Chapter XXII:
The Valley of Allah

One day about three weeks afterward, the party descended from a steep and thickly-wooded hill on foot. They were very much surprised at the sight of a beautiful valley covered with velvety green lawn grass, lying almost on a perfect level before them. In the center was a small pond covered with water lilies upon which stood tall white herons and jacanas perched upon one leg and dozing in the sunshine.

The diameter of the pond was about twenty feet, and a mixed variety of lilies bordered its banks. On the lawn were tropical fruit and ornamental trees of every description, while orchids, cape jessamines, wild roses, ferus and flowers in a large variety bloomed in luxuriant and lovely disorder.

In the branches of the trees, the loud notes of the turacos mingled with the merry whistle of the grey parrots, while the beautiful plumaged birds of variegated colors chirped and hopped about, undisturbed by the recent arrivals.

An antelope scampered away at first, but it soon returned with several others and walked about the lawn in restored confidence.

"Where do you think we are, Montcrief?" Rev. Jones asked in real surprise.

"We have been following the S.S.W. course as you directed," Oliver replied.

"Hush! listen to the murmur behind that traveller tree. Look! Those are the mission boys repeating something from the Koran, and here comes old Sampson, who lives near the mission plantation. Will wonders never cease?"

"Hello, Sampson! Where are we and whose park is this?" Rev. Jones remarked as he hailed old Sampson.

The old African was almost toothless, and bent upon a cane as he walked. "You lif be close de mission, and dis be Allah valley," he replied.

"The vale of Allah," Oliver repeated, "old Mulley's prophecy has come too true." He then related the sand reading at Musadu and Mulley's warning.

"That reminds me," he continued, as he opened the spring of his bracelet and extracted the leopard's claw and chain, "come, Lucretia, I hope that the leopard claw will reunite us with your mother, as he also prophesied," he repeated as he secured the chain around her neck and cautioned her never to part from the claw.

"What are the mission boys doing kneeling behind those trees, Sampson?" Rev. Jones asked.

"Dey lif for pray Allah for good luck Mass Jones," he replied.

Lucretia wandered around and picked a large orchid. Old Sampson, observing her, smiled and said. "Pickete flower Allah valley findee plenty good luck in same valley bye and bye," he repeated as he arose to proceed on his way, after having directed the party to the nearest route. He went in the direction of the hill which they had just descended.

The party ascended the opposite hill, which was steep and wooded, and descended into a valley, when they soon perceived the beacon light of the mission house shining down upon them from a near hill.

Arriving at the mission, Lucretia was taken to the warm and motherly breast of Mrs. Jones. She quickly changed the raiment of the young girl and fitted her with mission clothes from the stock.

"Oliver was very impatient to begin the search for Eva, and on the next morning said to Rev. Jones, "When do you think you can supply me with an outfit for my return journey, by to-morrow? I should be glad if you will keep Lucretia here until our return."

"I have been thinking over the subject, Montcrief, and I want to suggest that you take Lucretia home and leave her in your brother's care, and entrust me with the mission of finding your lost wife.

"If she still lives you may be sure that I will find her or die in the attempt.

"You have been through so many adventures, and your brother has also suffered from the suspense. You owe this to your daughter, who must be twelve or thirteen years of age."

"Eleven," Oliver corrected.

"She is large for her age," the Rev. continued, "and even at that age she needs to receive the education and culture suitable to her station."

"All of that is true, Rev., but I can send a cablegram to the coast for Harold, who will arrange to have Lucretia taken home in case I fail to return in six months.

"I cannot bear to think what might happen to Eva should Alpha find her whereabouts, while I am resting safely within the mission.

"I do not fear the natives so much since Lucretia related the kind treatment and respect which they received upon the Yahweh mountain."

"Master I see Alpha lif for hide around the mission. He done follow we here," Twe announced, as he hastily approached the two men upon the front veranda.

"That decides the matter according to your suggestion, Rev.," Oliver continued as he nodded to Twe and turned toward Rev. Jones.

"The scamp is following me, and if I should return into the interior, he would very likely come across Eva before I should and revenge himself upon her just as his wicked and cunning brain directs.

"If he follows me to Freetown, I shall take care of him, for with your Winchester and Lucretia as my charge, I will not take the chances I so unwisely took in the woods.

"I shall place Lucretia with the Catholic sisters and instruct Harold by letter as to her future. Of course I shall cable him as soon as I reach the coast.

"I shall soon secure an outfit and an escort for an expedition party.

"I hope, however, that you will have succeeded in locating Eva, and that I shall find her awaiting me here when I return. You may be sure that I shall not be gone two months."

Mrs. Jones completed a wardrobe for the girls in a very short time, and Oliver, looking almost the same as when he first started, except for the tan upon his hands and forehead, and the sad wistful look and ill-fitting clothes, started from the mission, one week after his arrival, taking with him Lucretia, Zina, Tobey, Twe and the mission carriers. Yanga remained to assist in the search for her mistress.

Rev. Jones accompanied the party on the canoe trip as far Bumba.

"You will soon reach Axim on the gold coast. It was there that the natives sunk the famous chair of gold in the 80's when they heard that some foreigners were about to visit the country. The chair was of solid gold and of fine workmanship. You have seen a sample of the African gold craftsmanship, so you can appreciate the worth of the chair."

"Togoland is their next neighbor; we are near Oppobo, the country made historic in the early 90's, when King Jaja, the king of an independent kingdom, was exiled to the West Indies.

"I am sure that you know of Sir Harry Johnston, he was your accredited consul at King Jaja's court at the time of his exile," Rev. Jones remarked just before their parting.

At Axim Oliver cabled to Lord Dubley:

St. Stephen's Club, Westminster.

The Earl of Dubley.

Harold: Am embarking for Freetown with Lucregia, and returning to search for Eva, who is lost in the jungles. Letter follows. Love from your brother,

Oliver.

On landing at Freetown, Oliver received the following cablegram:

Oliver Montcrief, c|o P. Z. & Co.

Await my arrival. Am sailing to-night by chartered boat, will reach Freetown in eight days. Love to both. Your brother,

Harold,

Dubley Castle, Worcestershire.