautious because he suspected that his se¬
cret was out, and that Oliver would either become a rival
or betray his secret by enlightening the oyster diver whom
he had taught to search for pearls.
In the meantime his beads were nearly exhausted and
in Oliver he saw the promise of a rich harvest.
Oliver soon made his proposition known, i.e., to sell
the process of making the beads in exchange for his free¬
dom. But this did not suit the ease-loving Arabian, when
so competent a worker was already in his power.
He pretended to agree while he urged Oliver to make
a large quantity at the time of instructions. Oliver soon
realized that he was Alpha's dupe, and several times awoke
just in time to discover Alpha crawling upon his knees,
searching for the revolver in Oliver's hut.
Twe took a chance in the matter and bundled up quite
a number of beads that he had securely hidden. He ap¬
proached Oliver and asked for a day off for hunting.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
55
Upon his return he brought a small grass bag full of the
most lustrous and perfect pearls.
Oliver gasped in amazement when Twe told him how
he had visited the oyster beds and traded for the pearls,
after obtaining a promise of secrecy. Twe continued his
pearl trading.
One day Oliver ran to the door of his hut at the cries
of some women who, running and beating their heads
with their hands, ran to the king's court and fell upon
their faces.
A leopard had entered a half town two nights succes¬
sively, and taken away a child and a grown man. The
bravest huntsmen were selected and Oliver was assigned
the leadership.
Oliver was glad of the opportunity because he planned
to attempt his escape. He informed Twe of his inten¬
tion so that Twe bundled up their small stove and they
started upon the hunt, after receiving Alpha's blessing.
As they were walking single file through the woods,
Oliver had just time to raise his gun as he, Twe and the
huntsmen scattered in the woods.
He saw the fiery eyes and extended claws, when he
pulled the trigger and sent the bullet to the heart of
the animal. But the great cat had been very accurate
in her measurement of distance, for Oliver just had time
to dodge, but not before one of her great forepaws landed
upon his shoulders, as she fell on top of him, sinking her
claws in further. Twe was the first to recover from the
shock and run to Oliver's assistance.
The men returned and lifted the paw of the beast from
Oliver's shoulder, while Twe tore the sleeve of his shirt
and bound his arm, during the unconsciousness of the
suffering man.
Twe then unwound a grass hammock which he had
folded in the bundle, and instructed the men to cut a
pole to which he tied it, and then placed Oliver in the
hammock, while the other party secured the man-eating
56
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
leopard to another pole, and proceeded to the village.
Thus when Oliver recovered consciousness, he was very
much surprised and disappointed to find himself back
to his old surroundings.
But it was a gala day for the town. Oliver was borne
in triumph to the king by the warriors. Around the
kitchen young men and women dressed in grass petti¬
coats, danced the Gombey, a very wild but graceful cake-
walk. The king presented Oliver the hide and claws of
the huge leopard. These being considered only the
property of the king, with the teeth, owing to their rare
value among all African tribes, Oliver was aware of the
honor, and selecting one of the claws, he bade the king
accept it as a remembrance of the occasion. He also
presented one to Alpha. Something prompted him to
offer one to Zodopanda, but knowing that Alpha would
not like such a proceeding, he did not take advantage of
the opportunity of winning a true friend who might have
spared him some of the sad experiences he was to suffer
through Alpha's treachery.
After the presentation of the claws, the king whispered
into the ear of one of the couriers, who left his royal
side immediately.
Oliver was soon given an unpleasant surprise, when
he was finally made to understand that the blushing
black maiden attired in a grass petticoat, and numerous
beads and leopard teeth around the neck and waist, bore
the title of a young princess and was given to him as wife.
The king watched Oliver closely, and was disappointed
at the lack of appreciation shown by the latter. When
he finally understood that the great honor was rejected,
he at once demanded the reason.
Oliver then related the separation from his wife and
child, and begged to be permitted to return to his family.
"Oh," said King Wanga, "that makes no difference.
I have many wives. The lightning god sent you to live
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
57
with us, so you must forget the other wife and take wives
from among us."
Zodopanda whispered something into his ear, his face
contracted into a frown, then turning to Oliver again he
said, "Do you, oh moon man, refuse my daughter?"
Oliver protested again and told him that his religion
permitted only one wife.
The conference finally closed, but the rejection of the
royal bride had caused a perceptible coolness. It was
only the hope of having permanent protection from the
wild beast and the fear of the destruction of the iron
which Oliver possessed that saved his life.
When the week had ended, and Oliver had not returned
as promised, Eva was nearly distracted with grief. Every
morning and evening she could be seen at the edge of the
hill overlooking the direction of Oliver's departure, kneel¬
ing with Lucretia as they prayed for the father's safe
return.
CHAPTER XVI
EVA STARTS SEARCH FOR HER HUSBAND
Six months passed, each day adding more and more
to the suspense in her mind as to the fate of her husband.
Finally, calling Yanga to her one evening, she said,
"Yanga, I can stand this suspense no longer. I shall
take some of the boys and go searching for my husband.
I know that you love Lucretia as if she were your own
child, so I shall leave her in the care of you and Tobey.
Lucretia is the only person Tobey really cares for and
I know he would defend her with his life."
"Oh, Miss Eva, don't go away. You know I will gib
my life for Miss Lucretia, but I want us all to be to¬
gether," Yanga replied.
"But you do not understand, Yanga. I have no right
to risk my daughter's life any more than we have al-
58
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
ready. I am leaving a letter to be given to Governor
Row, in case we do not return in six months. If after
that time we are not returned, you and Tobey must join
the first caravan going to Musada. Tell King Banna
Kelly of your desire to be sent to Govenor Row of Free¬
town and he will send you on."
After completing the arrangements for her departure,
Eva kissed Lucretia quietly as the latter slept upon
her cot.
Taking Varnee as her escort, she started with eight
carriers, two bearing her hammock and the others the
camp supplies.
They proceeded along the river trail, camping at night,
when they would put up a small camp tent for Eva.
One evening the boys were squatting around a fire near
the tent, when a large leopard crept noiselessly along and
sneaked in between the flaps of the tent.
Eva lay in a hammock stretched lengthwise. She
opened her eyes upon its entrance, and lay gazing at the
fiery eyes of the beast as it watched closely, and remained
in a springing attitude.
Eva realized that the least movement on her part meant
instant death. She therefore lay very quiet, not even
daring to bat her eyes.
Just as she had given up hope of rescue, she heard a
loud growl, and saw Varnee run in from the back end of
the tent with a large torch of fire which he shook before
the leopard, and it retired with furious growls. Eva lost
consciousness for a few minutes, but soon recovered, and
learned that when the leopard's tail disappeared within
the tent the carriers had all deserted, saying that she was
killed, and that they must seek safety. Varnee alone
ventured to attempt rescue.
They decided that it was unsafe to remain longer in
the neighborhood of the infuriated beast, whose growls
could be heard in the distance.
Varnee hurriedly bundled a few things, which he
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
59
strapped to his shoulders, as he also shouldered a Win¬
chester rifle. He gave Eva a lighted torch, proceeded in
a bending position, searching the narrow trail. Thus
they continued, frightening the antelope and other beasts
which scampered along the way. They finally came upon
a small half town of bamboo huts and sleeping natives in
the early morning. Eva questioned the frightened in¬
habitants, who could not understand Varnee's tongue, and
with a pantomime conversation she soon realized that she
could gain no tidings of Oliver from them.
After resting a day, Varnee managed to secure a canoe
and paddles, and they started in the early morning by the
water route.
As they were paddling near the bank, they came upon
some wild cane which grew partly in the water. As Var¬
nee was trying to extricate the canoe from the floating
weeds, a hippopotamus was aroused from its siesta and
plunged into the stream, upsetting the canoe in its hurried
departure.
Eva managed to catch hold of the overturned canoe,
and held on until Varnee rescued her just before the hip¬
popotamus returned to investigate the cause of the recent
excitement.
Taking to the woods with no means of making a fire
and with no food, Varnee climbed into a tree to secure
some monkey apples for their meal, when he saw a large
elephant running in Eva's direction. He just had time
to shout to her to climb a tree. It was close upon her
before she reached a small tree which she hastily climbed.
The elephant wrapped its trunk around the slender
tree and made an effort to uproot it. The tree top swayed
and bent nearly to the ground, while Eva clung to its
branches. It seemed only a question of a few minutes
before the tree would be uprooted.
Several days after Eva had left the camp, Tobey ran
to Yanga, who was preparing Lucretia's noon-day meal.
6o
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
and said, "Gib me little un quick, quick, war lif for come
for here."
Picking up Lucretia, he started for the woods, while
Yanga, true to her precautious disposition, gathered up
some articles of clothing, food, and the letter, which she
tied into a large madras handkerchief and bundled it into
a large blanket shawl. She then followed Tobey's bush
trail, just as the war party was nearing the barricade.
Tobey had concealed himself and waited until Yanga
approached when, still carrying Lucretia they ran further
into the woods. But Yanga's delay had almost been
fatal, for some of the warriors caught a glimpse of her
calico wrapper as she disappeared into the woods. So
that while the greater number despoiled and ravaged the
camp, even to cutting up the canvas tents, a few pursued
Yanga.
The warriors were very close upon them when Tobey
handed Lucretia to Yanga and ran into view so as to
throw them off Yanga's tracks.
His long cloth which he stoically wore across his
shoulders even in a jungle flight readily deceived the party
who had only caught a glimpse of Yanga's wrapper.
Yanga in the meantime lay down with Lucretia behind
a large log and remained very quiet until their pursuers
had disappeared in another direction.
Lifting Lucretia on one arm while she balanced the
bundle upon her head with the other, she ran as rapidly
as she could over the many roots and through the thick
grass. When she reached a safe distance she stood Lu¬
cretia upon a rock and opened her bundle; after giving
Lucretia a few biscuits, she had Lucretia hold on to her
shoulders and sit upon her back as she tied the large
blanket around her.
Yanga had frequently employed this method of con¬
veyance since Lucretia was quite small, and now, although
she was quite a little maid she still enjoyed the ride.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
61
Placing the bundle upon her head Yanga held her
shirt as she waded the ponds and marshy swamps.
When night approached she looked around until she
found a large hollow tree. Taking a stick in her hand
she prodded up the trunk and around until she was satis¬
fied no serpents or poisonous insects were concealed
within. She then gathered up a large pile of briars and
thorny shrubs and placed them near the entrance. After
placing Lucretia inside and creeping in upon her hands,
she pulled the pile before the tree.
Opening and snuggling in with Lucretia, wrapped snug¬
ly in the blanket, while she sat and watched a large ape
return to its lair. She dared not make a move, and
looked in terror as the huge monkey attempted to pull
away the brush. But after several of the thorns had
stuck into its paws, with a cry of pain and rage, it
ambled away.
Thus the night passed as she watched the buffalo, an¬
telope, hartbeast and other wild animals pass by seeking
their respective lairs or prey.
Thus they wandered through the forest, eating wild
figs, pineapples and other fruits and sleeping among the
roots of the large cottonwood trees or caves.
Emerging from the forest they entered a. hot, sandy
plain. As far as Yanga could see was only a barren
desert. Holding Lucretia's hand they wandered on. Lu¬
cretia looked up into Yanga's face and said, "Oh Yanga,
I am so thirsty and want my mamma and papa so bad."
Yanga picked her up and struggled along until she was
hardly able to stand upon her feet, when Lucretia began
crying.
Yange threw up her hands in despair and lay exhausted
for a while. Struggling to her feet she picked up her
bundle and held Lucretia by the hand as they walked
through the burning sands.
They finally reached a large tree when both Lucretia
62
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
and Yanga fell exhausted under its shade and were soon
asleep.
Lucretia first awoke, crying for water, when Yanga
opened her eyes in time to see a small monkey climbing
a tree with some fruit in its hand and mouth.
Yanga looked around and disc 7e ed quite a number
of little brown rough skin plums which partially allayed
the thirst of both. After securing quite a number they
resumed their journey. The parched lips refused to be
cooled by the plums and just as Yanga had given up hope
she recognized in a short distance the traveller's tree
(wrania speciesa). With renewed hope she picked up
Lucretia and went as fast as her weak stat' vould permit.
As soon as she reached the tree she opened a large
pocket knife and cut away one of the fronds; as soon
as the water flowed she satisfied Lucretia's thirst and then
her own.
They entered a sparsely wooded forest and finally came
upon a ruined native village. All of the houses except one
small bamboo hut had been razed to the ground by fire.
All of the vegetation and fruit trees near had also met
the same fate.
It was about 4 p.m. when they reached the village, and
Lucretia was fatigued.
Yanga fixed a pallet of the blanket in the small hut
and lay Lucretia upon the same to rest.
After Lucretia had fallen asleep, Yanga wandered
around in search for food. Lucretia awoke soon after
she had gone and coming out of the hut she began crying
and calling for Yanga. Just from behind a clump of
dried banana bushes appeared a little black five-year-old
baby girl, wearing only beads around her waist and hold¬
ing the hand of a large chimpanzee almost as large as
herself.
She looked in Lucretia's direction, first in fright, but the
sight of Lucretia's tears overcame the first idea of flight.
Lucretia was so glad of human companionship and
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
63
having a fondness for monkey pets, she did not hesitate
very long but ran to meet the queer pair. Recalling some
of the African words she had heard Varnee and Yanga
frequently use she said: "Yakune?" (How do you do).
The little girl's face became full of smiles, showing her
little white baby teeth.
"Uhnlakune," she replied, returning the same compli¬
ments.
"Wo Twe?" (What are your names?), Lucretia asked.
"Na tuhn Zina, ah tuhn Nogi," (My name is Zina and
its name is Nogi), Zina replied, as she indicated the
chimpanzee in her last reply.
Zina soon made Lucretia understand, with the addition
of the African pantomime language, that the language
they both spoke was a branch of the Mande tongue, and
that she and her mother had lived long ago far, far away
in the Mandingo country and had been caught in war
and sold as slaves back farther into the interior.
Then the war had come upon the village a few weeks
before and killed nearly all of the inhabitants, her mother
among them. As she made the motion of cutting the
throat, she burst into tears and was soothed by Lucretia,
who patted her gently upon the back.
"Nogi," she continued, had fled with her to safety
among the woods and had fed and acted as her mother
ever since.
As the children conversed they wandered toward the
woods, being led unconsciously by Nogi, which gently
pulled Zina's hand as she ambled toward the forest.
Lucretia suddenly realized that it was becoming dark
and she pulled Zina and Nogi back to the deserted village
as she cried for Yanga.
But as the night shadows began to fall, Nogi, very in¬
sistently, led them toward the woods until they reached a
small opening closed with brushwood.
Nogi opened the brush and entered the aperture and
coming out again she gathered fresh leaves and carried
64
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
them into the cave, after which she drew her charges in
and pulled the brush before the opening.
After the children lay in the rear upon the leaves, Nogi
stretched across the front in order to protect them.
One day a hunting party of Africans, clothed in cotton
shirts and carrying spears, passed near the cave just as
Nogi was about to enter with food for the children.
The man gave a shout as soon as they saw her. Nogi
made no effort to escape nor to enter the cave, but threw
down her fruit before the entrance in a defensive attitude.
One of the huntsmen wounded her before she could
be removed from her stand.
The children heard the commotion and partly witnessed
the struggle. They both began crying and when the
men looked into the cavern they were overcome with awe
at the sight of the two children, especially Lucretia, whose
golden hair was in wild disorder and her blue eyes ex¬
panded in fright.
The men had never before seen a white person; they
therefore fell upon their faces in a worshipful attitude.
When they arose they brought forth the two children
and looking around saw Nogi dead beside the entrance.
They buried her inside the cave and left.
Placing each child upon the shoulders of the two men
they proceeded in the same direction which they came.
Varnee realized the imminent danger Eva was in; he
therefore hastily descended from his safe perch and at¬
tracted the elephant's attention.
The huge animal suddenly unloosed his snout from the
tree, which bounded back so quickly that Eva was nearly
thrown out.
Varnee shouted to her to make her escape as the
elephant chased him in fast pursuit.
One day as Eva wandered through the woods she heard
voices of some natives passing on a nearby trail. She
had been so long without human companionship that she
preferred the risk of capture to the jungle terrors.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
65
Emerging from the woods, she came upon the hunting
party, bearing Lucretia. Calling out to Lucretia she ran
as fast as she could, holding out her arms.
Lucretia recognized her mother and began kicking
upon the man's breast as she screamed and called for
her mamma.
The men halted at this other miracle and watched the
two in their wild embrace.
Eva was too weak to walk with the party. The men
therefore cut poles and bamboo and thatch and constructed
a stretcher, upon which they placed Eva and Lucretia
and which was placed upon the shoulders of four men.
They arrived at a large African town of mud huts,
situated at the base of a mountain called the "Yawhey
Mountain" or "Mountain of God."
The large clean town was arranged in circular streets.
The King and people decided that Eva and Lucretia
had been sent by the "Moon God" whom they worshipped.
He therefore delivered Eva and the children to the
priest from the mountain, and ordered that they should
tend the fires and live upon the Yawhey Mountain.
They were led up the steep pathway to the summit,
where a large space was cleared away and enclosed in
a stout fence.
In the center stood a circular mosque shaped temple
covered with thatch. In the center of the polished floor
was a large ebony carved image of a man in a sitting
posture. Upon its brow was a half moon shaped golden
crown. In his right hand he held a long ebony staff
surmounted by a half moon and a star in the center of
the same metal.
Its stool was of gold, while large half moon rings were
hanging from its ears and nose.
In the front of the idol a slow fire of sweet smelling
twigs burned continually night and day.
At the back of the temple several small huts were
66
THE LEOPARD'S'CLAW
reserved for the priests and virgins, who kept the fire
burning.
Eva and the children were given a hut to themselves.
They were given white robes, crowns and belts of gold
to wear when performing the sacred rites.
When Oliver returned to his hut, Alpha called in a very
bad mood. "What zee matter you no marry king daugh¬
ter?"
"There is no need in discussing the subject again,
Alpha," Oliver replied.
"Me makee you bigee man so me be bigee priest.
You lif for spoil ebryting."
"Let me give you to understand now you will never
add to your power by attempting to marry me to any
one," Oliver replied, as he emphasized the same with his
fist upon a log table.
Alpha then left in a rage. Some time afterward Twe
came in and said: "Master Alpha done make a wide
goatskin belt which he put all him beg pearls and put it
round him waist. I think he lif for get ready to go
away."
"Say, I guess we had better try our skill on the leopard
.hide and keep a watch upon his movements," Oliver re¬
plied.
The hide had been well tanned, so that they soon man¬
aged by punching holes to make a secure belt of five
inches width, which they also filled with their best pearls.
CHAPTER XVII
Oliver's flight
One day the town was assembled in the open court, and
Alpha announced that the King's oldest son was bewitched
and lay at the point of death.
That the King had demanded a sassawood trial (trial
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
67
by poison ordeal), but that he had managed to locate the
guilty party by occult means and thus that person only
Should be subjected to the ordeal.
The villagers were so glad to be relieved of the general
test that they received this announcement with applause.
Alpha then named the nephew of Zodopanga; this an¬
nouncement was received in silence. Zodopanga stepped
forth and accused Alpha in turn and ended ,"If you kill
my nephew, and the King's son fails to recover, you and
your moon man will drink the sassawood; if you escape
harm my nephew was the witch."
This speech was greeted with loud cheers and met the
approval of King Wanga.
Alpha led away a tall, muscular young man of about
six feet. They returned shortly afterward with Fulle's
(the suspected witch) head clean shaven.
Alpha directed the arranging of a fire upon the ground
over which a large earthern pot of water was placed upon
three stones enclosing the fire. He next held in his hands
several pieces of sassawood bark, over which he made
incantations and dropped into the boiling water.
After the liquid had boiled a sufficient length of time,
he dipped in a gourd dipper and tested the strength by
tasting a little.
"Me makee you bigee man so me be bigee priest.
You lif for spoil ebryting."
"Let me give you to understand now you will never
add to your power by attempting to marry me to any
one," Oliver replied.
The hide had been well tanned so that they soon man¬
aged by punching holes.
When the tea was cooled, Alpha made a speech and car-
Tied a quart of the liquid to Fulle, who squatted upon
the ground in terror. He compelled the victim to drain
the gourd dipper.
Fulle soon began to roll and groan in misery. The ad¬
ministering of the sassawood was continued two more times
68
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
at half hour intervals. The victim finally rushed around
in a twisted position and fell dead at Alpha's feet.
When Oliver returned home after witnessing the terrible
ordeal, he was very much upset and had determined to
use his last cartridge in defense when he should be
brought for trial. Alpha crept in shortly afterward and
whispered, "Git ready, we lif for run away to-night."
They discussed their plans and decided upon their meet¬
ing place before Alpha departed.
Oliver stored his leopard claws within his belt, together
with his pearls, and fastened it around his waist. Twe
tied up the remaining pearls in a grass bag and bundled
it with a few provisions and grass mats. He left about
4 p.m. and passed unmolested to the meeting place agreed
upon.
Shortly after he had gone, women ran from the huts
and rolled upon the ground as they screamed that the
young'prince was dead.
Oliver took advantage of the confusion to slip through
the crowd and enter the woods.
He had no more than reached Twe, when Alpha ran
upon them almost out of breath. He carried a large
white parcel to which he clung tenaciously.
They started upon the river trail and had not pro¬
ceeded very far when they heard sounds of their pursuers.
They could distinguish several canoes upon the river, full
of yelling mad men.
Suddenly they perceived that a portion of the pursuers
had taken the river trail and were close upon them.
They could hear the men piercing their spears into the
bushes as they followed.
Unable to flee without revealing their presence, they
hid behind a clump of bushes and remained very quiet,
but the wary huntsmen continued prodding into the
shrubs.
When they approached very near, Oliver had at first
decided to use his last cartridge, but knowing the fury
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
69
of the crowd and the large numbers likely to be attracted
from the river by the report, he concluded to try a ven¬
triloquist's trick with which he used to amuse his com¬
panions in his school days. He gave a very accurate
imitation of a leopard's growl.
The brave man hunters ran away in fright from the
dreaded beast. Alpha and Twe were also deceived and
were it not that the men were in too great a haste to
make their own escape, they would have seen Alpha also
running in fright. Oliver decided not to let Alpha into
the secret, but explained to Twe, who soon ran back
to his master's side.
The party continued their trail free from their pursuers.
