Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 2, 1894, Page 18

iii LOST OPAL OF MY80 E, OR THE SEORET OF THE GHANTS, Ny Willia (Copyright, 1804, by William Murray G CHAPTER V. “THE VILLAGE IN THE FOREST. There was no mistaking the identity of the approaching horsemen. Beyond doubt a troop of the rajah’s flerco soldlery were | in hot chase of the fugitives. Aud to be overtaken meant sure death by tulwar or builets, Little marvel that Myles and Jack turned pale, or that Paltu whimpered with fear. Byen Piok Triscott hesitated a moment while he pecred right and left into the dense, inviting shelter of the jungle. Then & light broke suddenly on his perplexed mind. “We must part, lads”’ he exclaimed hastily. “I'll go it alone. 1 did wrong to drag you into such a mess. Walk your ‘orses back into the road we just lett, and then''— *“No you don't the way you go. “S0 do 1,” cried Myles, and Paltu stoutly expressed a similar Intention. Pink made a vehement but futile protest. | “Well, you are a bull-headed lot,” he mut- tered, half in anger, half in admiration. ** ‘Ere goes for a race, then. The rajah’s cut-throats are just past the village, and that's a mile behind. Don’t epare your ‘orses. We must gain, and 1 believe we can do it. He ferked the gray mare around, and | spurred madly into the left-hand fork of the | road. The boys galloped after him, and the chance of safety they had refused was gone beyond recall. ,They rodo on and on through the silvery | night, while mio after mile of jungle and grain' field fell behind them. The clatter of their stceds drowned every other sound, but once, on a bit of turf-covered rcad, they caught the distant pounding of hoofs. “Do you ‘ear that?" gald Pink. Ve're *olding our own, iads. But they ‘ang on like bloodhour.d . And every whit as keen on the scent the rajal’s human hounds proved themselves | n Murray Graydon, interrupted Jack. “I go PINK POKED HIS RIFLE Boys a» | and’ dritted help! thirty or forty feet across the river Pink poked his rifle through the bushes, took careful aim and fired Crack! the foremost horse rolled oaver sly away on the current. 1ts rider disentangled himself from the sad dle and waded shoreward with rapid strides. Pluk could have shot the felow, but he hesitated to shed blood needlessly. Had he kuown tho ideatity of the rufflan would probably have pulted the trigger. The first tuste of roal warfare inflamed the boys and they were eager to fire. But Piok checked their ardor by a few judicious words, “I'm not shooting to kill," he added. may come to that, though. Wateh, lads He fired twice in quick succession, and the first ehot brought a horse to its knees. Tho second ball went a little too high and hit one of the men. The fellow was plainly seen to reel in his saddle, but he did not fall “That was & mistake" muttered “but I won't go in mourning for look there, lads.” As he spoke the troopers pulled up with a burst of savage yells. Then they wheelad their steeds about and made for the shore they had just left. The loss of two horses and a man at the start warned them what they might expect if they persisted in cross- Ing the river. As soon as they reached the bank they opened a hot fire on the copse of bushes But by this time the fugitives had retreated unseen to the grove of date palms. “That river did us a good turn,” said Pink. We're pretty safe now. You see the troopers won't dare to cross while they think we're ‘cre. They'll likely ride up stream to look for another ford. “But we're not going to stay here?” asked Myles. “Hardly, lad a bit, so the the move. streak.” Pink's wise plan was carried out. The horses were ied slowly along the road for nearly a quarter of a mile. Then, all belng quiet in the rear, the little party mounted ot now, Pink it—ah! We'll walk the ‘orses for enemy don't know we're on Then we'll cut away like THROUGH THE BUSHES. through the remaining hours of mentous night. As often as the ominous ring of hoofs was | heard in the rear the fugitives urged their | Norses to greater speed. Toward morning the country grew more rugged and lonely, and the road was frequently cut by brawling streams, The first glimmer of dawn in the eastern | skies found Pink and his parly more than thirty miles from Mysore and galloping furi- ously through a forest of gigantic trees. Steeds and riders were sorely in want of rest | and food, yet there was but a scant prospect of obtalning either. In spite of all that pluck and courage could do, the grim hand of death was almost upon them. The relentless chase was nearing its end, Only half a mile behind rode a dozen savage troops, armed to the testh, and mounted on the pick of the rajah's stables. Occasionally, when the nature of the road permitted, the fugitives could see the dusky horsemen spurring madly onward in the gray light of early morn. Every minute the | distance lessened. | ““We'll soon have to stop and fight,”” cried | Jack, whose pale face was stamped with terror. “No use,” replie! Pink. one, and we'd be st ahibs let horses suggested Paltu. 'Yes, t 's our last chanc assented Pink. “I ‘ate to try it, because it means goodbye to the opal. Come, lads, one more spurt. Something may turn up.'’ Five minutes longer the race continued. Pursuers and pursued urging their horses to the very limit of speed, and neither party made any visible gain, Then the narrow road suddenly curved and a few yards ahead it ended on the bank of | a swirling torrent—a rapld and apparently deep stream, nearly 400 yards broad. ‘The fugitives checked their panting steeds at the verge cf the shore, “This is a branch of the Cauvery river,” cried Myles. “It is fordable in the dry season.'" “But not now,"” muttered Pink. “It is stlll high from the rainstorms in the ghauts. | We've got to cross, though. It's sure death to stay 'ere. And once we reach the shelter of the other bank I've got a little scheme to try on. 'Ere goes, lads.'" The gray mare gallantly led the way and the others f wed. Rapidly the horses splashed deeper and deeper into the flood. Soon it reached their bellies, and when it rose still higher they quaffed the water in gulps as they struggled on. Near midchannel the bottom shelved down- ward and instintly the horses were out of their depth. ‘The noble brutes swam des- perately across the current, all the while drifting down stream. It was a perilous and | critical moment. As yet the enemy was not | in sight, but the clattering of hoofs could be | distinet'y heard. “‘We'll make it,” cheerfully shouted Pink. | “Keep your weapons and ammunition dry.” | A few seconds later the gray mare and | the two black chargers struck bottom and waded higher and higher through the {ual\ shallowing waters. But the little Afghan pony, being still out of its depth, lost| strength and went drifting away on the tide, ¥ | Paltu tried vainly to urgs him to further efforts. Then he slipped off the animal's back and swam lustily for shore, holding his rifle overhead with one hand. He ar- rived safely at the same time as his com- panions, and ran nimbly up the sandy beach at the heels of the horses. Just as they entered the continuation of the road the Hindoo troopers appeared on the opposite baok. They unslung thelr rifles and opened fire. But their alm was poor, and the fugitives quickly got out of range by penetrating a grove of date palms for some yards. Here Pink made his companions dismount. “We've gained one advantage'' he sald, “and now I'm going to show you ‘ow to gain another.” He led them back to a denso fringe of vocks and bushes near the water's edge, from which they could command a good ‘view of the river without belng seen them- welyes. They paid but scant attention to the Al( an pouy, whose head was still visible some fifty yards down midstream. A far more interesting sight was the bunch of bloodthirsty troopsrs, now riding eagerly out from the opposite bank. The first rays of the n' shone on their grim faces aud foam- ed steeds, on their bristling array of , tulwars and spears, on the flashing metal helmets and breast plates of chain wrmor. | that mo- “They'ré four to t down double quick. » and hide in forest, ‘When the horsemen had splashed some and rode on, Paltu Myles. The prospect now looked bright and hope- ful, and when a straggling village was reached, some half dozen miles beyond the river, Pink ventured to order a halt. While the horses were being rubbed down and fed, Myles induced a rascaliy-looking Hindeo to part with some food for the con- sideration of a rupee. The rice, eggs and chupatties (coarse cakes) looked far from palatable; but hunger made a keen relish and they were eagerly devoured. The natives gathered curiously about the travelers and watched them depart in sullen silence. “Those fellows looked mighty anxious to cut our throats,” said Pink, as the village faded from sight. “No doubt they're ex- pecting the revolt against British rule.” “They'il expect in vain if we get hold of the opal,” replied Myles. Pink laughed and then immediately looked grave. “We musn't be overconfident,” he said. “TLose 'eathen troopers will be on our track again before the day ends.” “And what of it?” exclaimed Jack. “‘We ought to show them clean heels. Our horses have been rested and fed, and we've got full stomachs ourselves.” “If we only had an hour or two of sleep,’ added Myles, wistfully. “You may get a few winks before sun- down,” replled Pink, “though it's too soon yet to promise. For my part I don’t need it, but you lads are not accustomed to rough campaigning.” “Lam,” indignantly cried Jack. “If row- ing ain't campalgning 1'd like to know what [re Pink did climbing up behind not answer. He had relapsed into sober thought and would not be roused. He was probably pondering over that mysterious barrier of Tippoo Sahib's, the nature of which was yet unknown to the boys. So the morning wore on while the three sturdy horses put many a mile behind them. With every hour that failed to bring the ciat ter of pursuing hoofs the fugitives waxed more confident. About noon they wers compelled to leave the trunk road, which here turned west- ward toward Mercara, the chief town of the mountainous little state of Coorg. Instead they followed a rude jungle path where their jaded horses had to move with much lcss speed. The country was now impressively wild and lovely—perhaps more so than any other part of India. The great triangle forming the southern part of the empire—and of which the state of Mysore is a very small fraction—is known as the Deccan. Along one coast line run the eastern ghauts, and along the other the western ghauts. The name implies terraces, or steps, and just £o do the mountafts rise up to meet the vast tableland which the Decean virtually is. With two exceptions all the rivers of the Decean rise in the western ghauts and empty into the bay ot Bengal on the east coast. Toward these western ghauts Pink Tris- cott was now leading his companiors in their desperate race against the rajah’s troopers for the magic opal. The nearness of the mountains