KD2254 ETHIOPIA THE LAND OF PROMISE A Book With a Purpose BY CLAYTON ADAMS Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands.—Psalms LXVIII: 31 So let it be. In God's own might We gird us for the coming fight. And, strong in Him whose cause is oors In conflict with unholy powers, We grasp the weapons He has given- The light, and truth, and love of heaven.' -WHITTIBR. THE COSMOPOLITAN PRESS 440 FOURTH AVE. NEW YORK 1917 hDaisy HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Copyright, 1917, by The COSMOPOLITAN PRESS PREFACE social equality. And in this belief he is, unfortu- nately, fortified by some of the blacks themselves, who refrain from asserting their rights of citizenship be- cause of a certain fear of a violation of their sense of independence, manhood, and self-respect. To the contrary, these blacks should be taught that such as- sertion of their rights would tend the more firmly to establish their claim to these very qualities. However all this may be, one can only speculate on the growing policy of segregation. And whether or not the “ Decemvirate” may furnish the key to the situation, the fact remains that no intelligent, awak- ened people may long be deprived of the fullest and most complete title to the enjoyment of life, liberty, and unalloyed happiness. CLAYTON ADAMS. CHAPTER I THE MYSTIC GATHERING Ephraim Johnston was a colored barber, who, in addition to his tonsorial activities, conducted a room- ing house directly above his parlors,- a modest es- tablishment at 5 Lasalle Street, Cargo City, a large and thriving metropolis of Unionland. It was Saturday, the fifth of May. As the cus- tomers came into the parlors they would greet the barber; but the accustomed jovial response was not forthcoming. Ephraim was troubled. He had had a dream. Of course Ephraim had had dreams before; but this one stuck to him; and although he was not a believer in visions and hoodoos and bad luck signs, this dream fretted him for the reason that he could not throw off the spell that it had cast over him. Every now and then he would surprise himself furtively watching the clock. Suddenly four o'clock pealed out from a nearby church tower; and as it did so Ephraim's three assist- ants, who, with no little concern, had marked his pre- occupation for the past five days, noticed that his face lit up with all the animation of expectancy. Turning away from his recent profitless occupation of cleaning his fingernails and gazing into space, he donned a white jacket, preparatary to resuming his labors.. For days the boys in the shop had been expending II 12 ETHIOPIA their fund of witticisms on Ephraim's peculiar attitude, - for he had been morose, gloomy, and uncommunica- tive, a condition they had supposed impossible for him, - and by this time their store of humor was almost exhausted. With relief they now watched him whet his razor with all his old-time celerity, and they leaned forward eagerly as he volunteered the remark: “Well, boys; we'll know in an hour.” The voicing of this meager explanation was accom- panied by a look that showed that the speaker was laboring under great excitement. Breathing a sigh of relief, though he still thought it wise to approach Ephraim cautiously, his first assistant asked deprecat- ingly: “Will know what?” “ Will know — er - er — whether there's anything to this business that's been ailing me," returned the barber, still unwilling to confess his dream. “What's the matter, Eph?” queried a customer. “ Been trying to buck the oil trust, or have you got spondulitis ? ' “If you'd have seen him the last five days, you'd have thought he was Sherlock Holmes working on some fine-spun theory," laughed one of the assistants. “By the way, Jack, where is Number 5?” asked Eph, addressing his shop boy. His query referred to a roomer occupying that number. “Oh, he's in his room, reading, just as he's been doing for the past five days. Funny way to hunt a job!” was the boy's comment as he closed his remarks; which comment was met by a stern glance from the boss. Eph was touchy on the subject of this one of his lodgers, for it seemed to him that in some way Num- ETHIOPIA 13 ber 5 was connected with his dream. The young man had presented himself to Eph a few days before this Saturday, giving his name as Allan Dune and telling the proprietor of the lodging house that he was in search of employment. As Eph, in order to accommo- date him, had given him the best room in the house, - from which for the purpose he had displaced an old and reliable occupant, - and to the neglect of his busi- ness had gone about the city with this new lodger, the boys in the shop had dubbed him “ The Mystic.” However, there was nothing remarkable in the appear- ance of the stranger, who was a man of medium height, of athletic build, black in color, and possessing a very intelligent face. All at once the attention of the occupants of the shop was concentrated on the patron who now entered. He was a tall, portly mulatto, of commanding presence, dressed in clerical garb. An expression of uncertainty was visible on his well-bred face; but, seemingly reas- sured by the character of the establishment, his com- posure returned, and with a “Good-evening," ad- dressed to no one in particular, he took his seat in the line of waiting customers. “ That's Bishop Adolph G. Mangus,— you know,- the one that's just had an interview with the Presi- dent," whispered someone. And so it proved to be. Eph's chest swelled with visible pride when he be- came aware of how notable a personage had sought his humble parlors, and he deftly turned his conver- sation into political channels, displaying in his talk considerable insight into passing events. He had just reached an interesting point in his discourse on the motives of one of the national party leaders and had at length succeeded in attracting the attention of the 14 ETHIOPIA Bishop, when he was rudely interrupted by the remark: “What do you know about Roseburg ? ' And Eph turned to see Jacob Whiteside, a railway porter in uniform, – a broad-shouldered, good-natured son of Africa, who traveled from coast to coast. At first Eph was nettled; but his vexation quickly van- ished, and with a hearty hand-shake he greeted the newcomer, for he was really pleased to see this old- time friend. He was just on the point of taking up again the thread of his talk when Chester A. Grant,- one of the most noted lawyers of his race,---- entered the shop. Though Eph had often seen pictures of this man, he had never yet met so prominent a personage. In his excitement he completely forgot the customer whose hair at the moment he had been shingling, and only one side of which he had finished. He had, how- ever, only time to mark the forceful, self-satisfied air of his eminent patron, and to respond to his calm “Good-evening, gentlemen,” when from the church- tower the clock again began to toll. One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Simultaneously with the last stroke of the clock the door that hid the stairway leading from the shop to the rooms above swung open, and the athletic figure of Allan Dune, The Mystic, stood in the opening. In- stantly the hum and buzz of conversation that filled the busy shop was hushed as if by some preconcerted sig- nal, and, without any apparent cause, — for the open- ing of the door was a matter usually of no significance, - all eyes seemed to be focussed on the figure stand- ing there in the doorway. In the calmest tones imag- inable, — tones, however, that seemed pregnant with hidden meaning,— Allan Dune asked: “Gentlemen, are you ready?" ETHIOPIA 15 In the breathless silence that greeted the question Bishop Adolph G. Mangus the churchman, Jacob Whiteside the porter, Chester A. Grant the eminent jurist, and Ephraim Johnston the barber solemnly and, as it were, mechanically placed themselves in single file behind the figure of Allan Dune, who had turned and was leading the way to the story above. When Eph, who was the last man in the line, reached the door, al- though he had forgotten his half-finished customer, he recalled the promise of enlightening his friends, which he had given an hour before. With his form silhouetted in the doorway and beads of sweat pouring from his brow, with bated breath, with dazed air, and with awed voice, he said fervently: “My God, boys; it's true! — boys, it's true!” But this cryptic remark, far from explaining, only added to the mystification of those whose eyes followed Eph's form as it disappeared up the stairway. CHAPTER II THE DREAMERS It was indeed a strange sight to see these intelligent, sober men solemnly mounting the stairs in this un- usual rendezvous, bent on an unknown mission,- men, too, who had made their way in the world by their ability to present the profoundest reasons for each act and the keenest logic for its expression. Something of this feeling seemed to possess each of the group as he entered the well-appointed room; seemed, too, to tinge his manner with a certain embarrassment, with the exception of Allan Dune. Perfectly at ease, he invited his guests to be seated. There was no uncertainty in his tone; his manner was that of a man sure of his ground. A moment's awkward silence ensued, during which each member of the gathering was wondering what the next development would be. The momentary sus- pense was presently relieved by the even tones of Allan Dune, who was evidently a born leader of men. “When a number of men of our race is gathered to- gether," he began, “it seems wholly unnecessary to ask what subject shall be discussed.” And as he paused before continuing, a smile broke over the countenance of each of his audience, while Whiteside the porter murmured mechanically: “ The Race Question, of course." “Now, gentlemen," continued Dune, “ we have been 16 ETHIOPIA 19 emblems I have never before seen. And upon this banner was inscribed something in letters of gold. Of this inscription I could see the first and last letters; but the form of a man, who bears a marked resem- blance to one I have since seen, prevented my discern- ing the intervening ones.” Here the speaker paused and gazed intently at the figure of Allan Dune, then resuming: “I would on each occasion wake myself by reaching for this elusive form, in an effort to push him aside. On one occa- sion I shoved my better half out of bed upon her nose, and she brought me to my senses by a rap on the cranium; and at another time, while out on my run, I pulled a pitcher of ice water over on myself. The way I yelled, everybody thought that robbers had boarded the train. Three days ago, while bowling westward across the plains of Arvada, we were within a mile of a siding where we were to meet an east-bound train, when the full force of my dream seemed to be accentu- ated. Without any previous thought or arrangement, I yielded to an irresistible impulse. I felt that I must be in Cargo City by the night of the fifth. I had to catch this east-bound train. Without considering the absurdity of the request, I asked my conductor's per- mission to return. I told him that I was forced to get back, but gave him no reason. He promptly informed me that I was crazy, and I was willing to agree with him; but I had no time to parley, as the train was at hand. Leaving a large list of wealthy and open- handed passengers in my car, I grabbed my bag and swung on the train going in the opposite direc- tion. I arrived in the city this afternoon, and here I am.” “And the letters?” queried Grant. ETHIOPIA 21 02. . “Well, Eph, have you been dreaming, too?” “Yes," responded Eph; “but my experience will throw but little light upon this strange affair. My dream was largely a combination of the others,— the cheering crowds, the waving banners,— but there was this distinction: this day and hour were constantly im- pressed upon me, and I have grown actually nervous with apprehension as to its arrival.”