One morning they came upon a full grown bull rhino¬
ceros which immediately charged upon the party. Oliver
and Twe were quick in their movements and were soon
up in the safety of two large trees.
Alpha was very much hampered by his wide gown,
which flared in the wind, as the rhinoceros followed close
upon him. When he attempted to climb a tree, the ani¬
mal pinned the gown to the tree, and only when Oliver
shouted several times did he slip out of the gown and
continue his ascent.
The white gown soon covered the beast's head, and this
infuriated the animal the more as it ran around' trying
to extricate itself. When it had finally trampled the
gown to pieces, it kept a long vigil around the trees.
Oliver stood the imprisonment for several hours, when he
fired his last shot at the jailor.
Although the shot missed the mark, it had the desired
effect, and frightened the beast away.
They left the old trail and came upon a large field of
guinea grass. They suffered much for water until they
reached a small cluster of palm trees. Twe climbed into
a bamboo palm and tapped the top, from which the fresh
palm wine spurted. He called to Oliver, but Alpha
pushed Oliver out of the way and hastily ascended, fought
70
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
with Twe and satisfied his own thirst first. Thus again
he showed his selfishness.
They camped under the trees, first having burned away
a large patch of the grass. They then gathered grass
and twigs and made a circle of fire around them and di¬
vided the night into watches.
During Alpha's watch, he fell asleep and fire caught
the surrounding field and caused a general conflagration.
The heat awakened Oliver, who discovered upon all sides
flames of fire, the heat and smoke becoming more and
more unbearable. Climbing hastily into the scorched
palm tree, he saw numerous wild animals running in a
certain direction. He decided that a stream must be the
goal, so informing his terrified companions of his sur¬
mise and desperate determination, they cut palm leaves
and followed the tracks of the animals over the smoulder¬
ing grass, fighting the flames which continually caught
Alpha's gown.
They reached the stream almost overcome. But their
trials were not ended, as the stream was filled with wild
and terror stricken beasts of prey and elephants.
They were therefore compelled to climb a tree, when
they discovered stout vines reaching across the stream.
Twe ventured across first, then Oliver ad Alpha followed,
swinging over to the wines with their blistered hands.
One day returning to the old camp, Oliver found him¬
self in familiar grounds. With a cry of joy he rushed
toward the hill of his old camp. When he reached the
summit and saw the ruin and devastation that greeted
him, he ran toward the frame of one of their old tents
and threw up his hands in despair. Falling forward he
was caught by Twe, who seated him gently upon the
grass. Oliver remained sitting with his head in his hands
for a whole day.
Finally recovering himself, he began to look around for
some message from his wife. He remembered the hiding
place of their strong box in which the private papers, the
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
7i
nuggets, rings, writing material and an extra compass
were kept. Digging into the ground he uncovered it and
opened it and found within: "My dearest, if you should
reach the camp before I find you, Yanga will tell you how
long I waited and suffered before starting out to search
for you.
"Lucretia is in safe hands with Yanga and Tobey. I
would not take the risk of removing her from this safe
retreat. I am taking the same route that you took. 'Au
Revoir,' dearie, until we meet again shortly. Your wife."
Oliver broke down in a good cry for the first time
during his troubles. Twe found two pair of Oliver's
trousers, hidden away under an old bamboo bed. Oliver
and he donned them in place of the tattered ones which
they had been wearing. Taking the box along, Oliver
left the camp to search for Eva and Lucretia.
Alpha was very curious to know what the box con¬
tained, and the first night they camped, he slid upon
his stomach until he was within reach of the box, which
sat near Oliver's head. Twe awoke just as he was about
to seize it and wrenched it away.
One day Oliver discovered a large diamond, second in
size only to the Cullingham, lying among some debris at
the edge of a deserted mining pit. He examined the blue
soil, and soon analyzed it to be rich in diamonds of fine
quality. He sat down and with the aid of his compass
drew a plot of the location.
He then held the stone in his hand said aloud, "Oh Eva,
what a price I have paid for this bauble and mine! Too
late, I fear, has the fickle god of fortune given me the
key to wealth? Would that I had heeded old Mulley
and turned my footsteps homeward."
While he stood thus musing aloud, Alpha stood behind
a clump of bushes at his back listening as his eyes glis¬
tened and watched the stone in rapacious cupidity. After
securing the stone and the plot in the box, Oliver again
continued the journey.
72
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
They reached a small half town, and Oliver traded a few
of his leopard's claws for a canoe and food, after having
discovered that the villagers could give no information
about Eva and Lucretia.
When later finding that they would be unable to reach
a native village by night, they chose a desirable camping
spot and soon fell asleep, within the circle of fire which
Alpha's tinder box always provided. Oliver removed the
belt of pearls from around his waist and placed them upon
his box. He was so fatigued that he soon fell fast asleep
with one hand on his stomach.
Alpha drew a sharp dagger and held it in readiness to
plunge into Oliver at the slightest movement as he crawled
toward him on his knees.
Oliver's good angel guarded him and he never moved
when Alpha lifted his hand and secured the box and
pearls.
When Oliver and Twe awoke the next morning, they
discovered that Alpha had not only stolen the box and
pearls, but had cleaned the camp of everything and
decamped in a canoe. With only the mats upon which
they slept and their knives, which were secured around
their waists, they set out upon the journey through the
woods.
At night, discovering fire in the distance, they ap¬
proached and saw Alpha asleep within the circle of fire
and clasping a large white bundle to his breast.
"I go kill him while he lif for sleep, master," Twe whis¬
pered, as he drew forth his knife. Oliver caught his hand.
"Put it back, Twe, we are not savages. I wish we had
something to carry water in, we would have some fun
taking away the package he embraces so fondly."
"See dem vine, master, hanging from dem tree? Dey
get water, when we get lost and can't find water, we get
dem vine and drink dem water," Twe replied.
They tiptoed to the vine and when Oliver tapped one,
the milky water flowed freely.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
73
^ "I guess you had better locate the canoe, while I ex¬
tinguish the fire," Oliver said to Twe, as he turned the
twater on the fire, using the vines as hose. Alpha was so
sound asleep that he did not hear the sizzling noise.
When Twe returned and indicated the location of the
canoe, Oliver had completed his task and Twe crept to
Alpha and pulled away the heavy bundle. Oliver and
Twe escaped to the canoe as Alpha ran around bewil¬
dered in the darkness, striking his fists in rage.
Oliver decided that it was better to cross the river, than
to run the risk of meeting Alpha again, so they headed
the canoe in a south-easterly direction. The river was
over half a mile in width and they congratulated them¬
selves when the canoe grounded upon a narrow landing,
before they had paddled half as long as anticipated.
They scrambled to the shore and found a steep bank
which they ascended with the greatest difficulty owing to
the darkness and the burden of the heavy parcel.
As they neared the top Oliver's hand pulled down a
shower of dry bones, which they thought were chips of
wood. Reaching the summit, they were surprised to find
it barren of shrubbery. They sat upon the ground and
waited for morning, and when it grew light they saw a
small island covered with skulls and other dry bones.
"Dis be dem island dey bury dem witch people, who
die from sassawood," Twe remarked as he shook in terror.
They proceeded toward the canoe, when they discovered
that it had drifted away with the tide. They ran around
the island, hunting in despair for some sign of their run¬
away craft, when several large alligators swimming close
to the island warned them of the fruitlessness of attempt¬
ing to swim the long distance to either of the opposite
shores.
While Twe watched for a canoe, Oliver untied the
bundle taken from Alpha and gave a shirt to Twe to use
as a signal. He then unlocked his box and taking out
the writing materials and compass, he emptied all of the
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
pearls and the diamonds into it. He scooped out the
leopard claws and placed the plot of the mine in the
open ends of two of them, placing them also in the box.
After locking it, he dug a hole and buried it, after which
he wrote an accurate description of its location on a small
piece of paper, which he folded and hid within the largest
of his four remaining claws. This claw he had always in¬
tended to save for Lucretia, as a souvenir of the escape
of her father from the man-eating beast. He placed the
claws and writing material in his leopard skin belt, and
took turns with Twe waving the signal.
After a long vigil spent during another night upon the
gruesome island, they had fallen down from weakness and
despair, giving up all hope. As the evening shades fell
they heard the sound of approaching canoes.
CHAPTER XVIII
Oliver's imprisonment and escape
With renewed hope they arose from their prostrate
positions and walking to the bank, watched the canoes
land. The men were chalked and tattoed, making a
frightful appearance, with their masks and grass robes.
They were the "Neegees," men who bury the witches.
They were more surprised than Oliver, and it was only
after much persuasion and the sight of Alpha's shirt that
they consented to take back Oliver and Twe.
They were conveyed to the shore for which they had
first headed. Their reception was by no means a welcome
one. They were not allowed to enter the town, but were
held outside as prisoners, while the king sat in council
upon their case. They were condemned as witches, and
ordered to a deep pit, where they were to await the morn¬
ing and be burned alive. They were placed in the pit
with their hands tied behind them.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
75
"Twe, can you manage to get my kife out?" Oliver
inquired. Twe managed to reach Oliver's side, and turn¬
ing his back to the latter tried to extricate the knife in
vain.
"Master, dis be Tobey. I lif for let down knife for
you," Oliver heard a whisper from above, and soon caught
a glimpse of the bright steel as it descended into the pit.
After cutting loose the bindings from himself and Twe,
he called up to Tobey and informed him.
"Me sendee rope, you climb one one, no fear, me holdee
strong."
Oliver caught the rope and ascended, after which Twe
followed. Tobey led them quietly to the river bank,
where they found a canoe which he had already prepared
for their flight.
They had not gone very far before the alarm was given
and warriors with their bows and arrows launched half
a dozen canoes in pursuit. The three fugitives made their
paddles fly, and their small craft fairly glided over the
water, but the warriors coming within a close range
showered poisonous arrows after them, but by some mir¬
acle, the arrows passed over their heads and missed them.
The chase continued under a shower of arrows, flying
wide of the mark. The pursuers had gained rapidly, and
were just about to close in upon them, when Tobey
steered the canoe into the rapids which led to a steep
waterfall.
With victorious shouts, the party gave up the chase,
and returned rejoicing over the certain death of their
escaped victims.
Tobey understood the channel of the rapids well, and
had more than once used it upon his flight from pursuers.
He soon turned into a well known current, and emerged
from their dangerous situation.
Several years had passed in an unsuccessful search for
tidings of his wife and daughter. Oliver, Tobey and
Twe were walking on the bank of a narrow stream, which
76
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
rushed over large stones in a swift current to a deep,
perpendicular waterfall.
"Lookee, fool man come in canoe?" Tobey called out
as he pointed up the stream. Oliver looked back and
saw a white turbaned and robed figure holding on to the
sides of a canie as it was tossed helter skelter among the
rocks.
"Say, Tobey, won't you swing from the limb of that
tree and hold on to my feet, and I will try to rescue the
poor fellow, when he reaches the open current," Oliver
said as he indicated the thick limb of a large tree stretch¬
ing across the stream about fifteen feet from the waterfall.
"Uhm! me no fitee," Tobey grunted, "all two we fall
in water."
"Oh, master, don't worry, dat be ole Alpha. I so glad
he go die soon," Twe announced.
"Shut up, Twe! don't forget that Alpha saved my life
once and I owe him his pearls also," Oliver said in an
irritated tone.
Just then some fishermen came along, bearing a heavy
seine of stout raffia and grass ropes.
Oliver ran to meet them and before they understood
what he was about, he had them following him up the
tree bearing the seine. He called out to Tobey to assist
and they just had time to drop the seine and hold on
to one end as it swung across the stream, when Alpha's
canoe entered the swift current and was soon within reach.
Alpha lost no time, but caught hold of the ropes, reach¬
ing the tree limb in safety. He joined the trio upon their
journey, as if they had parted in the most friendly man¬
ner. But both Twe and Tobey detected him scowling at
Oliver whenever he thought himself unobserved.
During the night as they camped in the woods, Tobey
surprised Alpha as he crept toward Oliver with a sharp
dagger in his hand. Alpha leaped into the woods and
fled when Tobey rushed toward him.
"Ain't so I tell master let that bad man drown. We
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
77
no see much trouble since we got loose from him," Twe
remarked to Tobey after Alpha's flight.
One evening at early dusk, the three wanderers reached
a native village, and found most of the villagers marching
toward a high hill, in the side of which was an excava¬
tion about four feet in diameter, through which flames of
fire were seen coming from the interior, situated about
two hundred feet from the village. Oliver thought at
first that it was a volcano, but noticed that no smoke or
lava ascended from the top.
He watched the procession as it halted within one hun¬
dred feet of the hill, and deposited large bowls upon the
ground.
They then kneeled down in rows, bending upon each
elbow alternately, as they repeated strange sounds.
Oliver learned afterward that this was the abode of the
spirits of their dead ancestors, and that the bowls con¬
tained food for the spirits, and that every evening the
empty bowls were found, after having been left the pre¬
vious morning.
Oliver presented the king one of his last four leopard
claws, and won great favor although he could gather no
information concerning his guest.
Alpha had shadowed the party, and remained hidden
until he saw Tobey accompany a fishing party one morn¬
ing. He appeared before the king, and said, "Oh king,
the spirit of the great Sargee came to me three times in
one night and urged me to warn you against the man with
the white skin. That he must be burned before the
abode of your departed ancestors this evening before the
sun goes down. If you fail to heed my words, a curse will
be upon this town and you and all the people will be
destroyed by war and famine."
The King was very sad at the tidings, but gave the
order for Oliver's destruction.
Alpha immediately had Oliver secured and guarded as
78
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
he supervised the erection of the altar upon which to
burn his victim.
Twe ran to summon Tobey as soon as he heard the
news.
Oliver was wrapped in cords and laid face upwards
upon the brush piled upon the stone altar.
The King and crowd of villagers had assembled to
witness the ceremony. Alpha approached with glittering
eyes as he lighted the torch with which he was to light
the kindling.
"Where be you hidee pearls?" he hissed as he ap¬
proached.
Oliver turned to his old ventriloquist trick and barked
loudly. Alpha looked around in fright, when Oliver
emitted loud hissing growls.
The whole party disappeared in terror. Alpha dropped
the torch near the altar as he sought safety.
Twe and Tobey rushed from the woods just in time
to rescue Oliver from the flames, which caught the al¬
tar's brushwood.
They ran to the other side of the hill and discovered
a hole in the ground partly covered with bushes.
In their desperate plight they did not hesitate to
descend. Oliver discovered a dark tunnel which they
penetrated. They found themselves suddenly entering
a large cave, in which were busy workmen mining, and
skilled gold smelters who kept a blazing fire burning night
and day.
As soon as the bewildered party entered, Oliver was
given another surprise when the familiar voice of Fahn,
in his same hair cut, greeted him in sincere joy.
Oliver was given a royal welcome in the home of the
mysterious spirits, who planned to demand more food
from the worshipping villagers.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
79
CHAPTER XIX
Oliver's old enemy kidnaps lucretia
When Alpha found that Oliver had escaped alive, he
suspected that it was through trickery. He therefore
started the villagers upon a search while he wandered
on visiting other towns in search of his escaped victim.
He finally arrived at the village of the Yahwah Moun¬
tain during the evening of the full moon .
He found the King and courtiers robed in white and
mounted upon horseback, while the villagers in white
also followed in the rear on foot as they made a circle
around the town three times.
Marching to the foot of the mountain the King and
courtiers descended from their mounts, and slaves re¬
moved their sandals, after which they climbed the steep
ascent in single file. Alpha joined in the procession with
the villagers.
When the King reached the gate at the summit he was
met by slaves bearing a wooden trough of water. After
washing and drying his feet, the King proceeded upon
mats .spread upon the ground as his followers washed
their feet before entering.
The King entered the moon temple and bowed before
the idol as he lay his offering before its feet. After the
offerings were over, Eva led a procession of twelve young
girls, robed in long white gowns fastened around the waist
with golden belts, gold half moon crowns upon their
heads and each holding a string of fragrant coffee blossoms
which they held in both hands, as Lucretia, now eleven
years old, led the dance to the tune of "Ta ra ra bum
deah" which Eva had taught them.
Alpha suspected Eva and Lucretia to be the lost wife
and daughter of Oliver and he grinned in contemplated re¬
venge.
As soon as the ceremony had ended, Alpha inquired of
So
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
the villagers the history of the two white people. He
was soon satisfied that his first guess was correct.
He then set about to make plans to carry out his scheme
of revenge. Creeping along the barricade, he watched
until he saw Lucretia returning from the temple, strolling
down near the gateway with Zina. He opened the gate
softly and leaped upon them before they were aware of
his presence. Stifling Lucretia's cries with a piece of
cloth he ran toward a back trail which he had recently
cut.
At the foot of the mountain he placed Lucretia upon
a horse which he had tied to a tree, and mounted it.
Holding her in one arm he rode away at a fast pace up
the river bank until he reached two canoes. Embarking
in one with Lucretia, he sent the other adrift and empty
down the stream as he paddled up the river.
When Zina gave the alarm Eva ran wildly down to the
village and informed the villagers of the kidnapping.
They set about immediately to scout the mountain and
bush trail as another party set out in a number of canoes.
Eva joined the hunt and was informed by the canoe
party that the search was in vain, because Lucretia had
been seized by the crocodile men and dispatched to the
other world; and that the empty canoe had been seen
drifting down the stream.
The villagers ceased the hunt and tried to console Eva,
who, followed by Zina, ran madly from the town.
When Yanga had returned to the deserted village and
found Lucretia gone, she ran about calling and searching
for her charge. She finally reached a village where the
young daughter of one of the king's wives was very ill,
and she administered herbs which cured her.
She then became a great favorite and remained, while
she questioned all travelers as to news of her charge and
parents.
One day in the early morning she was in a fishing party
standing in a creek when she saw a white robed figure
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
81
paddling toward them. As the canoe came nearer she
caught a glimpse of the white face of a child in the bot¬
tom of the canoe. She hurriedly informed the women
that the white robed man was the party who stole her
charge and they should assist her to recover her.
CHAPTER XX
lucretia's rescue
Alpha was very fatigued, as he had paddled all night,
and had just felt safe to land. 'As soon as he drew near
the landing and lifted Lucretia in his arms, Yanga and
the women leaped upon him with loud screams. The
women scratched and pommelled him while Yanga secured
Lucretia and fled into the village. The fisherwomen
threw their nets over his head, ducked him into the water
and had the time of their lives, laughing at the half
drowned figure with the mud bespattered gown clinging
to his body.
Yanga sought the protection of the king's favorite wife
whose good will she enjoyed.
Alpha soon decided that the town was too hot for his
presence and resumed his journey on foot.
Eva and Zina wandered in their fruitless search until
Eva was almost compelled to believe that Lucretia had
really been sacrificed, still her mother's heart held hope
and she continued her search.
They reached a village whose people received them
kindly and she decided to rest a few days. In the mean¬
time Alpha arrived at the same town on the next day.
As soon as he heard of the white woman stranger in the
town, he determined not to be foiled in his revenge.
So approaching the King, he said: "I was sent from
a far country by the spirit of great Pomopora (one of the
great war ancestors) to bring to you the tidings that a
82
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
woman of white skin, red hair, and eyes like the sky,
would be sent to you to receive a message for him; that
when she bears the message he will aid you in carrying
war against your old enemy and fnake you victorious."
"You speak the truth, oh messenger of Pomopora. A
woman as you described arrived at this town," was the
reply.
Alpha left and saw that Eva was secured while he
caught Zina and sold her to a passing caravan.
In a dark forest a dozen men squatted around a fire
over which was a large earthen pot.
Two men standing were garbed in leopard hides, with
wooden shoes upon their feet made in tie shape of the
leopard's claw.
In the right hand they held pronged knives in claw
shape.
"We will have a new kind of messenger to-night. I
wonder if this white skin woman can take the message
to Pomopora in our language," one of the men said aloud
in their tongue.
"Oh, don't bother about that; the priest says she must
be the messenger."
"When the moon has gone we must be at the road
to the spring," one of the leopard robed men replied.
Varnee happened to be passing through the woods when
he saw the fire and men. He recognized he had come
upon a meeting of the leopard branch of the Boreform
society. He was so overcome with fright that he stood
hidden behind a tree afraid to move.
He overheard the conversation referring to their pros¬
pective victim. He decided that it was Eva to whom they
referred, so he made a quick retreat and ran to secure
her rescue.
The leopard men paid no heed to the running foot¬
steps, because they thought it was only a frightened an¬
telope.
At midnight Eva was bound hand and foot and carried
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
83
to the outskirts of the town and laid upon the ground at
the beginning of the narrow pathway leading to the spring.
A priest marked a heart enclosed in a circle upon her
forehead with a piece of charcoal. After a few weird
antics and dancing the procession retired.
The two leopard men approached with loud growls
after the party had disappeared. One of the men was
leaping toward Eva with the raised leopard knife, when
Vamee sent a bullet to his heart. As soon as the report
sounded the other leopard man took to his heels, leaving
his companion.
Varnee quickly cut away the cords from Eva. Lifting
her up in his arms he said: "This be Varnee, no fear,
try be strong heah, me go sabe you."
He reached a place in the woods where he had secured
two large ostriches. He seated Eva upon the soft saddle
and placed her feet in the stirrups he had hastily con¬
structed and which nearly caused a fatal delay.
He instructed her how to hold on to a rope which he
bound around his waist as he quickly seated himself
upon the foremost bird and began their almost winged
flight just as the inhabitants became aware of the escape.
The caravan which was purchased by Zina made an
average of forty miles per day for fifteen days over a much
traversed route leading S.S.W.
They finally reached the frontier of the Ashanti coun¬
try after travelling a little over seven hundred miles.
CHAPTER XXI
oliver meets rev. jones
Rev. Jones, an American missionary from Baltimore,
met the caravan as he was returning from the mission
plantation.
He was tall, erect and clean shaven, dark complexion,
more from tan, light brown hair and hazel eyes.
84
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
His quick and sprightly movements were typical of
his great ready resourcefulness, while his face inspired in¬
stant confidence.
As soon as Zina saw the white man she jerked loose
from the man who was holding her hand and ran toward
Rev. Jones.
"Oh, Mister, please save me," she cried, in an almost
perfect accent.
Rev. Jones was very much astonished and, taking her
hand, inquired where she learned to speak English.
He soon obtained sufficient information from her ex¬
cited story to arouse his interest, and after offering re¬
demption money to Zina's owner, he left for the mission,
taking Zina along, followed by her late owner.
