The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-02-11

70. ~ o -. "a CAtis foAely paul. Wn1ch j.
feared might lead me into an ambus-
cade Of Thugs, I turned out to 20
round to the hill yonder, where the
route again becomes more open; but,
being hot and weary, stopped to rest
and there heard the crack of rife
that assured me fellow traveller was
upon the road that I might join with
safety" - 800
And how.did you know T was not
one OF the party you feared?"
''Because they do not use firearms.
But l see you are suspicious, and per-
haps would prefer to go on alone,
though I think two are safer than one.a
: You shall >go with me" quietly re-
Piled, as stepped back pace or two,
placed my pistol convenient to nv
hand, and coolly proceeded to reload
my rifle. Where did you learn En-
gllsh, and how did you know I was
native of Great Britain %
" l learned the language of your
countrymen, with whom I have had
many pleasant dealings as trader" he
answered, without hesitation; /. and T
knew you were an Englishman by your
appearance" -.~-
Having finished loading my rifle, T
felt more at ease; and then l Quietly in
formed my new acquaintance that we
could not part company again on the
route, but that would accord him the
privilege walking in advance.
=" You see, take you at your word"
said I; " and if you are what you pro-
fess to be you will not feel hurt at nv
caution. You shall 60 before me, and
shall walk with safety so long as you do
nothing to confirm my suspicion; but !
warn you at the same time that, if I per-
ceive single sign of treachery, T will
shoot you down as 7 would a z wild
beastl" ..
Why, what do you take me for?" he
demanded, with an astonished air.
A Thug!" returned I; highway
murderer and neither more nor
less! I have heard of your tricks upon
travellers, away off in my native. isle ::
but I, at least, am upon my guard, and
this time your wicked scheme has
failed" 49, ...
de laughed, but merely said, "Have
it your own way. I am satisfied to
humor your suspicion, knowing you
really mean ne no harm, and that when
we reach the fort, and I prove to you I
am an honest man, you will do mo
Justice" 8.
Most assuredly," I answered.
he then set forward with an air of
careless Indifference, and I kept close
behind him, and my eve upon every
motion. Thus we passed through the
dark jungle, and assembled to the more
open path of the higher lands, without
meeting with any new adventure. In
an open spot beside clear spring, I
stopped and made him sit beside me
while rested and ate my MONDAY
meal, which shared with him. Then
we resumed our journey, he going be-
fore, as usual; and so fast did we travel,
for l was determined not to spend an
other night in the forest, that, when the
sun went down, saw, from neighbor-
ing hill, the cross of st. George waving
over the station where my days journey
was to end. While crossing the valley
to reach it, however, night came upon
us; and, favored by the darkness, my
suspicious acquaintance suddenly dis
appeared. I got through in safety,
though, received a warm welcome from
my countrymen, and subsequently OBJ
tanned all the aid and redress I sought.
Two Years later, being at Bereilly
while notorious Thug was on trial for
his life, curiosity led me to the court
room, when, to my surprise, recog-
nized in the prisoner at the bar the
Identical individual whom I had COM
PEELED to perform weary journey in
front of me. he was convicted OF MUIR
der and condemned to death but, pre-
vlous to his execution, managed to
obtain an interview with him, when he
frankly confessed that the incident of
the monkey and the snake, by inducing
him, as the leader of his party, to
change his plan, was the principal
cause of my life being preserved, my
shrewd suspicion and bold determine
ton doing the rest. Being on the
watch for travellers, he and bis COM
panions had seen me on the road early
in the day, and five of them had secret
ed themselves in that dark, lonely jun
gle, intending to spring upon me and
w oAOA AOAuoEOuS WOIk, dCCOTQ1uR as
their religion teaches, by strangulation 4;
it not being lawful for thom to kill in
any other manner. The discharge of
both barrels at the snake, taken in con-
nection with my supposed natural
fright and excitement, led him to think
he could accomplish his purpose in a
different way; and SO he appeared, to
talk, to cajole, and catch me off my
guard-but, as the matter turned out,
caught a Tartar instead. By keeping
his life in my hands, rs it were, I kept
down his companions, and SO / was
saved.
I had before thanked Heaven for
preserving me from the venomous
snake, and, when I heard the story of
the murderous Thug, I again thanked
Heaven for having sent the snake to
preserve r4e from band of religious
assassins 81 "af r
His Part. 1s"