was clearly shown by the succession of ravines, through which brawled raging but shallow torrents, and by the vast primeval forests of teak. ebony, sandalwood and mahogany that al. most hid the sky by their matted foliage. It was not pleasant for the travelers to reflect that on all sides lurked tigers, ele- phants, bison and many other speciés of savage animals. But they feared human tigers even more, and through the long, sultry hours of the afternoon they urged their jaded horses for- ward, themselves hardly able to sit erect Within an hour of sunset they paused on the coast of a ridge which a hurricano had partly denuded of timber. In front, at a distance of ten miles, the countless peaks of the ghauts majestically pierced the sky. To the rear a landscape of jungle and forest stretched seventy miles to Mysore, The air was very still. There was scarcely a sound except bird notes or the frequent cry of some prowling beast. No dlstant thud of hoofs alarmed the fugitives. “I've always wanted to ses those moun- tains close,” sald Myies. *'I had no ‘dea they were 80 big. It looks to me as though find- ing the opal was golng to be worse than hunting a needle in a hay rick.” “I hope mot” replled Jack. But haven't even got a map, Plak, have you T don’t need one,” ‘said Pink. “I've got what 1 ‘eard in the palace that night tucked you he | | ravine I ‘ear water. | scanty a| wd Gurls. away ‘ere,” patting his head, “and Ive got something else, tco." “What fs it?" the boys asked eagerly. For answer Pink pointed a finger at the dis- tant monatains | ‘Do you see those two twin peaks straight d? They've got flat tops, and there| * @ lot of emaller peaks this side. Well, at’s my landmark, and oues we reach It | the rest won't be ‘ard.” | The boys gazed at the indicated spot with keen interest. “The peaks look to ba | protty back in the mountains,” said | Myles “About ten miles,” Pink replied, twenty altogether from ‘ere. But if it wi only five we oughtn't to make the stretch without rest and sleep. Down in yonder We'll risk it, lads, and well snatch a few winks. This was weleome tidings. The boys were baggard from exhaustion, and even Pink felt more fatigue than he chose to confess to, they gladly spurred their horses down the opposite slope of the ridge. Sure cnough, there was a fussy little brook in the trough of the ravine. The thirsty travelers, brute and human, drank their fill of the deliclously cocl water. Then the remains of the rice and chupatties | caten, and Pink gave the horses a plentiful measure of grain, afterwards tying t n to a bunch of saplings. It was a very lonely place. side was a pile of stones, and in it w inserted a bamboo staff with a little tri- angular flag fluttering from the end. This indicated that a man had recently been slain here by a tiger. The boys were naturally alarmed by the discovery, but Pink reassured them. “I'm going to keep watch,” he declared, “and no tiger will catch me napping. I'li take my share of sleep another time. Turn in now, lads, or you won't 'ave your peepers shut till T make you open them His companions were too slecpy to protest agalnst this unequal division of guard duty. They spread their blankets in the middle of the path, and were almost instantly in de: slumber, Pink kept a watchful eye upon them and the horses as he paced up and down with his rifle over his shoulder. The brief Indlan twilight fell, and ere it was succeeded by the blackness of night he built a blazing fire on each side of the little camp. Between watching and listening and gathering fuel ho now had his hands full, ““The troopers may ‘ave taken ar road,” he soliloquized, “‘though that's ‘ardly likely. But I'd stake a lakh of rupees that they ain’t within five miles. And unless they "ave eyes like bats they won't ride a steeple- chase by night through such a bit of country. "Ullo, how about torches?" The reflection put him in a quandary for a moment. He half turned to waken the boys, but changed his mind and went on with the vigil. An hour slipped by. Along the road- ther The savage beasts of the forests were out of their lairs and prowling about in search of food, But the ruddy fires warned them off from the viclnity of the camp. In the far distance Pink heard weird cries and dull, crashing noises. Once a tiger roared and a herd of elephants trumpeted a shrill deflance. He rejoiced that it was no worss. What he most dreaded to hear was the ring of ap- proaching hoofs. And at last it actually came—a faint, muf- fled clatter, that rose and fell on the night air. There was a burning wrath in Pink’s heart as he roused the soundly sleeping lads and hastily told them of the danger. While they untied the horses he chose a resinous brand from one of ths fires, and then extin- gulshed the flames with water. A minute sufficed for the fugitives to mount. Guided by the light of Pink’s torch they crossed the stream and spurred up the rugged hillside. The boys felt stronger after their brief sleep and tried to face the situ- atlon bravely, but they doubted if their hopses could hold out in a long race. And the peril was even they belicved. . When they top of the hill and looked saw lights flashing on the ridge. Then the quickened hoofs told that the troopers Pink's torch. Craft and caution were needless now ‘There was nothing for it-but a mad dash. Down the slope galloped the fugitives, reck- less of all obstructions, and at the bottom they found a level stretch of dense timber through which the road crept sinuously. “Don't spare