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.---”THAITDERELICT!

‘LA Somewhat Unusual Christmas Story

DONALD CAMPBELL

Mrs. Governor Smith bit the end of her wrtoiseahell -, b 1d,;- u Sh, Pill-ltd l" making out hoi- list. of Christmas guests who were to he invited to the customary festivities at Government House.

It was the ﬁrst time she had un. dertaken this semi-official duty, {or although Bill Smith had gavel-nod this new colony for three yearg, h, had hitherto relied on the social knowledge of the wife of the Senior civil Servant or Army Omen- then stationed in the capital. I-le had only taken uni! himself a Mrs. Gov. ernor some six months pfevioligly when on very short leave in call-o. A nice girl, the Governor's wife, mo. dern enough and exceedingly good to look at, but somewhat mid-Victorian. full of the dignity of her position (an attitude which caused her lord and master oft-times to smile,) and perchance a triﬂe snobbish. for which you must forgive her as she had been jumped in one breathless leap from the position oi unpaid companion to a rich, eccentric arid erratic-tempered aunt to that of spouse oi the repre- sentative of l-lis Majesty's dOfninima over a new and prosperous colony with ‘a magniﬁcent future opening about 2 in the morning and we will before it.

"Although eligible whites are few, I simply cannot invite that awful man who loafs about the native quarter; you know, that fellow who calls him- aelf Barlow or some such name. I-Ie came with letters from home, and looks as if he has not washed since he dined here. Mrs. Cummings. of the Police (Cummings being chief of police), says that" he lives in a hor- rible Italian hotel which is under suspicion. and knocks about inthosc low foreign gambling houses and places!" She paused, having ex- hausted her immediate indignation. "Have it your own way. my dear," said Smith, in his lazy. kindly voice, but with a twinkle in his eye. "Per- haps his usual garb and Titian whis- pers would demoralim not only ‘jle impeccable Mrs. Cummings but other chaste matrons. Excuse me. would you ring for Pompey, I've a. thirst.” Mrs. Governor, like many other pretty women, she also insisted on the last word. "Why. they call him ‘that Dere- hct,‘ " she snorted, if indeed a. pretty Mrs. Governor can snort.

uololilaool

Meanwhile, Barlow, “that derelict." ﬂies waiting on the vcrandah of the little hotel La Stella d'Italla. a brok- en-dowri frame building in the heart. o1 the Greek-Italian quarter of the capital. He had reddish hair. vet‘) clear blue eyes, a thick reddish stub- ble on an energetic face, was nearly six feet tall. wore a dingy grey shirt. khaki shorts. neat puttees and .o‘.d shooting boots. but somehow he did :7’: lot-P. a derelict.

As Alfonso. the proprietor. a genial little Florentine. who had travelled the world over. came bustlina 50W" the street, Barlow retreated into the hotel and into Antonio's cubbv~hole

' "village."

of an omce, where he awaited the “ellln- Presently the hotel-keeper entered. For several minutes he fiddl. ed about with a PuGyOIﬂInQy new)“. than ierked his head’ towards the ‘tmet- BBFWW Walked out and down the road to the Arab quarter and Oli- Wﬂrdi to the race-course and cricket Bmlmd- 59310115 which lay the native The capital was a most cﬂlmomiltan town. You had Govern. menr, l-louse. the villas or senior of- ﬂclals, and the main shopping dis- rtict. then the area of wealthy Italian Ind Greek traders ﬂanked by aslnall French community clustered roulld the Catholic mission.