The mission station consisted of a corrugated iron story
and one-half bungalow, having a veranda surrounding it.
It was situated upon a small hill and had at its side and
back a small iron cottage and mud huts.
The stairway consisted of long wooden steps leading
from the ground up to the side veranda.
When Rev. Jones reached the mission he was greeted
by a short buxom lady of about forty, whose good nature
showed in her smiling and sympathetic face.
Rev. Jones soon told her Zina's story. As they both
cross-questioned her he said to his wife: "I would stake
my last dollar that the woman and girl she speaks of are
the wife and daughter of that unfortunate family the
newspapers made such a stir about when the expedition
traced them as far as Musadu and travelled to Timbuctoo
in a fruitless search. The man's name was Mont some¬
thing and he was the brother of Lord Dubley. Don't you
remember? It must be nearly five years since the ex¬
pedition returned in failure.
"I am going to set out to-morrow with one of the
caravan party as a guide and take this child along with
me."
Rev. Jones lost no time after coming to this conclusion.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
85
He persuaded one of the men to act as guide and with
the Madam's prompt assistance his preparations were
completed and he started early the next morning.
After the surprise of the gold workers was over, Oliver
was compelled to smile in spite of his melancholy state,
when he thought of the clever trick these craftsmen had
played so successfully for years upon credulous villagers.
He presented the old priest, Dahpella, who was the
head of the establishment, with one of his remaining
claws.
He had the large claw containing the plot of his hidden
treasure set in gold. The sharp end was enclosed in a
gold tip with two narrow bars passing up to the wide
ornamental cap which fitted tightly over the open end.
The slender bars then clasped across the top, ending in
a small loop.
Thus the cap was securely fastened to the claw. One
of the workmen presented him with a slender platinum
neck chain which was passed through the gold loop and
fastened with a stout and intricate catch.
The other claw he had only a gold cap attached.
Dahpella presented him with a wide hollow gold band
bracelet, that opened with a spring and revealed a cavity
used for securing small articles of value, as poison snuff
and other things so prized by the African.
Oliver enclosed the two leopard claws and the location
and plan of the mine within the cavity and placed the
bracelet upon his left arm. He left the cave dwellers
with valuable gifts of nuggets, and proceeded on his
errand.
Just as he neared the entrance to a town called See-
hoker, he saw a white man coming toward him. Rev.
Jones soon decided that the bearded white man in frayed
trousers was no other than Oliver.
They soon shook hands in greeting and began explana¬
tions as they entered Seehoker.
86
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Oliver was almost wild with grief and rage when he
heard Zina's account of Lucretia's abduction.
"Had I only taken Twe's advice and permitted this
scamp to drown, I should have been spared this terrible
knowledge," Oliver repeated, as he attempted to go in
instant pursuit.
"Be calm, my friend. You have suffered the most
heart-rending misfortunes a man can have, but you have
managed to live through them all for five years. You
must now trust Providence, who has protected you during
all of your adventures. Remember that the same Guar¬
dian who made the wild elephant pick up Lucretia in
friendliness and provided a protectress in the old orang
outang will surely deliver her from the hands of the kid¬
napping Arab. We must rest to-night in this village and
proceed upon our search to-morrow," Rev. Jones said to
Oliver in a sympathetic but firm manner.
When the report of Varnee's revolver reached the vil¬
lage, it caused quite a commotion. Even Alpha was puz¬
zled as to the source, because he was sure that Oliver had
had to abandon his revolver on account of its uselessness.
He was the first, however, to recover composure, and he
finally persuaded a small number of men to accompany
him with torches.
When he saw the dead leopard man and the ropes which
had bound Eva, cut into small pieces and laying where
Eva had lain, he informed the men that an enemy had
rescued their sacrifice, but the sight of the dead leopard
man had caused such a panic that they all ran away as
he spoke.
King Kype was very much wrought up over the report,
and accused Alpha of being a false messenger, who had
caused the lightning God to kill one of the Boreform
priests.
He commanded the men to return with Alpha, so that
the chase which coincidently started after the bird fugi¬
tives was really after Alpha. As soon as the men left,
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
87
Alpha decided to flee from the scene. He finally reached
the village where he was badly used by the fisher women.
He decided to keep out of Yanga's sight and to lose
no time in carrying out his revenge. He entered the
village at night and immediately sought a private audience
with the king. Old King Dofella was squatting upon a
mat in his private hut before a fire. He was seventy
years old and very homely.
Alpha presented him with some kola nuts and said:
"Oh mighty and great king Dofella! I congratulate you
upon your fortunate and happy position. You have had
the beautiful young white maiden sent to you for wife.
Blessed man to have been honored above all other kings."
Dofella did not understand at first what Alpha meant.
"Where is the maiden?" he asked.
"She has lived in your presence for the last two months.
She with the fair skin, deep blue eyes and sandy hair.
'Tis she to whom I refer" Alpha replied.
"But she is a child of the moon god, and cannot marry
mortals," Dofella said.
"She is but the daughter of a man like you, only his
skin is white. They came from a far country to our
country to steal our wealth, so the gods have decided that
we should wed them, and you are chosen to be the first
and to wed the fair young maid."
"But she is too young, oh priest of the great gods,"
Dofella feebly protested.
"Haven't you got the devil bush for preparing young
girls for wifehood? Two years in it will be sufficient to
make her eligible for your wife. Do not find excuses, oh
fortunate man lest the gods think you unworthy of their
choice," Alpha replied. This last argument settled the
qualms of conscience which Dofella had felt before.
The next morning he presented himself before Yanga's
hut, bearing gifts of kola nuts, fowls and a slave as the
first dowry to his prospective bride. A close review
of Lucretia incited him to act immediately.
88
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
As he presented the gifts to Yanga, he informed her
that the Zoa, the head of the devil bush, would call at
midnight for his bride. Yanga managed to keep her feel¬
ings under control, in the hope that she might be able
to rescue her charge from the horrible fate he had an¬
nounced.
Shortly after the king's visit, Ledia, the patroness of
Yanga and the favorite royal wife, called upon Yanga in
a very bad temper.
"Is this the way you repay my kindness, begging me
to protect you from the white gown priest and then join¬
ing him in secret, to marry your white skin girl to the
king?" she addressed Yanga upon entering.
As soon as Yanga heard of Alpha's connection with the
proposition, she understood the scheme at once, and soon
convinced her friend of her desire to rescue Lucretia from
the same.
"Two slaves have just come from the town of my
father and brought the news that two men of the same
skin of your girl were entering the town as they left
last night.
"If you really wish to run away with her, I will make
plans for your escape to-night to join the white men. But
tell them not to remain at my father's town, because Do-
fella will send a war upon my father when he learns of
your refuge," the wife pronounced in restored good spirits.
Alpha had now to contend with a very sharp-witted
antagonist. Ledia instructed her brother to engage Alpha
in the game of Mo, a game very absorbing to people of
the orient; and arranged her plans unobserved by the
alert Arab.
After the king had paid his respects to Yanga and
presented another dash, Yanga slipped out with Lucretia,
and they disappeared from the rear of the hut into the
woods. They were assisted to mount a fine horse by two
silent men, who then mounted two other horses, placed
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 89
Yanga's mount in the center and began a fast gallop to
freedom.
At the same time three young men mounted the fastest
ostriches and started in another direction, while two boys
paddled away in the swiftest canoe of the village.
At midnight the horns were blowing and bells ringing
announcing the approach of the Zoa. The news soon
reached Dofella of the flight of the two. He was in a
towering rage and ordered his fastest horses when he then
discovered that the best horse, ostriches and canoe were
missing. Being puzzled over the exact direction of the
flight, he ordered his warriors to follow the water and
every likely land route.
Oliver and Rev. Jones were on the same road to Do-
fella's town, when they met the fugitives. Although
Oliver was wearing a long beard, Lucretia was not long
in recognizing her father. Oliver mounted the foremost
horse with Lucretia, Zina was placed upon the horse with
Yanga and Rev. Jones mounted the rear horse, while
Tobey and the Mission boys followed on foot. They
lost no time, but hastened toward the mission town,
through a long and tedious brush route.
CHAPTER XXII
the valley of allah
One day about three weeks afterward, the party de¬
scended from a steep and thickly-wooded hill on foot.
They were very much surprised at the sight of a beautiful
valley covered with velvety green lawn grass, lying almost
on a perfect level before them. In the center was a small
pond covered with water lilies upon which stood tall white
herons and jacanas perched upon one leg and dozing in
the sunshine.
The diameter of the pond was about twenty feet, and
a mixed variety of lilies bordered its banks. On the
90
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
lawn were tropical fruit and ornamental trees of every
description, while orchids, cape jessamines, wild roses,
ferns and flowers in a large variety bloomed in luxuriant
and lovely disorder.
In the branches of the trees, the loud notes of the
turacos mingled with the merry whistle of the grey par¬
rots, while the beautiful plumaged birds of variegated
colors chirped and hopped about, undisturbed by the
recent arrivals.
An antelope scampered away at first, but it soon re¬
turned with several others and walked about the lawn in
restored confidence.
"Where do you think we are, Montcrief?" Rev. Jones
asked in real surprise.
"We have been following the S.S.W. course as you di¬
rected," Oliver replied.
"Hush! listen to the murmur behind that traveller
tree. Look! Those are the mission boys repeating
something from the Koran, and here comes old Sampson,
who lives near the mission plantation. Will wonders
never cease?"
"Hello, Sampson! Where are we and whose park is
this?" Rev. Jones remarked as he hailed old Sampson.
The old African was almost toothless, and bent upon a
cane as he walked. "You lif be close de mission, and
dis be Allah valley," he replied.
"The vale of Allah," Oliver repeated, "old Mulley's
prophecy has come too true." He then related the sand
reading at Musadu and Mulley's warning.
"That reminds me," he continued, as he opened the
spring of his bracelet and extracted the leopard's claw
and chain, "come, Lucretia, I hope that the leopard claw
will reunite us with your mother, as he also prophesied,"
he repeated as he secured the chain around her neck
and cautioned her never to part from the claw.
"What are the mission boys doing kneeling behind
those trees, Sampson?" Rev. Jones asked.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
9i
"Dey lif for pray Allah for good luck Mass Jones,"
he replied.
Lucretia wandered around and picked a large orchid.
Old Sampson, observing her, smiled and said. "Pickee
flower Allah valley findee plenty good luck in same valley
bye and bye," he repeated as he arose to proceed on
his way, after having directed the party to the nearest
route. He went in the direction of the hill which they
had just descended.
The party ascended the opposite hill, which was steep
and wooded, and descended into a valley, when they
soon perceived the beacon light of the mission house
shining down upon them from a near hill.
Arriving at the mission, Lucretia was taken to the warm
and motherly breast of Mrs. Jones. She quickly changed
the raiment of the young girl and fitted her with mission
clothes from the stock.
"Oliver was very impatient to begin the search for
Eva, and on the next morning said to Rev. Jones, "When
do you think you can supply me with an outfit for my
return journey, by to-morrow? I should be glad if you
will keep Lucretia here until our return."
"I have been thinking over the subject, Montcrief, anc
I want to suggest that you take Lucretia home and leav<
her in your brother's care, and entrust me with the mis
sion of finding your lost wife.
"If she still lives you may be sure that I will find hei
or die in the attempt.
"You have been through so many adventures, and you
brother has also suffered from the suspense. You ow
this to your daugher, who must be twelve or thirteej
years of age."
"Eleven," Oliver corrected.
"She is large for her age," the Rev. continued, "an
even at that age she, needs to receive the education an
culture suitable to her station."
"All of that is true, Rev., but I can send a cablegrai
92
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
to the coast for Harold, who will arrange to have Lucre-
tia taken home in case I fail to return in six months.
"I cannot bear to think what might happen to Eva
should Alpha find her whereabouts, while I am resting
safely within the mission.
"I do not fear the natives so much since Lucretia re¬
lated the kind treatment and respect which they received
upon the Yahweh mountain."
"Master I see Alpha lif for hide around the mission.
He done follow we here," Twe announced, as he hastily
approached the two men upon the front veranda.
"That decides the matter according to your sugges¬
tion, Rev.," Oliver continued as he nodded to Twe and
turned toward Rev. Jones.
"The scamp is following me, and if I should return into
the interior, he would very likely come across Eva before
I should and revenge himself upon her just as his wicked
and cunning brain directs.
"If he follows me to Freetown, I shall take care of him,
for with your Winchester and Lucretia as my charge, I
will not take the chances I so unwisely took in the woods.
"I shall place Lucretia with the Catholic sisters and
instruct Harold by letter as to her future. Of course I
shall cable him as soon as I reach the coast.
"I shall soon secure an outfit and an escort for an ex¬
pedition party.
"I hope, however, that you will have succeeded in lo¬
cating Eva, and that I shall find her awaiting me here
when I return. You may be sure that I shall not be
gone two months."
Mrs. Jones completed a wardobe for the girls in a
very short time, and Oliver, looking almost the same as
when he first started, except for the tan upon his hands
and forehead, and the sad wistful look and ill-fitting
clothes, started from the mission, one week after his ar¬
rival, taking with him Lucretia, Zina, Tobey, Twe and
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
93
the mission carriers. Yanga remained to assist in the
search for her mistress.
Rev. Jones accompanied the party on the canoe trip
as far Bumba.
"You will soon reach Axim on the gold coast. It was
there that the natives sunk the famous chair of gold in the
80's when they heard that some foreigners were about
to visit the country. The chair was of solid gold and
of fine workmanship. You have seen a sample of the
African gold craftsmanship, so you can appreciate the
worth of the chair."
"Togoland is their next neighbor; we are near Oppobo,
the country made historic in the early 90's, when King
Jaja, the king of an independent kingdom, was exiled to
the West Indies.
"I am sure that you know of Sir Harry Johnston, he
was your accredited consul at King Jaja's court at the
time of his exile," Rev. Jones remarked just before their
parting.
At Axim Oliver cabled to Lord Dubley:
St. Stephen's Club, Westminster.
The Earl of Dubley.
Harold: Am embarking for Freetown with Lucre-
tia, and returning to search for Eva, who is lost in
the jungles. Letter follows. Love from your
brother,
Oliver.
On landing at Freetown, Oliver received the following
cablegram:
Oliver Montcrief, c|o P. Z. & Co.
Await my arrival. Am sailing to-night by char¬
tered boat, will reach Freetown in eight days. Love
to both. Your brother,
Harold,
Dubley Castle, Worcestershire.
94
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
CHAPTER XXIII
oliver and lucretia arrive at freetown
"Harold will be here to-morrow," Oliver repeated as
he read the cablegram, "that old cargo boat of ours
stopped at every port on the coast so that we have just
managed to arrive a day ahead of him."
He lost no time in placing Lucretia and Zina at the
Catholic convent in the care of the good sisters.
He found that Mr. Solomon filled his former post of
manager for the firm.
He engaged a suite for Lord Dubley and himself and
took up quarters at the hotel.
After the happy reunion of the brothers, they sat con¬
versing upon past events. Lord Dubley handed Oliver
the letter which the old earl had penned to him just be¬
fore his death.
Oliver held his hands before his face, crying and shaking
with emotion.
"Eva will prize this letter more than the news of the
wealth he has bestowed upon us. She has suffered much
because we left without his blessing. I do believe she
blames herself as the cause of father denouncing me.
"If I had only taken her advice, and written at the
time she obtained my promise to do so, all of this un-
happiness would have been avoided," Oliver said as he
arose and, excusing himself, retired to his bed room.
He turned up his sleeve and cuff, and opening the
spring of the bracelet, removed the leopard claw. He
reread and folded the small letter carefully, and en¬
larging the cavity of the claw with his pen knife, placed
the smallest end of the note in the claw and fitted the
other end into the wide gold cap which now fitted firmly.
He replaced the claw within his bracelet and closed the
spring.
He could not bear to have even his brother see the
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
95
bracelet and claw, because they looked so much like a
fetich, when in fact that was the safest manner in which
to preserve the papers and other small valuables which
were liable to be ruined by rain and water accidents in¬
cidental to jungle travel.
Upon the eve of Oliver's departure for the interior, the
Earl of Dubley sat in Oliver's room as they talked busi¬
ness arrangements.
"Oliver," Lord Dubley suddenly said, "I cannot per¬
mit you to return alone, I shall accompany you also."
"Why, Harold, that is impossible. You have a wife
and daughter to consider; they must come before your
brother.
"The danger would be much greater to you than to me,
as you have never lived in the tropics. I am depending
on you to act as a father to my Lucretia during my
absence. You will do me a much greater service by per¬
forming that sacred pledge, than by unnecessarily sharing
my dangers," Oliver replied.
"I have never approved of your idea of leaving Lu¬
cretia in Freetown, Oliver. She is nearly twelve years
of age and has never seen her ancestral home. I think it
is a great pity to have the child remain in Africa so long.
She would be such a great comfort to me also," Lord
Dubley remarked.
"Georgianna must be in her eighteenth year, and of
course is quite an educated and cultured young lady. I
believe you informed me that Lady Dubley is planning
to have her introduced at court some time this coming
season.
"She will soon be marrying, and Lucretia will not suffer
so much from the embarrassment she would naturally
feel under the present circumstances.
"To place her in a boarding school at home would be
equally as embarrassing at present. The sisters are very
kind and Lucretia is very studious. She will be prepared
in a few years' time to be removed from the convent, in
96
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
the event that we are still absent. If such be the case,
Harold, I am sure that you will take her to your heart
and protect her as you would your own daughter," Oliver
concluded.
After Lord Dubley retired, Oliver remained up very
late drawing a map of his proposed journey.
The next morning, while seated in the drawing room,
Oliver handed his brother the two plots he had made of
the situation of the gold mine, mission and station and
instructed him to keep them.
"I am sorry I had to postpone the drawing of this
rough plot, and had no time to make a duplicate, but
the mission plan which lies here upon the map," Oliver
said, as he traced his finger upon the drawing lying upon
a table, "is very carefully drawn, also the cave of the
gold diggers, which is located at this cross. Te Yahweh
mountain and other places are guess work, although I
think I am very nearly correct in my calculations," Oliver
ventured as he still pointed out and explained the route
he intended travelling.
Neither noticed a clean faced brown skin figure with
black silken hair parted on one side, and eyes glistening,
as he heard the word gold and saw the papers which Oliver
was discussing.
Oliver would have had to look closely to recognize his
jungle enemy in the metamorphosized, civilized Arabian
hotel guest.
Oliver retired to his room to pack a few things into
a hand grip. He removed the map from his pocket and
was just about to drop it into the bag when he was called
away. He dropped it hurriedly, leaving the bag un¬
locked.
As soon as the door had closed behind him, Alpha, who
had been peeping through the key hole of the other door
opening into a private bedroom, slipped in and hurriedly
snatched the map from the bag. Glancing at it he
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
97
thought he had secured the plot to the location of the
hidden wealth.
Just as he was folding it and about to place it in his
pocket as he walked toward the door, Twe entered andfc
seeing the paper, gave instant pursuit.
Oliver had received a message from the Governor.
Accompanied by his brother he left immediately for the
mansion house.
The Governor informed Oliver that he had received the
information that Eva was dead, and appealed to Lord
Dubley to pervent Oliver from making a useless trip.
But when the Governor named Alpha as the bearer of
the tidings, Oliver denounced it as a fake and refused to
be persuaded to abandon the expedition.
CHAPTER XXIV
oliver fails on search expedition for eva
He lost no time in taking his departure. Even the
absence of Twe did not delay him, as he hoped to meet
Tobey, who was visiting his home at Cape Coast Castle
and was to meet him at Axim.
After the brothers had parted and the steamer had dis¬
appeared in the southwestern horizon, the Earl of Dub¬
ley, who was now the Governor's guest, inquired of the
Governor if he were convinced of the authenticity of the
sad tidings.
"Unfortunately it is true beyond a doubt. I could
not relate the horrible circumstances because he has suf¬
fered too cruelly already. He will be safe with a mili¬
tary escort, which he will receive at the frontier.
"The longing to see his daughter will soon convince
him of the fruitlessness of his errand.
"These Arabian priests travel all over the continent
either as fanatic teachers or cunning traders, who profit
98
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
by the credulity of the African and secure the natural
wealth of the country in exchange for charms and trin¬
kets."
"Their adaptability to every environment and their
gift of learning languages and dialects aid them in their
successful enterprise.
"This priest saved Oliver's life from the Boreform so¬
ciety and travelled as his companion," the Governor con¬
cluded.
"Yes, Oliver told me of him, but it seems as if he
afterward tried to take Oliver's life and kidnapped Lu-
cretia, so I can understand why Oliver doubts him," Lord
Dubley replied.
"The man's story was too true, I examined him closely.
He says that he entered a town just as the leopard so¬
ciety sacrificed a white woman. We have that state of
affairs and trouble in the southern part of Sierra Leone
Protectorate, so that I can readily believe his statement.
"Boreform, the name of the mother society, means to
dispatch from the earth. They believe that the victims
are receiving an honor when they send them to take mes¬
sages for and attend as servants or companions to some
big chief or warrior.
"I am really glad that I am spared the unpleasant task
of informing my old friend of this last tragedy. This
morning's mail brought the news of the death of the
old squire.
"But be not too despondent, my lord, Eva was very
much adored by me also. The poor child is out of her
troubles; we must now protect her motherless little girl.
"She will be my constant care. You may have no un¬
easiness upon her account," the Governor concluded in
an emotional tone as he held out his hand and hurriedly
left.
When Twe followed Alpha from the bottom he had
no time to call the assistance of the police, because the
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
99
wily Arabian left the hotel immediately and preceded
him in a merry chase around the town.
Twe finally caught a glimpse of him as he slipped within
a bamboo hut on the Kissy road.
Twe hid until he saw Alpha finally leave the rear
exit in his old costume of white turban and gown and
a bundle under his arm.
Twe trailed him unobserved to the railway office, where
he purchased a ticket and Twe secured one also and
boarded a compartment near his wary antagonist.
Twe shadowed him through the interior, constantly
seeking an opportunity to recover the paper as Alpha
slumbered, but he was foiled every time, and one night
came very near paying his life for his daring, when Alpha
awoke just as he was searching Alpha's breast pocket for
the paper.
One day they were walking through a palm grove.
Alpha was a good distance ahead as usual.
Twe saw a large pile of picked and choice palm nuts
under a tree which Alpha was hastily approaching.
Twe smiled and sat down. He knew the penalty the
unsuspecting victim pays who dares disturb those tempt¬
ing piles of palm nuts seemingly abandoned.