. “Well, we don't seem to be arriving very near to a solution of the problem," commented Whiteside hope- lessly. “Oh, for a Daniel or a Joseph!" laughed the lawyer facetiously. “What have you to say?" asked the Bishop, turning to Allan Dune. “I believe I have a solution,” he returned quietly. “ You have!” chorused all the others, rising excit- edly to their feet. “Let us take the letters visible to our friend White- side, then let us add the letters 'th' that followed the 5 on the Bishop's list, and fill in the rest with the mys- terious O.P.I., which so puzzled our legal friend, and what have we?” “ Ethiopia !” came in one voice from the four before him, followed by a lusty cheer. Just then a band in a nearby street struck up the familiar notes of “Dixie,” which increased the en- thusiasm of the meeting to such a degree that the Irish guardian of the law, who stood idly on the corner, ejaculated : “ Sure, an' the naygurs must be havin' a wake.” THE SMILE OF THE PARALYTIC CHAPTER IV THE SMILE OF THE PARALYTIC In a humble cabin in the Province of Illicia, Allan Dune first saw the light of day. His mother having died shortly after his birth, he had known only the dis- ciplining care of a stern and unrelenting father. This father had himself been a slave, but at the age of fif- teen he had thrown off his yoke, — or rather, had aban- doned it by becoming a passenger on the" underground route." Allan Dune's father had thus grown up with an un- quenchable spirit of independence, and had transmitted this quality to his son, who had also by heredity ac- quired a sort of philosophic strain. At the age of sixteen Allan had been deprived of all parental support by his father's demise, and, equipped with a fairly good education, had since that time made his own way in the world. He had an insatiable love of study and a great fondness for research, and pored over every authority that delved into the mystery that held the source of all things. He had early perceived the abnormal conditions and difficulties that confronted his people, and had devoted his life to the striving to alleviate these difficulties. Besides being an omniverous reader, Allan had traveled extensively and was a good judge of men,– indeed, his perspicacity in this regard amounted almost to divina- 28 ETHIOPIA tion. Indomitable of will and impervious to fatigue, he would, when he knew himself to be in the right, per- sist in his course in the face of almost certain defeat; nor was this attitude the result of personal bias but of adherence to principle. Generous and unselfish to an absurd degree, he had never devoted himself to the building up of his own fortunes. As to his connection with the Union: he had in reality come to Cargo City in search of employment, though at the same time he felt that he was being drawn there in the interest of what he considered his great life purpose. For Allan Dune believed himself to have been selected by destiny for the carrying out of some noble and exact end; and often, to his own astonishment, he had found himself expressing in word and deed things that were in direct propriety to the situation at hand, but these words and acts seemed rather the result of some prophetic power than the result of volition. It was this inspirational gift that accounted for the part he played in the inception of the Union of Ethiopia. Never had there been an embar- rassing dénouement to any situation in which he had participated, if in such cases he had trusted to the promptings of this inward monitor, to whose unseen power he had learned to let all mere personal feelings be subservient. Until after the close of the convention Allan Dune made no active effort to secure employment. The day following the last meeting Eph sent for him as he was seated in his apartment. One of the barber's patrons, a banker named Morris Bleecker, was seeking a man to care for his invalid son. Eph recommended his new-found friend. After a short interview with Allan Dune, the banker ETHIOPIA 29 sent him to have a talk with Mrs. Bleecker, who was the one to be pleased, and said that he would advise her of Allan's coming. Allan lost no time in making his way to the address indicated, which was in a fashionable quarter of Cargo City. He mounted the steps of the palatial house with timidity. Simultaneously with his summons the door was opened, and a man of about thirty, dressed for the street, came out of the house. Seeing his ebony caller, his lip curled contemptuously. “Hello! What do you want?” The tone was in- sulting. “Pardon me, sir; I have an appointment with the mistress,' answered Allan. “' Pardon '-' appointment,'” interrupted the young man almost savagely, muttering half to himself, by way of comment: “I hate these educated niggers. Here, Kate,” turning to a maid who had answered the bell; “ you attend to this.” And he strode airily away. With a feeling of discomfort and uncertainty, Allan looked after the retreating figure; and for a moment he was tempted to abandon his quest. But, seeing the waiting maid, he made inquiries as to whether her mis- tress were in or not. He was informed that Mrs. Bleecker was waiting for him, and was soon ushered into a cozy reception room. Mrs. Bleecker,- a tall, well-formed brunette, with handsome features, though pale and slightly worn, as if from worry,— greeted Allan with a friendly nod, a salutation in marked contrast to the one he had re- ceived on his arrival. " Are you the man Mr. Bleecker sent?" she inquired pleasantly. He answered in the affirmative. ETHIOPIA 31 would be very closely confined. You are unmarried, I presume.” Allan bowed affirmatively, then ventured: “I hope you will pardon me, but I met a gentleman as I came in —” “Yes?” Her voice had a questioning inflection. She had overheard the conversation in the doorway and was amused at her companion's embarrassed at- tempt to broach the subject. “Is he — does he — er — have any authority here?" “No”; - smiling “he is a distant relative of my husband and is cashier of the Cargo National Bank, of which my husband is the president. You will not have to come in contact with him," she added mean- ingly, “especially if we come to terms; for in that case we shall leave the day after to-morrow. But come; I will show you your patient.” And Mrs. Bleecker led Allan to a vine-covered porch upon which the warm rays of the sun were beginning to make themselves felt. Seated in an invalid's chair, in a sheltered nook, was Allan's prospective charge at- tended by a trained nurse. Allan and his guide ap- proached quietly and stood in silence, looking down at the patient. All the mother-love beamed from the woman's face; and her spirit of devotion was a sharp rebuke to the modern mother, whose tendency is to re- linquish all parental care into the hands of paid at- tendants. Allan's look, too, as it was fixed on the youthful invalid was one of absorption, he seemed to be deeply thinking. “Harold,” said Mrs. Bleecker at length, addressing her son, “this is your new attendant, Allan.” The eyes of the distrait occupant of the chair met 32 ETHIOPIA those of Allan Dune, and a smile broke over his wan features as he weakly lifted his pale, thin hand, which was immediately clasped with warmth in the energetic grasp of the black one. At this act a surge of color swept over the fond mother's face, and stooping, she clasped the boy in her arms. For the first time in many months her child had shown a sign of comprehension, - a ray of intelligence, - and she was nearly overcome with joy. She kissed his thin lips, crying out beseechingly: “Harold, — Harold, speak to me!” But the boy had immediately lapsed into his former state of listlessness. Then the mother asked Allan to speak to her son again. Allan, as before, extended his hand, and the hand of the paralytic rested in it with all the trustfulness of a child. At the sight, Mrs. Bleecker turned an appeal- ing face toward Allan. “Ah,” she cried, almost beseechingly, “you must remain with us now!” 34 ETHIOPIA prescribed remedies at stated intervals; which was the only thing in connection with Allan's duties that seemed to irritate the patient in the least. Mrs. Bleecker had retired early, resigning her son completely to his at- tendant's care, the two occupying their own section in the sleeper. The night on wheels passed without event, and the party arose in the morning and partook of a hearty breakfast; Allan feeding his charge, who ate with great relish. In pursuance of his duties, Allan was passing through another car when he noticed a familiar face, and soon he found himself clasping the hand of Bishop Mangus. The Bishop was unaffectedly pleased at the meeting with his fellow-organizer. Sitting opposite the Bishop was a young lady bear- ing a strong resemblance to the divine,- a girl of de- cided beauty and superb in build. “Meet my daughter Elsa, Mr. Dune." Allan gracefully acknowledged the introduction, whereupon the girl ventured, in a musical voice: “We have just been talking about you, Mr. Dune.” He murmured something about feeling highly hon- ored. “Yes,” the Bishop assented. “She knows all; but you can trust her," he added confidently. In the course of their little chat Allan learned that Miss Mangus was returning with her father to their home in Savna, after having completed a course in vocal and instrumental music at Elias College. He also learned that she had won her diploma at another well- known university. But even without the imparting of this information her manner would have betrayed her culture. Allan informed his friends that he and they were 36 ETHIOPIA is acquiescent, while the press is vigorously active in endeavoring to brand us all as being ever ready to com- mit the unmentionable crime. “Now the result of this universal denunciation is at once apparent. It is the deepest disgrace to engage in the holy bonds of matrimony by these opposite races, and nearly every province in Unionland prohibits it by statute; and yet, unlawful cohabitation, provided the male is white,- is winked at. The result is public dis- crimination in every line of activity,– industrial, civic, social, religious. Now, to conclude: Suppose you es- tablish your own municipality. In doing so you would build up a prestige which would create that respect which is so sadly lacking. You would create a spirit of patriotism, a love for that central power that repre- sents us and that is working for our undivided uplift. A people that is respected nationally, regardless of its color, will be respected individually. I speak advisedly and can cite you plenty of proof in support of this fact. When men shall gain the respect of others there will be no contention as to their fitness for amalgamation.” Elsa, who appeared to be deeply interested in the subject, was visibly impressed by Allan's reply. But there was no change in the immobile features of the Bishop, as he proceeded to discourage further argu- ment by saying: “ Really, Mr. Dune, I like to be honest about every- thing. We will have to admit to ourselves that we are to blame for much of the discrimination and abuse to which we are subjected. Personally I encounter but little, though I am a native of Magnolia. There is a certain amount of