CW“!!! nearer to the quarter where lived the derelict,_there was a coin- mlmty of English N._C.O.'s and police sergeants, their wives and families. Here the English cathedral lifted a not unmaiestic head. On the other side of it was the bachelor commu- nity. .who shared bungalows; clerks from the shipping oillccs. junior Civil Servants, even an odd journalist or so. .'.l'hen came the Greek-Italian commcrclallarea ﬂanked by the coin- pounds of wealthy Ethiopians and Abysslnians, then the Arab quarter. through which the derelict was strid- ing. Eventually he reached the race- course andwalked up the stairs of the members’ pavilion. where he was met by 'a neat little young-old man unmistakably "horsey"; in fact. he might have Just arrived from ED- sorn. "George, old scout. I'm going into the bar. ‘There's no one there Just now. I suppose. Antonio's fol- lowing me. I want a quiet talk. see? Dh, yes, and if that clleeky young _Nubian runner of mine haps along. send him up. will you?" "Al-i serene. guv-nor. And help yourself to the bottle on the counter. It's from me own private cellar. like." and touch- ing his helmet with a crooked ﬂllgcl". George. manager and despot of the race track. disappeared, while Barlow made his way into the members‘ lounge. At the far end was a bal- on which there stood s. bottle of‘ whisky which-would not have disgraced the mesa of any crack Highland regiment. Presently Antonio entered. "It is seri- ous, Signor James. The natives are

“secretive. Even the Ethiopians. Ru-

mours have comein from the bush country. Some new prophet has arisen. Not a Moslem, but a species of Christian. Fatim has tried four times to scout. but directly he gets to the hills, he is stopped by natives. who take him hack through the bush. gently. but ﬁrmly. as you say, and who say not a word but show him the way back to town. There is some- thing in the air. but even my best informants" know ncthingdeﬁnite." Barlow nodded as if agreeing with hlnlself. poured ‘out two pegs of whis- ky. handed Rte to the Italian, swal- lowed his own with a gulp and then became a man of quick speech Ind thought. “I am going back to.tl".e hotel. Bee that Fatim reports every hour; tell him ‘to haunt the Arab quarter, where news is liable to be

Poinsette

{Th9 Flower ' ‘of the -

Cliristnaas Festival

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imore accurate. also to keep touch

with the servants of Government House. I have an idea. that some- thing is going to happen, and happen soon."

Meanwhile at Government Hopse, Mrs. Smith was completing arrange- ments or the Christmas festivities. rier nus and entered as she was going to her rooms for an afternoon siesta. He waved a wireless form. "Old Captain Hoskym will get into port have the launch ready to take Mar- gare; off and our local express under steam so that slle will be here about 3 p.m." Mrs. Smith was radiant. "flow splendid. You are a dear." The Governor grinned. He was glad young

‘Margaret-who was his wife's first

cousill—was paying them a visit. She was a bright child who had foolishly got herself engaged to some mysteri- ous sort of Johnny who wandered about the earth endeavoring to ﬁnd some visible means of support. but apparently not finding any. "Her company would do his wife good, and they might be able to ﬁnd her a de- cent sort of husband. especially when they took their annual holiday in Cairo. The “local express" he re- ferred to was a light railway which ran from the capital to the local har- bor some ten miles to the east.

Mrs. Smith uttered an emiamation. "l promised to visit the native mission this afternoon. No use. Bill. it's got to be done. There are some presents from home for them. It would look so bad not to keep my appointment, es- pecially at this time of year. I'll take a ca: and have Ayesha with me." "All right, honey, but ;ion't overdo it. You had better take Yacomb to drive, with his brother Ismail as guard. They are both reliable chaps." She laughed. "Do you think I am going to get kidnapped. There arc no Torgotteli of God‘ iTuareg-masked riders of the desert) or marauding Bcdawl round here." The Governor blew her a klm and departed on his lawful occasions. which in this particular instance was a most boresome conference.

In the hotel of» the Star of Italy. the derelict, surnvlﬁlusly chanted in appearance, sat waiting ilk: someone who expects the order t.o go into ac- tion. Iie was shavcn. ills shoulders were square; his clothes clean and of excellent quality. llc now were whipcord breaches and leather 811"" crs. About eight of the evening, Fa- tim slid into the hotel, breathless. "Excellency. tlie Lady Governor is missing!" Tile derelict nodded. not at all surprised. The young Arab con- tlnucd: "Sllc went to the Bush Mis- sion in a motor-car with hcr servant Ayesha, the military chauffeur. Ya- oomb. and his brother Ismail. W110 l5 one of the native bodyguard. Tllcrc is no trace of them, but the motor tracks load to the south." The dere- lict frowned slightly. buckled on a belt with a substantial hunting knife. also an automatic pistol and cartridge be“ and sud one int/o the tropical night. Fatim nrecedlnc him-

