Charles Beadle

“ On the following day, veering a bit to the east for water, they came in the scrub upon vulture- and jackal-picked skeletons and fifty yards farther on entered a clearing covered with charred stumps of huts, among which were many more skeletons and scattered spears and arrowheads.
“Must have had a raid and been wiped out,” opined Tony.
“Ain’t no raid, gov’nor,” said Plessons, who had been poking about. “See them bangles? Women and kids! Natives don’t wipe aht women; they taike ’em as slaves and mostly all the warriors captured alive. No; white men done that.” ”

“ But the British and others use Mauser sporting guns. Anyway there can’t be any boches here now. They haven’t got a square yard left in all Africa.”
“I dunno,” said Plessons. “Maybe they’re German tourists!”
Farther on near the water was the site of an old camp with the marks of a tent, not more, according to Plessons, than a week old—if that.
“Good ——!” exclaimed Tony, recalling what they had considered the dying man’s delirium. ”

“ Tony ignored him, walking up to the camp-fire for coffee. But the man followed and came up with a grin.
“Say, Mr. Westlake,” said he, “I wants to ax yer pardon. I was soused last night. Bugs. That’s straight. And yer give me what I was asking for. Ye’re a man, you are. Put it there, will yer?”
Tony looked at him. He wasn’t fooled in the least. Yet as the fellow apologized what could he do? Perfunctorily he shook hands.
“That’s all right, Sawyer. But see here, I should advise you to leave the booze alone.”
“I ain’t going to touch another drop o’ hooch on the —— trip! I tol’ Al—Mr. Bodiker. ”

“ There seemed nothing for it but to camp until the man was better unless they jettisoned more stuff, for two porters couldn’t possibly carry him, emaciated though he was, for the whole day. After food Tony had another look at him. ”