discretion that each individual should exercise. When certain privileges are granted us, fre- quently we abuse them. Hence arises the question as ETHIOPIA 37 to our fitness for possessing these advantages. There are but few cases of oppression in which a proper dis- play of intelligent action would not prevent dire conse- quences.” “Much depends, Bishop,” replied Allan, “ upon the standpoint from which one views his own individual standing. Sometimes by not resenting a brutal kick it will prevent you from receiving another. Should you knock a man down, you could not repeat it if he re- mained in a prostrate position. From one standpoint I heartily agree as to our capability; for where there is a general submission to unjust conditions, who is to be the judge as to what will be the extent to which this obsequious servility may properly be carried? If a race is not forced to restrain its domineering tactics over another, and if this inferior race shall have no representatives, either in courts or law-making bodies, they become wholly subject to the various whims and prejudices which animate the controlling power. Thus, if we are accorded certain privileges, and some ignorant and vicious member of our race abuses them, it becomes the whim of this controlling race to brand all of these inferior units with the same degrading cognomen as the guilty one; this becomes the verdict, and many of our own people are weak enough to be- come a party to their own condemnation.” So the argument went on, with reasons pro and con; Miss Mangus proving herself to be a good listener; and Allan was frequently rewarded by noticing a flash,- sometimes of admiration, sometimes of ap- proval,— in her eyes; although he was speaking only from his heart and not with the desire of winning anyone's commendation. It was plain that she did not share her father's sentiments; but she refrained from ETHIOPIA 39 ductor, leaning toward her, chucked her playfully un- der the chin, with the remark: “Hurry up, my little beauty; get a wiggle on you.” Flaming with indignation, she struck the man's hand away, as she hissed : “ Brute!” Allan had drawn back his arm to strike the girl's assailant, when the Bishop restrained him forcibly, whispering as he did so: “ Don't, my boy. They'll kill you down here." The conductor, becoming angrily impatient, grabbed their baggage and tossed it into the adjoining car. Elsa, in order to save her father from further ig- nominy, with a queenly air that marked her superiority to this type of man, swept past the enraged official. He, feeling that he must find some victim on whom to vent his rage, implanted a kick upon the retreating form of the Bishop, who was following his daughter. Allan, wild with rage, controlled himself with the utmost difficulty; when the conductor, with a sullen glare, said: “I let you stay in here, young feller, because you are a servant in charge; but no nigger passengers can ride in here. You better believe that this is a white man's country.” 44 ETHIOPIA It was Mrs. Bleecker. A gentleman near her, with an effort of consolation, said: "Don't cry, madam. It was only a nigger." “Of course, – of course; it was only a nigger," echoed Allan, with a sinister expression, looking at no · one in particular. At this moment the train, which had stopped to coal, resumed its journey, and the incident was soon forgot- ten, while the humming voices soon resumed their ac- customed light tone. It was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon. The train was approaching Savna, which was a terminal. Already the passengers had commenced to collect their belongings preparatory to departing. Allan had placed his charge in his chair and had deposited the hand luggage in a convenient corner. At length the station was reached, and the scurrying passengers, amid the salutations of waiting friends, went their several ways. The Bleecker automobile, - ordered out by Uncle Abe from the garage, where it had been reposing for more than a year,— was stand- ing with its driver near the curbing; and a wagon and team, with an aged negro in charge, was also in at- tendance. At the sight of Mrs. Bleecker and the rest of her party, this old retainer shuffled forward eagerly, hat in hand, and greeted them effusively: “ Law me!” he said feelingly, with a doleful shake of his head;" an' dis am po' lil Harold? He sho was a lively boy w’en yo was las' down heah, nearly two year ago." Mrs. Bleecker could hardly restrain her tears at the allusion to that happy time; and Allan, in order to pre- vent a prolongation of the painful scene, hastened to ETHIOPIA ask Uncle Abe if he had made arrangements to take the baggage. The old man pointed to the wagon, say- ing that he would load it at once, whereupon Allan offered to assist him; first lifting into the waiting car Harold, who was followed by his mother. On taking her seat, Mrs. Bleecker ordered the chauffeur to wait Allan's return before starting for the Bleecker home- stead, which was located about two miles from the city, out on the shell road. A beautifully appointed home it was, situated in a veritable bower of flowers, sur- rounded by orange trees, and abounding in shady nooks and perfumed walks. : The baggage was quickly loaded on Uncle Abe's wagon, and Allan was returning to the car when he saw a carriage leaving the depot, in which he recog- nized the passengers as Bishop Mangus and his daugh- ter Elsa. The recognition was mutual, and as the eyes of the man and the girl met, Allan lifted his hat. Then suddenly, his attention was called elsewhere. Several little Negro boys were playing around the depot platform. A horse that had slipped its blanket was tied to a hitch-ring, toward which was coming a large white man, whip in hand. In childish glee the boys were chasing one another when one of them chanced to get his foot entangled in the blanket and fell sprawling. Rushing forward angrily, the man dealt the little fellow a stinging blow before he could rise and scamper out of reach. Not being content with this, he reached out and collared the lad who was chasing his fallen comrade, and raising the butt of his heavy, loaded whip, he was about to deliver a blow that might have despatched the urchin, when a firm hand grasped his uplifted arm, and a voice in a tone of entreaty said: with this scamper low a stintorward ' 46 ETHIOPIA Allan, but ilan had tuine weapot “ Please do not strike him.” It was Allan Dune, who felt that he could not stand by and witness two murders in one day. On turning and seeing who had arrested his hand, the man, with an oath, struggled to free his arm; then his left hand sought his hip pocket from which it drew a revolver. Immediately some of the bystanders, who had remarked the occurrence, rushed to the res- cue,- not of Allan, but of his antagonist. However, with a deft movement - Allan had turned his assailant's wrist in such a manner as to cause the weapon to fall harmlessly to the ground. Though no sooner had he executed this movement than a dozen hands grabbed him, and in an instant his arms were pinioned behind his back. A man wearing a red bandanna and high top boots,- presumably a mountaineer,— had drawn a long hunting-knife, which he was about to draw across the black man's throat, when a woman's voice broke in entreatingly: “Don't hurt him, gentlemen, please. He is my servant.” It was Mrs. Bleecker, who until this instant had sat. spellbound in the face of these rapid developments, undecided what course to pursue; for she had the natural shrinking of a woman of refinement from be- coming the central figure of a public affair. As she had about decided to turn her head away so as not to witness the climax of this street brawl, the hand of Harold, who had taken a noticeable interest in the occurrence,– touched her with more force than had marked its movements since the beginning of his ill- ness. It was at this prompting touch that she sprang from the car and made her plea for Allan. CHAPTER VII A TRAITOR If this record were nothing more than a book of fic- tion, the author would make an effort to introduce the conventional deep-dyed villain and the silly hero, or heroine, who do sensational and foolhardy things in order to create a situation. But being a simple re- porter of facts, the author must present conditions exactly as they exist. It would be only reasonable to assume that in any civilized country when a man lifts his hand in the defense of the weak and helpless he would receive the moral support of his fellows; but here, indeed, was an anomaly. Such an act of chivalry, when performed by a black man, was regarded as the work of a desperado. And perhaps there was a grain of truth in this, if one takes into consideration the inference to be drawn from the threat anent the applying of “the hand of the law.” It seemed to mean that that law was the law of the mob, against whose dictum it would be sui- cidal to combat; and for an ebon character to deport himself as a man was sufficient violation of the mob's legal code. To speak quite frankly, there is no necessity for the author to draw on his imagination in order to call up unusual occurrences, nor is it necessary for him to invent predicaments in order to present his reader with some sensational development. Two weeks went by. The little party had settled 48 ETHIOPIA 49 down to life amid the new surroundings. Allan would take his patient on long daily excursions in the wheel chair. These outings seemed to be Harold's only pleasure in life, and he would become fretful and dis- agreeable should anything prevent his little daily ex- cursion. Nor would he permit attention from anyone other than Allan. These rambles of Allan and his charge, while not governed by any particular direction, always managed to terminate at a somewhat pretentious cottage in the suburbs of Savna, embowered in vines, boasting, too, an arbor, and surrounded by leafy walks. It was the home of Bishop Mangus. Now, it happened that on the morning after the ar- rival of the Bleecker party the telephone had rung, and Allan had answered the call. A girl's voice, tremulous with emotion, came over the wire. “Does a man named Allan Dune work there?” was its question. Allan was surprised that anyone should know so soon of his arrival, but he simply answered: “Yes; this is he on the 'phone." “Oh, I am so glad! I thought they might have killed you." “ This is Miss Mangus; is it not?” asked Allan, recognizing the voice. A chat had followed, in the course of which the young girl had invited him to call, giving her ad- dress. And since that morning not a day had failed to find Allan and his charge at the Mangus home. A warm friendship had grown between the young black man and Elsa, who, though her father spent little time at home, was carefully looked after by an aged woman of the ante-bellum type, Aunt Jane. 50 ETHIOPIA At their first interview Elsa had told Allan that she had seen the mob attack him and that she had been greatly troubled as to the outcome. What she did not tell him, however, was that she had made an effort to leave her carriage and go to his assist- ance, but that her father had forcibly restrained her and had urged the driver forward, away from the scene. Allan had been introduced into the highest social circle of his people and, because of the prestige at- tached to him by intimacy with the Bishop's family, had been heartily received. He had kept in close touch with Ephraim Johnston in Cargo City, and was pleased to learn from Eph's reports of the progress being made by the Union of Ethiopia. With