The Iola register., 1885-08-14

creant, who was rushing toward him.
The weapon exploded, and with the same
deadly effect, but at that instant the
fourth villain, who stood concealed be-
hind tree trunk, fired upon the desper.
ate man with an old-time bell-mouthed
musket, which he carried. The epor-
nous ball plowed fu-row across the
Colonel's temple. soaring his left eye and
destroying the sight forever. Stunned
by the terrible shock. he fell to the
ground. feeling that all was over. but q
moment later, as the native cautiously
approached him. ne summoned his ener-
gies and fired one more shot.
The wretch fell with groan. and the
man who had made this desperate fight
for life stood among his bleeding, help
less foes victor.
Victor, and vet vanquished. Alone
and friendless. with the blood streaming
from his terrible wounds. it would have
been slight wonder had he thrown him
self down to die among the wretches who
had SO foully BETRAYED him, contented
that at least he should not perish un-
avenged. But he was made of sterner
stuff, and he determined not to yield all
hope of life, since not yet was the full
measure of his vengeance accomplished.
With his weapons ready for instant use,
and despite the awful agony which the
movement caused to his shattered limb,
he hobbled from one to another of the
fallen men, examining as well as he
might their wounds. Not one had been
killed outright. though three were badly
wounded and helpless. The fourth was
less severely injured. and him his con-
9uerer compelled, with pistol ever
aimed at his head, to arise and do as he
was ordered. One by one his three COM
RAIDS were bound by the bandit and
placed upon The mules, which were
tethered near, each man being firmly
strapped fast to the animal he rode.
Then he also was compelled to mount,
and Colonel Neyce, with few dexterous
twists of rope, fastened his feet secure
" together beneath his mules body,
with an effort which, in his wounded
condition. must have seemed fOretaste
of death itself, the American then sprang
npon his own animal. and with another
menace with his weapon. pointed back
the WAY they had come, and uttered the
one word .'Vamos." By this time it was
dawn, and the strange and dreadful
cavalcade started on its way, the three
bound muleteers riding ahead in single
file, while behind them came the fourth.
with his hands free. that he might the
better guide his mule and keep the other
animals in the path. Last of all. but
l. &lx e<,xr ~ ha
strongest of his captives, while his hand
ever held the cooked and ready weapon,
rode the American.
1t was 3 march of agony to all. Again
and again did the wounded and moan
ing wretches turn to their captor and
beg for a moments halt. but all in vain.
With his head burning and throbbing
from the pain of his scared and blasted
eve, with every motion of his animal caus-
ing his gashed and broken limb exquisite
pam, feeling that he was slowly diving
As he rode, his heart had little room for
mercy for those whose treachery had
brought him to this pass. He had ever
the same answer. "Vamos!" and at
last the miserable wretches ceased to
importuue him, seeing it was in vain.
Hour after hour went by, the sun rose
high in the heavens and beat down with
merciless severity upon the already
burning wounds of these ghastly travel
ers; still no halt was made. Their
limbs and bodies stiffened, until all sat
upon their animals utterly helpless-all
but the one SCARED and stern-visaged
man riding in the rear. whose voice had
long since died in his parched and
swollen throat, no sign of life remaining
save in the deadly menace of his sole re-
manning eve, and an occasional threat
ening movement of the hand, which
still held the weapon, which even now
was all that made him master of those
who had sought his life The day passed
on. The weary animals, weak from
thirst and hunger, grew faint and fee
BILE, but still staggered on, bearing their
ghastly burdens. Night came at last,
bringing little or no relief to those who
now had not life enough remaining to
feel the difference. but rode silently on,
lost now to everything Of human sensi-
bility save the ever-preSent conscious
ness of intense and unremitting suffer-
ing.
But the end of the journey finally
grew near. The town was reached at
last, and through its silent and deserted
streets the mournful cavalcade moved.
until the silent riders halted
before the British Residency. Lights
from the doors and windows,
..nd sounds of mirth and festivity were
borne out upon the night air. But they
suddenly ceased, for the strange arrival
was soon known, and the Resident and
his guests, most of whom were officers
from y couple of British men-of-war
lately arrived on the coast, issued in
body from the house and surrounded
the silent American, whom some one,
despite the awful change in his appear
ance, had recognized. Then the iron
will, which for hours past was all that
had supplied the place of life, at last
gave way. and. without uttering sound.
with one feeble wave of the hand to-
ward his captives. he fell into the arms
of his friend. the Resident, like one ut
terry lifeless. And when they lifted the
others from their animals there was one
who slid through their hands to the earth
like q dead fragment of wood. for he had
indeed died on the road, and had ridden
to his journeys end stiffened corpse.
Perhaps his fate was better than his
for when, the next morning.
one of them. thinking to save himself
from punishment, confessed the whole
the three were taken to the
public piazza, and there ruthlessly shot
to dea:h.
But of the final act of the tragedy. he
whom they had intended to be their
victim. knew nothing for many long
day. for it was six weeks before he
to consciousness from the
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