| Show DIAMONDS H M EGBERT copyright 1915 by W G chapman Vander hulzen the big dutchman stepped aboard the down country train from south africa en route for cape town he laid his suit case carelessly boon the rack placed hla hand upon his breast to make cure that the package for which he had risked many years of freedom was there and bat down in a seat looking out at the desert landscape at boshat a stranger came into the train looked keenly about him and finally spotting Vander hulzen seated himself opposite him recognized him as a man named james from also he had once been a mine guard but had been dismissed for some dishonesty he had contrived in some way to avoid the of the law always severe on buyers of diamonds from the native quarrymen Vander hulzen nodded james was the last person in the world that be wanted to see just then james smiled sardonically come into the smoker van he said and we can discuss business Vander hulzen uttered an oath and bis hand stole in a betraying manner to the package inside his coat he baw james eyes follow the movement and realized that he was trapped sul lenly be arose and accompanied him welp he growled as they took their places in the empty smoker halves said james laconically im fly curse you said Vander hulzen its a lucky thing you met me returned james quietly do you know thompson of the police what of him hes in the next compartment hes undoubtedly wilting to arrest ou as hand over the baal toon as you step off ane train if he can get you to cape town without doing so be will save himself a lot of trouble that a why I 1 came I 1 got wind of the affair the big dutchman scowled tearfully been years on the breakwater tor illicit diamond buying was the last thing in the world that he wanted and the stones in his breast pocket were worth twelve thousand pounds anywhere what s the game he demanded halves questioned james 1 I suppose so I 1 ve telegraphed for two saddle horses to wait at station ve 11 get there at dark we can make a dash from the train mount and be away before thompson spots us the saddlebags are loaded with a weeks food in three days we can cross the desert to chamas laud where we can pick up ar ox wagon and make our way into johannesburg thompson will be clean off the scent it will take him a couple of hours to find a horse and then be wont know for cure that we are gg to chamas land im with you replied vandar Vand sr hulzen curtly at the program was can fed out As the train drew shriek ing up to the station the confederates leaped from the carriage at the rear of the platform a native man was waiting with two saddle horses tough little ponies of the kind that would carry their loads where no european horse could go two leaps into the saddles two pulls at the reins and the thieves were padding quickly through the single street of the settle ment and out into the desert they looked back when they reached abo sand in the distance they saw a crowd gathered about a tall man who was making futile efforts to strike a bulck bargain for a horse they rode till evening when the moon came up they were alone upon the desert thoy dismounted made a fire from the scanty thorn scrub and cooked some of the meat in james saddle bags on either side of the sad die hung a large water bag the mola ture from which evaporating kept the contents cold as spring water they watered the horses scantily they watched by turns and started out at dawn it was ten miles to the nearest water pool where the water bags were to be refilled I 1 believe we ve missed the pool said james toward noon all around them was the shimmering desert da void now even of thorn scrub the horses panted from the beat james gave them the last of the water well strike another water bole before dark be said to his company ion dut they did not strike the water hole and by sunset the horses were unable to proceed farther james was down and Vander hulzen s stood trembling and evidently on its last legs we had better press on afoot said james I 1 know there is a water hole at the toot of the mountains and he pointed to where the blue out lines of a distant range rose against the cloudless sky he removed his saddle bags and slung them across his shoulders and the two men proceeded wearily james lagged behind Vander huizen who tortured by thirst walked like a man in a nightmare on they went hour aati er hour till suddenly the big dutch man went domi n d best leave me I 1 m done for he murmured james set down his saddle bags opened them and pulled out a bottle of water he held it in the air van der hulzen leaped to his feet to find himself looking down the muzzle of a revolver hand over the bag said james briefly you scoundrel shouted vander balzen through his swollen lips this bottle tor your halt james pursued and I 1 know where to find the water hole Vander hulzen glared at him then with a gesture of despair be took the precious bag from his breast and tossed it to the other for a man will give all that be has to save his life next moment Vander hulzen had knocked the head off the bottle and was gulping down the life giving fluid james watched him sardonic ally you will find the water bole halt a mile distant at the foot of that eleva tion he said indicating a hummock in the sand and he watched vander hulzen stagger away he went back to the horses and knocking the heads off the other bot ties poured the contents down their throats the animals revived stag to their feet his own horse was done for but seemed capable ot carrying him to bia destination another water bole along the wagon route across the desert which he knew like a book he clasped the diamonds to hla breast as he rode and chuckled the scheme bad been an excellent one and had worked out better than he could have expected he had heard in alm berley by the merest chance that Vander hulzen intended to go down country he himself had never dared to purchase diamonds from the natives but he knew Vander hulzen a reputation as a successful and daring thief and it bad occurred to him that there was a splendid opportunity ot compelling the man to share his alun der with him the advent upon the scene of in thompson bad been a little disconcerting but the same chance which had told him of maneuver bad given him information that the police were on the mans trall he had then telegraphed to for the two horses and everything had gone like clockwork it was no wonder that he chuckled looking back me could see the horse still lying upon the sand and vander hulzen a tiny figure under the moon marching painfully back his own plans could not fail him he would strike the water hole refresh himself and his steed and then proceed in a leisurely manner toward the wagon path at last he reached the place he shackled his horse to a torn tree and climbed the ascent toward the hollow crater in which lay the pond but when he reached the summit he found him self staring down into a dry mud bole the water had dried up under the influence of the hot sun and an unus bally long dry season for a few minutes he could not believe his eyes taen he lost his self control he would have to go back to and his bottles were empty he was parched with thirst and his animal was incapable of proceeding farther for hours he raved beside the water hole clenching his fists and calling down curses upon his luck he spread the diamonds in a little heap before him and looked at the dull pebbles ach one worth a little lake of wine and for all these he could not get so much water as would wet his lips go back then back to vandar hulzen be muttered and flung himself upon the rocks when I 1 jiin rested but nature outraged revenged her self upon him by drawing down Us eyelids and be slept profoundly Getup Jamesl he started to bis feet the sun was high in the sky before him stood Vander hulzen and inspector thompson 1 I want you james said the in fingering the bag of dl amonda which be had taken from beside the sleeping man I 1 thought vander hulzen was the man I 1 was after but well you understand your horse la dead but you wont mind a lettla walk of twenty five allea or so M we ve got plenty of water |