Elsa, who had thrown herself heart and soul into the work, he discussed its different phases and the furtherance of its purpose. They had estab- lished a branch of the organization in Savna, to which their people gave enthusiastic support. · However, they were forced to surround the movement with secrecy, for the maintenance of which they depended rather upon the patriotism of their race than upon any pledge or oath. Long and frequent were the conversations that Allan and Elsa would hold on the vine-covered veranda of the Bishop's cozy dwelling, with Aunt Jane just within sight through the open window, busy with her knit- ting, and Harold sitting not far away in his invalid's chair. Sometimes Harold would show unmistakable interest in the affairs of his black companions, and both Allan and Elsa felt that he would be a sincere and powerful ally but for his infirmity. For the improve- ment of this condition of his patient Allan had sug- ETHIOPIA 53 conversation became general, until someone suggested a little singing. Music led to dancing, and in the course of the terpsichorean movement Aunt Jane swooped down on the merrymakers with the words, leveled at Elsa: “ Never mind, Missy; I'm goin' to tell your pappy." At which dire words all present ran up to Aunt Jane and hugged and coddled her until she was forced to recall her threat. It was nearly dusk when Allan and his charge started for home. On the way to the shell-road his way led through a busy section of the city. On a cor- ner, under a street lamp, he saw three men talking. On his approach they ceased talking and seemed to regard him curiously. One of the men he recognized as Babe Ellis, the man with whom he had had his encounter and who, he had since learned, was a con- stable. Instinctively Allan felt that there was some- thing up. One of the men hailed him sneeringly with, “ Hello, Shine!” to which he replied neither by word nor look. And before he had got out of sight he no- ticed that the trio had separated and disappeared. Allan continued his way, wheeling Harold before him down the beautiful shell-road, with its flowered fragrance and trailing jasmine. Occasionally a whir- ring auto would dash up and away, or a motorcycle, with its popping reports, would go madly by. The two, Allan and Harold, — had gone on to within a half- mile of the Bleecker homestead and were in a specially secluded part of the road. Allan had begun to be amused at his apprehension of danger, when suddenly three shots rang out, - not simultaneously, but in one-two-three order. Allan sank to his knees, and a stinging sensation CHAPTER VIII A MINISTERIAL CALL Morris Bleecker was a very busy man and paid lit- tle heed to social affairs. His wife frequently took him to task for his remissness in this regard, but he would always put her off with a laughing excuse. Reared in the northern section of Unionland, and pop- ular with all who knew him, he was not only a suc- cessful business man, who had amassed an immense fortune, but was also endowed with an intense love for his family, whose every whim he was eager to gratify. Thus, when his son Harold, who was an exceedingly brilliant student and had nearly completed his school course, expressed a wish to travel in the Orient, Mr. Bleecker packed the boy and his mother off in a private yacht, with its full crew and a retinue of servants. The disastrous termination of this cruise had filled Morris Bleecker with the deepest sorrow, for he had planned Harold's business career. Whenever the hor- ror of his son's affliction would come before him his only refuge from the thought was to plunge himself the more deeply into business. Just now he had torn himself away from his affairs in Cargo City, and was making a visit to his family at the shell-road retreat. His coming brought de- light to all, and Harold, who had recently shown won- derful improvement, wore a beaming look of pleasure ETHIOPIA 57. who was slowly but surely gaining control of his facul- ties, and the boy's natural bent for excitement was kindled. “What are you going to do?” he queried. “Stay until I get ready to leave," answered Allan nonchalantly. Harold pressed his hand, and again assured him of his fidelity. Mrs. Bleecker had been troubled during several days previous to her husband's arrival; and while she was immensely pleased at the prospect of his coming, she was not sure that he could mend her trouble, because she did not believe that he would respect the customs of her beloved Magnolia land. Luke Dean, her ebon-hued chauffeur, who had long been seeking the opportunity, at length told her of Allan's various activities among his people, and repre- sented to her that Harold's attendant had so inflamed the minds of the colored folk that they were on the verge of riot. Luke had, however, not confined his confidence to Mrs. Bleecker's ears alone; he had also told Babe Ellis, who he knew hated Allan. It had been a great source of mortification to Ellis that he did not “get his man” that night on the shell-road; and the letter that Allan had received was by no means a bluff. Shortly after her husband's coming, Mrs. Bleecker told him what she had heard concerning Allan; telling him also of the incident that had taken place on their arrival in the city and of the attempt to kill him only a few days ago, which she had only learned from some of the other servants, Allan not having mentioned it. While this conversation was being held, Harold was present. 58 ETHIOPIA When his wife had finished, Mr. Bleecker laughed, and his only comment at the moment was that Allan was “a pretty nervy guy." “Yes," she replied, " I admit that. But this for- mation of societies among them. You know the au- thorities have always opposed it, particularly here in Magnolia land.” "I don't blame him," said Mr. Bleecker. “If I were he, I might form a gatling-gun brigade." Mrs. Bleecker had no desire to discharge Allan; she merely wanted to discipline him,- in other words, she wished him to conform to the prevailing idea of that community as to the proper way of deporting himself. She knew one chord she could yet touch to make her husband act. “ But, Morris, you have never thought of the dan- ger to Harold in all this promiscuous shooting.” “True," he returned gravely. “I will speak to the fellow." Mrs. Bleecker now left the room to make one of her many calls. But she went away with no sense of satisfaction, for she did not feel that she had won a victory, since she had not succeeded in making her husband accept her viewpoint. "I know what I'll do," she soliloquized; “ I'll make my pastor talk to him.” Mr. Bleecker was about to leave the room, too, when a voice called : “Father!” The man turned, standing transfixed, as if he had seen a ghost. “Don't be afraid, Father. I can talk now." Mr. Bleecker took his son in his arms in a paroxysm of joy, while tears streamed down his cheeks. When ETHIOPIA 59 on as to his Khey deserved. ated with the he had regained command of himself, he listened eagerly while Harold recounted to him some of the incidents attending the return of his speech. Then he wheeled the boy, at his request, into a room known as “Harold's den,"— a room that he would allow no one but Allan to enter. To this room even his mother had not the entrée. Here the couch, the chairs, even the floor was littered with books and magazines,- all works of a metaphysical character. Harold told his father to take down from a shelf a small, leather-bound volume, and then asked him to examine it. It contained teachings that Mr. Bleecker had often heard of, but which he had treated with the derision that he thought they deserved. Closely he questioned his son as to his knowledge of it. Harold's answers were so consistent, and were given with so great fervor of expression that his father was greatly impressed; he was amazed, too, at the knowledge of the Scriptures displayed by Harold as well as by his practical and logical application of them. “ How did you learn of this ? ” Mr. Bleecker in- quired. "Oh, Allan is a student; and he has helped me greatly," answered Harold. “ So that's it?" was his father's comment. Mr. Bleecker was forced to leave on the following night, but before going he called Allan in, and together with Harold they discussed the subject. It was plain that he was profoundly impressed; for he could see the honesty that shone from Allan's clear eyes and swarthy face, and there was a smouldering devoutness in his manner, though outwardly calm and convincingly in- telligent. Indeed, so impressed was Mr. Bleecker that he regretted that he was forced to leave so soon after ETHIOPIA 61 “I have dealt with such cases before,” he declared; adding the request: “ Send him in, — send him in." Mrs. Bleecker, putting her arm about the preacher's daughter to lead her from the room, turned as she reached the door and said: “I want to tell you beforehand that he is fairly well educated.” “ Yes,” laughed the minister; “I know all about their capacity for knowledge.” Presently Allan entered, pushing Harold, who had insisted upon being present at the interview. The black man bowed to the Reverend Mr. Stickley and then stood waiting for the clergyman to speak. He had not been told what was wanted of him. For some moments the reverend gentleman sat look- ing straight at Allan, with the palpable intent to intimi- date him. He had always believed that the natural superiority of his color would have the effect of squelching any pretentions on the part of any member of the dusky race; but to his surprise he found that his combination did not seem to work in this case; for the man before him calmly returned the ministerial gaze, without any sign of resentment. “ Sit down,” came the command presently, in a pompous tone. Allan obeyed. “I am apprised of the fact that you are something of a trouble-maker," the minister pursued, — his voice rising as if in question. Allan essayed to reply, but the effort was vain; for though the Reverend Mr. Stickley had a habit of paus- ing impressively after each remark long enough for one to expect that he was waiting for a reply, he would check it at its birth with some interruption. CHAPTER IX LEGITIMATE PREY A boat drifted lazily, lapping the peaceful waters just outside the entrance to the harbor of Savna. Its occupants were conversing earnestly as they slowly approached the landing. The hour was nearly dusk; and one of the occupants, gazing out toward the re- ceding orb of day, said: “Well, we must hurry; it's later than I thought. How quickly the hours fly!” he added. “ Yes; on wings of love," replied his fair compan- ion; then she quoted coquettishly: “ Thou laggard, far too long hast thou delayed The wistful pleadings of a silent maid.'' The man bestowed an affectionate glance upon the girl, while a faraway look came into his eyes. She looked so pretty in her simple costume of white; she reminded him of a grown-up child. Allan,- for it was he,- was taking a day off pre- paratory to his return shortly to Cargo City, where the second convention of The Union of Ethiopia was soon to be held. He had never thought that he would suc- cumb to the charms of any woman, - he had ever felt that he was wedded to his great life purpose; but in Elsa he had found not only a helpmeet but a spur to greater and more persistent effort. In many respects 64 ETHIOPIA he regarded her gifts for organization superior to his own, and her keenness of perception was unerring. Then, too, she was confiding and lovable. These two did not often speak of their love, for each understood how the