Chapter XXIV:
Oliver Fails on Search Expedition for Eva
He lost no time in taking his departure. Even the absence of Twe did not delay him, as he hoped to meet Tobey, who was visiting his home at Cape Coast Castle and was to meet him at Axim.
After the brothers had parted and the steamer had disappeared in the southwestern horizon, the Earl of Dubley, who was now the Governor's guest, inquired of the Governor if he were convinced of the authenticity of the sad tidings.
"Unfortunately it is true beyond a doubt. I could not relate the horrible circumstances because he has suffered too cruelly already. He will be safe with a military escort, which he will receive at the frontier.
"The longing to see his daughter will soon convince him of the fruitlessness of his errand.
"These Arabian priests travel all over the continent either as fanatic teachers or cunning traders, who profit by the credulity of the African and secure the natural wealth of the country in exchange for charms and trinkets."
"Their adaptability to every environment and their gift of learning languages and dialects aid them in their successful enterprise.
"This priest saved Oliver's life from the Boreform society and travelled as his companion," the Governor concluded.
"Yes, Oliver told me of him, but it seems as if he afterward tried to take Oliver's life and kidnapped Lucretia, so I can understand why Oliver doubts him," Lord Dubley replied.
"The man's story was too true, I examined him closely. He says that he entered a town just as the leopard society sacrificed a white woman. We have that state of affairs and trouble in the southern part of Sierra Leone Protectorate, so that I can readily believe his statement.
"Boreform, the name of the mother society, means to dispatch from the earth. They believe that the victims are receiving an honor when they send them to take messages for and attend as servants or companions to some big chief or warrior.
"I am really glad that I am spared the unpleasant task of informing my old friend of this last tragedy. This morning's mail brought the news of the death of the old squire.
"But be not too despondent, my lord, Eva was very much adored by me also. The poor child is out of her troubles; we must now protect her motherless little girl.
"She will be my constant care. You may have no uneasiness upon her account," the Governor concluded in an emotional tone as he held out his hand and hurriedly left.
When Twe followed Alpha from the bottom he had no time to call the assistance of the police, because the wily Arabian left the hotel immediately and preceded him in a merry chase around the town.
Twe finally caught a glimpse of him as he slipped within a bamboo hut on the Kissy road.
Twe hid until he saw Alpha finally leave the rear exit in his old costume of white turban and gown and a bundle under his arm.
Twe trailed him unobserved to the railway office, where he purchased a ticket and Twe secured one also and boarded a compartment near his wary antagonist.
Twe shadowed him through the interior, constantly seeking an opportunity to recover the paper as Alpha slumbered, but he was foiled every time, and one night came very near paying his life for his daring, when Alpha awoke just as he was searching Alpha's breast pocket for the paper.
One day they were walking through a palm grove. Alpha was a good distance ahead as usual.
Twe saw a large pile of picked and choice palm nuts under a tree which Alpha was hastily approaching.
Twe smiled and sat down. He knew the penalty the unsuspecting victim pays who dares disturb those tempting piles of palm nuts seemingly abandoned.
Alpha sat beside the pulpy nuts and ate as many as he could, after which he unloosed a part of his turban, tied up a large quantity, when he arose to resume his journey.
"Uh! Uh! Uh! Ugh!" reached the ears of both Alpha and Twe at the same time. Looking around they saw a large gorilla bounding after Alpha.
Alpha's white gown flapped in the wind like a sail, while the gorilla followed closely behind, and Twe brought up the rear as he shook with mirth.
Alpha threw the palm nuts away and halted his pursuer for a moment. The chase was soon resumed when the chimpanzee caught the end of the shirt, but Alpha wiggled out.
The monkey threw the gown down in a rage and continued his pursuit. Two picked up the gown and searched for the map, which he found secured in an inside pocket.
He then looked to see how the race had ended, when he saw the gorilla dragging Alpha by one leg to the woods.
Shrugging his shoulders Twe folded up the gown and calmly walked away.