The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-07-27


Harris and the children. All at once.
though, Teddy seized a pail, and, lol-
ling out his tongue like u thirsty dog,
began to pant and to make signs that
he should be let out to fetch water
signs that were quite unnecessary, for
he had no difficulty IN making himself
understood In his masters language.
But Harris was immovable, and or
dered him back. The blacks fidelity
had been too often tried, and Samson
felt that he could not afford to risk
the loss of one faithful servant at a
time like this. So Teddy put down
the pail upon seeing his masters mood,
seized again waddy and spear, and
dropping painting and tongue-lolllng,
took his place at one ofethe windows
to watch again for his enemies.
His face was a study as he stood
there watching, his eyes half closed,
mouth twitching, and nostrils work
ing. He was evidently perplexed, and
I more than once made a movement as
if to climb out of the window; but at
length bis face changed into a fixed
immobility, and he seemed waiting till
his master should command.
Hour after hour passed by, and all
was still silent. From watching,
Samson took to examining the pow
der keg once none. But it all seemed
turned to a solid mess, till with q
Ratchet he knocked off hoop after
hoop, cleared away the little slaves,
and struck the block heavily with the
Ratchet. to find, when the shell was
broken. that within were some pounds
of uniDjured powder, at the sight of
whose grimy grains mems hearts rose,
and rifles were loaded and TASKS "a
gerly filled.
In readiness once more, they await
ed the next attack but the sun had
they had neither heard a yell nor seen
a single figure gliding from amongst
the trees.
"Um all gone," cried the black
shepherd suddenly, there Juno"
And in effect, frisking and playing
about in front of the hut, one of Sam
sons dogs had made its appearance,
whining and bowling till it was admit
ted but fearing that the blacks might
still be within reach, Samson kept his
companions within doors, only yield
ing to the appeal Of Teddy, that be
might go out and see.
Teddy glided like a great snake out
of the back window and was soon lost
to sight; but before long a horse or
two, some sheep and the cows came
bleating and lowing about the hut, af-
fording abundant proof that the saw
ages, of whom they have a wholesome
dread, fleeing rapidly at the sight Of
their spears, had departed.
And now began the search for Ma
ry, all present knowing that sooner or
later they must find her living or dead,
though almost all felt. as they set
about their search with heavy hearts,
that the wailiDg mothers fears were
not without cause.
In case Of a surprise, they all kept
together, fearing to shout, but encour-
aging the dog to hunt around, when
suddenly Anderson's rife rose up to
his shoulder, and he was about to fire,
but perceiving just in time that the
black figure rapidly approaching was
that Of Teddy the shepherd.
"AIl gone right way" he said, nod
ding his head sagaciously as he point
ed out the family marked trail made
by the departing savages, while he
was loud in his declarations that they
were too much fright-come back
never-ever." When asked what he
thought about the missing girl, he
only shook his head, and would not
answer till pressed. when his reply
was, mo know try ind;" and bend
ing down. he began to scar every foot
print in the direction she would have
been likely to take, till darkness put
a stop to the search, and all save
Samson and Anderson returned to the
hut.
No one saw the agony of those two
men as now slowly working their way
through the bushes, stumbling with
utter WEAKNESS. they strobe on till ma
ture would hold out no longer. and
they sunk down, worn out, to sleep
for an hour or two beneath the watch
ing stars; but only to leap up, re-
preaching themselves far their relaxed
efforts, as they hurried back to the
hut to try and hear some tidirgs of
the lost girl.
CONCLUDED TO MORROW.