The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1889-08-02
LAKE CHARLES CALOASEU PARISH LOUISIANA

and oroeodiles and huge snakes and other
terrible creatures that Il seemed quite
natural to her that some unknown and
fearful monster should have its under
ground den beneath the fort and should
now be at work to dig its way out and
devouT them all
Nellie scrambled headlong out Of her
hiding place, never needing how sorely
herpoor little arms and face we're bruised
by the rough stones, and daTted out of
the vault in such haste as almost TO
knock down Harry, whom she enooun-
tered just at the entrance,
"Oh, Harry" she painted, there's a
monster living here under the ground,
and it's trying to claw its way out and
cat usl"
The boy looked puzzled, as well he
might, and at first seemed more inclined
to laugh than be scared, But he became
serious enough when Nellie took him
back to the spot and they both heard the
mysterious noise palmer than ever,
''I'll tell you what, said he, with an
air of decision, I'm just go straight to
papa and tell him about this II there's
anything wrong he ought to be told at
once, for he's oommandant OF the fort,
you know"
And away they both aew to the old
colonel's quarters as fast as their feet
could carry them,
The commandant, who had quite
enough to think of just then, for he was
in the very midst of an inspection OF the
failing provisions and a calculation how
long they could be made to last, frowued
slightly at the intrusion Of the children.
and was going to order them out again.
But the instant he heard HaTy's first
mention Of the mysterious sound, the
Colonel's bold, weather beaten face
changed visibly and looked SO grave that
| Nellie felt quite convinced that there
really was an underground monster be-
meath the fort, which was trying to get
out and eat them all up; and she was
more certain of it than ever when she
heard the old colonel making Harry de-
scribe as exactly as possible the precise
spot where the strange noise had been
heard
Have you told any one else about
this, my hoyH' asked he, after hearing
all that there was to be told
mo, | thought had better report
direct to you, as commandment of the
garrison" replied Harry, doing his best
to speak in military fashion
Quite right, said his father, with a
grim smile I'm very glad you did
Now, I'll tell you what do Take Net
lie with you and go and help your moth
er To make handages for our wounded
men, and mind you don't say word
about this to her or any one else till |
| give You leave.
Away went the two children, still rath-
er puzzled but feeling quite sure that
it would all come right somehow for
they both had unbounded confidence in
Harry's father, whom they secretly be-
lieved to be the greatest soldier alive.
1t was drawing toward evening when
the colonel came back, pale and weary
and with a broad bandage across his
forehead, but looking very well satisfied
for all that.
You've saved us all my little sen,
tinels" cried he, laying one broad, brown
hand on Harrys shoulder and stroking
little Nellie's golden curls with the other.
These Hindoo rascals were trying ia
dig mine under the fort and blow us
all up together, but we've stopped their
little game for once, and | don't think
they'll have time to try it again"
He was right, for on the very next day
the enemy broke up their camp and re-
treated, a..d they had hardly disappeared
on one side when tho hayonets Of Gen.
Roses soldiers came glittering over the
crest Of Q low ridge on the other. David
Kerr in Golden Days.