CHAPTER XXI.
DIVERSE MATTERS.
The blow Van had given the Utopian was such a heavy one that the fellowwas dazed for a few seconds, and staggered about blindly after he hadrisen to his feet.
The girl had promptly flown to Van for protection, saying in fairEnglish as he did so:
"Save me from that man! He is a villain, and I hate him."
"All right, miss," replied our hero. "I'll guarantee he shan't harm youwhile I am around."
Meanwhile the man, who was a big, burly fellow, had recovered himselfand now stood glaring at Van like an enraged lion.
He drew a long knife from beneath the coatlike garment he wore, and madea move toward the boy.
Crack! It was our hero's revolver that spoke, and the knife dropped tothe ground with a ring, leaving the fellow's arm hanging limp at hisside.
The report of the revolver could but attract a crowd, and the nextminute over a score of people were on the spot, among them being Poppetand Van's companions.
The cowardly villain watched his opportunity to sneak off, his woundedarm dangling at his side.
"Tell these people what has happened," said Van, addressing the girl.
She obeyed him promptly enough, and when she had concluded a cheer wentup from the crowd.
"Thank you," said she, turning to her champion and shaking him warmly bythe hand. "Call and see me this evening; my papa will be home then.Don't fail!"
The next moment she left the crowd and entered the house.
"By Jove! Van, you are a dandy, and no mistake!" exclaimed Jack Howard."Here I have been all over this city, and haven't had an opportunity ofbeing of service to an old woman, let alone a pretty girl like that. Youare a lucky fellow, anyhow."
"Why," observed Joe, turning his large eyes upon those of the youngEnglishman, "do you like pretty girls so much?"
"I like all girls, whether pretty or not," replied Jack, "but in all mytravels I never met but one girl whom I liked enough to take for a wife;and I was not with her long enough to learn much about her."
"Where was it you met her, may I ask?"
"Oh, it was here in this beastly African country. It was just after westarted on our trip--some days before we came across you. She had a verypretty name, too. Masie Langford, I believe it was."
All at once Joe began to act very strange. He reeled about like adrunken man, and would have fallen to the ground had not Jack caughthim.
"Why, what's the matter, my boy?" asked he, in surprise.
"Nothing--nothing. I had a faintness come over me, that's all. You knowI am subject to fainting."
"That's so, little fellow. Well, never mind, we'll get back to the houseand you can lay down. Here, take my arm, I'll help you walk along."
All hands now left the spot and started with Poppet for his house.
On the way Poppet explained to Van that the girl he had championed wasthe prettiest in the entire city and that she had suitors by the score.
She was the daughter of one of the city officers, and the same girl whohad been insulted by Doc Clancy.
The fellow Van had knocked down was also a city officer, and Poppet wasafraid there might be trouble on account of what had happened.
"In such a place as this there should never be any trouble," said Van.
"There has been very little heretofore," was the reply, "but ere long agreat trouble will overtake the good people of the African Utopia. Ihave felt it in the air for months past."
"What is the matter? Is there a sort of split between the people?"
"That's just it exactly. Our good president leads what I consider aloyal faction, and the man you knocked down a few minutes ago is theleader of the opposite side."
"You think there will be a fight, then?"
"It is liable to happen at any time."
"Well, let it happen. We will take a hand in it. I guess we have enoughcartridges left to kill off a hundred or two."
"I suppose you favor the president," said Poppet.
"I should say so. He is my father."
"What!" gasped the astonished Utopian. "Your father?"
"Yes, sir, he is."
"Come off, Van. What do you mean?" spoke up Jack Howard, who waslistening to the conversation.
Van then related the result of his interview with the president.
Of course all hands were more than astonished. Their whole trip had beena regular romance, but Van finding his father topped it off completely.
But they had arrived at the house by this time, and nothing more wassaid on the subject.
That evening Van was more than particular in making his toilet.
He was going to call upon the pretty girl as he had promised.
He learned that her name was Metha Arundel before he set out.
He intended to make his call but a short one, as he had promised hisfather to be at the council meeting which was called to determine themanner of death Doc Clancy was to die.
Van had scarcely rapped upon the door of the house where the fair onelived when it was opened.
A servant ushered him into a brilliantly lighted room, where the girland her father were awaiting him.
Both had learned by this time that Van was the son of the president, andthey greeted him accordingly.
The old gentleman could converse very well in English, and when half anhour had been pleasantly spent he arose and took his departure for thecouncil meeting, stating that he was going to make a charge against theman who had insulted his daughter.
Van soon forgot all about the fact that he intended to go to the councilmeeting.
Metha's company was so charming that it was quite late when he arose togo.
Though the couple had but met that day, both were badly smitten.
Now that Van had chased Doc Clancy to his doom, and found his father insuch an unexpected manner, he felt that he could turn a little of hisattention to love.
From the little he knew of Metha she just suited him; and vice versa.
It was too late to go to the council meeting when he left the girl, sohe went direct to his father's house.
He found his friends all there with very ample accommodations assignedto them.
From them he learned that Doc Clancy was to be hanged the next morningat sunrise.
In the Depths of the Dark Continent; or, The Vengeance of Van Vincent Page 21