other felt, and that their feeling was a flame fed by their unity of purpose. They had just been discussing the French commune, with its cry of “Liberty, Fraternity, Equality, or Death," and Elsa had remarked that the same senti- ments when expressed in Russia constituted Nihilism, adding: “But what would you call it when breathed in Mag- nolia land by one of our race?” "Perhaps the Rev. Thomas Stickley could find a more choice phrase than 1,” laughed Allan. By this time they had reached the landing, and soon they were making their way homeward in the autumn twilight. No one, from a mere description, can imag- ine the beauty of an autumn sunset in Magnolia land, with its accompaniment of soft odors, the soughing of gentle zephyrs, and the waving of the tall trees. Allan and Elsa were enjoying to the full all these delights of Nature when he suddenly remembered that he was expected to return to his duties rather earlier than usual to-night, as the Bleeckers were expecting guests. His charge, Harold, did not now require so much attention as formerly, for he was able to move all parts of his body, though not yet able to walk. Harold was as urgent that Allan should return to Cargo City as was the black himself. Mr. Bleecker was here on one of his periodic visits, and the guests invited this evening were the Governor of Magnolia, the Reverend Mr. Stickley, who was related to His Excellency, and the usual bevy of ETHIOPIA 65 ladies that serve as a sort of garnishment to every feast in this peculiar land. But, to return to Allan and Elsa: He had escorted the young girl to within a few blocks of her home, when he bade her adieu, with a promise of seeing her on the morrow. For a little time he stood and watched her retreating form, a great feeling of tenderness filling his being; then he turned and strode away. His mind was full of the thought of the girl of his heart,- of her high ideals, her great beauty, her pure and angelic character, her sweet sympathy for those in distress, and her freedom from egotism because of the accom- plishments with which she was endowed. Then sud- denly a great brooding care seemed to settle down upon him, even as the eagle hovers over her nestlings. Im- pelled by some strange prompting, he looked back once again. In the distance he could see her vaguely through the murky light. He strained his eyes. Yes; she was running. Behind her, at a few paces' distance, strode two men. “She is only frightened,” Allan mused. “ They will turn off presently and go their way. No,”— his heart gave a bound, -" they are running, too!” With the swiftness of a deer he turned and dashed along the way he had just come. He was straining every nerve to overtake Elsa's pursuers, for he could see that they were following her with dogged determi- nation. Meanwhile, Elsa had reached her father's gate and was entering. There was, however, no one in the house but Aunt Jane, and she was very deaf. The men were following her closely. Once inside the door, Elsa slammed it quickly, but she was not quick enough ETHIOPIA “ Yes." “Mr. Harold sent me out to tell you not to come in, and to take this purse and beat it.” “But why?” he questioned uneasily. “He says they have been telephoning about you and are trying to lay some murder upon you. Now, if I know anything at all about this country, I'm telling you you had better go." Allan hesitated. He did not care to be branded either as a murderer or a fugitive from justice. “ Hark! Do you hear that?” asked the maid. “What? ” questioned Allan. They stopped and listened. “ It's Babe Ellis's bloodhounds," was the maid's horrified whisper. Then to Allan's mind came the thought of the sort of justice he might receive in Magnolia land, and then the thought of Elsa, and last the thought of his great life purpose. The last two surely made the preserva- tion of his life a thing worth while. And Allan turned and fled into the night. CHAPTER X THE GOVERNOR'S OPINION It would require a much larger volume than the reader would care to peruse, if this were to be a full record of the many phases of this strange problem of the races. The universal attempt at oppression, based upon the determination that the black shall not progress nor be enlightened; the tendency to hold him in con- stant subjection because of a belief in his inferiority as the result of a Divine decree; the peonage system; the Jim Crow law; disfranchisement; the creation of hordes of criminals through a prejudicial application of the law; the silly effort of some physicists to sub- stantiate their claim to color superiority by the presen- tation of some structural or material phenomenon; the environment of the youth, into whom are injected by his adult instructors all sorts of insidious poisons; the bias of historical text-books, with their glaring omis- sion of all record of Negro achievement; the impene- trable wall of social ostracism; the insinuations of cur- rent literature; the song and poetry of the mounte- bank, who pictures the Negro as either a buffoon or a coward; the passions of the inhuman mob, and the natural inhumanity of man to man, — these are but a few of the many waves in the sea of troubles against which the higher call to perfect liberty and brother- hood is sounding out to us to battle. Another and powerful bar to equal consideration is 72 - ETHIOPIA - - - - - - -- -- - --- - eyes passed quickly over the words before him; then he read out loud: “A delegation of Negroes to see the Governor. It is a case of life and death.'” At this juncture it is necessary to return to Elsa, who had been left by Allan at the house of the minis- ter, Brother Stevens. She and the minister's wife had been quietly talk- ing, while the divine was in the adjoining study; and they were beginning to think of retiring, when the door- bell sounded. Mrs. Stevens, who answered the call, was greatly shocked by the unceremonious entrance of a half-dozen officers, a few of whom were in uniform. Babe Ellis was in the lead and acted as spokesman. “We want this yaller wench heah. And where's the buck gone?” he inquired in typically Southern ac- cents. Hearing the commotion, the Reverend Mr. Stevens quickly entered and asked what might be the matter. “ Matter enough, echoed Babe Ellis. “Some of your gang of niggahs have killed a white man. Where's that fellah Allan?” he asked, with a search- ing glance about the room. The minister informed the man that he did not know; then, catching sight of Elsa in charge of an officer, he nervously enquired what they were going to do with her. “ Put her in jail,” was the unfeeling answer. “ Could you not leave her in our care? We will be responsible for her appearance at any proceedings, or we will give whatever bond you may require,” pleaded the minister. In an official tone Babe answered: -- - -- -- -- --- - - ETHIOPIA 75 tion was not dead, but that he had an even chance to recover. “As we left the city, a large mob was gathering with the express purpose of storming the jail; and as they have refused to accept bond for our Bishop's daughter, we dread to think what might happen,” con- cluded the minister in a hopeless tone. “But cannot the sheriff handle the situation ?” queried the Governor. “The sheriff has joined the chase for Allan, and there are only two minor officers on guard,” was the reply. “One moment," said the Governor; and he left the room to go to the telephone in a nearby apartment. There he remained closeted for a short while, during which he was in communication with the sheriff's wife. She was fully informed as to the whole affair and confirmed the report that a mob was forming, that the guard at the jail was inadequate, and added the information that there was only one negro prisoner besides the Bishop's daughter. On the Governor's asking her if she feared for her own safety, she as- sured him that she felt herself to be in no danger, but thought that the negro prisoners might suffer. The Governor returned to the delegation and told them that he would take the matter under advisement, an announcement that filled them with a depression they could not conceal. Feeling it useless to continue the interview longer, they were preparing to depart, and the Governor was about to return to the festal board, when the 'phone again rang. “Is that the Governor?” came the voice of the sheriff's wife. Then she went on to tell him that large groups of 76 ETHIOPIA armed negroes were congregating at a certain point in the city, with the evident purpose of opposing the mob. The Governor, at the information, hurriedly called up an adjutant and told him of the situation. “How soon can you have a detachment of the Savna Guards on the scene?” he asked. “In twenty minutes," was the reply. “ Very well,” returned the Governor; “ you can take care of the situation. Remember, the blacks are armed,” he cautioned. “ Trust me, Governor; I'll attend to that "— with equal significance. Returning to the delegation in the next room, the Governor informed them that the troops had been or- dered out, whereupon, thanking him for the step he had taken to prevent trouble, the black callers passed from the gubernatorial presence. 80 ETHIOPIA The officer, white with rage, turned and gave the command: “Ready! Load! Aim!” But simultaneously Henry had given the same com- mand to his little corps, and when the officer turned to face his enemy before giving the command to fire, he found himself looking into the barrels of eighteen rifles. The sight brought him to his senses, for in the swarthy faces before him he could see a deadly deter- mination to back up their leader. A lieutenant stepped forward now and whispered something in his captain's ear. That officer nodded, then in a surly tone asked: “Well, what do you want to say ?” “ That's better,” remarked Henry. Then, going on: “It was at the request of my people that troops were ordered out. We had hoped that you would disperse a mob that is approaching the jail, in which an estimable lady of our race has been placed. You may imag- ine our surprise when your command came here, as we are in no sense in a condition of riot. We have con- gregated our little band so that in the event of failure to secure troops we would protect her at all hazards. Now, sir, we are willing to obey the laws of the state, but even while we are conversing a bloodthirsty mob is battering at the jail-door for admission. Under these conditions, do you think it a reasonable thing that we should question your motives?" The officer winced at the clear-cut language and the sincere tone in which the words were uttered; he could not meet the other's honest gaze fairly, and his answer was an evasion. “These are matters for the state to take care of," he said, concluding with the words: “You said you ETHIOPIA 83 the sheriff's wife any doubt as to the security of her female prisoner, for whom she had formed a genuine liking during their short time of association. She was particularly attracted by the girl's polished manner, by her obvious culture and refinement. Suddenly the telephone rang in an adjoining room, and the sheriff's wife went to answer the call, leaving Elsa and Mrs. Stevens alone conversing. Through Elsa's mind was passing the thought that perhaps they had taken Allan prisoner; but her perturbation of mind on his account did not show itself in her manner. Mrs. Stevens, who had persistently refused to leave Elsa, despite the girl's protest at her sacrifice, had just said : “Your father will be here by noon. It is now three o'clock in the morning. But perhaps the brothers will have us