Alpha sat beside the pulpy nuts and ate as many as he
could, after which he unloosed a part of his turban, tied
up a large quantity, when he arose to resume his journey.
"Uh! Uh! Uh! Ugh!" reached the ears of both Alpha
and Twe at the same time. Looking around they saw a
large gorilla bounding after Alpha.
Alpha's white gown flapped in the wind like a sail,
while the gorilla followed closely behind, and Twe brought
up the rear as he shook with mirth.
Alpha threw the palm nuts away and halted his pur¬
suer for a moment. The chase was soon resumed when
the chimpanzee caught the end of the shirt, but Alpha
wiggled out.
The monkey threw the gown down in a rage and con-
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
tinued his pursuit. Twe picked up the gown and searched
for the map, which he found secured in an inside pocket.
He then looked to see how the race had ended, when
he saw the gorilla dragging Alpha by one leg to the
woods.
Shrugging his shoulders Twe folded up the gown and
calmly walked away.
CHAPTER XXV
oliver is shipwrecked
The steamer was struck amidship and Oliver's cabin
was near the scene of the disaster. Oliver had been on
sea about four days when the steamer attempted to enter
a non port of entry off the Grain Coast in north latitude
4 degrees 16 minutes, and west longitude 8 degrees 15
minutes at night in order to smuggle contraband goods
to the natives.
The captain was not very familiar with the dangerous
harbor, and wrecked the ship upon one of the many rocks
submerged beneath the water and hardly visible except
at the closest distance in low tide.
The ship was sinking rapidly and the boats lowered
and ordered to the open seas. All of the passengers and
crew were rescued except Oliver.
He was asleep when the accident first occurred, but
the noise and confusion soon awakened him, and he just
had time to don his clothes and secure his life buoy around
himself, when he saw the water rushing into his cabin.
He made his way to the deck with the greatest diffi¬
culty amid the dark and watery surroundings.
When he reached the deck the ship was deserted and
sinking rapidly. He caught the glimpse of flames com¬
ing from the forecastle, and leaped overboard just as an
explosion from the hatch hole, where the cargo of petro¬
leum oil was stored, set the whole stiip aflame.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 101
A piece of the wreck struck him on the head and
knocked him senseless.
A number of African wreckers were holding torches
and gathering the cargo the captain had ordered to be
thrown overboard.
In an effort to lighten the ship before he was aware
of the hopelessness of their task to save the ship, much
cargo had been sacrificed in this way and at much useless
labor.
Oliver drifted toward the beach and would have been
dashed against the rocks had it not happened that his
bracelet upon the left arm was exposed, and two of the
men who were about to swim after a floating case caught
the gleam of. the gold and dragged him ashore.
One of them held a torch while the other tried to re¬
move the bracelet. He accidentally touched the spring
and revealed the leopard claw. At the same time Oliver
opened his eyes and looked upon the open bracelet also.
He regained, it seemed, temporary consciousness, and
immediately closed the springs to the great amazement
of the already astonished natives, who kept repeating:
"Sih, sih," as they stood aghast.
A white man who wore a hidden leopard claw and
who was aroused from the dead and who closed it from
view, was a strange, miraculous being.
The leopard claw, then believed surely to have been a
powerful charm, caused them to leave him upon the
beach unmolested as they finished their wrecking and
reported the strange find to the others.
Some of the men had travelled as stevedores upon
European steamers and spoke several languages. So
that when Oliver recovered sufficiently to stand up alone,
after a long illness in one of the ship boy's hut and
walked around, they were more mystified when he did
not speak a word or seem to realize his condition. Since
the dumb are always protected among all Africans and
io2 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
supposed to bring good luck to their patrons, everybody
was anxious to contribute to Oliver's comfort.
Of course the word was passed that the less known
about the wrecked boat the better off would be the vil¬
lagers, who might be held accountable for the cargo re¬
covered by the wreckers.
They were therefore much relieved when a caravan
starting for the interior asked for his companionship as
an omen of a lucky and successful trip, and Oliver was
sent into the interior with a blank memory and unable
to speak, while no word of his rescue reached the civil¬
ized world.
Four years had passed since the wreck. Lady Geor-
giana, the Earl of Dubley's daughter, had married an
old but very wealthy French count and was now the
Countess de la Feres, and lived in Southern France.
Lord Dubley had long before missed the companionship
of his young daughter, who at a very early age disap¬
pointed him by her designing and too ambitious disposi¬
tion, which was but the result of her mother's training.
Georgiana's marriage, although a disappointment, was a
relief to the Earl, who often thought of and read the
reports of his innocent and orphaned niece. Her letters
and photographs were his greatest pleasure, which he en¬
joyed in secret.
This morning he sat in the old library where his father
always sat and read Sister Theresa's report concerning
Lucretia.
It read in part, "You will be astonished at the progress
the dear girl has made. She has a talent for music
which she has also greatly improved.
"She has cultivated a kind of dignified reserve which
makes her appear older than her age and inspires the re¬
spect and admiration of all of her acquaintances.
"We hate to part with the dear child, but since you
ask if we think she is sufficiently trained to leave the con¬
vent I must be frank and do justice to our charge.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 103
"She will need no further tuition for the position she
will occupy in life. I am sure she will continue her
studies and wide reading, so that unless she intended to
specialize in music or train to earn her living, you may be
at rest concerning her education."
Lord Dubley cabled immediately to Sister Theresa his
intention of leaving for Freetown for Lucretia.
Lady Dubley did not spare his Lordship the pain of
the knowledge of her disapproval of receiving Lucretia as
their ward. But to her great surprise, Lord Dubley paid
no heed to her objections and left immediately for Free¬
town.
When Sister Theresa presented the tall and graceful
young lady to Lord Dubley, he could hardly believe that
it was the shy girl that he had parted from a few years
previously.
But as soon as they were left to themselves, he found
that the reserved Lucretia was also a warm-hearted, affec¬
tionate girl, who responded to his fatherly greeting and
lavished the love which she had so long nursed for her
supposedly dead parents, upon her lonely uncle.
"You are sixteen now, I believe," Lord Dubley in¬
quired.
"Next September coming, four months hence, uncle
dear," she replied.
"You looked like a grown up lady when you were first
announced, but on closer inspection, I see that you are
still the open-hearted young girl I have always imagined
you to be. With your old uncle you will always be
yourself and reserve the other poise for strangers," Lord
Dubley playfully remarked.
Lucretia and Zina soon bade goodby to their kind
friends. Zina, although years younger, was a strong girl
and looked to be sixteen or possibly eighteen years of
age. She accompanied her young friend and mistress as
lady's maid, having been trained to the position.
Aboard the ship they were met by Mr. Solomon, who
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
presented Lucretia with a young monkey which she imme¬
diately christened Nogi II in memory of their protec¬
tress.
Lucretia was happy in her chummy relations with her
uncle, who was her ideal of what she had always imagined
her father to be. She anticipated her pleasure in wan¬
dering through the old castle, and visiting her grand¬
father's and daddy's apartments.
She imagined Lady Dubley to be just such a motherly
person as Mrs. Jones of the mission, Sister Theresa, or the
ideal of her mother, by which she judged all good women.
No dark forebodings or doubts marred her happiness in
the anticipation of the welcome which she would receive
at her ancestral home.
And so it was a light-hearted and happy girl who
watched the old castle as they approached in an open
machine, while Lord Dubley pointed out the different
works and scenes of interest. She was disappointed when
they were greeted by the formal footman and prim Scot¬
tish maid, instead of her aunt, as she had expected.
Lord Dubley left her in the maid's care, who led her
to her own apartments, while he sought his wife to ar¬
range a meeting.
"Please send Zina to me," Lucretia said to the maid,
after having admired her private boudoir, dainty bed and
dressing rooms.
Somehow there seemed to be a loneliness and disap¬
pointment which her handsome apartment could not
relieve.
When Zina arrived, she also had felt the chill, and
both wished the same unspoken thought that they were
back at the happy convent.
Lucretia had just changed her travelling clothes and
donned a simple white dress when Minnie, a maid, an¬
nounced that his lordship awaited Miss Montcrief in the
hall to conduct her to Lady Dubley.
Lucretia entered the sumptuous apartment of Lady
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 105
Dubley and was ushered into the boudoir on the arm of
her uncle.
Lady Dubley was reclining upon a couch and arose at
their entrance. She coldly extended her hand, and
turned her cheek to be kissed. After a polite inquiry as
to the voyage and as to the satisfaction of Lucretia's
apartment, she apologized as she complained of a severe
headache, and informed Lucretia that she would have to
take her breakfast alone or with the Earl, because she
always dined alone in the mornings.
Lucretia was very anxious to do something to relieve
Lady Dubley, but her offers were met with a polite re¬
fusal.
After Lucretia had retired, Lady Dubley turned to
her husband and remarked: "Minnie informed me that
Lucretia brought along a heathen maid and a monkey.
I wish you would give her to understand that they are
undesirable, and must be dispensed with.
"You would also do me a favor by placing her in a
young lady's boarding school where she could be made
a polished English lady."
Lord Dubley exerted his authority in a most surpris¬
ing manner and refused to separate Lucretia from her
maid and pet, or to take her to a school.
"Lucretia will grace any drawing room in her present
state, but I shall have companions for her next fall who
will assist her in the modern languages and music, after
which I shall have Lady Endicourt, her mother's widowed
aunt, chaperon her upon a continental tour," Lord Dub¬
ley remarked as he arose to retire.
Lucretia felt the coldness of Lady Dubley very keenly,
and somehow believed that it was due to some fault of
hers.
In her anxiety to please her aunt, she continually
sought her company, offering to do little personal services,
and was always reminded that maids were employed to
io6 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
contribute to the comfort of her ladyship, after which
she would leave, feeling very much humiliated.
Her uncle presented her with one of his pedigreed
horses, and they both took early morning rides over the
beautiful green plains and through the wooded parks.
These rides and their occasional chats in the library were
Lucretia's happiest hours.
One afternoon in the early fall, Lucretia was in her
boudoir seated on a Roman stool before the open fire,
leaning her chin upon the open palm of her left hand as
the elbow rested on her knee, playing with the leopard
claw around her neck as she gazed into the fire in a
very thoughtful mood. Zina squatted Turkish fashion
upon an oriental rug as she petted Nogi II.
Lady Dubley entered unannounced, and stood looking
upon the scene.
"How dare you perform a heathenish rite in this
castle?" she demanded in a rage.
Before Lucretia understood the question had been ad¬
dressed to her, Lady Dubley ordered Zina and Nogi
from the room and forbade their return, then turning to
Lucretia she said, "Don't you know that white people
do not wear fetiches and worship idols? I thought you
had left those ceremonies on the mountain in Africa.
Throw that claw into the fire at once."
Lucretia was indignant at the accusation, and informed
Lady Dubley politely that she would never part from
the claw because her "dead" father had fastened it around
her neck, and had instructed her never to part from it.
Lady Dubley sought the Earl in the library and accused
Lucretia of fetish and idol-worship, and insisted that Zina
and Nogi leave the castle immediately, and that Lucretia
remove the claw from her neck.
Lord Dubley was very "sad over his wife's decision, but
made no comments until he had spoken with Lucretia.
He did not believe the charges, but asked his niece if
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 107
she would not wair a chain and locket with her initial
in brilliants instead.
But when Lucretia explained the circumstances of her
father's gift of the claw and his warning, her uncle gave
her the privilege of wearing it unmolested.
He then arranged with an old nurse of his who lived
in a cottage in the Petting Hill, to lodge Zina and Nogi,
and permitted Lucretia to visit them.
Lord Dubley had gone to London for a few days, and
one sharp morning Lucretia refused to allow the groom
to accompany her on her ride.
As they were driving through the country, Nogi leaped
from her arms upon the horse's neck and pulled its ear,
The horse became frightened and galloped madly away
beyond Lucretia's control.
The Earl of Winslow, whose estate adjoined the Dubley
estate, was riding a sprightly chestnut horse through a
meadow when the frightened horse bounded madly over
a board fence coming in his direction as Lucretia clung
to its neck.
Lord Reginald Winslow was a young man about twen¬
ty-two, of a dark complexion, and wore a becoming, slight
mustache of a dark brown color. He was about five feet
eight inches, and his erect, correct and sprightly bearing
gave one the impression that he was of the military pro¬
fession. But they were only typical of his character, and
represented a young aristocrat who recognized the re¬
sponsibility of his position and always tried to live up
to his social demands. His sprightly energy exerted it¬
self as soon as he saw the runaway horse.
After an exciting chase, his self-possession almost de¬
serted him as he caught a glimpse of Lucretia's frightened
but calm white face, while Nogi clung to her right shoul¬
der and a braid of her hair, which it had unloosed in its
fright, when he finally succeeded in checking the fright¬
ened horse.
Raising his riding cap of the same pattern of the plaid
io8 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
riding suit lie wore, "You had better take my mount,"
he said, after being assured that she was unharmed .
"Thank you so much, sir, but Billy is all right now;
Nogi will not be naughty any more, will you, Nogi?"
she concluded as she patted the monkey. Lord Winslow
held out his arm to Nogi and to the surprise of its mis¬
tress it leaped from her to the Earl and cuddled in his
arms as if they were old friends.
Thus the first bond of friendship was firmly established
and Lord Winslow bearing Nogi accompanied her to the
village as she innocently chatted of her pet and African
maid. After Nogi was restored to its keeper and Lu-
cretia had promised to omit him in her future rides, Lord
Winslow took his departure.
On the next morning Lucretia rode along and they were
both surprised when their morning rides happened to
bring them together. Lord Winslow, of course, was nat¬
urally anxious about the result of the runaway ride, but
his sense of propriety and strict conventional training
prompted him to enquire if there were no mutual ac¬
quaintance who could give a formal introduction.
When Lucretia informed him that she lived at Dubley
Castle and was the daughter of the late Oliver Montcrief,
Lord Winslow immediately recalled the history of the
unfortunate family. "I am well acquainted with the
Earl and Lady Dubley. I shall call on him to-morrow
and obtain a formal introduction, until then au revoir,"
he concluded as he tipped his cap and rode away.
Lucretia had met no eligible young men; in fact, be¬
sides her father and uncle, Reverend Jones, Governor
Row, the priest and Mr. Solomon, her acquaintance with
the male sex had ended, and her father and uncle had
occupied the star places in her mind.
But now her hero and ideal that she had read of and
sometimes in her innocent day dreams had pictured, had
come in real life.
Her natural reserve protected her secret so that she
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 109
but inspired a greater passion in her devoted admirer.
Lord Winslow was well acquainted with Lady Dubley's
habits because a few years previously he had been a
constant visitor at the castle when he was the accepted
suitor of Lady Georgiana, the Earl's daughter.
He therefore called at 11 a.m. just after she had par¬
taken of her breakfast and occupied her morning sun
parlor.
Lady Dubley received his card with a smile of pleas¬
urable surprise. She had secretly regretted that Georgi¬
ana had not waited a little longer before breaking her
engagement with the then titleless heir of a rich uncle,
who then bade fair to a good old age, for the old Count
de la Feres, who jealously guarded his young wife and
refused to take her into society as she naturally desired.
Lady Dubley did not admit her regrets even to her
husband and suffered the more keenly, especially since
her selfish daughter did not spare her feelings in her
reproachful letters.
It was really a great pleasure to her ladyship when
Lord Winslow was announced. She held out her hand
and greeted him in a very friendly manner.
After an exchange of polite compliments, Lord Winslow
mentioned the object of his visit.
"Do I understand you to say that Lord Dubley's
niece was riding with that African idol?"
Lord Winslow then explained the accident again.
"I am sorry not to be able to comply with your re¬
quest, Lord Winslow, but Miss Moncrief is not old enough
or prepared to enter society. She will be sent to school
and taught to outgrow her African habits before she
makes her debut into society. I shall have to ask you
to wait until that time, my friend," Lady Dubley replied
to his repeated request.
Lady Dubley prohibited the next morning's ride, and
when the Earl returned that afternoon, Lady Dubley in¬
formed him of the meeting with Lord Winslow.
no THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
"Just think of your niece riding through the country
unattended, with a monkey, which frightens the horse
when it sees a handsome young man approaching, who
of course rescues the fainting maiden. Oh, it is dis¬
graceful! These innocent girls) are very clever after
all," Lady Dubley remarked in a temper.
"She must be sent away to school, because I will not
tolerate her presence here any longer, under the circum¬
stances," Lady Dubley concluded, when the Earl failed to
reply to her first statements.
Lucretia explained the occurrence to her uncle but
suggested that perhaps the school would be better since
her ladyship desired it.
It was finally agreed that Lucretia be sent to a fashion¬
able boarding school.
Lord Winslow had always been the choice of the Earl,
who tried to influence his daughter to be guided by her
true feelings rather than make a needless sacrifice for
wealth and title.
The Earl of Dubley therefore listened to Lord Wins-
low's proposal for Lucretia's hand with favor.
"Does Lucretia reciprocate your feelings, Reginald?"
he asked, after Lord Winslow had paused.
"I have not dared express my sentiments to your niece
without your approval, Lord Dubley," he replied.
"Lucretia is but sixteen years of age and has had no
experience of the world. She received only the training
her mother could give her in the jungles until placed in
the convent, so you must understand that she will have
to be sympathetically understood by you before it would
be advisable to contemplate an early marriage," Lord
Dubley remarked
Lord Winslow soon convinced the Earl of Dubley that
his feelings were no passing fancy.
Summoning a page Lord Dubley sent for Lucretia.
Lucretia was packing her little treasured mementoes
over which she was shedding tears when the page was
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
admitted and delivered his lordship's message.
When Lucretia entered the library the Earl of Dubley
retired and left the couple alone.
Lucretia was very surprised when she saw Lord Winslow
in her uncle's library, but half an hour afterward the
spirit of her old grandfather, who had often smiled upon
her baby and childhood photographs, must surely have
smiled upon his happy grand-daughter, who plighted her
maiden heart to the keeping of such a true and handsome
knight.
Lord Dubley returned an hour later to find the couple
in such a happy mood that the first glance told its own
story. Lord Winslow led Lucretia to her uncle and
received his blessings.
Lord Dubley first objected to the early marriage Lord
Winslow proposed, but the memory of Lucretia's un¬
pleasant position at the castle and his desire to see her
happy finally over-ruled his first objections and he con¬
sented.
Lady Dubley was very much chagrined over the news
of the engagement, but decided to act the part Lucretia's
position demanded.
She, however, would not consent to the marriage until
a formal luncheon was given at which Lucretia's debut
and engagement were made simultaneously.
On the eve of the marriage, Lady Dubley visited Lu¬
cretia's room at midnight. She kissed her niece very
affectionately and, sitting beside the bed as she held her
hand, she began:
"My dear little girl, you have always misunderstood
my motive when I suggested things for your good and
future happiness.
"I know that you are an innocent girl who knows noth¬
ing of the wickedness and machinations of this our world.
"You precipitated this engagement without consulting
me, who, after all, you will find to be your best friend.
"Lord Winslow is the jilted suitor of Georgiana, my
ii2 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
daughter, the Countess de la Feres. He still loves
Georgiana and is only marrying you because he has fool¬
ishly got the impression that he would be spiting me since
he accuses me of being responsible for Georgiana's choice.
"Had I believed he wanted to meet you from a sin¬
cere motive of friendship, I should not have hesitated, al¬
though you are not old enough to receive young gentle¬
man callers. But how could I believe he was sincere
when he continually upbraided me for ruining his hap¬
piness? I would have spared you a loveless marriage, but
there will come a time when you will recall this inter¬
view and wish you had heeded my advice."
CHAPTER XXVI
marriage and honeymoon
Lucretia lay awake long after Lady Dubley had re¬
tired, thinking over the statements she had just heard.
"How could it be possible for such honest eyes as
Reggie's, to look into my face and declare his love and
devotion, when he knew he loved another?" she thought.
"Oh, this is too cruel. There must be some mistake,
for what have I done to be deceived and treated so
cruelly? Reggie could not be guilty of such an unmanly
act.
"But suppose he proposed out of pity for me when he
learned that I was to be sent away because of the
accident?
"I cannot think well to-night. Oh, how my head
throbs!
"Lady Dubley after all meant to be kind. I am sure
she would not misrepresent things to me. Georgiana is
already happily married, and there is nothing to gain by
causing me unhappiness, and she could have warned
me sooner if she wished to prevent the marriage because
of personal feelings.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 113
"No, I cannot believe that she would be inflicting a
needless misery upon me. She only wishes to prepare
me not to expect too much happiness.
"Oh, mother dear! would that you were here to advise
your poor unhappy child! Ah! Sister Julie often warned
us at the convent of the deceit and cruelty of men. But
Reg—Reggie, Oh Reginald! how can I believe that you
are deceiving me?"
Thus the poor girl raved all night, sobbing and pray¬
ing for some way out of her unhappy state.
The next morning was dark and a misty snowstorm
raged outside.
Lord Winslow and the few family guests arrived, just
as the pale and trembling bride was having the finishing
touches arranged to her toilet.
The ceremony was performed in the castle drawing
room.
At the wedding breakfast Lord Winslow and the guests
noticed the pale and pathetic look upon the face of the
young bride, but thought that the excitement and natural
bashfulness were responsible.
They entered a limousine and drove away amid the
usual rice and shoe showers. Arriving at the station they
were joined by Zina and Nogi and they took the noon
express for Portsmouth, where they embarked in Lord
Winslow's yacht and crossed the Solent channel for his
island castle, near St. Catherine's Point upon the south¬
western part of the Isle of Wight.
The large old Norman castle stood with its facades and
massive towers ranging one above the other and situated
upon a promontory that overlooked some rugged cliffs
upon which the waves of the channel constantly broke
into feathery spray as the sound of their noisome break¬
ers was wafted up to the castle.
Lucretia was delighted with her surroundings but the
seed Lady Dubley had sown continued to crop up no
matter how hard she tried to forget.
ii4 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
The fact that the Countess was never referred to seemed
to indicate that Lord Winslow either regarded the sub¬
ject too sacred to be discussed or wished to spare her
feelings.
The first open little cloud started when Lucretia was
dressing for a ball given in their honor. Lord Winslow
was about to clasp a diamond necklace about her neck
and noticed that she had not removed the chain and
claw.
"Why do you continually wear that charm around your
neck my dear? You are no longer a child and it is very
unbecoming," Lord Winslow remarked as he attempted
to unclasp it.
