The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-09-02

bank from which he jumped in, for the
water near shore was not very deep,
and they had seen him leap far out; and
so, for the greater part of the time,
they kept near the middle and toward
the opposite side.
1t was not long, however, before a
number of them began to cluster to-
gether very near Toms hiding-place.
He could see them very plainly through
the reeds. Some seemed to be infuri-
ated by their failure and were thrusting
about wildly, while others were talking
and gesticulating as if they were advis-
ing some different plan of action. One
man began to thrust his spear into the
reeds not ten feet from poor Tom!
At this moment one of the savages,
who was blindly jabbing about in
every direction, approached man who
was calling to some others, apparently
directing them to 60 up stream. He
did not see the reckless fellow behind
him, who, in his turn, did not notice
the other, and, giving fierce thrust
downward, he struck the man who
was speaking fair in the heel.
The moment he felt that his spear
had caught in something, the man who
had made the thrust threw up his
weapon. by putting his left hand, in
which he held rude shield. under the
spear, and giving it a powerful jerk
into the air. AS he did this, up came
the foot he had speared, and down
went the unfortunate owner of the
foot, face foremost into the water!
There was a tremendous splash, and
great yell of triumph. Everybody
fastened to the spot where the exulting
spearman held up the foot OF his victim.
But the surrounding savages had barely
time to see that it was black foot and
a naked one, and therefore could not
be that of the white boy who had jumped
into the river, before the foot, which
was only held by its tough, thick skin.
was jerked away from the spear, and
the submerged savage arose from the
bottom, dripping with water, but with
flashing eyes and cries of rage. Raising
his spear, which he never dropped, he
glared around for an instant, to see who
had done this outrageous deed. 1t was
scarcely possible to make mistake
The man who had speared him stood
there, with his weapon in almost the
same position as when it held the unfor-
tunate foot in the air.
Instantly the angry savage dashed at
him, and as instantly the laundering
spearman fled as fast as he could through
the water.
The pursued man Owed to escape the
spear which was hurled at him by his
assailant, and then, followed by the
whole party, yelling and shouting, the
two savages made their way toward the
opposite shore. Bounding up the bank,
The injured man only stopping for an
instant to pick up his spear. the band
Of bowling blacks disappeared in the
woods.
Tom waited until the sound of their |
harsh voices had died away, and then
ne crept out of his hiding-place, SO
chilled and stiff that at first he could
scarcely walk, but with heart full of
10y and thankfulness for the great es-
cape he had made. He pushed along
Town the river, about as far as he
thought he had come up, and then
,urned inland to look for his horse. It
vas now so dark in the woods that he,
'oulu not see Tor any considerable dis
ance, and, after wandering about for
'ome time, he began to fear that the an
NAL had broken away and that he
night yet be left in these lonely woods.
% fall victim to his black pursuers,
Who might return at any time, or
ome other band of equally savage bush
men, who might come providing in that
Erection.
But suddenly he heard a whinny. not
ar from him, and hurrying toward the
oyful sound, he found his horse, tied
ust as he had left him, and leaping on
lis back, dripping, shivering and With
nut hat, he rode away, at full gallop,
or the bridge, the happiest boy in ali
Australia!
No more short cuts for him, after sun
own, in that wild part of the country!
He never heard whether the fellow
vho had had his foot stuck succeeded
4 catching the fellow who stuck it, or
1hether the blacks ever came back to
box for the white boy who had disap-
cared in the river; but he never ceased
believe that no one could have made
more lucky stroke for him than that
lade by the laundering Australian saw