out by the time he comes." And Elsa, who was not thinking of herself, had re- plied: “We can't ever say that we've never been in jail.” And at that very moment a heavy knock sounded on the door, which was immediately opened, and a head covered with a sombrero was thrust in, while a thick tongue enquired: “Whah's the gal? Oh, here she is!” And a man opened wide the door and strode into the room, saying: “Come on, fellahs!” The sound of many feet was heard in the corridor, and soon a number of his companions entered the room. At the sight of them Mrs. Stevens screamed and fell fainting on the floor. Elsa had risen to her feet; calmly she folded her hediata.avy . been ETHIOPIA 85 recorded the barbarse limp of in awkward. and concerned. But let is a higher and steps to its betterment assume an awkward, un- gainly stride, marked with the limp of insincerity, when contrasted with the barbarous performance, such as herein recorded,– in which her sister of the darker hue is the victim, and concerning the truth of which an oppressive silence is maintained. But let us leave the question of national retributive justice to a higher power and content ourselves with the simple inscription here of these events. The morning dawned bright and clear. It was the Sabbath. There seemed, however, to be no thought of worship in the being of the denizens of Savna. The mob of the early morning had increased to an im- mense concourse, and this mass had divided itself into four or five separate bodies, all obsessed with the one idea, — to kill. It had grown into an army of homi- cidal monomaniacs unloosed upon a defenseless people. Occasionally the Sabbath air would be filled with the sound of cheering and ghastly laughter when some particularly brutal act was perpetrated against some unoffending and unprotected Ethiop. As the morning grew, the mobs covered all portions of the city, burning and pillaging the residences of the helpless defenders. Inconceivable acts were commit- ted. An aged, tottering Ethiop had just alighted from a street car; they pounced upon him with clubs and stones and left him lifeless beside the curbing. A num- ber of Ethiops had gathered in a church, secure in the protection of its sanctity, they thought. They were engaged in singing hymns and making prayers when the place that should have given them sanctuary was invaded by the demoniacs; the singing was changed to the moans of the injured, the prayers, to the groans of the dying. Near the wharf a cabin had been set i act was Ethiop. all po ETHIOPIA 87 of Brother Stevens, whom he had appointed to his pastorate in this, his home town, the Bishop paused. All that was left of the once attractive cottage were a few charred and smoking remains. Curiously the Bishop stepped among the ruins, and as he did so, his foot struck something round and hard. It was a hu- man skull, — all that remained of poor Aunt Jane. But the Bishop did not know. Resuming his way, he passed by the armory where the colored troops had held their meetings. Another dead body lay in his path, face downward. The Bishop stooped and turned the face of the dead man toward him. He found himself looking upon the fea- tures of Henry Sage, whose body had been pierced in a dozen places. A tear fell from the eye of the living as he looked on the dead. He had known and loved this brave young man. Continuing his painful progress, the Bishop soon ar- rived at his own premises. He was more than half prepared for the scene that met his eyes. As he had anticipated, it, too, was in ashes. Leaning his arms on the gate-post, with his head buried in his hands, he gave himself up to sad reverie. He wondered what his little girl would say when she learned of the de- struction of their home. No doubt she was safe among some of his people. While he stood thus lost to the present, an ominous noise of distant shouting and curs- ing became audible,– a noise that seemed to grow ever nearer; but the Bishop heeded it not. A white neighbor passing by laid a kindly hand on the black man's shoulder and said: “I know it's hard to lose our family; but come with me. See,— the mob is approaching! And you may lose your own life as well.” se of distant si ever nearme, audible, ETHIOPIA 93 with great enthusiasm and with the eye of a true sportsman. The dog, finding itself baffled, with almost human emotion, growled angrily at the retreat- ing train. “ Lonesome Bill here and I jist bet a can on ye, an’ I win me bet,” continued Paddy. “But if ye hadn't give him a lift ye'd a lost," com- mented Lonesome Bill dryly. “Come, cheer up, me bye, we're not so particular because yer front is a lit- tle pillaged. Iverybody can't sport the glad rags like muh.” And he plumed himself airily in his grotesque habiliments, as he gazed kindly at Allan, whose clothes were torn and hung in shreds, and who was hatless as well. “Oh, I'm not concerned about my clothes,” returned Allan. “My only regret is that I haven't my card with me." “Pretty good !” exclaimed Paddy, his eyes a-twin- kle. “But, you see, we are slumming and we're trying to fergit our sassiety manners. But may I enquire what was the cause of your abrupt entrée?" Allan explained as much as he wished them to know and thanked Paddy heartily for his assistance. “Arrah, me bye, don't mintion it. I've got a string of hero medals, an’ loife-savin' is an everyday occur- rence with me. But have ye got a bit o' terbaccy about yez?” He and lonesome Bill were smoking the snipes of cigars, which were very short. “Oh, throw those things away,” said Allan, putting his hand to his vest pocket as if he were going to pull forth some fresh ones. Instantly the men tossed the butts away. “ That's right,” approved Allan, retreating to the ETHIOPIA 95 of the road were, they leveled their weapons at them, and Bale ordered: “ All hands out!” Allan and his fellow-travelers alighted. “I'm justice of the peace here," announced Bale; “and you may consider yourselves under arrest.” “ An fer what?" asked Paddy. “For bumming," was the response. “ Shure, an' there must be some mistake. Me friend and Oi have been travelin' in me private car here, an' the naygur is me valet.” “It's a swell car,” said Bale, amused in spite of him- self. “I’spose your friend is president of the road?” “Shure, an' yure wrong again,” said the loquacious Paddy. “We're both retired capitalists, an' we have an appointment to dine at the Commercial Club at Louisburg this very noight.” “Well, we don't want you two anyway," returned Bale, with a leer that took the place of a laugh. “It's your valet we want.” “Raley, we can't spare him, yer hanner. He's a very valuable man, an' takes all the worry an' details of trav'lin' off our moinds." Paddy waxed eloquent in his effort to gain Allan's release, but all his wit and pleading availed nothing. It was the busy season of the year, Bale needed hands badly, and it was by this method that he secured them. Allan, knowing that it was useless to parley with him, accompanied the trio to the big house nearby, in one corner of which the magistrate had his office. As soon as they had entered the office, Bale sat down in his chair and took from the top of the desk a statute book, from which he read aloud a pargraph; then, look- ing at Allan, he said: 102 ETHIOPIA personal apparel, and yet each year would find him in debt to the store. There was a little more explanation, and then, as Bill was going he turned and asked once more: “How much did yo' say dat was?” “Fifteen thousand four hundred dollars." “Fifteen thousand dollars," repeated Bill as he closed the door and secured it before departing to his own abode. These figures kept recurring to Bill throughout the night, disturbing his customed peaceful slumbers. Toward morning he fell into a troubled sleep, and when he awoke, the sun was shining into his cabin window. He looked at his watch. It was nearly eight o'clock. During his entire twenty years' service this had never occurred before, except on the occasion of one of his annual sprees. He dressed hurriedly and congregated his laborers in the mess shanty, where breakfast had long been pre- pared. Allan, watching the old man narrowly, saw that he was remote and distrait. Bill did not partake of his breakfast, but instead made his way to the big house, where he never went except on such occasions as have been mentioned. Bale had already breakfasted and was on his porch, preparatory to making his daily rounds, when up strode Bill. Bale, though surprised at this visit, spoke calmly, asking: “Hullo, Bill. What's the matter." “Nuffin'.” Bill answered glumly. It was evident to Bale that he was not drunk, and his manner was different from the air of petulant inso- lence displayed on former occasions. “Everybody working ?” ventured Bale. ETHIOPIA 103 “Nobody's wukin',” came the answer. “What?” cried Bale, his wrath rising. “ This cot- ton ready to go to waste, and nobody working!” “I tells yuh jist whut, Mr. Bale,”—and he looked Bale squarely in the eye for the first time in his life - “I wants mah money." “Oh, that's it,” said Bale, who was beginning to feel a little uneasy. “Well, come into the office." And he led the way. Bill followed silently. Bale took down his demijohn and glass and shoved them toward the old colored man. Then he got down a large account book from another shelf and began to busy himself with it, though all the time he was furtively watching his companion. Bill had refused to touch the liquor. “How much do I owe you?” he queried, as a pre- liminary step. “ Fifteen thousand dollars.” Bale looked at the man in amazement. “You must be crazy!” he ejaculated, dropping his book. “No, sah; dem figgers am right. I cal-lated Ise spent a few hundred dollars for close, an' de balance you owe me.” Bale wondered who could have been talking to Bill; and then he remembered having seen Allan gesticulat- ing to him earnestly on the previous evening. He checked himself as he was on the point of asking about this newcomer, then said reassuringly: " Come around this evening, Bill, and I'll have every- thing all fixed up." "Oh, youse allus puttin' ut off like dat, Mr. Bale; but I wants mah money." He had always addressed Bale as “Boss,” and this new cognomen irritated his employer. 