the spurs,” orled Pink. “Our ‘ores ought to be the better. We must beat, lads."” Op and on they pounded coverts of the forest. Pink's torch threw light aliead, and as often as the flames faded he stirred them to fresh Lfe by violent way- ing. At intervals, when the way was ruffied by turf or moss, the ominous clatter of the pur- suing troopers could be heard in the rear. It was some consolation that the sound seemed to come no nearer. But the friendly light could not be long depended upon, and it was certain that the horses would come to grief in the darkness at_their present necessary rate of speed. When the evil moment was very close the road came suddenly to an abrupt end before an arched gate, on each side of which a line of stone wall stretched into dense Jungle, The little party checked their barely in time to avoid a collision. stared in alarm at the obstruction. ““A "ostile village,” muttered Pink, 'ere's a go." “It may not be hostile,” cried Myles, “one end of the state of Coorg cuts away into Mysore near the ghauts, and that's where we are now. I'm sure of it, for the place is just like the village my father visited once and told me about. It can't belong to Mysore.” “This no be my people’s town,” broke in Paltu, “Mysore towns no have walls, sahibs." Pink hesitated briefly. There was no safe way around through the jungle, and yet he shrank from so doubtful a refuge. The nolse of hoofs in the rear decided him. “We'll risk it, lads,” he cried, striking the gate with the butt-end of a pistol, There was no response, though he ham- mered again and again. Then he lost patience and dealt vigorous blows with his rifle. At length quick footsteps were heard in the seemingly dead and deserted village, and the gate swung inward, revealing to the fugitives a dim vista of the little street of houses and gardens beyond. Yet they saw only a solitary Hindoo ru. ning spryly toward the nearest hut. As he dived Into the doorway he wheeled about and yelled shrilly “‘Beware, sahibs. eaters." closer reached the back they opposite clatter of had seen than past the black steeds They a Beware of the man- (To be c{)nflmnjjl.) NEW TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS, A world of toys was opened to me yester- day. Carterers for the trade who spend months of the year devising schemes to de- light the world of young folk have been busy putting their heads together to fashion rie- chanical toys after the things that people are doing for the holiday season. In the line of dolls novelty consists more in the ways of dressing them than in the mere modelings. Skirt dancers were there galore, some made to look exactly like Miss Lole Fuller, who introduced that style of dancing, The old negro mammy is another of the tavorite dolls. She has on a starched ging- tam gown made of bright-colored plaids, & white cotton kerchief folded about her throat, caught by a gaudy jeweled brass pin, and & bandanna handkerchief tied about her woolly head. Usually there goes with her a tiny flaxen-haired baby, whose long, lace-trimmed skirts trail over the gingham one. The arms of the nurse are made to move up and down, that the Infant doll may be held in any posi- tion. Another favored style are the little Bsqui- maux. These people were known widely to Americans through thelr visit to the World's fair, and the doll makers of the country have copied them faithfully, Most of the small chaps have % full suit of white fur on, and high cap covering tho head, being made Into the blouse coat just as the Icéland folk wore it while here, The material I cat's fur, which make [ pointed | could be them very inexpensive, abiut §1 for one ten nd trappings can bo bought with, these, and | have no doubt that after Chriptmas has supplled halt the children wifh {hem that more Arctic expedi- tlons will Bg m';:um than Lieutenant Gresly or Dr. Kane ever meditated A toy mdsterplece was shown In a three- foot wax Plerrdt, who was suppceed to be s:renad'ng his dolumbine. Plerrot wears tho artistic black and white that is associated with him: ‘on Ms head sideways sets his cldwn'd cap and in hiz hands is a mandolin. He {< asleep, with his hoad resting on ruff, and 1ohg wet eylaches curling cn his cheoks. ‘Thie crank is turned and three bells ring’ They arouse him slowly and lifting hik héhvy eyelids he plays the swoetest Prench love song on his instru ment. WHlle @oing this he drops to sleep agaln and the performance is repeated. This is & mechanlcal toy that would delight grown people. Its price is $9; A huge black bear with steol leading strings and a big drum slung around its meck beats voeiferously on it when wound Tals is cnly $30 and is a most wonderful were dolls the only artistic toys shown. There were many wonderful things for boys as well as girls. For the former has heen fashioned a fire department. The englne with two horses, hook and ladder outfit, a box of jointed firemen and many inches of hose. Such an array of fun as this outfit offers the up-to-date boy would have paralyzed his grandfather in his youth ful days. Hardly a playroom of today but fitted up from the factory with all the semblances of city life. Mail wagons we there with big Norman horses attached; grocery stores with the clerk behind the counter, and the various labelied drawers awalting contents; large stables stocked with hayracks and horses. Tremendous iron ris wheels, with small dolls enjoying the revo lution, this also belng suggested by the World's fair. Full regiments of soldiers with brass band, cages of canaries that sing, and minfature stages whereon puppets burlesq great actors are among the novelti These are just a few of the many delight-givirg things that are to please the children of the land on the 25th of this month. MR. THIMBLEFINGER AND HIS QUEER COUNTRY. The Children’s Second Visit. 