"Do not unloosen the chain,. Reginald, I must never
remove it from my person," Lucretia replied.
Lord Winslow recalled the charges Lady Dubley had
made when she referred to the African idol. For a mo¬
ment a frown flitted across his forehead as he wondered
if his wife believed in fetich and charms. But his great
love and confidence soon dispelled the doubts and he
inquired the reason she prized the trinket.
After she related the circumstances of her father's es¬
cape and wound made by the claw, and his warning as
he clasped it upon her neck, Lord Winslow was satisfied
that it was merely a sentiment and desire to respect her
father's wishes that prompted her to object to its removal.
"But, my dear, you cannot appear in an evening gown
wearing the claw, so give it to me; I shall keep it in one
of my inside pockets so that it will still be with you,"
he playfully ended.
Lucretia began to wonder why her father had placed
such an objectionable article around her neck which
caused everybody to regard her as a fetich worshipper.
Her loyalty to her father, however, influenced her to wear
it, and her husband's happy solution was met with tears
of gratitude.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 115
Lord Winslow's objection to Lucretia visiting among the
peasants caused quite a bit of friction.
One day he happened to be riding through his estate
and saw Lucretia holding a sick baby, outside of a small
cottage, while a little ragged urchin of four held on to
her skirts and seemed quite familiar with her.
Lord Winslow was very much annoyed. As he rode
near, she called out to him before he could speak.
"Oh, Reggie, this poor baby was smothering to death
inside with a fever and I brought him out for a breath
of air."
"Fever?" Lord Winslow asked, what are you thinking
of, exposing yourself among such unsanitary surroundings?
Give the child to its mother and return with me to the
castle. You must have these clothes burned and never
act a nurse again. I am glad you are interested in the
poor people but you may send them money, food, and
hire a nurse, but do not expose yourself among them."
"I am very sorry I cannot obey your commands at
present, because the poor mother has gone to secure some
medicine and groceries and I am keeping house. Send
Zina down, please."
Lord Winslow was constantly provoked at Lucretia's
democratic habits, as he could not convince his young wife
that ladies of her position should not mingle among their
unfortunate sisters.
She religiously performed her many social duties, at
which times he prompted and tried to have her act so
perfectly correct that the poor child had begun to lose
her natural grace and enshroud herself in a shy reserve
that was mistaken among their friends for pride and un¬
friendliness.
Lady Dubley's words constantly recurred to Lucretia,
and at each misunderstanding, she became more unhappy
and believed he was comparing her faults to Georgiana's
virtues.
Spring arrived, and Lord and Lady Dubley came in
n6 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
the early part to remain with the couple and join the
yachting party that Lord Winslow was planning to sail
during the first of May.
Lucretia improved considerably with her uncle's com¬
panionship. She suspected that Lord Winslow had tired
of her company and had therefore invited the older
people to come so early.
Lady Dubley soon read the telltale lines of Lucretia's
face. As they sat alone one afternoon, she remarked:
"My poor child, how I pity you. It's really cruel of
Reginald not to have given you a pleasant honeymoon,
at the least. But I knew his pride would soon overcome
his desire for revenge and that he would regret having
married a wife who had once been an African priestess.
Oh, it stung him when he heard of it, but of course, my
dear, you were not to blame," she ended as she noticed
with alarm the dead pallor which overspread Lucretia's
face.
"Georgiana writes that the old Count has been poorly.
The dear child is so anxious about him that she will
not leave his side," she concluded after Lucretia did not
faint or become hysterical.
"Aunt Georgiana," Lucretia remarked, "please do not
misjudge Reginald. He has treated me very kindly, and
if I look unhappy it is because I am not very well. You
must remember that this was my first winter and I am
acclimating. Don't mention anything to uncle, please,
about what you have said to me," Lucretia said as she
arose.
CHAPTER XXVII
the arrival of the countess
One sunshiny afternoon Lord Dubley escorted Lucre¬
tia upon a ramble by the seashore. When they returned
about six o'clock Lucretia was laughing and looking more
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
like herself than she had for the last four months. When
they reached the castle they were greeted upon entering
the hall by a tall blonde in a soft clinging mourning gown.
Lord Dubley introduced the stranger to Lucretia as
her cousin Georgiana.
The countess was a very handsome woman and wore
her very tasteful and expensive clothes with a graceful
and well studied poise. Her charm of manner and ready
smile soon won for her the center of attraction wherever
she held her court.
"You see, my dear, the Count died last week and I
thought that there would be no need of distressing mother
or disturbing this quiet family circle, so that I decided
I should come and visit you two turtle doves in your
quiet island home while I am mourning and retired from
society," Georgiana repeated as she smiled into Lucre-
tia's face.
Lucretia welcomed her handsome cousin and could not
help but fall under her charm as she pitied her husband
for his hasty marriage.
The Countess had not lost her art of coquetry during
her long exile from the society world she so dearly loved.
She resented the conventionalism which demanded that
she should retire for a mourning period from the gay so¬
cial life, and the promptings of her old feelings for Lord
Winslow and a desire to test her old influence and Com¬
pare her charms with the inexperienced girl wife, offered
a pleasant diversion. She decided that it would be best
to come unannounced, because her parents would have
given up the idea of the proposed yachting trip and re¬
turned with her to Montroy Castle or some quiet country
seat.
Once at the Winslow castle she soon over-ruled her
mother's objections and began her flirting campaign
against her young hostess.
Lord Winslow was very surprised when he received
the Countess as a guest.
1x8 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
He had outgrown the boyish passion and understood
the selfish and heartless nature of the beautiful widow
as no one except her parents could suspect.
But he would not permit his personal feelings to cause
him to forget the duties of host to a young widowed
cousin. And he had to admit that the castle had livened
up and that the countess was a rare and charming con¬
versationalist.
She spared no pains to please Lord Winslow and know¬
ing his favorite themes she exerted herself to intelligently
discuss them; sometimes Lord Winslow thought that the
discipline of the old Count had broadened her ideas and
changed her for the better.
But she kept him attending her constantly so much so
that some of the friends who called at the castle re¬
marked about the flirtation and expressed their disap¬
proval.
Lucretia pined and became more reserved, always en¬
deavoring to hide the terrible secret with a smile.
But Lord Winslow misunderstood her aloofness and
thought that she preferred the companionship of her
uncle and that he was doing her a favor to relieve her of
the society of the Countess, who was becoming rather
burdensome.
He often compared his innocent young wife with the
worldly woman and thanked his kind fate that had di¬
rected his final choice.
The Earl of Dubley watched the drama and understood
his selfish daughter's plans. He therefore spent less time
with Lucretia and endeavored to make a third party to
their chats.
Zina had also noticed the change and grieved in her
helplessness to aid her silent mistress. One day Lucretia
wandered down to the beach and Zina followed and, ap¬
proaching, said: "My lady, it breaks my heart to see you
so sad. Why don't you send that woman away?"
"Hush, Zina, do not say anything against the Countess.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 119
It was all my fault, I was too young to marry. Oh
mother," she sobbed as she opened her heart to her be¬
loved maid.
"I must go back to Africa. If we could only get to
Rev. Jones; but I am afraid we could not locate him. I
should be afraid to go to the convent because Sister
Theresa would send me back. I could bear it if I alone
were unhappy, but just think how poor Reginald must
suffer when he looks at me and regrets that we married
so early," Lucretia confided to Zina.
"Why not return to Freetown and have old Sally
George, our laundress, to find a quiet place for us to
live?" Zina suggested.
"But who knows where Sally lives? She thought a
great deal of me, but everybody did that in Africa. Oh,
if we could find Yanga! I wonder if she might not have
returned to Freetown," Lucretia replied.
"I have visited Sally's house; it is on the Fura Bay
Road and I could easily find it again," Zina added.
A few days after the conversation, Zina was walking
up the southeast coast, where she frequently visited in the
hope of arranging for their flight. As she walked along
the seashore, she noticed the body of a drowned young
woman washed upon the shore. The light brown curls
and face somehow reminded her of Lucretia. As she
stood looking upon it she saw old Lowe approaching. He
was a dumb fisherman who lived in a cabin behind the
cliffs near which the body was lying.
She motioned him to assist her in carrying it to the
cabin. After paying and cautioning him to secrecy she
hastened towards the castle.
She met Lucretia walking out alone and told her
of her discovery and plans.
"Oh, but Zina, that would be too horrible! I would
like them to believe me to be dead, but I could not ex¬
change clothes with a dead woman and deceive them
so cruelly," Lucretia exclaimed in an expression of horror.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
"I don't want you to wear her clothes, but to exchange
your clothes for a boy's suit I have at the cabin, and try
to take a ship for France disguised as a young man and
wire me where to meet you later. You don't have to see
the woman unless you want to. If we leave together
as we first planned, they will soon find us and you will
have to explain your reason for leaving to your husband
and uncle," Zina replied to Lucretia's objections.
"But I have not over ten sovereigns in my purse. I
should have to return to the castle and it would be too
late before I could come out again," Lucretia remarked.
"You may take my purse. I have £120 (or $587) in
it I have saved from your generous presents. Don't lose
time, it is 1.30 p.m. now, and it will take an hour to reach
the cabin," Zina urged.
"No, Zina, I cannot imagine poor uncle mourning over
another person and thinking it was his unhappy niece.
And for poor Reginald and Georgiana, it would be most
unpleasant. Oh, no, suppose they think that I committed
suicide. Your plan is impossible," she sobbed.
"You are committing slow suicide already and can¬
not live much longer at this rate. You will cause me to
murder that read-haired, snake-eyed woman," Zina said
in a towering passion.
Lucretia was really frightened as she had never seen
Zina in such a temper, and she read the pent-up fury
which had reached its limit of endurance.
Zina had completely forgotten her position and looked
upon Lucretia as her childhood friend who was being
slowly murdered.
"Let us go, Zina; I shall do as you say, but you must
promise me upon your oath that you will not harm the
Countess or any one else for my sake," Lucretia replied,
as she walked towards the southeast.
"The fisherman will rent his boat, which we will cap¬
size so as to have them think that the drowning was
accidental," Zina assured Lucretia in her natural voice.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 121
When they reached the shack, Lucretia refused to look
upon the corpse but entered an adjoining room and donned
the ill-fitting suit Zina had secured.
Zine hesitated and tried to think of a way to avoid
cutting the heavy locks of hair. Lucretia decided that
the sacrifice would be the only thing to do under the
circumstances, so that Zina braided the hair in two long
thick braids and clipped them closely. When she cov¬
ered with a cap which partly hid the poorly barbered
hair.
Lucretia placed the two locks in her bosom and Zina
recalled the leopard's claw.
"Do not forget the claw."
"His lordship would look for that the first thing," Zina
repeated.
"I cannot part with it, Zina, but what you say is
quite true. Oh, what shall I do? Mother dear, do
guide your poor unhappy child," Lucretia sobbingly cried.
Zina patted and soothed her as if she were a child.
"My dear father will forgive me for trying to make
dear Reggie happy. Unloosen it, Zina, and let me go
away from here," she cried almost hysterically.
Pulling the chain from her neck she dropped it into
Zina's hand and ran away from the cabin.
Keeping in an easterly direction she almost ran into
Mr. Wilson, a Chicago millionaire aviator, who was walk¬
ing impatiently up and down the beach a few paces from
his biplane, which was out of its hangar.
He was dressed in his flying outfit, and was about to
make an angry remark, when Lucretia meekly apologized
and asked if he were about to fly to France.
"Yes, I should have started ten minutes ago if my
companion had any idea of time" he impatiently replied.
"Will you take me along? I must reach France this
evening," she asked.
"Yes, jump in; I won't wait another second for Har-
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
ris. He will have to take a boat," Mr. Wilson replied
in his usual impetuous manner.
They flew over the Channel and landed at Boulogne
near the Central Station. It was then four o'clock, but
the late spring afternoon was bright and balmy.
After the machine had landed and Mr. Wilson assisted
his passenger from the machine he noticed the very poor
hair cut and the ill-fitting clothes on the girlish form.
His impatience to reach the continent in the time he had
planned, and the delay caused by his tardy friend had
so absorbed his mind that he had paid no attention to
the young lad whose timid voice was so very effeminate.
He thought perhaps he was a young French student
who was attending school in England and wanted to
spend the week with his parents. But when he noticed
Lucretia closely, he concluded that he had assisted in
an elopement.
"Are you expecting a friend to meet you, little one,"
he asked very kindly.
"No, I am going on to Paris," Lucretia replied.
Mr. Wilson accompanied her to a waiting room at the
station.
"Is this an elopement, Kid? Let me into the secret,
since I have assisted Cupid," he said to Lucretia as he
seated her and stood before her.
"An elopement?" she asked in genuine alarm and sur-
price.
Mr. Wilson was convinced of his mistake and became
alarmed at what might happen to the unprotected girl
masquerading in a boy's clothes in the city of Paris.
"Have you relatives or close friends in Paris?" he
asked.
"No, this is my first visit," Lucretia truthfully replied.
"Great Scott! What have I done. Say, little girl,
you must tell me why you are masquerading in boys'
clothes and going to Paris."
"I cannot tell you any more than I have and must
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 123
beg you please accept my thanks for crossing me in your
machine. I must be securing my ticket and therefore bid
you adieu," Lucretia replied as she arose.
She was surprised that her secret was detected and
anxious to make her escape from her inquisitive com¬
panion.
"Wait a minute; I will secure tickets for both of us.
Will you tell me your name? I am Wilson, of Chicago,"
Mr. Wilson stated in the hope that he would be able to
communicate with her parents.
"Montcrief is my name," Lucretia replied, as she held
out her hand boyishly.
When Mr. Wilson left for the ticket office, Lucretia
looked around for means of escape because she suspected
that he would recognize the name and try to communicate
with her uncle.
CHAPTER XXVIII
in the hands of the white slaver
Upon leaving the waiting room Lucretia noticed a
middle-aged gentleman who had been watching her slowly
following. He wore a military mustache, was of medium
height, blonde complexion.
In her effort to keep on the alert for a sight of Mr.
Wilson and elude the obnoxious stranger, she uncon¬
sciously walked towards a group of women who were
awaiting their trains in a room near the ticket office.
The stranger still followed and winked his eye, as Lu¬
cretia thought, at her. True to her feminine instinct she
crossed from her seat and sat near a well dressed and be¬
jewelled middle-aged blonde, whose face and hair bore
the traces of expensive cosmetics and blondine dyes.
Madam Maza had been smiling at Lucretia and there¬
fore addressed her in French as soon as she came in: "He
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
is a detective who is following you because of your mas¬
querade, but I shall speak to him and tell him that you
are under my protection. Where are you going? To
Paris? Ah, that is fortunate. Have you relatives who
are expecting you? No? Well, you must surely come
along with me. Where is your ticket? Wait a min¬
ute, while I speak with the detective."
She crossed over to the gentleman and engaged in an
animated conversation.
Returning with her face radiant with smiles, she said
to Lucretia:
"Come, my little friend, the gentleman will not annoy
you any longer. I shall arrange for your ticket and we
must take the 5:15 train for Paris."
Just as Lucretia passed from the ladies' waiting room,
she caught a glimpse of Mr. Wilson, who was searching
for her.
She gripped the arm of her protectress, who hurriedly
hastened her away, supposing that Lucretia had recognized
a relative.
On entering the first class carriage of the train Lucre¬
tia recognized the military gentleman, who travelled as
their only companion. At the station the gentleman hailed
a taxicab and politely assisted Madam Maza into the
same.
Lucretia did not see him follow in another cab, but
weary with her exciting experiences, she partly leaned
against Madame as they drove away.
The taxi drove down the Boulevard d'ltalian and
stopped before an imposing stone front residence about
10 p.m.
Madam Maza ushered Lucretia into a gorgeously fur¬
nished three-story residence, and conducted her person¬
ally to a very handsomely furnished bedroom upon the
second floor.
She spoke very kindly and administered to Lucretia's
comfort before leaving the room.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 125
Lucretia soon fell into an uneasy slumber, during which
she sighed in her sleep, although unconscious of the two
conspirators in another room who discussed and planned
her fate.
Early the next morning Lucretia found a beautifully
embroidered Japanese kimona in the place of her suit
of clothes.
Madame soon appeared wreathed in smiles and re¬
mained chatting as she coaxed Lucretia to eat the dainty
breakfast a chic French maid brought upon a tray.
"Will you be so kind as to send out and order for me
a street costume? I must not remain longer upon your
kind hospitality. I want to secure a quiet and moderately
priced room and send a telegram for my African maid.
I thank you so much, my kind friend and hostess, but
you will do me a greater kindness by assisting me in
this matter," Lucretia remarked.
"My dear little friend, you pain me greatly when you
express a desire to leave me so early. It is impossible
for you to go out with your hair cut like this. Did you
bring the braids along? Ah, how fortunate; oh, what
beautiful and heavy braids. I shall have ma petite a very
lovely wig made that will have you soon looking again
like your own beautiful self. Give me the name of the
African maid and the address. I shall send the telegram
immediately.
"Has ma chere petite any money? Shall I put this
away for you, ma chere? Au revoir," Madame Maza
ended as she kissed Lucretia upon the cheeks before re¬
tiring.
Madame went into her apartments upon the first floor.
After closing her boudoir door she counted the money and
examined the hair again. "What wonderful hair!" she
exclaimed aloud. "Let me think, Madame Rene would
pay 50 louis for these two braids. I might get more
from Mous'ier Jacques, perhaps 100 louis. But le Comte
D'Attone is very particular and says I must have the
126 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
best wig made to match her hair that money can buy.
Ah, these rich men are so unreasonable! If I should sell
this hair and buy a real hair wig like he says, it will
cost more than the profit I should make from this. So
I must have this made up. Ah, me! No one thinks of
the poor. I must be satisfied with the 125 louis in her
purse. Le Comte must know nothing of these braids,
however, and I must have Jacques send a bill for 200
louis." Madame spoke aloud as she finally decided how
she would dispose of the wig problem, shaking her head
with an injured look.
Lucretia was sitting in her bedroom dressed in the
kimona and looking anxiously and expectantly towards
the door. This was the third day after her interview
with the madame and she had had no word from Zina
nor had she been able to secure the outdoor clothes.
The door was suddenly opened and to her surprise
and fright, the military looking stranger of the train
walked in unannounced.
Lucretia jumped up and tried to run by him and
escape through the door as she called for the madame.
Le Comte D'Attone firmly but smilingly caught her,
drew her within his arms and tried to kiss and caress her.
Lucretia showed surprising strength as she fought and
screamed for help.
The resistance only excited her assailant to more de¬
sire and, losing his former persuasive manner, he almost
roughly pinned her arms to her sides and was about to
overcome her now feeble resistance when the door was
suddenly opened and a young brunette of about twenty
whose enraged and angry features failed to disguise her
natural beauty, walked into the room and demanded the
meaning of the scene before her.
Her presence acted strangely upon the Comte. Turn¬
ing loose the almost fainting victim he fairly hissed,
"Elaine, what are you spying upon me for? Go away!
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 127
You have no claim upon me. You are not my wife, do
you understand?"
Elaine turned from Lucretia, whom she had gently
placed upon the bed, and turned a face full of outraged
dignity as she said, "Ah, Monsieur le Comte D'Attone,
we will settle that point very shortly between ourselves,
but you will not succeed in your plans with this innocent
child."
Le Comte cowered before her almost too calm delib¬
eration and slipped out of the room. After locking the
door she turned her attention to Lucretia, and succeeded
in calming the hysterical state in which she was. She
obtained an account of the flight and kidnapping by the
polite and generous stranger.
"So that you have only the kimona that you have on,
and no money or means of communicating with your
friends? Poor little innocent, you should never have
run away from your parents to a strange and large city
like Paris alone. Did you say that the aviator was an
American? What, Wilson from Chicago? You did
wrong to run away from him. I know of him, and I am
sure that he could be trusted.
"I am a Chicago girl myself, and you may trust me
implicitly. I will remove you from here, have no fear.
Give me the maid's name and address. You can bet
your last cent that Madame what's her name never sent
that telegram. I would take you with me now, kid, if
I had to fight my way through this whole outfit, but
you see it would be impossible to take you out in that rig.
Don't worry about that man, I shall attend to him. Look
for me soon, au revoir, be good."
Elaine unlocked the door and left her little charge
in a quiet and reassured state of mind.
Her influence upon the Comte and her assuring man¬
ner of speaking inspired complete confidence in Lucretia,
who felt for the first time since her flight that she had
found a sincere friend.
128 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Madame Maza had quite a time persuading Lucretia
to unlock the door and admit her into the room.
"Why do you lock yourself in and refuse to admit
your friend, ma chere?" Madame asked in an assumed
surprise.
Lucretia related the assault and rescue by the beautiful
American. But some instinct prevented her from dis¬
cussing the conversation between them, although the
madame used all of her arts and tricks to surprise Lu¬
cretia into confiding the same to her.
"Ah, the wretch! to come to my house when I was
absent and try to take away my guest because of a little
masquerade. To kiss you, did you say? Oh, the dog!
I shall have him arrested.
"Where does the beautiful American live? She must
be my witness. What a pity she did not tell you, but
I will be protected.
"It is fortunate, my friend, that the wig will be fin¬
ished tomorrow and your maid will be over on the day
after," Madame Maza announced as she gushingly tried
to regain Lucretia's lost confidence.
The next afternoon Madame's private telephone rang.
"Ah! M'sieur le Comte, you were too impatient. Why
didn't you wait a week as I warned you? Le petite has
no confidence in me now, she locks herself in the room.
La American beauty? I don't know where she lives but
I am afraid she will bring trouble upon poor me. Ah
yes, so we poor people must suffer for your pleasure.
"Oh! you have arranged for my protection. How
cavalier, mon cher le Comte! Yes, the lovely wig is
finished and cost me a fortune. But you can afford to
pay the small sum of 200 louis for such a lovely creature.
Bring her over? When? At 4.00 p.m. to the Chateau?
Yes, that will be better for me also. Au revoir till then,
mon cher," Madame repeated over the phone in response
to a message from le Comte.
"Ma petite looks too charming in the beautiful wig.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 129
How lucky it was that you saved the hair. No one could
ever tell that it was cut off. But you need a little rouge
to brighten up those pale cheeks. Non? What harm is
it to use a little? All of the lovely ladies use it. Yes,
you must have just a little. Now that is perfect. Your
costume fits you perfectly. Now we will go and select
the rooms you are to move into to-morrow when your
maid arrives," Madame said to Lucretia as she arranged
her toilet at 3.30 p.m.
