The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-08-24
VOL. TT.

covering me right down to the heels; SO
hat, what with that, and what with my fur
zap and collar, was regularly rolled up
Ike parcel, and proof against any frost
n Russia. But, unlucGily, other people
ave eyes for & Cd fur as wen as ones self;
md the moment my cabmen got his upon
his new Shoob of mine-worth hundred
and fifty roubles, good, Il it was worth a
zopeck-I saw tn ~ glitter like fire. Just
ior one moment can't deny 1.-THE old
MAJORS warning came back to me ra her
lnplea antly; but laughed it off, scrambl-
"a into the sledge, and away we went.
''Ihere where two ways to get to my
1narters-one rather long, but passing
through weIl-freqpvnted streets; the other
somewhat shorter, but going past one ofthe
great bu ial grounds, through the very
loneiest part Of the whole town. | took it
for granted, Of course, that he'd 60 by the
requented way and, indeed, being rather
tired with having been on my feet all
night fell asleep before | could see
whether lie dil or not.
All at once | was awakened by the
sledge stopping suddenly; and the first
hing saw when | looked out was the
2rent black waste Of the battle-ground
right ahead, with the white graves glinting
here and there in the moonlight Not j;
living soul was in sight, not a sound to ba
heard everything was as silent and lone
Iy as if VIC had been in desert. Then
the fellow turned round to me, ana says
roughly: Get out
whatever DO You mean?' asked I,
pretending to be very much frightened
Get out, says he, this minuter and
he jumps off the box and catches hold of
ue.
Nov, before 7 60 any farther I must
tell you that the character had assumed
was that Of q dcmou-horns, tail, black
face, fiery eyes, and all and really look
ID very grisly objectI got the idea
out Of a book written by your Captain
forget its name.
"-utdshlpmae Easy suggested.
"Ah, that's it; Aiesaipma,s Easy. Well,
aben the fellow caaght hold OF me, l
scrambled out Of the sledge in q helpless
kind Of way, as if were frightened out ol
nay wits. lie seized NY cot by the collar
and threw it open, my cap falling off at
sbe aaa7e time ar.F'l tire L5ssaassa saslsa
il all my terrors, as grim demon as ever
oreathed Ere, with face as black as ink,
md eyes flaming like live coals
tI've seen many men frightened il my
time, bat never anything like that fellow
For a monenthe stood like statue, with |.
bis eyes starting out Of his head anl then
he gave a yell that you might have heard |
a mile off, and fell fat on his face as if he
we're killed md | sat down OH the rim ot
the sledge and laughed till every grave in
.he battle-ground ha-ha'd in answer.
However, had something more to do
han to sit there laughing; sss as soon a.
got my breath again, bundled tie fel-
ow, neck and crop, into The sleage, goton
he box myself, and drove IS. hard as
.ould pelt to the nearest pplice-statioll.
When | got there in ny diabo.ical guise, I
.reated almost as great seasation as
lad done with by friend the cabman; but
he whole business was soon explained !; i
nd when they heard the story, there was
uch d laugh that il almost tore the.root
If. The fellow who took down my ey-
dence could hardly write for laughing
nj when the poor cabman himself began
. come to again, tie first thing he saw
as my horned head and fiery eyes hang
1g over him in glare Of freight, and
oars Of internal laughter making the air
.l4g hileEeupon he tainted again, worse
1aa before.
i didn't want TO be hard upon the poor
hap after the fright I'd given him; bu.
ae inspector said that now that the thing
ad got 70 such a height, an example must
: made, and he would see that the fellow
ot his deserts and 50 be aid, TOO. But ]
ON that night forward, our officers never
4lled me anything but sIzFoshtchikofff
fraLn (tbe claimants terror, and hav-
4 got rid Of the name Jet. Cbam5ers $
DuTnal.
sen..n ~ laalifnr.ra.,