1994, by Joel Chandier Harrls) BUSTER JOHN ALARMS_MR. RABBIT. When Buster John and and Drusilla returned home visit to Mr. Thimblefinger's curious thing happened. The children had made a bargain to say nothing about what they had scen and heard, but one day when there was ncbody to hear what tiey had to say Sweetest Susan concluded to tell her mother something about the visit she had made next door to the w So she be gan and told about her Grandmother of the D115, and about Mr. Thimblefinger, and all about her journcy under the spring. Her mother paid no attention at first, but after a whil> she became interested and listencd in tently to everything her little daughter said Sometimes she looked serious, sometimes she smiled and sometimes she laughed. Sweot est Susan couldn’t remember everything, but she told encugh to astonish her mother. “Darling, when did you dream such non- se as that?” the lady asked “Oh, it wash't a dream, mamma,” criel Sweetest Susan. I thought it was a dream at first, but it turned out to be no dream at all. Now, please don’t ask brother about it, and please don't ask Drusilla, for we promised tne ahother to say nothing about it. I didn’t Intend to tell you, but I forgot and began to tell you before I thought.’ A littlot whtle afterwards Sweetest Susan's mother Was tolling her husband about the wonderful imagination of their little daugh- ter, and then the neighbcrs got hold of it, and some of the old ladies put their heads to- gether over their teacups and said that it was a elgn that Sweetest Susan was too smart to stay dn this world very long. One day, while Drusilla was helping about the hcuse, Sweetest Susan's mother took oc- casion to ask,where she and the children went tho day they fafled to come to din- ne Wo wuz off get plied Drusilla. “Why, there were no plums to get,” sail tha lady. “Well, 'm, ef ‘twant plums hit must been hick'y nuts,” explained Drusilla. “Hickory nuts were not ripe, stupid."” ‘Maybe dey wasn't,” said Drusilla, stolidly, put dat dcn't hinder we chilluns from huntin® ‘em."” “You know you didn’t go after hickory nuts, Drusilla” the lady insisted. “Now, I want you to tell me where you and the children went. I'll nct be angry if you tell me, but if you don’t—" Drusilla could infer a good deal tone of the lady's voice, but she head. “Well'm,” she said, “we went down dar by de spring branch an’ all roun’ down dar. Bf we warn’t huntin’ plums ner hick'y nuts I dcne fergot what we wuz huntin’.” Drusilla_seemed £0 much in carnest that the lady didn’t push the inquiry, but when sho went into another room for a moment the negro girl looked after her and remarked to herself: “I done crossed my heart dst I wouldn't tell an’ I ain’t gwine ter. Ef I wuz ter tell she wouldn't blieve me, and so dar 'tis Swectest Susan was careful to say nothing to Buster John and Drusilla about the slip of the tongue that caused her to tell her mother about their adventure in Mr. Thim- blefinger's queer country, but she didn't fecl very comfortable when Drusilla told her how she had been questioned by her mistrees. 2t somebody ain't done gone an’ tol’ her,” sald . Drusilla, “she got fome mighty quare notions in ‘er head.” Bueter John, who had ideas of his own, ignored all th's and aid that he was golng to put an apple in the spring the next day and watch for Mr. Thimblefinger. “Well, ¢f you gwine down dar any mo',” marked Drusilla, “you can jes count me out, kase I ain't’gwine 'long wid you. I'm ono er deze ver kind er quare folks what know pint blank when dey done got nuff. I been shaky ever since we went down in dat ar place what wasn't no place."” “I will go,"" said Buster John “Huh! = Don't you feol yo'self, honey. You can’t put no ‘pen‘ence In a skeered nig- ger."” 1t you don't go yowll wish you sald Buster John, “How come?” asked Drusilla. “Wait and see,” replied Buster John. Tho next morning bright and early Buster John put an apple In the spring. He (Copyright, PART 1 Sweetest Susan r their first queer country a ' plums, I speck,” re- from the shook her had,"” THE APPLE WAS SEIZED. watched it float around for a while and then his attention was attracted by something else, and he ran away to see about It. What- ever it was, It interested him s0 much that ho forgot all about the apple in the spring and everything clse likely to remind him of Mr. Thimblefinger's queer' country Buster John wént away from the spring and left the apple floating there. No sooner had he gone than one of the house servants chanced to come along, and the apple was selzed and appropriated. The result was that neither Mr. Thimblefinger nor Mrs, Meadows saw the signal Buster John, thinking that the apple had remalned in the pring for some hours, walted patisntly for two or three days for | Mr. Thimblefinger, but no Mr. Thimblefinger | r- 1894 | | came. Finally the boy grew impatient, | youngsters sometimes do. He remembered that the bottom of the spring, with the day- | light shining through, was the sky of Mr. Thimblefinger's queer country, and he con- cluded to glve Mre. Meadows and the rest a signal that they couldn't fall to see. So | one morning, after water had been carried | o the houss for the cock and the washer- | woman's