Ill Government House. everything was in confusion. Bill Smith, usually so easy-going. was now grim-faced and tlght-iippcd. I-Ie had come back

'from the conference and waited in

vain for his wife. so he had 8°11‘? W“ himself to see whether her car had broken down. I-ie could not trace the lllisslllp motor, bilt the native PRU?“ illai. followed him at the Order 0f Cummings of the Police had don’: 5J- Ql-derlies were ﬂying about. (Jum- expcrt truckers to be followed by i118 “grit-o cavalry. The Governor lind- mings had (icpnrtcd with his most flillf:hctl talking ‘° a vouui; A?“ chiefiain who sprang of! to the hush. when the col-curt appeared H "um nowhere. "I think, your Excellency. that you had better let me go and have a look. I know something about this part of the world." A vouuz A- D.C.. recognizing the derelict. was on the point of interrupting, when. to his astonishment. the Governor said. HA1] right. Do you lvani, any help?" "A reliable car and two or three Eu- ‘ropeans. sir." "Very good, I'll make one of the party. Come alonS- wrlghv-ihls to the A.D.C.

They drove to the hush under Fa- tlms guidance, then through a track jtEt wide enough for tile car um} they came to the foot of the hills which lcd up to the nlouiui-ua- 1'1"" formed the coast linc to the cast, which was on the left of the track- ers. To the right stretched the vast and mysterious desert.

"Wait here!" ordered the derelict, and made his way up the hill-side a}: a pace which betokencd a man not only in perfect physical condition but also-a practised hiilsman.

Onward he went. lost in the shad- ows, then reappeared as the African

moon lit up the slopes. l-Ie had clilnb- ed for perhaps half an hour. when he came to some shrubs or dwarf trees which formed the border of‘ a vast natural tel-race extending back to the sheer wall of the mountain range. A tall. black form loomed up in the night, but the derelict, was pre- pared. f-le hit once with a little wea- pon that was strappcd to his wrist, and the sentry collapsed.

The derelict squared his shoulders and marched towards the ﬁres he saw burning at the far end of the terrace. There he knew were vast caves, older than history. He strode towards the largest of the ﬁres with outstrcachcd hand.

A huge man rose from all arm- chair which seemcd incongruous coli- sldering the setting and explained: "Mr. James! You of all men! Bo wel- come this night!" "Glad to scc you, John Dagon," said the derelict o; no took the chair an armed native brought him. "To think that the mall who saved my life should colnc to me this Christmas Eve." said John Dagon. "May the Lord be praised!" "Listen." said the derelict, as tluough the clear night air came tile fault sound oi bells ringing. John Dagou rose. I-Ie was a magniﬁcent-looking man. black as coal but without the negroid bluhber lips and squat nose. He was in badly ﬁtting willie drill clothes but. they could not hide the muscles that rippled as he moved. "Listen, John,” said the derelict ill rather a. bored voice as he scraped out his plpe.'“you might let lnc take

the Governor's wife back. will you?" '

The gigantic African paused and llfi- ed his handles if to slay as his an- cestors slew, with a spear. than hc let it drop limp with a thwack by ills thigh. "Mr. James. Mr. James, I sure wish you had not asked mo that! But I gave you my word and I will keep it!" He sent a dark warrior w one of the largest caves. "Good man." said the derelict. "Now listen to a lit- tie common sense. I know your dream. It is a mad one. You have not an earthly chance of building up a religious republic here. Why not come to us." we really have done some good to the natives. There is a new college for ‘native teachers op- ening at the capital shortly after the New Year. It needs a professor who understands his own people. Ithink you would ﬁt it nicely. All. hcrc comes her Excellency." and the dcre- lict swept off his hat. "His Excellency sent me to escort you home, madam. There's a car waiting below."

