The Kanzas news., 1858-08-07

easy, lie Cautiously opened anOtneT CbtuAa
at the rear of the hut and peered forth.
For a few seconds Jim fairly doubted
the evidence of his eyesight It was as
as when Birnam Wood marched towards
Dunsinane. Not living soul could he
perceive, but line of great bushes were
advancing of their own az
cord-to the hut. Jim seraped the hole a
little larger: and, when the strange process
sion came within range, he discharged his
gun at it. Instantly, all the bushes fell
PROSTATE and the sayages emerged from
their leafy covert. With shout, which
blended the scream of pain and rage with
the hoarse cry for vengeance, the bkcks
ran forward, dragging the bushes after lhem.
In second the latter were piled agaiastthe
walls of the nut, and transient silence fol-
lowed, during which the captive was left to
speculate on the object of this maaeuver.
His doubts (if he had any) were soon
resolved. A peculiar cracking sound,
succeeded by broad glare of light, per-
ceptible through the crannies of the frail
tenement, informed him that the terrors of
Gre had been brought TO bear against him.
The natives had been into the ranges in
search of dry boughs; and with these, min
gled with the infammable resinous branch
es of the gum trees, they now proposed to
burn him out of his shelter. Bitterly he
regretted not having taken advantage of
their short absence to effect his escape. Il
was now too late. For a short space he re-
mained in a state of stupefaction-utterly
overwhelmed by the increased terrors of
his situation. As the flames caught the dry
combustible wall. and bark roof he deemed
himself utterly lost; and it was only by a
violent effort, that he at length shook off
the benumbing influence of the intense ter
ror which had seized upon him.
A little reflection convinced him that in
one bold effort lay his sole chance of preser-
vation. Reconnoitering the premises, he
perceived that the flames were confined to
the roof of the hut. Through the chink in
the front wall, he perceived the savages ly
ing in wait near the door, but occupying
such position as TO be out of the reach of
firearms. They thought to smoke me
out as they do wombats,'' said Jim, ''and
so spear me as crawled out of my den;
but determined to have another trial out
of it, and if died, to die like man, in
the open air.
Selling small bar of tough wood. he
inserted it between the blazing slabs in the
rear, and found that they readily yielded to
his efforts. The dense smoke now filled the
hut, and the burning embers from the roof
fell around him in showers. But regard
less of all save life itself, he stripped off
his blue serge frock--an article which serves
the bushman for shirt, vest, coat. and pale
tot, all in one-and carefully wrapped it
around the lock of the gun. He then, by
vigorous effort, detached two of the slabs
from their upper fastenings, and stealthily
drew them within the hut-the slight noise
attending this operation being disguised by
the cracking of the burning timber. Gaz-
ing through the surrounding belt of fire
and smoke he discovered that none of his
enemies were in view; all of them, as he
had anticipated, being collected on the op-
posite side of the hut. Now was the mo-
nent for escape. One danger now remain
ed to be obviated. How to still the furious
barking of the dog. he knew not; yet this
would at once acquaint the savages of his
would inevitably be the result. 1t was.
therefore, absolutely necessary to secure
Sahdie in theshur. Il could not bear the
thought of doing this Jim used to say,
when relating the accident: cit seemed to
be cruel to the poor, faithful brute.
Still secresy and silence were indispensable;
the first great law of nature-self-p -preser
vation-crushed the generous impulses of
sentiment, and the dog was sacrificed to
secure his masters safety. DESTROYS, how
ever. of allowing the animal at least
chance Of escape, Jim tied him with cot
ton handkerchief only-in the hope that his
exertions would enable him to free himself
before the entry of the savages.
This done, Jim took up his gun and
stepped out through the flames. As he
emerged one of the natives glided around
the corner; and surprised by tue intended
victims unexpected appearance, stood for
moment irresoIute. Before he could speak
or move. Jim felled him to the earth with a
blow of his fist; and without waiting for
the result. darted off, under cover of the,
dense smoke, for the ranges.
He had surmounted the first tier, and
was crossing the valley beyond, when the
outcries of the blacks proclaimed that bis
fight had been discovered. The hope of
yet saving life lent new wing TO his feet:
and at any rate he had considerably the
start of his pursuers. Before he had pro-
ceejed very FAR, something came dashing
through the scrub behind him, and he turn
ed to confront the expected foe. To his
great delight it was the dog.
Onward sped the two fugitives, the
man and the dog. Ten bush miles lay be-
tween them and safety. and the pursuers
were light of foot and fleet of limb. Jim
had not tasted food since mid day, he was
fatigued with toll and watching. and suffer
ed much pain from numerous burns on his
arms and shoulders. But hunger, thirst.
WEAKNESS. and pain. were all temporarily
obliterated by the necessity of extreme ex-
ertion, and as mile after mile was passed
without any evidence of pursuit. hope
which never deserts the brave-grew strong
er in the fugitive's heart.