tubs had been filled, Buster John | | mot him some short planks, carrying them to the spring one by one. hess he placed across the top of the gum, or curb, close | | together, =0 as to shut out the light. Then | he perched himeelf on a stump not far away and watched to see what the effect would | be. He knew he had the sky of Mr. Thim blefinger's quegr country securely roofed in, | and he laughell to himselt as he thought of the predicament Mr. Rabbit would be in, | { dropping his plpe and hunting for it in the dark, | “*Buster John sat there a long time. Mandy, tho washerwoman, got through with her | task and went toward the houss, balancing a big basket of wet clothes on her head and singing as she went. Sweetest Susan and Drusilla had grown tired of playing with the dolls and,were hunting all over the place for Buster John. They saw him presently, and came running toward him, talking and | laughing. He shook his head and mo- tioned toward the spring. They became quiet at once and began to walk on thelr tiptoes. They scated themselves on the stump by Buster John's side and waited for him to explain himself. Prescntly Sweetest Susan saw over the spring. “‘Oh, what have you | done she cried. “Wh you have nt out the light. They can’t see a wink. 1 don’t think that's right, do you, Drusilla?” Don't ax me, honey,” replied Drusilla, an't gwine ter git in no 'spute. Some- done gone and put planks on de Dar dey Is, an’ dar dey may stay, I keer. 1 hope dey er nailed | the boards body's spring, | fer what | down."” “Please take weetest Susan | 0" sald Buster John. I | ple in the spring the other day paid no attention to it. fomo attention now.” uddenly, before anybody anything, Drusilla screamed and rolled off the stump. Buster John and Swe:test Susan thought a bee had stung ier. But it was not a bee. She had no soomer rolled from the stump than she sprang to her feet the boards off,” pleaded put an ap- and they Maybe they'll pay else could say | that | his people, a avert rude little prison at that place was oo plotoly environed by their encampment. There must have been several hundred of them, as brawny and flerce-looking lot as one could hope to meet with, even fn the then wild and unbroken west. The manner in which they had gotten possession of all tha available ammunition in the country at once denoted they were under the guidance of a leader well versed on all the stratagems of as a natural consequence, the settlers became gravely alarmed. Many at once began to fortify their homes, whilo others le.t the country entirely. Finally a consultation was methods discussed as to the best way to the impending massacre. The whites were absolutely at the mercy of the savages. Guns they had in plenty, but ammunition none. These were plain, but alarming facts. It was suggested that trusty men be dele- gated to go to the settlements across the border east and secure the nccessary muni- tions of war. This, however, meant the loss of too much time. A distance of 150 miles at the very least would have to be traversed, and the fear was that such an expedition, if it came to the knowledge of the beleaguering Indians, would only precipitate the calamity, and the meeting broke up without any plan for safety being mapped out. But day after day rolled by and there was no overt act to show that the savages meant mischief, and at last the day of the trial arrived. Judge Maxwell was the presiding judge, and it must have been with = the most serlous misglvings he took his seat. But the trial proceeded without in- terruption. Nothing could be extracted from the prisoners. They sat like so many stoles, silent and motionless as $0 many images carved from stone. The jury, notwithstand- ing the ominous situation, found them all three guilty of murder In the frst degree. Just as the judge was preparing to sentence them, Whita Breast, tall, dignified and austere looking, strode forward until he stood directly in front of the bench. He fastened his searching eyes upon the judge, and then with one braceletted arm out- stretched toward the gloomy prisoners, he said:' ““These are my people, but we do ot want the white men to kill them. If they must die, we will kill them ourselves.” The old warrior then stepped back and Judge Maxwell passed sentence upon the pris- oners. But it was a surprise to all. They were to be banished to the penitentiary for lite. This was a strategic stroke of the called and “DAR H Al | E I8!" “Dar he Is! Look at 'm!" Buster John and Sweetest Susan turned to look, and there, upon the stump beside them, stood Mr. Thimblefinger with his hat in hand, bowing and smiling as politely as you please. “I hope you are well,” he said. Then he began to laugh as ho turned to Buster John. You may think it is a great joke to come to the spring, but it's no joke to me. I have had a very hard time to get here, but I just had to come. Mrs. Meadows thinks thers is a total eclipse going on, and Mr. Rabbit has gone to bed and covered up his head. ““How John. “Through the big poplar younder,” said Mr. Thimblefinger. “It is hollow from top to bottom, but it was so dark I could hardly find my way. The jay birds used to go down through the popiar every Friday until | I put up the bars and shut them out. I had | almost forgotten the road.” il “Well,” said Buster John, “I covered the | ring 50 that you might know we hada't forgotten you. I dropped an apple in the other day, but you paid no attention to it.” “I saw the apple,” remarked Mr. Thimble- finger, “but it didn’t