The state journal., 1884-11-08


| given me ring he told me he once
bought in an eastern bazaar. I've worn
the ring ever since, in memory Of him and
that awful Halloween night.
Gin my own mind, boys, it's as clear
as daylight that the body found in that
cave Gentlemen Jack was telling you OF
a while since was neither more nor less
4 than the skeleton of my poor old mate
Vermudyn. l never thought to hear OF
his bones being found after all these
years, poor old chap: or Of telling you
to night what happened to us that Hal
| loween in the Devils Panniken. I only
hope he wasn't alive in that awful placel
alive and shouting for help, shut up
there alone, and hopeless in the dark
while / was riding away in sunshine and
clear air. Pshawp muttcred the old man
''it's no good to think Of that now; and
talking's dry work. Another go of whisky,
Patr'
The murmurs of admiration, astonish-
ment, and feeble doubt over this won
drous story of Old Grizzly's were ar.
rested ere they began and stopped short
as low, long laugh sounded through the
room, and they perceived what, being alb
had been too preoccupied to notice before
namely, that stranger had entered the
room some time during the progress of the
narrative, and it was he who had dared to
laugh.
"Wel1, old boy, don't you know me
now?' asked the stranger. Gam so little
like the Vermudyn you chummed with in
Cherokee Dicks claim?'
'Its Halloween again., muttered the
other hoarSely, still delaying to take the
pofered hand.
"And an unlucky night for me to turn
up, after the scurvy trick played you, l"
laughed the stranger. But look here,
mate-if you kept my ring, I've kept
yours; and I'm flesh and blood safe
enough-no spirit Or demon, as you seem
to fancy"
Old Grizzly grasped both his hands,
looking long and earnestly in his face
meanwhile. 'It is Vermudynp' he at
last exclaimed. Though how they found
your bones yonder in the Devils Panni-
ken, and yet you're alive and hearty
here to night, is more than Pat Muir
ply or any other Irishman could ex-
plain.
II had better say at once that there's
no mystery about neutrality-suspicious. S
arrival tonight, at least, interposed
Gentleman Jack. ''He is chance COM
panion and fellow traveller Of mine, and
like myself, he halls from Frisco last"
Gas you seem to be in the humor for
telling stories tonight, mates" observed
the newcomer, perhaps it wouldn't be
amiss if explained 10 my friend here, in
your presence, the truth of his strange
Halloween experiences on the night he
parted company with me-or with him
which ever you prefer"
Il told you once, said he, addressing
himself to Old Grizzly, II had travelled
good deal and spent some years in the
East; but never told how much l had
learned of the manner and customs of
the people lived with; or that, among
other diverting knowledge, 1 acquired
the art Of smoking and eating that ex-
tract of hemp known in eastern countries
as 'hashish; and no one save those who
have been under the wonderful realty of
the illusions it produces stronger and
more powerful than any opium in its
effects, and less harmful to use.
"We1, l administered biggish dose
in pill ! gave him for an aguish turn
he'd had and after that, as we rode
along let him have some tobacco, as
his own was smoked out, and this to-
bacco of mine consisted almost entirely
ofthe dried hemp the true 'hashisk' We
had not ridden great way intos the
Devils Panniken, talking, as we rode, of
the bad reputation of the place and the
various legends concerning it, when the
drug began to take effect on my. old
friend here, and he would have fallen
from his horse, if / had not kept close
beside him and supporter him with my
arm. AS matters were then, | decided
to dismOunt and camp for the night.
For myself, I'd never been afraid of man
or demon, ard knew my partner could
go 10 farther; so l easily persuaded him
to stop, though several times he muttered
something about riding on.
"Well l wrapped him in his blanket
like baby, lighted him another pipe,
just to compose him, and set to work to
make rousing fire for the night was
cold, and keen frosty wind came sweep
ing down the ravine. He behaved
strangely enough for some time mutter-
ing and talking, while watched by him;
then by turns singing and laughing,
while he stares at me or at the fire. Once
or twice he struggled hard to get up; but
by-and by the hashish ovcrpowered him,
and he slept soundly. | remained by
him the whole night, and then tried in
the early dawn 20 awaken him, as we
wanted TO push on. But he slept SO
heavily, tlat the idea occurred to rue to
me ride off and leave him to wake alone,
thoroughly mystified between his
hashlsh visions and the loss of me!
"After I'd left him, made tracks for
the town we'd determined on visiting to-
gether, and waited for him some days;
but he never turned up; and then an un-
easy fear that some harm had befallen
my friend through my own folly, got
hold of me; and taking a sudden dlstaSte
for digger life made my way to the
nearest port, and went on board ship
just starting for Europe, and which,
luckily for me- stood in need of an extra
hand.
''Since then, I've led rowing life on
sea and shore, till fate landed me here to.
night in time to listen to the account Of
my mysterious end, as it appeared to my
worthy friend. | am sorry to spoil good
story, mates; but the pleasure two old
chums experience in finding each other
alive and hearty after so strange part
ing-twenty years ago-will, hope, in
some degree compensate for your disap-
pointment in discovering that the White
Witch of the Devils Panniken had no
hand in my fate after all. "
But" interrupted Gentleman Jack,
"a skeleton with ring on its finger was
found recently in the cave"
"Quite possible" returned the new
conner ''but am happy to say it is not
that of Cornelius Vermudyn.
Something About Eyes.