Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-25

that went through me as 1 felt the fingers
on my cheek again. 1t wasn't Will; he
had moved further on. put up my hand,
and touched n cold face within foot of
mine. | smothered yell, and shuddered
quietly.
"WhO are you2" | asked sottO vOce.
Whats up. Norval?" said Will: but |
couldn't move or speak. He had lighted
his lantern and tIrned it into the dark
spot where stood. and revcaled-an In
dian figure that. with hideOus cunning.
had been put standing in front of the
glass in such n way rs to touch anyone
looking into the case.
Come along" | said, regaining my
voice. Il don't think this is an interest
ing place at all. "
Just then the watChmans footstep COM
ing up the Indian court was heard. We
did not run, but We advanced rapidly,
Will first, into a shallow pond that had
been carelessly made right in the middle
of the floor in part that was pitch dark.
We got wet up to our knees, and made a
great splashing, Our hearts, as usual, in
our mouths However, out we scrambled
and hurried along on the mating
(where our wet boots left no track TO a
line of carriages. We found door un-
locked and got in.
Home" said Will, to the imaginary
driver.
Lie we'll back, - said; ''he's coming
up this way"
And surely enough he did.
! The pond was still very wavy, which
decidedly puzzled him. He looked at ii,
walked round it twice, and then looked
at it again with his lantern.
Curious he must have thought,
''these Indian ponds can't stand our cold
nights; no wonder they shiver a bit"
! He walked straight past the shafts OF
our carriage; we crOuched down between
/ the seats.
When the danger was over We set to
work on our rolls and my flask. and at
| last sailed forth, somewhat revived. ex-
actly as a clock near struck midnight.
In spite of the hour, we didn't feel
quite so nervous, and enjoyed Ourselvse
considerably for some time. not only in
inspecting the remarkable collection from
the West Indian and other small colon
| les but quite as much in walking slowly
along after our friend the night watch
man, and assisting him in seeing all safe
and sound.
| Had we been more nervous, the hide
GUS groups of natives, life size, would
certainly have disconnected us. AS it was,
we were only amused by the ruffian with
a small suet chopper hanging from his
nose and the more refined savage with
the sharks teeth in his ears and round
his neck.
As We approached one of the monster
dining rooms of the place we again heard
the watchman.
AN l..
VIII, as We crouched behind huge
stuffed fish.
They sound like IA whole regiment; a
dozen at least" | said. as we heard the
compact tramp of many feet stepping
very lightly. As, however, it did not get
nearer, but kept going on, our curiosity
got the better of us, and We rose and
looked round the corner.
What a sight! Across the floor, in the
moonlight, disappearing by hole at the
dining room, was a living stream of rats
huge gray ones, sleek brown ones,
some nearly black. 1t was evidently one
of their noted restaurants. never saw
so many rats before.
Unfortunately, just beside us on
stand was pile of small brass gods from
Burmah. | knew it was wrong, but it
was the only damage we did during the
whole night and the temptation was ir-
resistible. Seized with the same impulse,
we caught up two and hurled them at the
rats.
What a commotion. Squealing. run
ming in all directions. Never did those
two idols strike such terror before.
But instead of following up their ad-
vantage the two little gods lay still on the
IL Il.
and felt first one and then the other with
his whiSkers, and then trOtted slowly Off
Soon he brought back more. and in
another minute the rats were running
over our gods as if they were two stones
lying in the way. So much for familiar
ity. No one shall get too familiar with
me. Looking down the gallery we saw a
star shining like an electric light near the
floor of the building.
They've forgotten to turn that out"
said VIII. Did you ever see such a
lights 1t can't be our friends lantern"
1T may be a hole, and light coming
through, / replied, advancing eau
tiOusly. The nearer we got the brighter
it shOne, sending perfect stream of rays
toward us
We began to feel the tea working again
in our terror, but still we crept on, when
unmistakable steps behind compelled us
to 20 faster; and thus urged on from the
rear, we found it was the huge glass eye
of gigantic sword fish sparkling in the
moon. We got behind piano near, and
saw two of our enemies approaching.
Something had evidently reused their
suspicious, for they were talking earnestly
and swinging their lanterns in every di-
restiOn.
"If they had only dog it would be all
up" whispered Will.
Something wrong inside here Mars
ton" said one watchman to the other.
"Them idols cannot move Of themselves,
I'll warrant"
''If catch any thieving rascal in here
responded the ferocious Marston in
blood-curdling tones, "I'll make short
work with him, whoever he is"
Whoever is in will stop in, Marston;
that's certain. I've seen 30 every door, SO
heres no way ont. Wen come across
dim afore morning"
"Blue look out" cried Will. "There
hey go. Wait till they're out Of hearing
md then We'll have a tune"
In spite of all my entreaties, VIII
opened the piano, and, regardless of the
isk, while | held the lantern, played
With one thumb, God save the queen"
Is near the top of the piano as he could.
l kept listening intently, and at last
leard steps in the distance.
I'VE must fly; quick, Will; come
llOng." And away we went behind
Iome large curtains n short distance off.
Then we stopped and listened. All was
till again.
Presently we started on. l think we
xalked for half an hour TO the most re-
note portion of the building before we
halted in front Of a squatter's hut.
On a bench was basin of water;
jowel and a piece of soap lay near.
"l'll have a wash, NOrval. You keep
watch
So VIII gave himself good polish, for
We had accumulated a lot of dust in hid
ny behind pianos and curtains, and l fol-
owed suit
We then tried to get into the hut, but
;he door was fast, so we got in through a