Mrs. Smith, who was followed by a

weeping Ayesila, rose gallantly to the occasion. “Thanks for a mos‘. inter- esting experience. Mr.—er—Mr.-—" "Dagon," supplied the derelict. Turn-

ing to hcr maid, Mrs. Smith said. "Stop that noise. you idiot. Tilank _you, Mr. Barlow-is it not? I am

(lull-Q ready now." "My name is Har- low. madam," said the "111011811 almost everybody calls lnc Bclrlolv" He turned to walk back to the giant African. who gave him tilc universal sign of peace. and then, followed by the tivo women. plunged down the slopc. Descending the’ hills was far more difficult than as-

ccndulg. The strain had iold on fill-s.

Sniiill. The derelict took her arm.

‘Then slle collapsed, so he simply lilt-

ed her up and carried hcr willie Aye-

sha scrambled nimbly ill his lvalzc.

Down below’ he saw ihe cal" lights and

he increased his pace until hc had

reached the astonished Governor,

whereupon he llalldcd O\'(tl' llisJ>ul'd:l1

and said. "Here is oprrpericctly good

ivife with native maid complete. Now

I am going to get me some sleep."

and stumbled off to one of the several

cars which had gathered. sprawled

into it auci was fast asleep in lava

shakes of a puppy-dog's tail."

A vcvy‘ worried young A.D.C. in uni- form lvitll nlodals complcie attended ‘a; the hotel of tllc Star of Italy a few hours laicr. He looked as l! he was a bishop dealing with lepers, but Bill Smith had given him stern instruc- tions. "is Mr. all Mr. Barlow ilCTu!" lie asked Alfonso. "No, siglior. but liiistllircliarlolv lccvcs llcer." "I wall: to sce liiln." "Evvei-o. suppose o sig- llor that he does ilot wanna soc you."

“Goad man. ‘Phousi’ calla da cheery voice. "Ono of the Governor's pups. I suppose. l-ie can't help it. People at. home have to ﬁnd jobs for tho brainless soils ‘o’ their families. Hello. A.D.C.. tell your boss Ill be up izl twenty minutes. For the good of your soul's sake be polite the next time you see me. I don't like your subur- ban style. Hop it muy pronto, schnell and all of that."

Margarc; came down the stairs of Government I-Iouse just when the derelict arrived. '

"Oh. my dear," and she wasted no time. nor did he.

"A perfect clinch; seconds out of the ring," shouted the Governor cacklillg with mirth. "$ this is tile wandering fiance."

Cummings. especially ‘Mrs. Cum- mings (of the police) thought the Hon.

Bill Smith. C.l\'f.C_l.. D.S.0.. ollclllorcl

derelict. ‘

iill0\‘.'5 villat. had "gone crackers." or ill any case was suffering from the sull. but ilc has not. That is why Bill Sllliill ilas lvllo he was.

Coming lllio tile big reception roonl ulih lifzlrgzlvct on his. right arm and \\'l'.il the derelict on hLs loft. he jerk- ed 1115 head with a movement that moan! "Cilﬁlllﬁligllc and plenty of it."

Ilc' lr- xii-ii Oil tlie company and UiPll iillililllllCFii illui lilies Margaret Forricr. iii; uifcs first CDihlll. was going lo b" married to Major Arthur lirhlyr: UJCYC several “com oils all_l Cl‘.l"l'..', oi ill: King's E l. oilian liulc» ’

"liiv Uz-lzge," said Cullllniilgs. "I tiluilgili your name was Barlow."

'f‘llo_ ri=l~r~llct LJllif] no; imip o morn "Tile irulicc are not paid lo think. l\lj»‘ llalllc is iinrluvx. secollglfl to silo. cial "“i‘\'lf.‘fl in this part of the n01‘!!! " Mrs. Cummings would have slain him. bu’. lvllcll Bill Slniill an- llJIlllC that lfurlolv 113d been sell‘. our a’. hr; l-crplzut, "airs, Policculnll" till] lliii klloiv \'\'ilCl'€ lu s. .

Eliliv": Cafivri‘. of filo nnslon. had

ltcm ill and iLlii drunk ill: UClCFll- o1“. _ il null vlo iolczcd the llrzd‘ ...—l.~:*. vﬁxhlu Airs. Governor

Sillnil look ille derelict aside.

