Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1870-01-06
TWO MINUTES OF SUSPENSE

on the plains lay forest of considerable
extent. The ground was covered by a
scruhby jungle, in which were found a
few hares and jackals, while crowds of
apes ard monkeys eamboled and chatter
cd among the dense foliage overhead
We were tired of the plains, infinitely
weary Vf the heat, the dust, the incessant
sight of the natives and their ways, and
of the dull uniformity of our existence.
Suffering from debility and nervous de-
preston, the occasional languid attempts
we made at getting up dinners, balls or
theatricals, could scarcely be pronounced
successful, except by the very few whose
health and spirits seemed indcstructble.
TO add to our annoyanccs our native SER
wants were causing US great anxiety
Their manner, usually so Indifferent and
apathctie, suddenly became restless and
uneasy When not on active duty, they
loitercl about in gloomy meditation, or
fell to discussing IN undcrtpnes some topic
that absorbed their attention. They
showed, too, no desire to. tell US the cause
of their agitation. Much though we
wished to clear up the mystery, it was
agreed that We should appear to pay no
attention to it, as there was little chance
If our gctting al the truth, SO long as
they were disposed to conceal It, and to
have betrayed eur anxiety might have
made matters worse if mischief was brew
!ne. Many of us on refining ter the
night took the precaution to place our re-
/ val ,ar., ,nj l. LIN rnach pf our
bedsiles, carefully removing them in the
morning before the servants entered the
reoms The more robust, including some
who had gone through the Mutiny, laugh
ed at these preparations but the nervous
members of the community, who were IN
the majority, shook their heads, and
thought !ongincly of home.
A close attention for some days ena-
blcd US 10 perceive that the agitation
among the servants increased as the sun
went down, and that those whose duties
detained them within doors at night we're
compara,ivclv unaffected, while the 9th
ors, who had to pass TO their homes after
niehtfall took their departure reluctant
| lv and DELAYED it until they could 90 in .
BODY. As no one could give a plausible
cxplanation - this conduct, our anxiety
daily Increased. At last it occurred to
us to request the assistance Of retired
sudahl&r. or native nou-commissionedo Of
: fccr the responsibility Of whose charac-
ter WIS well known TO some Of our num-
hcr. under whom be nad served in the
days Of John Ccm1nny and through the
Nutjnv He came at once, though the
distance from his village was cousidera-
bic shade inquiry among the natives. and
the mystery was immediately solved
How we ,niqved the Joke in the fullness
os our rciet and rallied one another on
our needless alarms, What stupidity
these natives can be capable Of; and, con-
found them. what fright they have Civ
en- US, The subd7hdar is q good fellow,
but don't forget that he is native. Send
him home again with few rupees in his
pocket, to keep his tongue quiet, or we
shall be laughed at most numerically,
should the story get wind. Yet the ex-
planation was not without interest. The
sudahdar stated that the natives residing
near the fores; had lately observed what
they considered an ouiinous change in the
habits OF tue apes aud monkeys instead
OF going pkaccaby to sleep after taeir us
ual urruar ut sunset, they often prolong-
ed their concert far into the night supple
mcntiuc their monotonouS barks and howls
with SUI iden screams ot rage or terror.
rhis the timid and suspicious natives at
trihuted to the presence OF some rowing
anjm@l, who had taken NJ his abode IN
the forest aud ight steal beyond It's linn
It's after Hight;aii, aud prove a tormidi-
Ole enemy tor. solitary traveller to en-
counter To cur inquiry Why the SER
wants had not communicated this story
sooner. the sulahdar stated that they felt
assured we would have rii.culcd their
fears as groundleSs, and therefore they
resolved to hold their peace.
The sudahlar was dismissed; and we
hopcd that the IN iii: renee with which We
heard his explanation would have soHc
effect in reaSsur,ng our servants. ANY,
how. we knew II wo4ii ~ useless to ar
que with them aud 81 let them alane.-
We slept once more IN peace, that is to
say We took Is much S.ecp as the prickiy
heat aad The mo,,aitces would allow
Revolyers were uuloadsd and laid aside
but unfortunately the servants refused tc
share the iuoreduiity With which We treat
I'd their fears. 10 .et message delivered
IN the evening was Impossible: the mes
senrer would vanish Tor The remainder OF
tAa night, aud du his erraud next mora
M Some Il them went tue iru.th 81
teupilaL The puukaa Nall..hs 10 overlook