stay in the spring. long. It disappeared in a few minutes.” ‘Aha!” I know!" exc'amed Drusilla, “Dat ar Minervy nigger got it. I seed her coming ‘long eatin’ an apple, and T boun' you she de ve'y nigger what got it.” “Wwell, well!” said Mr. Thimblefinger. “It | makes no difference now, and if you'll get ready, we'll go now pretty soon.” “Why, I thought you couldn't go down through the spring until nine minutes and nine seconds after 12, suggested Buster Joho. “The water gets wet or goes dry with the tide,” Mrq Thimblefinger explained. “Today we shall have to go at nineteen minutes and nineteen seconds after 9. It was nine minutes and nine seconds after 12 before, and mow it is nineteen minutes and nineteen secords after 9. Multiply nineteen by nineteen, add the answers together, and you get nothing but nines. You see we have to g0 by a system.” Mr. Thimblefinger was very solemn as he said this. “Now, then come on. We haven't any time to waste When the nines get after us, we must by going. There are four of us now, but if wi were to be multiplied by nine there would be ne of us, and nine is an odd number.” How would we be nine?’ asked Buster Joh ‘It's very simple,” replied Mr. Thimble- finger. ine times four are thirty-six Three and six stand for thirty-six, and siy and three are nine.” Buster John laughed as he ran to remove the boards from the spring. In a few mo- ments they were all ready In spite of Dru- silla’s protests, and at nineteen minutes and rvineteen seconds after 9 they walked through the spring gate into Mr. Thimble- finger’'s queer country. (TO BE CONTINUED.) BURT COUNTY INDIAN SCARE. y-seven years ago, when Decatur, | situate in the extreme northeast corner of | Burt county, this state, a thriving fron- tier village, and Tekamah, now the county | seat, but a mere trading post, the surround- | ing and intervening country underwent one of the greatest Indian scares in the history of the state. About this time a son of White Breast, a noted Winnebago sachem, with two other braves, murdered a white settler out on the Elkhorn, near where the bustiing little city of West Point now stands. The settler was at work hoeing in a fleld when the three savages rode up on their ponies and, without warning, riddled the unsuspecting man with bullets. A few weeks afterwards the three Indlans were arrested at the Winnebago agency and brought down to Tekamah for trial. They were incarcerated in the rude Jail or guard house and there closely confined for ten weeks beforo the authorities were ready to proceed with their prosecution. In some way a report got circulated among the Winnebagoes that the thres priscners were to be killed by the whites, no matter what the trial might produce, and they were much incensed. They would come into the settle- ments in parties of a half-dozen or more and buy large quantities of powder and lead, and it was but a short time until they had pur- chased every pound of powder and lead in the various towns scattered throughout that region, The discovery of this fact was a startling one, indeed, and the wisest of the | white settlers declared that it boded them no good. Band after band of armed warriors passed through Decatur the week before the trial was to begin, beaded toward Te- kamah, and it wasn't more than three or four days before the and cried out: here?"" asked Buster did you get court. Had the death sentence been imposed thero is but little doubt but what the scene would have instantly been turned into one of carnage and murder. But the Indlans were satisfled, evidently not appreciating the fate of their brethren in its full and awful significance. They shook hands all round, then like so many shadows filed away out of the court room. There is little more fo be told. White Breast’s son and his two convicted compan ions were taken down to Lincoln the next day and placed in solitary confinement in the penitentiary. They withstood the rigid dis- cipline of prison life but briefly. Within a few years consumption had claimed them all. LOGS AS POLICEMEN. How’s that for a new idea? But that fs an idea they are developtng in Germany, and believe it is going to do great things. The object is not to have the dog jump on a man and tear him to pieces; any unedu- cated dog can do that. But he is trained to knock the criminal down and keep him motionless until the dog’s assistant can come up with the handcuffs. The breed they use are bull dogs almost ex- clusively, both on account of their tremen- dous jaws and because a bull dog loves a fight as naturally as an Irishman does. They ate very intelligent, and when they have once seized the idea, they hold on to it as they do to everything else. A bull dog never forgets anything, whether it be a kindness, or an insult, or a college educa- TRAINING A PATROLMAN, tion, and it is in this respect quite unlike the celebrated Thomas B. Macaulay, who boasted he had forgotten more things than most peo- ple_knew. The training of the dogs requires a certain knack, with great kindness, patience and firmness. For although they are sparing of the whip, when the dog deserves whipping, | he gets it, after being made to understand why he is punished The first step In his training Is the placing of & mannikin behind the door, and making the dog understand that this is a criminal whom he is to seize. This lesson is not hard for him to learn, for a bull dog wou'd much rather jump at a man than not. Then the trainer catches the mannikin by the shoul- der and lowers it slowly to the