The daily gazette., 1881-12-15
The Heroic DeIiverer.
BY w. BLACKBURNE.

l SJ yShAo NJ q ialko Hhhb luuIa-
man was on its way to the shores OF
England, having on board hyena of
the most ferocious kind. This animal
had just been caught in one of his
wild retreats on the coast of Africa,
and so terrible and malignant was his
disposition that but one man in the
whole ships could be induced by the
offer of large reward, to trust him
self 30 near his cage as 10 throw him
his stated allowance of food. Thick
and strong as were the bars of his
prison, they semeed but feeble se-
curity against his fearful exhibitions
of rage and malice and 1t was impos-
sible to pass near him without shud-
dering at the idea of being within
reach of that savage and unrelenting
grasp.
Several weeks had passed, and he
had never given the least sign of
gratitude or recognition TO his keeper.
In order to soften the asperity of his
temper, the experiment had been made
to withhold from him animal food.
But in vain he seemed ferocious and
unmanageable as ever !; and that pc
culiar cry, beginning like the moaning
OF the human voice, then ending in a
wild and hideous believing, was In
itself sufficient to strike terror to the
hearts of all who heard it, and discour-
age every attempt to tame and con-
ciliate him.
One day the throng of passengers
and seamen were crowding the decks,
watching with deep anxiety the threat
ening appearance of one of those
storms which, in warm latitudes, are
often 30 terrible.
Foreboding and fear were depicted
on every face and as the captain is
sued his promptly obeysd orders, the
expression of his countenance was
studied, as If in his glance was to be
read sentence of death or deliver
ance. A solemn silence reigned
among that ships large company,
broken only by the sound of the mighty
waves, as they dashed and teamed
against the vessels sides. 1t was in
terrupted by a sound yet more appall-
ing-the clanking sound Of the broken
chain, and the liberated hyens's Wild
est and flercest cry.
How he had escaped from his cage
was then no time to inquire but the
dreadful reality was before them and
there the savage animal stood, free to
give vent to his terrible and malig>
nanr propensities. He advanced one
or two steps and the wild and sullen
glare of these eyes-that fearful and
hideous cry--who could willingly and
unshrinkingly encounter? 1t was the
momentary impulse of nature to fly
from such foe, and in an instant the
decks were cleared and all had retreat
ed below.
Scarcely had the consciousness of
escape and safety from their pursuer
pervaded the minds of the fugitives,
when tho peculiar horrors of their
situation were presented strongly to
their consideration. What was to be
done? What could be done? The
captain first proposed himself to 60
| on deck the vessel must be irrevoca"
bly, lost in the impending storm with
out prompt and active management.
But he was forcibly detained, and an.
swered:
"Of what avail would be bis skill
and guidance. alone and unassisted ?
A dozen hands were not sufficient to
perform all the service required. Be-
sides, their implacable enemy was
waiting for his prey, and an encounter
with him was certain death.
There was no aperture Or loophole
through which they might watch his
movements and venture to attack
him and their determination how to
act must be formed from conjecture
alone. To remain below was certain
and slew destruction to all. If one
bold and adventurous spirit could, by
the exposure, or, perhaps, sacrifice of
himself, venture to meet, and, il pos.
sible, overcome that ruthless foe, the
lives of many could be preserved.
What O question to propose and
agitate Silence alone answers that
fearful, and, as it seemed, desperate
proposal.
After pause of some length, during
which agony and despair sat upon every
countenance, one individual came for
ward, It was he who had regularly fed
and tended the savage animal. He
stated that though he had not the slight
est reason to bslieye that the byeDa dis.
tinRuished him from or preferred him to
any one else, yet In SO terrible an emer-
gency ho had prayed for guidance and
assistance, and he had been encouraged
to hope that an unthought OF weapon
| might possibly disarm and conciliate
him. lie had not tasted raw flesh for
several weeks, and If 1t were offered to
| him now, perhaps his voracity might be
turned to this new object Of appetite. If
piece of meat could ba procured, be
was willing himself TO 60 on deck, and
with 1t tempt the animal back to his
cage. ,,
II Is needless to say how his proposal
was received, and With what thrilling