"GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART." 217 



where you were, he might have come forward and offered his hand in friendship?" 

 Jack Harvey cast such a scornful glance upon the director that the latter came 

 near waking the camp with his merry laughter. 



" Let me look at that spear," said he, reaching his hand for the weapon which 

 lack had picked up from the ground. 



The director carefully examined it. The handle was made of hard, smooth 

 wood, resembling bamboo. The head was symmetrical in outline and secured 

 immovably in place. 



"These people have some way of obtaining iron," remarked Mr. Godkin, notic- 

 ing that the head was constructed of that metal. " It may be they understand how 

 to make it, or more likely they get it from the traders." 



Inspecting the point by the light of the fire, Mr. Godkin fancied he could see * 

 yellowish substance on the end, though he was by no means certain. 



"I know a good way of telling whether it's p'isoned," said Jack Harvey. 



"How?" 



"Give him a jab with it; if it don't kill him, it isn't p'isoned, while, if it does 

 kill him, you can make up your mind there's been some fooling with it." 



Mr. Godkin pointed the weapon at the naked breast of the native, as if about to 

 make the test Jack suggested. He expected the prisoner to shrink and show every 

 sign of terror, but there was nothing of the kind. He had been frightened from the 

 first, but when the point of his own spear almost pricked his chest, he assumed a 

 smile that was childlike and bland. 



"Why, Jack, you have done the fellow an injustice," said Mr. Godkin, handing 

 the weapon to Wart, who had just returned from a reconnoiter of the camp, " that 

 weapon is an honest one." 



"It does look that way," replied Jack, not fully satisfied, however, that the 

 director's conclusion was correct; "but, even if the spear isn't loaded, it wouldn't 

 be a pleasant thing to have run through your body." 



"Well, he is our prisoner; what shall we do with him?" 



"Ask them" replied the Texan, pointing to Wart and Adz, who were interested 

 spectators of the scene. 



The question had to be propounded in pantomime, but it was easy to make the 

 native understand that their opinion was wanted as to the proper way to dispose of 

 their captive. 



The answer of both was unmistakable. They favored the severest measures 

 toward the African, who had been arrested in the very act of launching his weapon 

 at the director of the enterprise, for whom they held a strong affection. 



Wart reached out his hand for the javelin, and, gently touching the point with 

 his finger, shrank back as though it had given him a distressing wound. 



"He believes it is poisoned," said Jack, with a laugh; "you can't fool him, for 

 he is a native of this country." 



"They seem to think we ought to punish the fellow, but I didn't agree to follow 

 their wishes Jack, I am sure you would not consent to slay the wretch in cold blood. H 