104 ETHIOPIA “Do you mean to say you doubt my word?” he blustered. “I dunno nuttin' 'bout dat, but I wants mah money now.” Bale had been watching him, expecting the usual subsidence in his manner. But Bill was obdurate. Bale now began to wheedle, trying to coax the darkey with flattering promises, but to no avail. At length, in a paroxysm of rage, he cried out: “You black nigger, if you think I'm going to waste my time talking to you, you're mistaken! You're try- ing to place yourself on a level with white men.” Bill raised himself to his full height. For a moment he gazed calmly and unflinchingly at the man before him, and then, with a ring of pride in his voice, he said: “Maybe I ain't as good at w’ite folks, but one t’ing I know, and dat is dat Ise a man.” This speech snapped the last thread of Bale's for- bearance. Seizing a revolver that lay on his desk, he lifted it and fired it pointblank at Bill. The aged ser- vitor fell, mortally wounded. A domestic, who had witnessed the scene, ran down to the mess-room of the waiting prison-laborers, telling them excitedly what had taken place. Confusion at once followed the announcement, and in the midst of it Allan Dune made his escape. By one of the freaks of fortune he secured passage on the same train that Jacob Whiteside was piloting, and on which was, too, the Bishop. Cale Bale had the body of Bill removed and buried; but no thought of the killer's arrest and punishment even so much as entered the head of any of the author- ities. The very suggestion of such action would have been derided by any resident of Magnolia. CHAPTER XIII THE DECEMVIRATE OF ETHIOPIA Ephraim Johnston was a very busy man. He would have had no time to dream now, even had he so desired. His duties in connection with the Union furnished ample occupation. The results of the initial convention of the Union of Ethiopia had far exceeded the wildest flights of imag- ination of the organizers. Their call for funds, sent out in accordance with their plans, had brought in so generous response that, to quote Eph, “the money rolled in by the cartload.” Eph, after having tried in vain to get in communica- tion with the other members of the Union, was forced to use his own judgment in the conduct of affairs. In accordance with this, he had secured headquarters in a large office building up-town, and the click of type- writers, under the skillful manipulation of a half-dozen sets of nimble, dusky fingers of the female variety, could be heard all day long. Eph had used the Cargo City National Bank as a depository for the funds of his society, and as his receipts had nearly reached the million-dollar mark, the recapitalization of the institution had been necessitated. Eph could not help smiling at the changed attitude of many of his former customers,-- bankers, brokers, and men of that order,— who now treated him with studied respect; and he felt that perhaps he had fixed upon the 105 106 ETHIOPIA solution of the race problem. Then he recalled the great masses of his people that were legislated against, and he knew that he must inevitably be classified among those thus publicly and legally ostracised. The day for the second meeting of the Union of Ethiopia, which had been set for the fifth of October, had arrived, and Eph and his crew of assistants were filled with eager expectancy. Allan, Bishop Mangus, and Whiteside, had, without further mishap, arrived on time. Whiteside had imparted to Allan the news of Elsa's fate; and the only evidence of emotion that was per- ceptible was a firmer look of determination on his immobile face. Going over to the Bishop, whose hair had now turned white, he gently pressed the father's hand; and the Bishop knew that Allan knew and he burst into uncontrolled tears,— tears that Allan made no attempt to stay by words of consolation. He felt there was something holy about such grief. A bond of mutual sympathy had been established between these two, to which was added on the part of the younger man a sense of responsibility for his older associate. In due time Chester A. Grant, the attorney, arrived, and after the most hearty greetings the four made their way to the new quarters, where Eph was awaiting them. Allan assumed the gavel, and the Bishop, who acted as chaplain, delivered a most impressive and remark- able prayer, - one that revealed a marked freedom from his former conservative attitude. Reviewing at length certain unreconcilable distinctions of race and color, he prayed that the Father might remove the ham- pering cords of prejudice that bound the footsteps of his people at every turn and that excluded them from IIO ETHIOPIA and prayed earnestly,— yea, fervently,— for the light, for guidance; and now I can sum up my life experience in a few words. I have done some good, I have cheered some travelers; but if the church is to accom- plish any substantial benefit to humanity, it must be by means of a higher form of Christianity than that now extant. I tell you plainly, gentlemen, that it is this very division of sects and creeds that perpetuates the feeling of prejudice and hatred between the races. It was the church that supported unpaid servitude in ante- bellum days, and to-day, as it now stands, it is a mute champion of racial distinctions. But to reply more pointedly to the good brother's remarks: If our afflic- tions are from God and for a wise purpose, then these various denominations that are trying to aid us are evidently working against God's will. But, of a truth, my friends, when some religious truth is posited, by which men shall receive some present, positive, and actual reward in return to their obedience to the divine demands, to the laws of equity, justice, and love for our fellow-men, instead of the hazy and obscure prom- ise of future world salvation; when the actual works of the master Christian shall be here accomplished by adherence to these pure motives and can only be achieved by such purity, then the brotherhood of man may become a reality among the possessors of such religious truths; because there is a standard of ethics,- of moral and spiritual rectitude, — to be attained that completely annihilates the question of race or color." The views of the Bishop were received with profound respect, though with no little astonishment. But Allan smiled in happy accord with the sentiments expressed. The sessions of the Decemvirate were now held five achierence to thesistian shall be when the ETHIOPIA III days each week, and the Bank of Ethiopia was doing a thriving business. Thus a year went by, during which time the institu- tion had established itself firmly in the commercial world. Contributions still kept coming in, and of the sixteen million Ethiopians in Unionland ten million were sending in at least one dollar annually. Meanwhile the officers of the organization were negotiating for a strip of land lying south of the Ilo and east of the Isis rivers,— a tract that bordered on the sea coast. The governors of Unionland were kindly disposed toward the Decemvirate, although there was some opposition on the part of the residents of the section in which this strip of land was located; however, these residents were to be fully reimbursed for their holdings in the territory in question. As to this question of reimbursement, a discussion was pre- cipitated in which Jacob Whiteside thus protested against such payment: “My old father and mother, and their ancestors before them,- paid for this land with their sweat and blood, their toil and privations, when, for centuries, they answered to the master's lash, reclaiming this ter- ritory from its primitive state and making it to blossom like the rose. To demand from us money for this land is practising usury with a vengeance. If individuals are to be held responsible for their misdeeds, why not nations? It is only an act of retributive justice that the territory should be ceded to the Decemvirate." However, the cession could not be obtained, and Allan was appointed the envoy to conclude the pur- chase. CHAPTER XIV SOMETHING ABOUT RADIUM Donald Bleecker, — nephew of the president of the Cargo City National Bank, cashier of the same insti- tution, and, too, the gentleman with whom Allan had had an unpleasant encounter, as related in one of the opening chapters of this book, — was pacing up and down his narrow enclosure in the bank. He was troubled and appeared to be in the depths of thought. And so he was; for he had done a foolish thing and was fearful of the outcome of his mistake. Donald was intensely interested in radium, and he had purchased a number of properties in a western province of Unionland that were reputed to be radium- bearing. A young friend of his,- a chemist who was studying at the Cargo City University,— was his most intimate associate, and together they had conducted experiments in Donald's quarters at the Bleecker man- sion, a laboratory having been fitted up for the pur- pose. A month previous to this day Donald had received a shipment of ores from his mines, and upon these ores he and the young chemist had been working assidu- ously. The scientist had found them rich in uranium and carnotite deposits, and the two men were jubilant. Having a perfectly appointed laboratory, they bent every effort toward the discovery of the perfect product. So far as they had gone they had been emi- 112 ETHIOPIA 115 blendes. Then all at once he came across a drawing that would not have attracted his notice but for the fact that he saw the word “Gold,” enclosed in a ring and indicating small objects, which was also followed by arrows that pointed to a strange-looking device. He soon came across the papers he wanted, and he was turning to leave the room when some strange prompt- ing urged him to again examine the drawing that had aroused his interest. Allan took the paper in his hand, and turning it over, found written transversely on it: “It works, Bill! It works!” He had known of Donald's companionship with the chemist, and he had no doubt but that the communica- tion was meant for him. The words, however, for a moment puzzled him; then they seemed suddenly fraught with full meaning; and to his mind there came the thought of the millions of the Decemvirate that lay in the vaults of the Cargo City Bank. It all came to him with startling force. He felt that here was a matter that it would be worth while to investigate. Without further reflection, he telephoned to Mr. Bleecker, requesting him to come home at once. Donald, as soon as he had learned that Allan had gone to the Bleecker house in search of his papers, began to wonder if he had left anything of a suspicious nature on his desk at home; and as a consequence he was very uneasy. So, when the telephone rang, he picked up his own receiver, though the call was not for him, and he overheard Allan's request that his uncle should come home at once. As soon as Mr. Bleecker had left the office, Donald donned his overcoat and hat, and hailing a taxicab, he 116 ETHIOPIA followed his uncle's car at a distance and entered the house through a rear door at the very moment that Morris Bleecker went in at the front. Allan, who had been eagerly awaiting Mr. Bleecker's coming drew the banker into the laboratory and hur- riedly informed him of his fears and suspicions. At first Mr. Bleecker scoffed at the absurd idea that had entered Allan's head, but on being confronted with the drawing and all the other evidences of the alleged activ- ity of this mineral, he began to regard the subject with rather more seriousness. On Allan's suggesting that they return to the bank and find out if there were any foundation for the fancy that had taken possession of him, Mr. Bleecker assented, and they prepared to depart. As they were going down the stairway the acute ears of the Ethiop heard the sound of footsteps retreating and then the slamming of the door of an unused exit. Bidding Mr. Bleecker wait a moment, Allan hurried to the front door and saw the retreating form of Don- ald, who was just about to enter a taxi in waiting. In breathless haste Allan rushed back to the hall and urged Mr. Bleecker to hurry, at the same time acqaint- ing him with what had occurred. In an instant they were in the banker's powerful car and were speeding on in a determined race for the bank, in violation of all the speed ordinances of the city, while a procession of motorcycle “cops” brought up the rear. In the taxi ahead Donald was urging on his driver with curses and promises, while the big Bleecker car was swiftly and surely overhauling them. Allan, who was sure that the rascally cashier intended to destroy the incriminating mechanism, was determined that the true facts should be known. Being at the wheel of the CHAPTER XV A PYRAMID OF FIRE Harold Bleecker, whom Allan had apprised of his intention to return to Savna, was in a state of pleased anticipation at the thought of the arrival of the friend