After placing a very chic and becoming hat upon Lu-
cretia's head she pulled a thick veil over her face and
led her to the sidewalk, where they both entered a taxi-
cab and drove away after Madame directed the chauffeur.
CHAPTER XXIX
the rescue
Elaine was standing across the street with a parcel
under her arm watching the house when the couple came
out. She crossed in the middle of the block hurriedly
and arrived just in time to catch a glimpse of Lucretia
through the glass of the cab. She could not recognize
the beautiful young lady as the hysterical girl of the
previous day, but some instinct and the large pathetic
eyes which she saw in that fleeting glimpse, convinced
her that Lucretia was being removed by the landlady,
whom she easily recognized from Lucretia's description.
A gentleman was just about to enter a seven-passenger
car near the curb where she stood. She recognized him
as a compatriot and addressing him in English in her
American vernacular, she begged to be taken in his
machine and to have the taxi kept in sight.
Mr. Wilson did not hesitate to grant the rather strange
request.
"Oh, thank you so much for your confidence. This
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
is a matter more serious than death," she exclaimed
almost excitedly after the car started in pursuit of the
taxi.
"Just keep them in sight, don't let them imagine we
are following," she added.
She then explained the errand to her companion, of
whose identity she was still unaware.
"Did you say her hair was badly cut and she came
over in an airship dressed in boy's clothes?" he asked.
"Yes, yes, you must know her. Oh, I might have
known at first that you are Mr. Wilson had I not been
so excited," Elaine replied, very much relieved at her
discovery.
"Yes, you are correct as to my identity. Do you know
I have had not a moment's rest since I lost sight of that
child in Boulogne. I forgot the name she gave me and
I have been searching Boulogne and Paris ever since
trying to find her. I am so glad that she found such a
providential friend as you. Now we both will be her
guardians," Mr. Wilson said as he gave his companion
an admiring and grateful look.
They drove into the aristocratic Farbourg on the road
to Ramboleaux, when the taxi stopped before a large
brick chateau in the center of beautiful grounds, of trees
and flowers.
The pair were within the chateaur before the auto¬
mobile was near enough to be sure of the identtity and
interfere.
"I shall follow them into the Chateau. Do you know
the name of the owner," Mr. Wilson inquired of his com¬
panion.
"This is the Chateau Luxemburg and belongs to le
Comte D'Attone," she replied.
"I have heard of him. He is very rich and unscru¬
pulous," Mr. Wilson answered as he left the machine
for the Chateau.
He returned shortly in a temper. "That slick scoun-
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 131
drel of a footman refused to admit me, saying that the
Comte is abroad and no visitors are received at the Cha¬
teau. I felt like wringing his blooming neck for him,"
Mr. Wilson repeated angrily.
"I expected something like that. You did not men¬
tion your errand, did you?" Elaine asked anxiously.
"No, I thought I would consult you first," he replied.
"Very well, let us pretend to drive away."
"Let us get out now and have the machine await us
here," Elaine instructed, after they were out of sight of
the Chateau.
They walked by and entered the grounds, where they
wandered impatiently until dusk. "I pray that we are
not too late. Come, Mr. Wilson, we must hasten now."
She led him to the side garden near the right side of the
Chateau. Walking to an innocent-looking sundial, she
felt along the sides and pressed a button, when the
square platform of grass upon which they stood slowly
descended into the earth like an automatic elevator.
They found themselves in a dark tunnel, when Elaine
pressed another button and the grass plot returned to its
position.
"I wish I had brought my electric pocket light," Mr.
Wilson said, as he struck a match.
"Never mind a light, hold my hand and follow," Elaine
said, as she led the way.
She reached a door and Mr. Wilson struck a match as
she felt for the secret button. The door opened and
they passed on until they reached another, into which
Elaine fitted a key. They found a pair of narrow stair¬
ways, leading up to the first floor, and another leading to
the second. As they neared the top, they heard loud
voices talking in the hall near them when they stopped and
overheard the Compte say in angry tones in French, "Con¬
found the little tigress! She has ruined my face."
"Why didn't you trim those sharp claws, Marie? See
how she has scratched me up. She has been to Africa.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
M'sier le Comte. They don't have tigers there. What
do they call those African cats, Leopards? Ah, that is
the name, she is surely a wild one. I am afraid of her.
Well, I must leave you with your beautiful wild cat.
But you are an excellent tamer—nothing beats the jail
cure, loneliness and a little quieting you will soon mold her
into a little dove. Au revoir, mon cher, don't forget to
send her back to me when you tire of your new toy,"
Madame Maza repeated as she departed.
As soon as she had gone down the front stairs, the
hidden couple hurried into the hall and were met by le
Comte who was returning towards his victim's room.
They could hear Lucretia beating against the door and
screeching so that Mr. Wilson started in the direction
of the sounds, while Elaine held a loaded revolver before
le Comte, daring him to move. Mr. Wilson easily located
the sounds and found the key in the outside of the door.
He soon entered and brought Lucretia, who had fainted in
his arms as soon as she recognized him. He passed the
couple in the hall and carried his charge down the broad
stairway. He met no resistance from the servants as
they were used to seeing strange things within the
Chateau and the footman did not recognize the late
visitor that he had refused to admit in the early even¬
ing. Mr. Wilson dispatched a page for his automobile
and carried Lucretia in his arms to the machine.
Elaine in the meantime awaited until she thought Lu¬
cretia was out of the Chateau then ordered her enraged but
cowered victim into the room where Lucretia was re¬
cently confined. She locked the door and kept the key
as she calmly left the Chateau by the front exit, also
without interference and entered the waiting automobile.
They drove away as she gave directions to the chauf¬
feur. They arrived at a modest brown stone residence
on the Rue d Anger, when Mr. Wilson again lifted Lu¬
cretia, who was now really ill and unable to walk, and
carried her into the house, where she was met by Zina.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Elaine and Zina soon put Lucretia to tied and admin¬
istered cold applications to her fevered brow while Mr.
Wilson summoned a doctor.
CHAPTER XXX
elaine's history
One day during Lucretia's illness she had entered a
quiet sleep for the first time since the night of the rescue.
Mr. Wilson, who was a constant visitor, sat in the next
room with Elaine and remarked, "Do you think that the
Reginald she frequently calls and begs to forgive her
is her fiance with whom she quarrelled, or a husband? It
sounds so pathetic to hear her repeat in her delirium that
she ran away because she loves him and wants him to be
happy with Georgiana, and that uncle she continually
calls. Oh, it is too sad! Can't you get any information
from the African maid? I wonder if I could not bribe
her to talk? I would give anything to straighten this
tangle and see the poor child happy."
Elaine sighed, "Poor little thing, I don't know when
I have taken a liking for any one in my life as I have
for this poor child. Her parents are dead and the uncle
must have treated her very kindly. But the 'Reginald'
is a puzzle; she looks too young to be married. If she
were an American I would think it likely, but from an
aristocratic English family, as she evidently is, seems
incredible. In some of her rambles she spoke of the
Castle, Lady somebody, and a Countess. The African
maid is like an oyster and a bribe won't work with her.
Sometimes I regret that we did not have her along. Le
Comte called Lucretia a tigress, he would have called
the maid a lioness. She would have fought both he and
Madame, and, I bet, come out winner. Lucretia is
safe in her care, you bet. But we must persuade the
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
little girl to return to her uncle and Reginald. We must
act as Cupid when she is better," ended Elaine with a
smile.
"Yes, we will be Cupid for our little friend, but what
about ourselves also, Elaine? You must by now know
that I love you. Won't you permit our friend to act as
Cupid for us, and bring me happiness also?" Mr. Wilson
asked as he drew near and caught Elaine's hand. To his
surprise she burst into tears.
"No, no, dear friend, you have been too trustful. You
know nothing about my history. I have waited for you
to ask some explanation of my knowledge of the Chateau
and first meeting with Lucretia, but you have never re¬
ferred to the subject other than if it were a natural and
clever feat. You must listen to my history first and if
you still think me worthy of your great love, then I can
listen to your wooing.
"My name is Elaine Morrison, the Chicago heiress
whom you must have read of three years ago, who
eloped with a foreign nobleman. Le Comte d'Attone
posed as an unmarried man and persuaded me to marry
him secretly and retire with him to his country seat in
Lavidia, near Kichinieff, Russia. We lived together
very happily for about two years and a half, when he
received a letter one morning and left the villa hastily
upon what he termed a short business trip to England.
He wrote regularly for six weeks and ceased. Two
months after his departure, I was surprised by a pale,
aristocratic lady visitor, who announced herself as le
Comtesse d'Attone and accused me of most horrible
things. When I finally convinced my visitor that I was
married by producing my certificate, she soon changed
her tone and informed me that I was the victim of a fraud
and that the certificate was a fake. She told me awful
tales of le Comte's infidelity and immoral escapades. I
was ill for a month after her visit. I wrote to the Comte
and received no reply.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
As soon as I became fit to travel I began a search for
him. Oh, the feelings of love and passion! I was
nearly crazy with grief and doubt.
One day I followed him to the Chateau and tried to
enter, but was refused admittance. I used to hide within
the grounds, and watch for any opportunity to enter.
One evening I saw a veiled woman go to the sundial
and let herself down the secret entrance. I followed and
searched until I found the spring and let myself down
also. I opened the secret spring door, but could go no
farther when I reached the locked door. I recalled,
however, a piece of gum, the Chicago habit still clings
to me, that I had in my bag, so that I obtained the im¬
pression of the keyhole.
When I tried to return I could not find the spring to
open the other door and was obliged to remain in the
dark and chilly tunnel until after midnight, when the
woman returned without a light and I hid behind the
door as she opened it and followed safely out.
"Before I could get an opportunity to use the tunnel
entrance, I followed him to the house on the Boulevard
d'ltalian, when I rescued Lucretia and met him face to
face for the first time since his desertion. In his pas¬
sionate anger at the interrupted scene he informed me
that I was not his wife and have no claims upon him.
"I despised him then too much to feel the sting of his
cruel revelation, and was too interested in the unfortunate
child to think of personal revenge.
"I wired Zina as soon as I left Madame Maza's and
tried to obtain police assistance but it seemed as if I were
the culprit by the manner in which my information was
received. So, I hastened to place my maid on watch,
keeping le Comte shadowed.
"I was watching for an opportunity to enter the house
as some other visitor was admitted when I met you," she
ended.
136 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
"Have you taken steps to obtain a divorce on the
ground of bigamy?" Mr. Wilson asked.
"No, because I sent a copy of my certificate to my
Chicago lawyer and had him go to South Bend, Indiana,
and investigate. There was no record on the register
and the minister was unknown, in fact, the whole cere¬
mony was a mere play enacted by tools of d'Attone in
order to deceive me. The certificate, which is not worth
the paper upon which it is written, is the only proof
that will anyway show that I was an innocent party to
a fruad.
"I really believed myself his legal wife and trusted him
so implicitly that I respected his desire to avoid publicity
in the States. But we travelled always as husband and
wife, I using the title of 'la Comtesse,'" Elaine replied.
"My poor little girl. You need to be pitied as much
as our little friend. Did you think that that would cause
me to change my mind, dear? That only shows that you
need me more. Only tell me, dear, that you will trust
me and try to let me win your love in time, and I shall
be happy," Mr. Wilson said as he caught her hand.
"You will not have to win my love, dear; it has been
yours ever "
The other part of the sentence was lost in Mr. Wilson's
shower of kisses.
"We must marry quietly as soon as our friend is bet¬
ter, and leave for Italy as soon as she is safely with her
relatives. The Comte d'Attone had better not cross my
path in the meantime, because I have two big scores
against him now and I am sorry that I permitted you to
dissuade me from following my impulse that day and
had given the scoundrel the good thrashing I was about
to give him," Mr. Wilson repeated during a temporary
cessation of the caresses.
When Lucretia was strong enough to bear the excite¬
ment of the news, Elaine informed her and added, "My
dear Lucretia, you must give us a wedding present, the
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
opportunity of reuniting yo\i with your Reginald and
uncle. You are making a great mistake, child, to remain
away from your loved ones.
"I don't want to pry into your confidence, but my
woman's intuition tells me that you are laboring under
a great mistake, at the bottom of which is groundless
jealousy. Listen to your friend, little one, your Reginald
is suffering and heart-broken as well as yourself."
"Do you think he cares?" Lucretia so far forgot her¬
self to ask.
"Of course he cares and suffers. Men have feelings as
well as women and suffer more keenly that they bear
their grief silently. And your uncle, child! Think of
him also," Elaine replied.
"As soon as you are married, dear, I shall leave for my
home immediately and you must promise that you will
spend the greater part of your honeymoon with us. Oh,
if I had only had such true fjiends as you and Mr. Wil¬
son a month ago, I should have been a happy wi—person
to-day," Lucretia exclaimed, as she threw her arms about
Elaine's neck and almost betrayed her secret.
The next day Mr. Wilson and Elaine took Lucretia out
on a shopping tour and a ride through the city.
As the party drove down fate played a cruel trick.
Had they been three minutes earlier they would have
seen Lord Winslow as he was about to enter a hotel,
meet the Countess de la Feres coming out and about
to enter a waiting limousine when she recognized and
hailed him, or had they been two minutes later they
would have seen the Earl when he tipped his hat and
walked back to the hotel as the machine drove away.
But fate would have it that they arrived just as Lord
Winslow was assisting the Countess into a car. Lu¬
cretia uttered a little sigh and fainted before the surprised
couple, who had paid no heed to the little drama, could
imagine the cause.
"The shopping was too much for her. But she seemed
138 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
to have enjoyed it. We must take her back home at
once," Mr. Wilson said in a puzzled tone.
"I think that couple in front of the hotel were respon¬
sible for the attack, because I noticed how strangely she
acted when she first saw them, but I was so interested in
Lucretia that I paid no attention to the couple," Elaine
replied.
"I wish I had suspected that. I am sure I have met
that military looking gentleman, and perhaps the lady,"
Mr. Wilson added regretfully.
When Lucretia was revived, she surprised her friends
by announcing that she could not follow their plans, be¬
cause it was impossible to return to her home. But if
they would assist her to reach Sierra Leone, West Africa,
she would be very grateful for their kindness.
"You are our daughter now, Lucretia, and you will
accompany us upon our honeymoon and return with us
to the States if you refuse to return to your relatives.
So now say no more about Africa, or we will be angry,"
Mr. Wilson playfully remarked.
CHAPTER XXXI
the honeymoon tour
Mr. Wilson and Elaine were quietly married at the
office of the American Embassy on the following after¬
noon.
That evening they took a train with Lucretia, Zina,
and Elaine's Russian maid and passed through and over
Jura and the Jura Mountains into Switzerland and stopped
at Zurich, where they spent a short while enjoying the
sights of the quaint mediaeval-looking prosperous city.
From there they travelled by train to Trieste and re¬
mained at the important Austria-Hungarian seaport town,
with its Italian-speaking population. They remained
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
139
there until near the middle of summer, when Lucretia's
cheeks had begun to regain their naturally rosy com¬
plexion, when they crossed the Gulf of Venice and landed
at Venice.
From thence they took a train to Rome. As the sum¬
mer had now advanced, Mr. Wilson decided they would
entrain for Genoa and spend the rest of the summer,
when they would embark from that city for America on
the first of September.
On the afternoon of their last day in Rome, they visited
the Saint Maria della Pace, and were seeking their favor¬
ite paintings, when she recognized Lord Winslow standing
in a very pensive mood looking upon one of Raphael's
paintings with his hands crossed behind his back. He
looked so sad and altered that she forgot all of her past
doubts and jealousies and wanted to take him in her
arms and mother him as if he were a little child. She
left her companions abruptly and hastened towards him.
But as fate would have it, the Countess was also among
the visitors inspecting the paintings, and she saw Lord
Winslow at the same time Lucretia did. Since die was
nearer she reached his side and familiarly took his arm
before Lucretia could reach or attract his attention.
Elaine was searching for Lucretia and just reached her
side in time to save her from falling.
Lucretia naturally supposed that they were travelling
together and believed that Lord Winslow had really for¬
gotten the "dead" young bride.
When they reached Genoa, Lucretia said to Elaine as
they were alone in the latter's dressing room, "Elaine,
dear, do you know that I have had a peculiar dream about
my mother. I dreamed three times last night that my
mother, who is supposed to be dead in Africa, met me
at Rev. Jones' Mission, where she is awaiting my father's
return.
"My life has been such a strange one of circumstance
and almost miraculous escapes from dangers that I am
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
almost persuaded to believe like Zina and the Africans,
that my dream is true and that my mother is alive. I
can never understand what became of a servant of my
father's named 'Twe,' who disappeared on the eve of
father's fatal sail. The boy was loyalty itself, but has
never been heard of. And my old nurse Yanga, who
was left to search for my mother has never been heard of
either.
"Now, darling, don't think me ungrateful of your and
Mr. Wilson's great kindness, but don't you see that under
the circumstances you would do me a greater kindness
if you will permit me to visit Freetown and inquire after
Rev. Jones. I will promise faithfully not to go into
the interior unless I am sure that my mother is alive and
I have the proper protection, and I shall keep in touch
with you always. Do, dear, persuade Mr. Wilson to con¬
sent.
"Some day I shall be in a position to repay the con¬
fidence you have placed in me without knowing my iden¬
tity. But this much I can tell you now, I shall be
seventeen this coming September and am a wife who is
dead to her husband and relatives. Now, Elaine, you
can see I am not the child you thought I was. It is too
late to restore my happiness as a wife, but you may
assist me to find the mother I have needed so much."
After this confidential outburst of Lucretia, Elaine
persuaded Mr. Wilson to consent to Lucretia visiting
Freetown, with the understanding that she would finally
live with them in Chicago. Mr. Wilson and Elaine ac¬
companied Lucretia as far as Teneriffe, where the party
remained together in a mountain cottage for a fortnight.
Mr. Wilson gave Lucretia a very generous cash check
upon the British West African Bank at Freetown and his
Chicago Club address, where she could always reach them.
They then parted from Lucretia uppn the leeward-bound
West African steamer and embarked in a northwest-bound
steamer for their old home in the new world, which held
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
out to Elaine a new and rosy future and a patriotic love
she had never before experienced.
CHAPTER XXXII
the tidings of lucretia's death reach lord winslow
After Lucretia left the cabin, Zina and the deaf fish¬
erman changed the drowned woman's clothing, placed the
chain and claw around her neck and returned her where
she was formerly. They capsized his boat in the surf
and Zina ran to bear the news to the castle.
Lord Winslow and the Earl of Dubley reached the scene
together upon horseback. Zina explained that Lucretia
and she had tried to row out in the surf when the boat
capsized, and Lucretia drowned before she could be
saved.
Lord Winslow examined the body and surprised Lord
Dubley when he calmly announced that the body was not
that of Lucretia. He removed the leopard's claw, how¬
ever, and seemed almost to doubt his own mind.
"But the claw," he said, holding it in his hand, she
would not have parted from this under any circumstances.
Strange, I don't understand it," he spoke aloud as he
shook his head.
Lord Dubley and several friends, who were among the
cuirous crowd surrounding the body, patted him upon the
shoulders pityingly and drew him away. No one else
had the least doubt as to the real identity.
Lord Winslow kept the claw continually in his pos¬
session, but showed very little interest in the preparation
of the funeral.
He accompanied the body to Worcestershire and at¬
tended the interment in an almost dazed condition. As
as he could leave England he crossed over to Paris
with an impression that he would find his wife alive.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
His friends began to believe that he had lost his mind
and always shook their heads pityingly whenever he
would leave the club or their society.
The Countess was very disappointed at the turn of
things, and lost no opportunity of following him upon
the continent, against her parents' advice and wishes. At
the meeting in Rome Lord Winslow thought that he had
recognized Lucretia and was much chagrined when the
Countess caused him to lose sight of her.
He left the Countess standing in surprise while he
looked around for his wife and, failing to find her, almost
believed that he had seen a phantom. He sailed from
Rome that night for Freetown, West Africa, and inquired
of the surprised sisters and old acquaintances for news
of Zina.
He left the very morning that Lucretia entered the
Freetown port, and they would have recognized each
other as the ships passed by had Lucretia arrived upon1
the deck in time.
After Reverend Jones had parted from Oliver, he was
not unmindful of his promise and prepared for the expe¬
dition, which was delayed by the heavy rains.
He finally started with a large number of Mission
boys, camping necessities and Yanga. When he reached
the regions of the Kong Mountains, where Oliver was so
long wandering about, he found that King Dofella was
still waging war and ravaging the neighboring towns.
As luck would have it they came across Varnee one day
as he gathered wild fruit in the woods. He soon recog¬
nized Yanga and told them the story of the escape from
the leopard rite and the refuge in a neighboring town
where Eva had won the gratitude and loyalty of the
king's old mother by her kindness to her favorite grand¬
daughter, who was the object of abuse by the king's
favorite.
That Dofella's war had reached the town two days
previously, and that Eva had escaped with the old woman
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
and child and lived in a cave upon the fruit and food
Varnee supplied.
Varnee led the party to the hiding place and Eva was
enfolded in the arms of her devoted maid. But the party
had not progressed far when they discovered that they
were pursued by a war party. Determined to remain to¬
gether they took to the woods, when they met Twe coming
in their direction.
They had eluded their pursuers temporarily and halted
for a rest. Twe produced the map and told of his pursuit
of Alpha and the latter's final end.
Rev. Jones examined the map and made a rough esti¬
mate of their present location. "We should be near the
gold diggers," he said to Twe.
They heard the sound of their pursuers drawing near
and resumed their flight.
Twe called out to Reverend Jones and pointing towards
a hill exclaimed, "That is the cave where the gold-
diggers live. Varnee, take up Miss Montcrief and run
with us. Quick, quick, before they see us. Stoop down
and here is the hole."
The last of the party had just disappeared into the
hole after abandoning most of the supplies in the woods
when the war party came into view. Fahn recognized
Eva, Yanga, Varnee and Twe. And the other workers
recognized Twe and mistook at first Reverend Jones for
Oliver.
The party received a protection and were compelled to
remain the guests of the hospitable gold workers for over
a year before the war and heavy rains permitted their
return.
When they reached the mission and found no news of
Oliver they concluded that he had taken the interior
route and was searching for Eva or lost again in the
Kong Mountains. Reverend Jones had set out upon
false reports several times and spent considerable time
following misleading trails. While Eva, now garbed in
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
suitable clothes and having the companionship of a woman
of her own race, spent the time hoping and waiting for
Oliver's return.