"I llzuc been a fool. I gruvcl. but do loll ill" how you (lid-well. what you (ll;i."'

‘file dtl-clict laughed softly‘. "lily dear Enocllcilcgx. You are not a foul, but you are very young. You see the fcllov.’ calllcil Jollll Dagon iS all ex- ceptional Airicall \‘.‘ilOlll I saved from hcillg lylzcllccl lzl tile Southern States of Norlll Aflli"l'li‘f\. and then fronl a. flilllflillﬂlt, group of illc Ku Kiux Klan. you know tile people wllo imi- tater! the old Southerners who wished to defend their lvcillcn folk against Nortllerilsrs and intoxicated ncgroes. Noiv Jollll Dflgflil has. or hadfa bee ill ills bolllWi. lie was kicked out of Souill “a because he larcached sonic lv " " ‘:1 and wished to found all African r 11c for tllc Africans. At ollc film illc atlilloritics who are or were raﬁlrr nervous, but‘ I know John vcry all. Ho is u really stout . ii" lmlllapped you because’

l‘ll‘. that iile Governor would rccogll... iill iilciwpclldcllt community. Your ciluuffcul" and escort have been returllcrl llUlll!‘ safe. Look here. Mrs. Governor. a tlliilk you Hi6 a 800d spoil. ‘Gillan. You know I am going to lll3l‘l‘_\‘ Afzlrgarct. Will you do a little silackc of work for Empire. Of John should be shot ' ill. although lie did

course. ivnr olrl (or i1‘ mp;

your car where it could be recovered.

flow. would you mind if I recom -'.' , mended him for tile vacant profes-v f I think " it will make a good British sublcct;

sorsliip at the new college;

out of him." Now I Smith had no sense of humor, Thar,

was a‘- thﬁ beginning of the chronicle. ‘_ l‘

She turncd to "that deleliui" and thrust out hcr hand. "Of course." said she. like a perfect sporlsivomal-l,

She did better than that. Before the night's festivities. were over, a, huge Ethiopian camc up the stall-s of Government HOILSC. Major Harlow was there to welcome him. "ftir. Jlim9ﬁ————." said lhe guallt. "Come inside. old fellow, and l will iliiro- cluce you to tile Govelulor."

Mrs. Governor droppczi on: and nodded delightfully. "Oil. .\lr. Dagon. ‘ my husburd will be charmed to sec Wu. A ltI/rrry Cllrlsllllils to you."

oAlTlzR oaizenrs CHRISTMAS

Collllnucd on page 8

"fl/ferry (Jllrlsinlus t0 ‘cc. Griflcr." said 01c Jargc.

“Bar. ear." said the chorus.

"Opes as ‘ow the moty-car won't break down]; said Cobblerdan. You mlaln ‘cavy. Gaffer!"

Young Dick stepped into the wait- ing molor car.

"Come one, grandfather." he said. arranging a soft cushion on which Gaffer was l.o sit. ‘You'll be nice and comfortable.“

Gaffer looked round on his assem- bled cronies.‘ Silas, always a pessim- ist, lvcnt forward. "Shake 'ands. Gaffer," he said. "’us may never see ‘ee again, if the moty-car do break clown. I only read in the paper this ' 'cre mornin‘—-"

"Shut up yer tater-trap." said old‘ '_

Bill. ‘Buck up, Gaffer! You'se for the turkey!" . Polly took Gaﬂer by the arm;

Young Dick stretched out his hand to help him into the car and Gaffer placed one foot inside. He lookwd round at his cronies again, all of g them with a grin on their faces. Gaffer withdrew his foot from the car. He shook of! Polly'a arm. he looked towards the little cottage. the door of which was still open.

“No," said Gaffer Green. ‘No, dang me if I go."

And he didn't.

“Dang me! I'll spend Christmas at home." said Gaffer Green. “same as I've done for eighty years!"

Arid he did!

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iiusziolns 0i Tilt‘ (Jllristlnus Dance Arid Th:

said that Mrs. Governor"

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