A sky like flame,and an atmosphere of sulphur.No breath of air,not a single ruffle in the great,drooping leaves of the African trees and dense,prickly shrubs.All around the dank,nauseous odour of poison flowers,the ceaseless dripping of poisonous moisture.From the face of the man who stood erect,unvanquished as yet in the struggle for life,the fierce sweat poured like rain -his older companion had sunk to the ground and the spasms of an ugly death were twitching at his whitening lips.
"I'm done,Trent,"he gasped faintly."Fight your way on alone.
You've a chance yet.The way's getting a bit easier -I fancy we're on the right track and we've given those black devils the slip!
Nurse your strength!You've a chance!Let me be.It's no use carrying a dead man."Gaunt and wild,with the cold fear of death before him also,the younger man broke out into a fit of cursing.
"May they rot in the blackest corner of hell,Oom Sam and those miserable vermin!"he shouted."A path all the way,the fever season over,the swamps dry!Oh!when I think of Sam's smooth jargon I would give my chance of life,such as it is,to have him here for one moment.To think that beast must live and we die!""Prop me up against this tree,Trent -and listen,"Monty whispered.
"Don't fritter away the little strength you have left."Trent did as he was told.He had no particular affection for his partner and the prospect of his death scarcely troubled him.Yet for twenty miles and more,through fetid swamps and poisoned jungles,he had carried him over his shoulder,fighting fiercely for the lives of both of them,while there remained any chance whatever of escape.Now he knew that it was in vain,he regretted only his wasted efforts -he had no sentimental regrets in leaving him.It was his own life he wanted -his own life he meant to fight for.
"I wouldn't swear at Oom Sam too hard,"Monty continued."Remember for the last two days he was doing all he could to get us out of the place.It was those fetish fellows who worked the mischief and he -certainly -warned us all he could.He took us safely to Bekwando and he worked the oracle with the King!""Yes,and afterwards sneaked off with Francis,"Trent broke in bitterly,"and took every bearer with him -after we'd paid them for the return journey too.Sent us out here to be trapped and butchered like rats.If we'd only had a guide we should have been at Buckomari by now.""He was right about the gold,"Monty faltered.It's there for the picking up.If only we could have got back we were rich for life.
If you escape -you need never do another stroke of work as long as you live."Trent stood upright,wiped the dank sweat from his forehead and gazed around him fiercely,and upwards at that lurid little patch of blue sky.
"If I escape!"he muttered."I'll get out of this if I die walking.
"I'm sorry you're done,Monty,"he continued slowly."Say the word and I'll have one more spell at carrying you!You're not a heavy weight and I'm rested now!"But Monty,in whose veins was the chill of death and who sought only for rest,shook his head.
"It shakes me too much,"he said,"and it's only a waste of strength.
You get on,Trent,and don't you bother about me.You've done your duty by your partner and a bit more.You might leave me the small revolver in case those howling savages come up -and Trent!""Yes "The picture -just for a moment.I'd like to have one look at her!"Trent drew it out from his pocket -awkwardly -and with a little shame at the care which had prompted him to wrap it so tenderly in the oilskin sheet.Monty shaded his face with his hands,and the picture stole up to his lips.Trent stood a little apart and hated himself for this last piece of inhumanity.He pretended to be listening for the stealthy approach of their enemies.In reality he was struggling with the feeling which prompted him to leave this picture with the dying man.
"I suppose you'd best have it,"he said sullenly at last.
But Monty shook his head feebly and held out the picture.
Trent took it with an odd sense of shame which puzzled him.He was not often subject to anything of the sort.
"It belongs to you,Trent.I lost it on the square,and it's the only social law I've never broken -to pay my gambling debts.
There's one word more!"
"Yes."
"It's about that clause in our agreement.I never thought it was quite fair,you know,Trent!""Which clause?""The clause which -at my death -makes you sole owner of the whole concession.You see -the odds were scarcely even,were they?It wasn't likely anything would happen to you!""I planned the thing,"Trent said,"and I saw it through!You did nothing but find a bit of brass.It was only square that the odds should be in my favour.Besides,you agreed.You signed the thing.""But I wasn't quite well at the time,"Monty faltered."I didn't quite understand.No,Trent,it's not quite fair.I did a bit of the work at least,and I'm paying for it with my life!""What's it matter to you now?"Trent said,with unintentional brutality."You can't take it with you."Monty raised himself a little.His eyes,lit with feverish fire,were fastened upon the other man.
"There's my little girl!"he said hoarsely."I'd like to leave her something.If the thing turns out big,Trent,you can spare a small share.There's a letter here!It's to my lawyers.They'll tell you all about her."Trent held out his hands for the letter.
"All right,"he said,with sullen ungraciousness."I'll promise something.I won't say how much!We'll see.""Trent,you'll keep your word,"Monty begged."I'd like her to know that I thought of her.""Oh,very well,"Trent declared,thrusting the letter into his pocket."It's a bit outside our agreement,you know,but I'll see to it anyhow.Anything else?"Monty fell back speechless.There was a sudden change in his face.
Trent,who had seen men die before,let go his hand and turned away without any visible emotion.Then he drew himself straight,and set his teeth hard together.