One evening just after Reverend Jones returned from
a long and unsuccessful expedition which nearly cost his
life, Eva remarked, as they sat at the supper table:
"Reverend Jones, it is unwise for you to continue to fol¬
low the reports of the natives as you have been doing
for the last three or four years unsuccessfully. There is
something strange about the actions of the folks at home.
Oliver surely must have left your address with the Earl
of Dubley, as Twe tells us they were together. I cannot
think why neither he nor Governor Row writes nor sends
an expedition to see what becomes of us. Twe says
Oliver left upon the same day he followed Alpha, and I
am sure Oliver lost no time in returning. We must send
Twe to Sierra Leone to obtain some information concern¬
ing Lucretia and to notify Lord Dubley of his brother's
loss in the jungles. I shall contine to remain here be¬
cause something tells me Oliver is alive and will meet me
here."
Reverend Jones agreed with her decision and sent Twe
in care of a caravan to the coast bearing letters from Eva
to her relatives.
' Zina located Sally George's cabin as she promised, and
Lucretia remained with Sally until a nice cottage could
be fitted up for their dwelling. Thanks to Mr. Wilson's
generosity Lucretia was soon settled in very comfortable
quarters with Zina and Sally's devoted attention. She
was not very long in her new quarters, however, before
a new event happened in her life, in the advent of a son
and heir. "Oh, Zina, see what I have done to my in¬
nocent baby; oh, mother, won't you come to your poor
silly daughter," Lucretia sobbed to Zina, when she
looked upon her son.
"Zina, I am going to take little Reggie to his father as
soon as I am strong enough. I have no right to deprive
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 145
my child of his name and inheritance," she repeated in a
new tone of matured responsibility.
"Why don't you write him and Lord Dubley and ex¬
plain it to them first," Zina replied.
"No; no one will know or see little Reggie until he has
pleaded for me with his father."
"You do not realize the enormity of the crime we have
committed, Zina. No letter could explain and put things
right. My only hope now is my son. If Lord Winslow
refuses to forgive me, he must receive his innocent son
and give him his rights."
After arriving at this decision Lucretia improved in
health and quickly recovered her good spirits in the joy
of her new responsibility and anticipation of the reunion
and forgiveness.
As soon as young Reginald was two months old Lu¬
cretia embarked with her son and Zina in the late fall
for England. They parted from old Sally, who stood
upon the wharf shaking her short, fat, black body as she
sobbed and watched the steamer heave anchor and disap¬
pear from view.
One afternoon the steamer was off Cape Blanco and
Lucretia reclined in a deck chair as she lazily watched
the Portuguese fishermen bantering with the ship's crew
and trying to sell their large red snappers.
"Don't stand too near the rail, Zina," she called out,
as Zina walked near the rails in order to watch the
scene, holding young Reginald in her arms.
After Zina returned to her seat, Lucretia looked around
with a sigh of satisfaction and picked up an old copy of
the London Times one of the passengers had left upon
a Madeira chair near by her.
She had been out of touch with the English news so
long that the old paper was as eagerly read as a late edi¬
tion would have been. In reading over the society
columns she read: "Lord Reginald Winslow and his bride
sailed for Japan on the 10th inst."
146 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Lucretia's heartrending sigh attracted the attention of
several of the passengers, who ran to her as Zina screamed
out as she fainted. When they reached the Canaries, Lu-
cretia informed Zina that they would get off at Las
Palmas.
"I shall return to Freetown and write Elaine for ad¬
vice," she remarked to Zina as they were being towed to
the shore. Just as they landed Twe ran toward them.
"I was just going to take that steamer you just came
from aboard, to go to England in search of you all," he
remarked after Lucretia had recognized him in his new
European outfit.
The party drove to a hotel when Twe informed Lucre¬
tia of her mother's safety and gave her the letter she
had sent.
"I lost the others in the water and just saved yours
because I held it between my teeth as I swam. I was
obliged to work aboard the ship as steward boy and had
no chance to stop at Freetown, as this was the first port
it entered. I found work in a hotel and made enough
to buy this suit of clothes. I was going to work my
way to England and go to your uncle's place to look
for you," he explained. After Lucretia read her mother's
letter she brightened up and announced her intention to
go directly on to the mission. "But I hate to think of
taking Reggie into the interior with no prospects of a
future," Lucretia remarked aloud in soliloquy.
"Don't worry about money, mam, the gold-diggers
gave your ma plenty of gold and when they hear of the
baby, you will have more than you will need. Your
father buried plenty of pearls and a big diamond some¬
where. I thought it was on the paper that Alpha had,
but Reverend Jones says that it was only a map of the
country," Twe remarked^ as he thought she referred
to the lack of money.
Twe suggested the necessary things that would be
needed at the mission to make them comfortable, while
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 147
Lucretia selected her mother a nice supply of clothes and
toilet articles. She was determined they would enjoy
as much of the luxuries of civilization in their voluntary
exile as possible, because she felt somehow that it would
only be temporary and that her mother or Elaine would
think of a way to set matters right.
She intended that her son should be trained in proper
etiquette although they lived in Africa. Mr. Wilson's
liberal check enabled her to secure the things which she
desired and to return with a large stock of provisions,
furniture and large sybaritic stores so pleasing to the fe¬
male sex.
CHAPTER XXXIII
the meeting of mother and daughter
When Lucretia landed at Axim with her large cargo,
she called at the Government House and asked for assis¬
tance and protection of the Colonial officials. She was
given an order to the District Commission of the frontier,
enabling her to secure a sufficient number of carriers
under military escort as she left the railway terminus.
Arriving safely at the mission at early dusk she surprised
them all as she fairly flew into the arms of her aston¬
ished mother. Eva did not recognize at first the fashion¬
ably dressed young woman.
"Whose baby is that?" she asked, as soon as she had
recovered from the first surprise.
Lucretia then fell upon her neck and sobbed out the sad
story. Mrs. Jones held the baby as she listened to the
revelation.
"My poor Ititle girl," Eva cried as she joined in the
weeping. "You needed your mother's care and advice.
Oh, you poor unfortunate child! Oliver, oh Oliver !"
Mrs. Jones handed the baby to Yanga and crossed over
to the two sobbing women.
i48 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
"This won't do, Eva. Shame, oh shame on you! You
are worse than Lucretia and do you forget that you have
not seen your grand-child? There now, that is better.
Yanga, give him to her." After she succeeded in quiet¬
ing Eva and interesting her in the baby, Mrs. Jones took
Lucretia upon her lap as she would a child and stroked
her hair as she obtained an accurate account of the sit¬
uation.
"Too bad indeed, but I think you should inform your
uncle of the whole circumstance, although it is a hard
thing to do since your husband has married his daughter,
but you have your son to consider now and you must
secure his rights. Since they have gone to Japan, you
will have time to think it over calmly and decide what is
best to do," Mrs. Jones advised.
Reverend Jones approved of Lucretia's plan to live
at the Mission and advised them to leave the matter in
the hands of Providence, who would settle and straighten
the tangle because he understood what an embarrassing
position Lord Winslow and the Earl of Dubley would be
placed in if conditions were as Lucretia had represented.
He built a corrugated bungalow upon the hill overlooking
the Valley of Allah for the family, and assisted Lucretia
in beautifying the grounds and comfortable surroundings.
Lord Winslow was in Magdeburg when he met an old
schoolmate of his, Baron Steinhauser, in a hotel one day.
"I am preparing to join a hunting party of Americans who
are taking moving picture machines and photographers
along for big game hunting in East Africa. Why don't
you join us, my lord?" the Baron remarked.
"I should be glad to do so providing you promise to
cross the continent and return by the way of the west
coast. I was planning to visit the district of the Kong
Mountains the coming winter so as to travel in the dry
season, but I have been thinking that an airship of the
Zeppelin type would be just the thing to take along so
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
as to facilitate travel. What do you think of that idea,
Baron?"
"As to your transcontinental suggestion, that meets our
plans. We will start from Eastern Sudan and travel
south and then north-westerly. But we had never
thought of the airship and I am afraid that, while it
would enable us to do a great deal of exploring and
assist us to avoid the difficulties of the jungle travel, the
cost would be too great considering our present outlay,"
the Baron replied.
"The cost is of minor consideration, my dear Baron,
but the difficulty lies in securing such a one as I desire,
since your Government is so strict about these machines,
they might suspect that I was securing it for military
purposes. I had decided to take a Reed-Curtis flying-
boat with me, but it would not be able to answer the
purpose of a large party. If we could secure one of the
Zeppelin airships and hydroaeroplanes with about two
small turbine motor engines of 50 horse power and a
compartment capable of accommodating your party and
a large supply of gasoline secured in safety iron vessels,
we could easily overcome the danger of the African in¬
terior travels and explore about the Kilima Njora Moun¬
tains and unknown parts of Central Africa. The Zep¬
pelin airship of the latest type, I am informed, is able
to sustain several tons with ease at a high altitude," Lord
Winslow replied as he watched the Baron's expression.
Baron Steinhausen was a man about 28 years, medium
height, wearing a full military mustache and goatee and
very slow and precise in his manner. He sat passing his
hand over his goatee as he listened, and seemed to be in
a thoughtful mood.
"What you said about the airship is correct. But I
think I can manage to secure such a machine as you de¬
scribed. I am a friend of Count Zeppelin and can say
for him that he is very interested in and devoted to
science. This is a scientific as well as a hunting expedi-
ISO THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
tion. Herr Baer's and my collection will be contributed
to our National Museum. Herr Baer, a member of the
expedition party, is a botanist and also an authority on
natural history, so that his trip is purely scientific. The
six Americans are three moving picture men, one doctor,
and two scientists, who are also keen sportsmen. We
may class ourselves as explorers. There you have it.
We will call it a scientific expedition. The Count will
appreciate the advantages to be obtained from an accu¬
rate plan of the country taken from the air. I will
manage to secure it for you. You will need an expert
from the works to manage the machine. We will be
ready to start next month. That will land us in Don-
gala, the Egyptian Sudan on the Red Sea, in July, and
we will cross the Nubian Desert in a southwesterly di¬
rection by rail to Khartum. From there we can travel
southward on the Nile by steamboat or the airship to
British East Africa.
"The Americans have secured a permit for our party
to hunt big game in that territory and we plan to hunt
in the region of the Victoria Nyanza and the Kilima-
Njara Mountains. We also plan to spend at least four
months in East Africa and take a westerly course through
Belgian and French Congo, then travel N.N.W. through
Kamerun, Nigeria and Dahomey to Togoland, where we
have an invitation from the Governor to hunt elephants
and leopards in the northern regions. That should suit
your plans excellently, because Togoland is near Ashanti
and the Kong Mountains are in the neighborhood of
Ashanti," the Baron explained as he traced the course
upon a map, of the proposed expedition.
The party, consisting of Baron Steinhausen, Herr Baer,
Lord Winslow, Messrs. Wolfe and MacCormick, the two
American middle-aged scientists and sportsmen, Dr. Ros-
man, Messrs. Williams, Hausen and Billings, the three
young moving picture men, and Herrn. Wagner and Reis-
nitz, the two machinists from the Zeppelin works, with five
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 151
valets of the five first mentioned gentlemen, embarked
upon the Lucretia, Lord Winslow's yacht, at Hamburg
and sailed for East Africa the middle of July, 1913.
The yacht sailed through Suez Canal, down the Red
Sea, and landed at Dongola near the middle of August.
They spent the months of October, November, Decem¬
ber, January and February hunting lions, giraffes, ele¬
phants, rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses, of which they
succeeded in killing large and select specimens after ex¬
citing hunting experiences.
The moving picture men were fortunate in obtaining
not only the hunting scenes, but arranged their machines
at night so as to obtain radiograph views of the smaller
animals in their natural haunts by means of Rolton rays,
while the botanists and natural history scientists kept
busy overseeing the African huntsmen in preserving the
specimens for shipment.
When the time expired in the East African territory,
the party carried the natural history collection to Uganda
and shipped them on to Europe.
Leaving Uganda, they flew westward into Belgian
Congo and followed their original plans until they reached
Togoland the latter part of June, 1914. There they re¬
ceived their mail and the information that the "Lucretia"
was in the Axim harbor awaiting them. But they did
not intend to sail before the beginning of winter as the
heavy rains handicapped their successful hunting. So
they camped for a long season in North Togoland.
CHAPTER XXXIV
oliver's rescue
On the morning of the 14th of August, 1914, some
of the guides reported that some man-eating leopards had
seized human prey and were lurking in a neighborhood
152
■THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
not far from the camp. The mid dries had set in and
the day was very bright and tempting.
Lord Winslow, the three moving picture men, Dr. Ros-
man, the two German machinists and Lord Winslow's
valet made up a hunting party and left on foot, leaving
the others in the camp. The hunting party killed a few
antelopes and small game on the march and were re¬
minded that the African's notion of time and distance is
very vague and uncertain. In the late afternoon they
came upon a small town of savages. They decided to
remain for the evening and managed to obtain two small
bamboo huts for their accommodation.
Lord Winslow and Dr. Rosman, a tall, thin, clean¬
shaven man, happened to have taken two grass hammocks
along so they had them tied across the hut side by side
from the poles of the roof.
The three moving picture men occupied the same hut
also and were obliged to secure grass and leaves and
whatever they could to make a pallet upon the dirt
floor.
A number of the villagers stood looking on and watch¬
ing the preparations. One stalwart young black giant
wearing only a loin cloth stood within the hut which Lord
Winslow and the others occupied, and soon became a
nuisance, as they wished to retire. Lord Winslow mo¬
tioned for him to leave them, placed his right hand upon
his right cheek and bent his neck as he tried to express
in the African pantomime language that he was sleepy
and wished to be alone. The young man misunderstood
him, rushed from the hut to his brothers and relatives
and stated that a white man in the hut had threatened
to cut his throat.
Quite a commotion was started and a number of Afri¬
cans rushed in and seized the surprised white men and
held them as they waited to be shown the offender. Lord
Winslow was pointed out and was carried as far as the
door when a wild looking bearded white man of giant
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
strength, wearing a gold band bracelet upon his left arm,
knocked the black men down and rescued Lord Winslow.
He seemed to have a strange influence upon the men,
who stole away sheepishly as he glowered in speechless
rage upon them.
The other men of the party were in arms and outside
just in time to see them steal away.
A few minutes afterwards the chief sent a goat and
white chicken as a peace offering to Lord Winslow, and
the matter was explained. But the identity of the beard¬
ed white man was a puzzle they could not solve. The
interpreters could only obtain from the villagers that he
had come with a caravan a few weeks previously, and
was considered and worshiped as a kind of fetich because
of his infirmity.
They tried to obtain information by signs from the
stranger, but he seemed to have been like a child and
remembered nothing.
The next morning Lord Winslow added the stranger to
their party and both seemed to have developed a strong
attachment for each other.
"After he is barbered and clothed in a decent outfit,
IH bet he will hardly appear to be over thirty-five. The
outdoor life certainly has developed his muscles and im¬
proved his health. Poor fellow, I would give anything
to know his history. Some poor family in Europe mourns
his loss today," Lord Winslow remarked to Dr. Rosman,
who was thoughtfully regarding the subject of discussion.
Walking over and examining the man's head, he replied,
"This fellow is suffering from the effects of an accident,
either a blow upon the head or a fall. An operation will
restore his memory and speech. Perhaps a shock may
have the same result."
"Well, you can rest assured that he will be placed in
the hands of the most skilled surgeons of Europe. I will
leave no stone unturned to restore him to his former
state," Lord Winslow replied.
154 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
As they neared the camp in the early morning of the
17th inst., Lord Winslow was surprised when Jack, the
colored valet of Mr. MacCormick, slipped a note to him
as he passed on without an explanation and joined the
merry group of huntsmen in the rear.
Opening the note he read, "Suggest to the party that
we fly over to Ashanti and send away the films and speci¬
mens. Be diplomatic and see me privately on arrival.
Steinhausen, Baer and camp hands are gone. A great
war is raging in Europe. The German machinists must
suspect nothing. Wolfe will explain to them Steinhausen
and the others' absence satisfactorialy. MacCormick."
Lord Winslow's brow contracted and he looked around
to see if the party had suspicions of anything unusual,
but to the satisfaction he noted that Jack was acting the
part of a well trained and diplomatic servant. He was
telling of a hunting party which had visited the camp
and persuaded Baron Steinhausen and Herr Baer to ac¬
company them over into Dahomey.
Messrs. MacCormick and Wolfe had drilled Jack well
in his part, so expressions of regret at not having been
present to join the party came from all sides.
Lord Winslow took advantage of the moment and pro¬
posed the trip to Ashanti. This was greeted with loud
cheers of approval and he lost no time in urging an imme¬
diate departure, since the weather and air were both
favorable.
When they reached the camp, Lord Winslow turned his
charge over to his valet while he sought an interview
with Mr. MacCormick, a sprightly, middle-aged man
with a mustache and about 180 pounds in weight.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 155
CHAPTER XXXV
the flight
"It was a fortunate chance that sent you upon the
leopard hunt," Mr. MacCormick said to Lord Winslow
as they exchanged greetings.
"Shortly after you left, messengers arrived from the
Governor ordering Steinhauser and the party to report
immediately at Lome. Steinhauser did not tell me the
full contents of the message but said, 'Germany and Aus¬
tria-Hungary are at war with Servia, Russia and France.
England has not declared war as yet. Of course there is
no likelihood of America being drawn into this war so
that I would hardly compel the two subjects of a great
neutral power to accompany me to headquarters. And
it is impossible to escort my friend Lord Winslow back
when he has taken a trip by air into Ashanti and will prob¬
ably remain.
" 'Of course I may be mistaken about the airship, but
the two German subjects are away and I have not looked
into the hangar. If you will recollect I was away hunting
with Herr Baer when the party left. If you happen to
join Lord Winslow, Mr. MacCormick, I hope you and
Mr. Wolfe will remember to have Lord Winslow land the
two machinists safely in German territory. I am sure
I can trust my friends and pleasant companions to see
that they reach the Fatherland. Remember me to Lord
Winslow. I am very sorry I part so abruptly, but I may
be back in a few days and see if the party has safely re¬
turned. Auf weidesehen, mein friend,' he ended as he
shook hands and hurried the party away.
"I am almost sure England has joined the war and
Baron Steinhausen has done you a great favor, my lord.
We must lose no time, because they will be anxious to
obtain your airship and will leave no stone unturned to
overtake us."
156 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
"That was indeed a great favor Steinhausen has shown
to us all. Our moving picture films would have had to
have been left behind and nearly all of our supplies, be¬
cause every one of the boys have deserted except the
three you had in your party. We must hasten before
they get on to the truth and cause the Germans to strike
or betray us," Mr. MacCormick remarked as they both
arose.
Mr. Wolfe, who was a short, medium-sized, clean
faced man, had employed the time well and they were
soon ready for flight.
Lord Winslow hardly recognized his protege, whose
clean shaven face, well cut hair and manicured nails, with
a suit of Lord Winslow's, had so altered his appearance
that his youthful appearance exceeded Lord Winslow's
prediction. The beard had saved his face from the sun
so that he was only slightly tanned about the forehead
and neck and with the exception of a few gray hairs at
the temples he could easily have passed for thirty-five.
He expressed the delight of a child as he saw the great
airship removed from its hangar and made ready for
flight about one o'clock p.m.
He clapped his hands delightedly as the great monster
rose from the earth and ascended skyward. Just about
six o'clock p.m. they passed over into Ashanti and were
trying to locate a suitable place for landing, when they
were mistaken for a hostile airship and fired upon by the
British garrison.
"Great Scott!" Mr. MacCormick exclaimed. "They
have mistaken us for the Germans. We must leave this
territory and try the Kong Mountain district."
The Americans were all into the secret, but the two
Germans could not understand the hostile reception.
Mr. MacCormick, who was ready for any emergency,
explained to them that the natives were frightened at the
apparition and were responsible for the attack. They
flew at a high altitude and landed on the Komeo River
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 157
about midnight and camped upon the river bank. They
resumed their flight in a westerly direction.
About two o'clock in the afternoon they were flying
at a low altitude over the river, when Lord Winslow leaned
over the side of the car and toyed with the leopard's claw.
"What a dreary looking island we are approaching, no
vegetation whatever upon it. Say " Lord Winslow
was suddenly interrupted in his speech by an attack from
his protege. In his surprise he dropped the chain and
claw outside of the car.
As soon as the stranger saw what had happened he
suddenly burst into tears and tried to leap overboard.
Lord Winslow was very angry, but when he saw how
strangely the poor fellow acted, he softened towards him.
But he ordered the airship to be lowered into the river
and taken back to the strange island where he was sure
the claw had fallen.
When they reached the island and the skulls and dry
bones were discovered no one offered to assist Lord Wins¬
low but the stranger, who could not be restrained. After
a long and careful search Lord Winslow discovered the
trinket lying broken upon the ground.
He picked it up with a cry of dismay at his discov¬
ery and saw a piece of paper projecting from the hollow
end of the claw. He pulled it out and read it. "Why,
this must be the very island referred to, because we are
in the same latitude and longitude," he remarked, as he
went to the end of the island designated in the plot. He
soon discovered without digging the box referred to, pro¬
truding from the soft earth. Oliver had had no means
of burying it deeply and the heavy rains had washed
away the earth. But it would have been safe lying ex¬
posed any spot upon the dreaded island.
Lord Winslow found the key attached to the box and
opened and examined the contents.
"Here are two other claws. What is this? A plot
to a diamond field! Poor unfortunate family."
158 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Just then the strange man had given up his diligent
search upon the other end and noticed Lord Winslow
stooping down over the box. He started towards them
with a quick bound and expectant look.
Lord Winslow just had time to lock the box when the
man reached and grabbed it from him.
"How queerly he acts," Lord Winslow remarked, as
he made no effort to recover it but motioned to his
companion to follow him to the landing.
"We will have to fly around and select some place to
land because it is four p.m. and too late to continue our
journey. Say, Reisnitz, you had better try over this
way because it is less hilly," Mr. MacCormick said as
he pointed in a south-westerly direction, after Lord Wins¬
low and his companion had returned to the airship.
The stranger hugged the box in his arms and refused
to part from it. Lord Winslow related to the party his
discovery and the manner in which it affected his com¬
panion.