of his invalid days. Harold, though able to walk now, was still a somewhat weak young man,- tall and pale and thin. To-day he was waiting in his runabout for the com- ing of the Southbound train, which was to bring Allan Dune back to Magnolia. Soon the train pulled in at the Savna depot, and the scurrying passengers alighted, among them Allan, whose sharp eyes soon spied Harold. With hurried steps he sped to greet his former charge, his always friend. Soon Harold was driving his car over the boule- vards, and together the two chatted of old times. It had been two years since Allan had first touched his feet to Savna soil, and naturally their talk turned to the events that marked his former stay in Magnolia. They spoke of Allan's encounter with Babe Ellis, who, Har- old told his friend, had died suddenly. Allan also learned that the brawler whom he had thrown out of the Bishop's house had recovered ; learned, too, with sadness that the sheriff's wife had become insane because of the execution of Elsa, whom, as the listener knew, she would have saved if she could. As they drove slowly along Allan could see no appre- 120 122 ETHIOPIA A week of the time had already passed, yet Allan had seen nothing of Donald Bleecker, though he was quite sure that the former cashier was aware of his presence in Savna. It was a Saturday morning. Allan had an appoint- ment to keep, after which he and Harold had planned to go fishing together. After finishing his business in the city, he took his way down the shell-road, walking leisurely. Harold, who had started from home with the fishing tackle, caught sight of his black friend approaching slowly in the distance and concealed him- self by the roadside in order to surprise Allan. Taking a book out of his pocket, he sat down in his leafy retreat to await his comrade's coming. He had, however, no soner ensconced himself than he heard someone coming toward him from the opposite direc- tion. Peering out, he saw Gertie Stickley pacing back and forth, apparently waiting for someone. The place was near the secluded spot where Allan had been fired upon,- a depression somewhat resembling an arroya, and screened in by giant trees. Harold wondered if Donald could be coming to join Gertie, wondered, too, why she should wish to meet his cousin so clandestinely. By this time Allan had reached the crest of the hill and was now slowly descending into the arroya. It was ten o'clock in the morning, and the sun was shin- ing in an unclouded sky. As he came along his way, he noticed the young lady ahead of him. She was in the act of ascending the opposite rise of the little dale, her back being toward him, when a wagon filled with farmers came rapidly in their direction, evidently bound for the city. Without warning, without any apparent cause, Miss Stickly suddenly appeared to be overcome with fright. Putting her hands to her head, ETHIOPIA 123 she loosened her hair so that it fell about her shoulders and ran screaming toward the advancing team. “Help! Help!” she cried in terrified accents. Allan was dumbfounded. He made no effort to either advance or retreat. Then through his senses sounded the words: “ I'll git you yet, Mr. Nigger," and he knew that this was the work of Donald Bleecker. In an instant the men were upon him. They sur- rounded him; they bound him securely. But no sooner was this accomplished than Harold came upon the scene. He expostulated with the men, told them that he had been a witness of the whole proceeding, and that Allan was innocent of any wrong. He showed them where he had been sitting, explained exactly what had transpired. He talked earnestly with them, pointed out Allan's high standing, vouched for his honor and uprightness, and begged them to release him and not stir up public strife. Silently the men listened to Harold's fervent plea. At length the silence was broken by one of the men, who said: “Wall, ef he's innercent, mebbe he kin prove it. But thet's the pastor's dawtah, en’ you kin see fer yer- self how she wuz actin'.”. And after this all Harold's charges of its being a plot and all his pleadings in Allan's behalf were of no avail. They forced their victim to go with them to the city. Miss Stickley had disappeared as soon as the men had seized Allan, going through the thick woods in the direction of her home. The news of the alleged assault spread like wildfire. The people began to flock to the city in holiday attire. One would have thought that they were celebrating 124 ETHIOPIA some festal day. The mayor had ordered the closing of all saloons and had also requested that all places of business suspend operation for that day. In the pub- lic square was surging a sea of humanity, brought there in carts, surreys, motorcycles, automobiles, and every other form of conveyance. The lynching had been set for six o'clock, and no reputable citizen of Magnolia would willingly absent himself from the scene. The Savna Times had issued a special edition, bear- ing a spreadhead on the first page in big, flaming let- ters, to introduce the thrilling report of the outrage. Jack Carter had “ done himself proud " in the accuracy and detail of the description of “the brutal assault.” He had flown to dizzy heights in his write-up of his interview with the “poor wounded linnet," – as he designated the minister's daughter, as well as in his account of the stolid indifference of her black brute of an assailant. No excitement marked the temper of the immense throng in the square; nor was there any cursing heard, nor the manifestation of any rowdyism. This was to be a “legal lynching," as one of the denizens of Mag- nolia was heard to declare. Here and there were boys peddling hokey-pokey ice cream and other confections, while the ladies,- of whom there was an enormous representation,- were munching bon-bons and saying silly nothings to their attendant cavaliers. Harold had managed to have an interview with Allan, wherein he learned of the radium episode in Cargo City, which had furnished the animus for Don- ald's betrayal, and he was determined to save his friend's life at all hazards. With this purpose in view, he talked to all the influential men of the city that he could reach, but they all assured him that they were 126 ETHIOPIA thoughts swept over him. We have read somewhere of a Hindu who requested a visitor to place his head in a tub of water and then withdraw it. On acceding to the request, the visitor in fancy became a child again, lived the long intervening years till he had attained manhood, saw himself married, and watched his chil- dren grow to manhood, all within the space of a few moments. So it was now with Allan. As his bonds were being made fast, he dwelt on the ancient glory of his race,- the people of Hamitic type in the land where history had its bithplace; in memory he traced the con- quest of those primitive peoples, their national life, their development, their art, their sculpture, their mili- tary achievements, their mighty structures that have endured the ravages of the ages and which are yet unequalled by any modern architecture. He thought of how this glory had departed under the tarnish of time, and he dwelt, too, on the slough of barbarism into which his race had sunk because they had failed to keep pace with civilization. Again, Allan saw in fancy the inauguration of the slave trade, the transplanting of his people in a new and unfriendly land. He thought of their harsh and brutal masters, of their toil, their privations, their agony, their patience, their being classed with animals both by law and custom, the separation of families on the auction block, and their simple fidelity to their ungrateful abusers. Then Allan thought of their freedom and the sanguinary struggle preceding it. He thought that it was a great step in the progress of civilization to admit, in theory at least, their rights as men; but a great feel- ing of resentment arose within his heart when he remembered their continued oppression. He thought of the establishment of the Decemvirate, of its steady ETHIOPIA 127 growth in money and power, and he uttered a silent prayer for its success. Like all men of great nature, he did not think of himself, except to utter a hope that his martyrdom might help his people to become immune from the torment of this modern barbarism. And then Allan's thoughts turned to Elsa,- pure, gentle, harmless little Elsa, — Elsa, with her culture, her refinement that showed in every feature, her viva- cious yet angelic nature that was always striving to help someone; and all at once a wild, tempestuous rage seized him, and he raised his arms and tore himself loose from his tormentors, throwing a dozen men from their feet. Numerous others rushed upon him and continued the process of binding him. Allan smiled. Harold, who had just reached the scene after his unsuccessful efforts, mounted the pile of inflammable material and placed himself at Allan's side, from which point he essayed to address the multitude. In an impassioned voice he pleaded that they release Allan, offering to furnish proof of his innocence. Donald Bleecker, who had kept well out of sight, but had mingled freely with the mob, was an interested listener to Harold's remarks. He feared that this earnest champion of his victim might succeed in creating a wave of sentiment in favor of the condemned man, and he hastened toward a small group some distance away that consisted of the Reverend Mr. Stickley, his daughter and Mrs. Bleecker. Again Harold reiterated his certainty of Allan's innocence and pleaded with the mob to relase him. “ Wall," at length a husky young giant cried, " I tell yuh, boys, we'll bu'n him fust an' investigate this young fellah's tale afterwards.” The District Attorney, who had heard Harold's plea, andre of seof his arks. 7b, wa in Again and Mrs of the hall a 128 ETHIOPIA funeral pytlighted to "Bleecker inted now stepped forward. He had been touched by the young man's earnest eloquence. " Gentlemen,” he began, “I think there is something reasonable in what this young man says; and I see no reason why we should not investigate it." He had gotten this far when Donald Bleecker was seen to whisper to Gertie, his betrothed, and a murmur at once ran through the crowd, which drowned the voice of the District Attorney. “The lady is coming! The lady is coming!” went the word from mouth to mouth. Gertie Stickley advanced leaning on Donald Bleecker's arm. As the two reached the base of the funeral pyre, the giant who had recently spoken handed the girl a lighted torch. At the same instant several hands tore Harold Bleecker from the side of Allan Dune. Mrs. Bleecker had fainted. Allan, standing there bound above her, looked down unemotionally at the young lady, but she dared not meet his gaze. With averted head, she extended her hand, and guided by Donald Bleecker, the torch met a responsive spot in the inflammable pile. Soon a pyramid of fire was rising — rising heaven- ward. On it burned; but not a groan, not a sound, came from the tortured victim; whereat the crowd felt that it had been cheated of half the performance. Only when the fire was so burnt out that the wit- nesses could denude the place of every scrap that might serve as a memento,— even to the very ashes,— did the mob slowly disperse. her looked This book should be returned to the Library on or before the last date stamped below. A fine is incurred by retaining it beyond the specified time. Please return promptly. MAY - 5 197 MUSEP 1 099999 디 ​(ILSANRIERMEDIAS w1 PENER BOOK QUE NO 1 0 1987 23444120 maasssband