Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-06-11
THE HUNCHBACK;
OR, TIE
HINDOO PRIMO S s.
BY MATURIN N. BALLoU.
CHAPTER /.

his body with prayerful trust IN It's neal
ing powers. Gaudy flowers are nodding
over its ripping course, loading its sur
face with their dainty fragrance, and
here, stretching back from the sloping
banks, lies a garden which nature and
art have combined to render strikingly
beautiful. There is an Oriental luxuri-
ance and lavish splendor in these peer
less gardens, but more beautiful than all
the statuary and floral gems, the eye falls
at once upon a child of exquisite symme-
try and loveliness.
She cannot be more than eight or nine
years of age, yet her sweet development
of form gives promise of extreme beauty.
Literally loaded with flowers, the air is
musical with her merry laugh and joyous
words. Too light in her soft olive COM
plexion for Hindoo, she is yet too dark
for an European, and the practised eye
would at once detect those tokens that
Indicate the mingled blood of both races.
Following close upon the footsteps of
this little houri came youthful form of
the other sex, perhaps year her senior.
Sharing her innocent delight, he was her
playmate, but hardly of the same race.
His young but intelligent features were
of that clear, European complexion, that
contrasted finely with the olive his COM
panions cheek. They threw themselves
together upon the ground, near the cool
ing influence of sparkling fountain, and
commenced to entwine their vines fgau-
dy leaves and flowers into wreaths for
each other. Not far from them, Nu-
bian servant, evidently entrusted with
their charge, after watching them with
half closed eyes, at last dropped lazily
upon the ground where he stood, noteven
seeking the friendly shelter Of a tree, but
Dropping thoughtlessly to sleep beneath
the burning rays of the afternoon sun.
We should never tire Of watching those
beautiful children, so thoughtless and SO
happy-the picture ofinnosence, of peace
ful joy.
Stay. What stealthy and hideous
form is that crouching and creeping TO-
wards the Nubian So cautious anC
cat like does it make its approach tha
the children are entirely ignorant of IFS
proximity. On, on it comes, until it is
nearly upon the Nubian. Heaven pro-
tect the sleeping one, for the strange ami
NAL with glaring eyes and distendeo
mouth is Just upon him ! Ha that tiend
ISL form now rises to its height-it is {
hvena! His hot breath Is upon the M
bans brow but he wakes not Look
again; the creature turns towards th'
children; they are more tempting prey
for his appetite. He moves on slowl.
but steadily!
At that moment the boys back wa
towards the fearful beast, and his com
panion, looking up suddenly from th'
wreath she was braiding, screams witt
terror at the sight of the approachin;
beast. The boy springs to his feet a
once, but hardly before the wild anima
is upon him. With brave instinct h
reaches to a.heavy pruning knife, whlcl
gardener has left hard by, and will
the ouickness of light springs back be
tween the hyena and the girl just as tn
animal leaped forward. The lad, wit
steady eve and hand, poised bis shar
weapon so that he thrust it down the yer
throat of the furious creature, receivin
upon his breast the headlong fury of tn
animal. which was aimed for the nor
delicate child.
The screams of the child aroused th
half stupid Nubian, who rushed forwar
in time to disengage the poor boy trol
the dying grasp which the hyena ha
taken upon his arm as the two rolled Il
gether upon the grouud.
That bold thrust of the knife at the o.
perfume moment, and the prompt inte
position of his own person before that
his companion, saved the child's life b
yond a doubt; and SO that lovely al
trembling being felt as she now thre
her arms tenderly about the young b
ro's neck, and then sobbed hystericall
The Nubian, trembling with fear
his thoughtless neglect, now conducts
the children towards the doors Of /
masters palace, turning ever and ant
to look back and assure himself that Il
hyena was really dead; for the who
encounter had been so rapid as to see
more like a troubled dream than re
fact.
The English rule and conquests
India have vastly changed the Hind
race. Sir De Lacy Howard, govern
of the district of Jungepoor, under t
English home government, had
sided long in Northern India. Hith
he had carried with him gay wife a
cousin, beautiful girl, who was a
his ward. His high position IN autho
ty brought him much in contact with
rajah, Hafz Roy, rightful prince of
soil over which Sir De Lacy Howa
was placed as governor. The raJ'
with unlimited wealth, and a somewt
indolent and easeIoving disposition, p
terred social ease to lordly control, a
therefore peaceably grew up IN bis
tate with only the name of prince.
Hafz Roy and Sir De Lacy were We
warm friends, and finally a closer tie v
woven between them by marriage OF
rajah with Sir De Lacy's ward, the be-
tful English girl who had accompan
his wife to IPdia. The English COVE
or was highly prosperous in his ventnr