"So that trinket you dropped was the means of recov¬
ering your late father-in-law's hidden fortune? Was it
not a strange coincidence and fate which led us over
the island? Will you permit me to examine the claw?"
Mr. MacCormick asked as he held out his hand for
the leopard's claw.
"That certainly was a great idea of his to place his
secret within this claw," he remarked as he returned it.
"I have been thinking over this matter and I am almost
tempted to believe that that man is either my father-in-
law or was present when the treasure was buried. But
he looks too young to be Mr. Montcrief and it would
be almost impossible for him to have escaped drowning
when his ship was wrecked off the Grain Coast and to
have wandered so far into the interior without the news
reaching us somehow," Lord Winslow repeated half mu¬
singly.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
''Do you remember your father-in-law's features,Lord
YVinslow?" Dr. Roaman asked.
"I do not remember him personally, but since you have
spoken, I must say this young man reminds me a great
deal of Mr. Montrief's photograph taken when he was
twenty-five. That firm set of his mouth and chin parti¬
cularly recalls his features.
"I really cannot understand it. The more I think of
the matter the more I am convinced that he is Mr. Mont-
crief," Oliver replied.
"Stranger things than that have happened, and you
may be correct in your surmise. One thing I am sure of
and that is if he is not Mr. Montcrief of the wreck, your
other theory is correct, he was a member of his party and
is familiar with the secret," Dr. Roseman remarked.
"There are houses upon that hill over there," Mr.
Reisnitz called out as he looked through a small telescope
and pointed southwardly.
"What a beautiful park this is below us," Mr. Wolfe
called out almost simultaneously with Mr. Reisnitz.
The party leaned over the sides of the car and looked
upon the beautiful scenery below them.
"This park must belong to some rich planter who lives
in the bungalow over on the hill."
"It is an ideal place to land and we will risk trespassing
upon his grounds because it is after five and too late to
continue. Let us hope we will not be received with a
volley of shrapnel. In what neighborhood are we, Rei¬
snitz?" Mr. Mac Cormick asked.
"We are about fifty odd miles North-west of the Ash-
anti frontier in the South-west part of the region of the
Kong Moutains," Mr. Reisnitz replied. As they neared
the ground the stranger, whom they had been discussing,
jumped overboard as held the box before he could be
stopped.
"The poor fellow must be killed. I wonder why he
jumped out?" they all repeated almost in a chorus.
x6o THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
As soon as they landed Dr. Roseman, Lord Winslow, and
the others hurried to his side.
"This fellow has a remarkably strong institution. I
can find nothing more serious than a cut back of the
head. Don't worry he will be conscious soon. I shall be
better able to find out if he sustained internal injuries
when we get him to bed," Dr. Roseman stated in answer
to the query.
Lord Winslow removed the box from the arms of the
now unconscious form.
"I shall walk up to the house and obtain permission to
have him taken in and put to bed at once. By the way,
there comes someone upon horse back, it appears to be
a women in white." Lord Winslow announced as he
hurried towards the approaching figure upon horse back.
CHAPTER XXXVI
the reunion
Many changes had taken place upon the mission settle¬
ment in the past two years, since Lucretia's arrival.
Mr. Wilson's check had enabled Lucretia to present
the mission a steam launch to navigate travel on the
river. And the gold-digger's liberal offerings to the young
heir had aided in making better roads upon which new
Spring wagons and horses now traveled. Thus the diffi¬
culties of transporting the mail and Mission stores were
overcome and a regular three weeks mail service between
the Axim Post-Office to the Mission Sub-station at the
railway terminus.
"The Wilson Hill," as Lucretia had christened their
new home, contained, besides a large story and a half iron
bungalow, newly painted in a modest coat of gray and
green shutters, a small white and green frame cottage,
with three large and neat square mud houses in their
rear.
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 161
Eva's early training and Oliver's great devotion had
so molded her life to one of dependency and weakness,
which even her great sorrow had developed the firm and
determined character inherited from her father and the
old Earl. But as she grew more thoughtful, a softened
look overspread her features which gave it a melancholy
charm that reminded one of the madonna.
She had converted the interior of the bungalow into a
well regulated small summer home of an English aristo¬
cratic family.
Her small music room contained a piano, victrola and
the latest records, a violin and guitar, both of which
last named instruments Eva was expert in playing. So
that Reverend and Mrs. Jones spent many delightful
evenings at the bungalow listening to Lucretia accom¬
panying Eva upon the piano, and their favorite opera
stars entertaining them from the hornless machine.
Lucretia had trained Mary and Nora her two maids
from the Mission, to dress in uniforms and act in Yanga's
and Zina's places as ladies' maids.
Zina and Twe were married and lived in the neigh¬
boring cottage, and they were now the proud parents of
a young son and heir. Yanga and Varnee had also
married, but refused to give up their old duties. They
therefore lived at the bungalow, Yanga acting in her
envied position of the undisputed nurse of young Reginald.
Varnee continued to act as butler and steward boy
around the house, while old Tobey was settled in the
three mud houses with his three respective wives and
small family. He continued to prepare appetizing meals
in his stoical manner and twelve-yard piece of figured
cotton cloth draped across his shoulders, just as he used
to at the Sierra Leone home.
Lame, a ten-year-old young African boy, who wore the
dress of a page with buttons, was the last addition to the
house domestics.
Lucretia had to give up the idea of having Yanga,
162 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
Varnee and Tobey dress in the style she wished. So
she had to accustom herself to seeing Yanga's loose-fitting
cotton gown and Varnee's white shirt and bloomers around
the house.
This afternoon Eva and Lucretia sat in two Madeira
arm chairs under some fruit trees in the back yard read¬
ing the newly-arrived mail.
Eva's appearance told very little of the great suffering
and trials she had endured, and but for a few gray hairs
which her abundant supply of brown curls hid from view,
and a sad and expectant look a close observer would
detect about her eyes, one would take her to be a young
woman about 28 or 29 who was enjoying a summer tour
and the elder sister of her companion.
Eva held an open copy of a Chicago daily upon her
lap as she scanned its pages. Lucretia read a letter
which seemed to contain important news, by the expres¬
sion of her face. They both wore white afternoon dresses
and were bareheaded.
In front of one of Tobey's houses a strong and heavily
built, young, black, barefoot girl of fifteen, wearing a
short calico dress, and a black youth of sixteen dressed in
cotton jeans, stood before a large round wooden mortar
holding two heavy wooden pestles of about five feet each,
which they grasped by the center, and pounded alter¬
nately in rhythmic and merry unison upon a sticky white
mass of cassava dough within the mortar. They dipped
their pestles occasionally into a nearby bucket of water
when loud reports as the sound of pistol shots would come
forth from the mortar, announcing to the waiting native
diners that the favorite African dish "dumboy" was
nearly prepared for consumption.
A short distance from the couple standing under a tree
was the two-year-old son of Lucretia. Nora, the brown-
skinned maid, wearing her complete uniform of white,
stood near him as he tried to hug a small monkey in
his arms and divide his attention alternately between a
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 163
young fawn, standing as high as himself, and a litter of
guinea pigs, which he stooped and petted.
Jacko stood the slight as long as possible and, his
jealousy finally overcoming him, he escaped from Regi¬
nald's arms and jumped upon Eva's lap, interrupting her
reading.
"Mother, I am so glad that I wrote to Elaine and con¬
fided in them. Listen to what she says:
Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois,
July 21st, '14.
"My Dearest Lucretia:
"We could only forgive you for deserting and treat¬
ing us as you did, because it enabled you to find
your dear mother. We rejoice with you and only
regret that we did not share your secret earlier.
"You gave us a great scare, darling, when we could
find no trace of you at Freetown, but we won't scold
you now. ('So like the dear girl she is,' Lucretia
interjected.)
"Bobbie, Mr. Wilson and myself read your letter
together and we decided to take the matter into our
own hands and act in the interest of our godson
(just think of it, a young lord is my godson). Bob
is a friend of your uncle and was a guest of his
seven years ago at the Montroy Castle in Scotland.
He is acquainted with your husband also. So he
has decided to go to England in two weeks' time and
explain the circumstances to both of them in person.
"You can depend upon my Bob to put things
right. So leave the matter with him and rest easy
until you hear from him. He says you may expect
a cablegram about the 26th or 27th of next month.
I would accompany him also, but the stork visited
us two weeks ago and left a wee bald-headed tooth¬
less miss with me. Only the love for and great in¬
terest we have in you and yours influenced Bobbie
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
to decide to desert the court of the autocratic and
tyrannical ruler, in the person of her royal highness
Miss Lucretia Montcrief Wilson, of Chicago.
"Bobbie will accompany your husband or the
Earl of Dubley to Wilson Hill so as to be present at
the reunion and bring you back to stand- godmother
for your namesake. Bobbie joins in love.toyou and
mother (you will have to divide her with me because
I have:no mother of my own). Kiss mother and our
godson» many times for me. Bobbie and Lucretia
join me in sending bushels of flove.and ikisses,
•Your friend and sister,
• Elaine.
'SP.S. I-am sending you a copy *>f- the* Chicago
Tribune. 'Read the society page."
'?The ' dear - child! t Of course ■ I -will take 'her to my
heartland love her:as -a daughter'," -Eva remarked as
Lucretia ended the letter.
"We must send "Twe to Axim. to-morrow,.because this
ist the 2 list and—let me see, it will > take, -say, give him
eight-' days to Cross-over3 and; attend'to > his business,-four
going to Worcestershire. Yes, he has seen thenrby now,"
Lucfetia repeated as She unconsciously drifted into a
soliloquy.
"But mother, do 1 you know, that Elaine's news 'about
my- namesake has caused me! to'think of ia new probable
problem. Suppose that Georgians hasr'a:child also. Oh,
mother, see-what my folly may. cause."
''Hush, •; Luoretia, you have no right to imagine such
things-and cross bridges beforeyou reach them. Here
is the newspaper Elaine referred to."
''Is this the kind of airship you flew away with Mr.
Wilson* in?" Eva' said, trying to change1 the subject, as
she held before her the front page of the Chicago -Tribune
and pointed toward a cartoon of a large phantom-Zeppe-
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 165
lin airship flying over the silhouette of a city, throwing
out searchlights into the air.
Lucretia looked at the airship and replied, "No,
mother; Mr. Wilson's machine was a biplane, similar to
that, toy aeroplane that was on Reginald's Christmas
tree. There are different kinds and makes. The ma¬
chine you are looking at is a kind of balloon and modern
aircraft combined," Lucretia replied.
"Well, I feel like old Rip Van Winklej I have been in
this wilderness for nearly fourteen' years. So many new
things have taken place during that time that I shall
feel out of place at home," Eva repeated musingly.
"You will find Old London as you left it except for
the new king's highway and a few building improvements,
there has been little change. The wireless telegraphy and
aeroplanes are the most important inventions since your
exile. Don't worry, mother, we have been keeping up
with the styles and latest music, which are after all about
all the ladies of your world care about," Lucretia replied.
"That is true, Lucretia, I am afraid that we have gone
to the extreme in the matter of dress. It seems comical
to me sometimes when we are donning these late fashion¬
able dinner gowns and dining in state with Reverend
Jones and the madame dressed in tiheir comfortable
clothing. I really believe our Sunday evenings and holi¬
day dinners are becoming more and more a nuisance to
the couple, but of course I know that you want to keep
up the customs of your husband's well-regulated estab¬
lishment. It seems so strange that a young couple would
have had time to think of so much so soon after mar¬
riage. Dear me, how old are you, Lucretia?"
"Nineteen this September, mother."
"Think of it. I have been separated from Oliver nearly
fourteen years. Say, Lucretia, to-morrow is the anni¬
versary of Oliver's forty-first birthday. Do you know
L do not believe that he is dead, something tells me that
he is still alive and wandering through the interior search-
166 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
ing for me. That is why I have been so content to re¬
main here, and I hate to think of going away for fear
he may come," Eva remarked.
"Somehow I feel that way also, mother, and especially
so in the last few days. I feel as if something startling
is going to happen. You remember how strongly the
impression that you were alive influenced me."
"But we will turn the bungalow and things over to
Yanga and Zina, so that with Twe and Varnee going
about in the interior and the women always about the
place, we may rest assured father would soon be in
touch with us. And. don't forget Dr. Jones and the
madame. They are so wedded to the Mission work that
they may be considered as permanent fixtures. I think
Tobey will take his family back to Cape Coast Castle,"
Lucretia replied.
" Lucretia, do you know, sometimes I believe that if
Lord Winslow had not been too punctilious in his habits
and devoted his time to winning your confidence, you
two would have been as happy as Oliver and myself used
to be. Oliver thought that everything I wore was per¬
fectly lovely. All of my actions were perfectly grand, so
you see, my dear, we had no time to find out each other's
faults."
"Excuse me, mother, but I must be going for my after¬
noon ride," Lucretia repeated, as she interrupted her
mother's reminiscences and walked towards the back porch
entrance.
"Lame, go and tell Twe to saddle my horse and have
it ready for my ride," she instructed the page when she
entered the back door.
Lucretia did not like to have her mother discuss her
husband's exacting ways. She had often reflected upon
their short married life and had thrashed out all of their
mistakes.
"Oh, Reginald, why didn't I confide to you the terrible
secret that burned within my breast because of Lady
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW 167
Dubley's statement made to me on the eve of our mar¬
riage? Yes, I should have confessed and heard your side
of the story that morning before the ceremony. If I had
even tried to understand him, things might have been dif¬
ferent. How I used to hate to conform to the narrow
routine of dress and customs! Now, oh, now, how I love
them! Yes, too late. Oh, if I had only married with
this wisdom! I see that now as I think of it. Poor
Reginald must have had an embarrassing and lonely time
with his poor half-frightened and reserved girl-wife. No
wonder the poor boy welcomed my lively cousin. Why,
the castle was as dull as a prison and when Georgiana
brought in the sunshine, we needed but to exchange dress
and I would have made a model widow."
"Reverend Jones thinks that it would be right to give
Reginald a divorce in order that he may re-marry Geor¬
giana and avoid scandal. I am sure that is the right
thing to do, but oh, when I think of the possibility of
losing my little Reggie also, I am almost tempted to for¬
get his future. But I must be brave and pay the penalty
of my rash folly, although it breaks my heart." Lucretia
suddenly aroused herself from her meditative monologue
and changed into a white duck riding habit.
"She ran down the steps of the back porch bare-headed
because it was after five p.m. and the afternoon was cool
and pleasant. She kissed Eva and walked over to young
Reginald, who was still busy with the guinea pig pets.
Stooping down she lifted and kissed him as he threw
his arms around her neck.
Then after saying something to Nora concerning Regi¬
nald, she started towards the front of the house carrying
a rattan riding whip in her hands.
"Don't ride too far, Lucretia, it is getting late and time
you should be returning," Eva called out to her.
"Yes, mother dear, have no fear; I shall be back in
time to dress for supper," she replied as she tripped away.
As soon as Lucretia emerged from the shades of the
168 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
thick trees which screened the bungalow, she saw the
airship in the valley, but could not decide for certain what
it really was because of the distance.
"Twe, what is that large white thing in the valley that
looks like a balloon or airship? I see men moving. I
wish I had my glasses. Let us hurry and find out if they
are white men."
"Why, yes, they are; there comes one towards us."
Lord Winslow identified Lucretia about the same time
she recognized his familiar figure.
"Lucretia, oh Lucretia!" he cried as he rushed towards
her.
"Reginald! Reg "
Twe was just in time to catch his fainting mistress.
Lord Winslow was at her side in a second and almost
roughly pushed Twe away as he took the unconscious
form from the saddle.
He gently placed her upon the lawn as he knelt over
her, rubbing her hands and calling her name.
She opened her eyes and pushing him away said, "Go
away and leave me, please. I—I did not know that it
was you at first."
Lord Winslow felt the sting of the words very keenly.
Having suffered so long from the cruel deception the mys¬
tery of which he could not solve, he drew away and stood
before her.
"Permit me to assist you to rise. Ah, this is better.
Before I leave you, I think you owe me an explanation
for the cruel and heartless treatment I have received at
your hands.
"Why did you pretend to love me and even plighted
your faith in the holy matrimonial vows, when you knew
that my person was so obnoxious to you that you preferred
to relinquish your family ties and large inheritance and
banish yourself in the interior of Africa among savages?"
"I left you because I wished you to be happy," Lu¬
cretia replied.
THE: LEOPARD'S CLAW
169
"Happy? Oh, the mockery of the word! Your idea
of happiness is rather' strange and peculiar* Is that
the reason you parted with the leopard claw that your
father instructed you nfever to part with? Did you know
the secret of its contents?" he asked as he pulled out the
claw.
"I kniew that it held some secret which a letter that
uncle has would reveal when5 I was11 twenty-one. But
believe me, I really wanted you to be happy," she replied.
"What, did you imagine that the wealth of all of Africa
would repay me for all I have suffered? Here is your
treasure of pearls and diamonds and the plot to a diamond
mine. I hope they will bring' you the happiness you
wished for me," Lord Winslow replied. And he pointed
to the box and raised his cap as he started to walk away.
"Reginald, I-—I didn't mean the treasure—I—I meant
that you might be happy with your wife," she appealingly
called out to him.
"My wife? What are you talking of? You are" my
wife."
"I meaiit Georgiania; whom you married so soon after
you thought I was dead," die replied.
"My poor' child, who has put such silly ideas into your
head," he replied as he' drew nearer.
"I saw you two in Paris before the Hotel de Ville and
in' Rome at the Ste. Maria Delia Pace, and "
"I was standing beforfe the four Sibyls of -Raphael,
when Georgians came between us and I lost sight of you?
After searching over the church for you, I gave you up
and thought that I had only seen a vision.
"My trip to Freetown, where I tried to find Zina, was
equally as fruitless! So I' finally began to believe that
you were really dead, since I had seen your apparition in
the church," Lord Winslow interrupted, as He seized her
hands and looked into her face.
"But what about the announcement of your honey¬
moon trip to Japan that I saw in the London Times?
170 THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
I was on my way to beg your forgiveness when I read
it off Cape Blanco," she inquired.
"My poor little girl! You have also suffered under
a cruel mistake. That was Lord Roland Onslow, my
cousin, who had recently married. The papers are always
confusing our names. No, darling, you are my wife.
The boyish passion for Georgiana died long ago. Couldn't
you see, sweetheart, that it was you that I loved all of
the time?"
Lord Winslow folded Lucretia into his arms. And they
joyed in the newly found happiness of a complete under¬
standing and restored confidence.
Twe had left the couple as soon as Lucretia recovered
consciousness and he ran towards the airship. As soon
as he drew near the crowd, he recognized Oliver, who had
recovered consciousness and was looking around for the
box.
"Master!"
"Twe!" Twe and Oliver exclaimed almost at the same
time.
"Come on, master. Miss Lucretia is over there," re¬
peated Twe, pointing to the couple.
Oliver started to rim. Dr. Rosman called after him:
"Stop there, man! You had better be careful; you will
start that wound to bleeding afresh."
Oliver paid no heed to the warning, but continued to
run, while the astonished crowd followed. He was obliged
to interrupt the beautiful love scene by hailing Lucretia
before his approach was noticed by the couple.
"Father! Oh father! Oh, here is my lost daddy,"
she cried as she flew into his arms.
"Father, this is Reginald, my husband," she said as
soon as she was calmed. And the two men grasped each
other's hand.
"Father, the jump was a very fortunate thing for you,
because it has restored your memory and speech at the
THE LEOPARD'S CLAW
same time. But how is the wound?" Lord Winslow
anxiously inquired.
"Oh, it is all right. But you are mistaken when you
say that the fall restored my memory. It was the sight
of you, holding Lucretia's leopard claw neck charm, that
restored the memory. The fall, however, restored the
speech, for which I am indeed thankful. By the way,
you have dropped the claw again," Oliver repeated.
And he stooped and picked up the forgotten charm,
which had fallen unheeded as they embraced.
" 'You will unite this unhappy family, through the
leopard claw, in the Valley of Allah.' Old Mulley's
prophecy has come to pass. Where is Eva, Lucretia?"
Oliver asked, after repeating the quotation from the pre¬
diction of the old Islamic priest of Musadu.
"Can you two stand any more surprises and happi¬
ness to-day?" teasingly asked Lucretia.
"Hurry up, Lucretia, and take me to Eva. You will
see then that true happiness possesses a healing charm,"
Oliver replied.
Lucretia caught hold of one of the hands of her
husband and father and ran between them, pulling them
as they ran along like children. They had forgotten all
about the treasure-box and left it standing upon the
ground. But Twe picked up the box and explained the
circumstances of the reunion of the lost family to the as¬
tonished hunting party. And they followed the happy
trio.
Lucretia made a lovely picture of happy and carefree
girlhood, while Lord Winslow had lost his precise man¬
ner and chatted boyishly, like a romping schoolboy.
When they reached the foot of the hill, Eva was stand¬
ing midway of the hill, bending over little Reginald as
she retied and adjusted the bow at the front of his white
sailor blouse, which the pacified Jacko had unloosened
while Reginald hugged it in his arms.
Eva had changed into a dinner dress and combed her
172
THEi LEOPARD'S CLAW
hair m the- style that Oliver used to admire. And she
reminded Oliver at this time of the days when Lucretia
used to toddle at her side like the little stranger. But
Oliver spent no time in reminiscences; He bounded up
the hill, calling to his Eva. She looked up and recog¬
nized him instantly.
"Oliver, my own lost Oliver," she cried, as she was
enveloped in his embrace.
Lord Winslow was puzzled at first at the sight of the
young stranger; but Lucretia pointed towards them and
exclaimed: "Look at mother and our son Reginald;"
"Our son," he replied. He let go Lucretia's hand and
bounded after Oliver. And he almost reached his aston¬
ished son at the same time that Oliver embraced Eva.
Lucretia arrived soon afterwards, almost out of breath.
Lord Winslow embraced her with one arm as he held his
son and heir in the other:
Jacko had leaped from Reginald's amrs in the excite¬
ment, and he stood off watching the two happy scenes in
an attitude of perplexity.
Little Reginald whispered it all to Jacko that night
just before he was sent to bed. And he-made it plain to
Jacko that he1 had much to be thankful for that he was
merely an observer of the reunion, because finding one's
dad and grand-dad was not so pleasant after all, since
it meant the smothering of a little fellow in their strong
arms. And it reminded one of the great hug of the
teddy bears, which, mammy says, hug naughty little boys
until they promise to be good.
FINIS