ground, with the dog still hangiug to the rags around the neck. When the dog begins to tear the figure, the trainer strikes him with the whip, to intimate to him that that is not what he is expected to do. Finally he learns that he is 0ot to let go, but to hang on without tear- ing the victim. If anyone moves the mau- nikin he has gripped, a ferocious growl warns all bystanders that all such nonsense had bet- ter stop at once. When he carries out his role well he is patted and caressed, for kind- ness plays quite as important a part as the whip in the school. As s00n as it is certain that Master Doggy has learned his lesson, they let him loose on a living model. This experiment is never quite free from danger, so the man who feeds him is usually chosen for the firat experi- nent, as the dog will not be so likely to tear bim, although in all cases the model puts on a leather collar around his neck to guard against accldent. Then these experiments are renewod on strangers, who naturally demand pretty good pay for their services, and who constitute & sort of board of regents, If thé dog passes this examination, ken the degree, and Is ready for work. The (hfi government hopes to make use of thes in the service of the customs, to catch smugs glers on the frontfer. Apropos of these dogs, I am reminded of a story of a policeman in this country In & country town, who was always accompanjed on his beat by his devoted bulldog. day the policoman discovered two men i & case of assault and robbery. When they saw him coming they took to their heels, Of courso he could not o two ways at once, 80 | he called “Nick's" attention te one man, | while he made (ff after tho other. Hi | cured his man, and, coming back, found the | second man_ prostrate with “Nick” standing guard, TRUE HEN STORIES. Did you ever know that snakes and hens are sworn enemies? Indeed, chickens have been known to attack good-sized bliok snakes. This, however, is only a modorate sized snake story I am going to tell; that s, the story of a medium-sized snake. One morning a lady who was visiting fe the country looked out of her window and saw an old hen behaving in a most cccontrig fashion. Knowing what ‘‘total abstainers" hens are, she kuew that the old Biddy was not indulging in a spree, so concluded that she must be suffering from sunstroke. On looking more closely, however, she' dis- covered that the hen had a veritable case of 4 “snakes,” in spite of all her principles. For there, colled roady for &, spring, was a snake some twelve or fifteen inches long. As backed off. Then, while her enemy was res covering itself and preparing for another dart, | the hen rushed in and pecked its head mo; vigorously, backing oft agaln as she saw the snake ready to jump. This manouver con= tinued until the snake lay stretched to coll no more, when the hen began In a leisurely, business-like way to make a breakfast of that snake, beginning with the head and swallowing it, fnch by inch, until not a wigs gle of its slender tail remained in view. Apropos of the total abstinenca habits of hens, I am reminded of a trick played by a small boy on some stately cld hens, who stepped haughtily around his father's yard, ay it they merely allowed the family to live there for their convenience. He soaked some bread crumbs in whisky and scattered them liberally in the chicken yard. Now, I never knew a hen who would refuse anything th mond ring. So very soon the bread crumbs had vanished, and in a short time the jolliest y of old hens who ever got Jag on were clucking and cawks ing around, tanglefoot:d beyond the wildest experience of unfeathered bipeds. For, being by nature a little cross-eyed in their toes, they stepped on their own feet, and got In their own way, and all the while cackled and jeered at each other for being drunk. One old rooster in particular was a sight for gods and men. He leaned with Ump tail and uncertain head, in a suggestively familiar fashion, against the gate post, blink- ing his stupid little eyes, and trying In a maudlin way to crow, with but indifferent success, I'll wager the whole lot got up with a hesdacho next morning, and went right off to slgn a pledge. ) Locomotor Ataxia, Epilepsy . . . AND ALL DISEASES. OF THE SPINAL CORD FIND READY AMTLIGRATION FROM THE USE OF MEDULLINE, THE EXTRACT OF THE SPINAL CORD OF THE OX PREPARED UNDER THE FORMULA OF. Dr. WM. A. HAMMOND, IN HIS LABORATORY AT WASHINGTON, D &, Dose, 5 drops. Price, two drachms, $2.50. Columbia Chemical Co., WASHINGTON, D. C. 8END rom a20K. " KUHN & CO. AGENTS FOR OMAHA. D2, %, C. WEST'S NERVE AND BRATN TREATMENT is sold undor positive wrilten rantee, by authorized agonta only, to cure Weak Memory: oo firali and Nervo Fower: Lost Mashood Quicknees: Night Losica; lvil Dréams; Laclc o Confidgnce: Nervonanees: Luseitude: sil Dratne; Loss of Power of the Gonoratiyo Organa in eithet . g6, caused by over.gxortion, Youthtal KeTrs, oF Eicensivo Uso of Tobacoo, Opiam or Liquors which lnads {0 Misery. Coreumption, nsany and Doath. By mail, §1a box: six for 85 wil written gnaranteo to cure or refund money. W Tiver {n‘fi' curo Kicke” Hendag o ivor Complaint, Sour Mtomacl Uolitipation. GUARANTICES Goodman Drug Co, Omaha. SEARLES Treatmentby Mail, Consultation Fréy Catarrh, all discases of the nose, Throat, Chest,Stomach, Liver,Blood: Skin and - Kidney discaszs, Lost —Manhood and all Private Dis=. eases of Men, Call on or address, Dr. Searles & Searles, U Faraan Streot Omahu. 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