The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-09-12

of the explosion and the fires killed the
wind, and Il lurid pail of smoke and cinters
hung like gloomy canopy over tho island.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MOUSE THAT GNAwED TIE NET.
AS the powder vomitcd forth its dreadful
thunder, andas the stones and timber from
the blasted den were hurled high in the air
and We're scattered by the explosive whirl-
wind far and near, some of the splinters
and fragments came down in dropping hail
upon the rcd-iilcd sheds and the doctors
dwelling. At the first shock the lonely
child started up in his little bed, and while
the earth rocked and the stones came pelt-
ing and crashing gu the roof, he screamed,
"Manan! naman! GLOWING echo came
back to those innocent lips, and nourht
was heard save the cracking of the flame
beyond, licking its tongues along the dry
timber and roaring joyously as it was fed.
"Alnman. cherc nmman.'
Yet no answer. and still the savage flames
came careering wildly on 1.-THE very stones
of the court ward cracked like States. while
the burning flakes and cinders loaded tho
air. and the eddyins volumes of smoke
rcclcd in dense clouds and poured their
sutfocating breath into the room where tho
forsakcn child was crying.
One more painting. helpless cry, and the
little follow instinctively flew through the
open doorway. where, binding and choking
with the devastating element around him,
he staggered feebly beyond its influence
Yet again hurryof thick smoke lighted
up the forked aud vivid fumes and chased
the child before it,
o. fond mother! in your poignant grief
f,r M pf
were spared the ugony of seeing him, even
in imagination, struggling family before
Tint tempest of fire and smoke, calling
plaintively for her on whose tender bosom
his lead had rested, while his naked feet
were cut and bruised by the sharp coral
shingle beneath them. But onward and
onward the boy wandered. and fortunately
his footsteps took the path into purcr at
mospherc which led towards the chapel
Here he looked timldly around mt the lurid
glare behind him, and then entered the
church and sank down exhausted, his fever
ish, smartns eyes closing iii slumber on
the hard pavement beneath the image of
our Savior.
Then came the close and sultry night
no muilnlr of II land wind to drive the
smoky canopy away-the black cinders
falling in burning rain on basin, thicket
and lagoon. till even the very lizards and
scorpions hid themselves deep within the
holes and crevices of the rocks. Midnight
came. The DIM and silent stars were OBJ
scure1 by a veil Of heavy clouds. and with
low, muttering ,ounl of thunder the va.
pory masses: dnclosetl their portals and the
rain fell in torrents. The flames. now near
ly satisfied with their work, lcaped out oc-
casionally from the fallen ruins, but were
luenched by the tropical deluge aud smoul-
derc,l away amids; the CHARGED and sntu-
rated timhers. Then the thunder ceased,
the lizards and scorpions came from their
retreats. the seal flattered over the lagoon.
and the noise of the waves bursting over
the reef came again to the ear Still there
was no breath OF air-ihe atmosphere was
thick and damp. and ont from the man.
grove thickets and wide expanse of cactus
swarms of insects. mosquitoes, and sand
flies in myraids went brZZins and singing
i'll the sultry, murky night.
So dragged on the weary hours until day
broke again, and tho sea-brds tloated eff
seawnrl for their mornings meal, and the
flying fish skipped with their silvcrv wings.
from wave to waveas the dolphins glit;ercd
in gold and purple after them below tho
blue water. No bright and blazing sun
came over the hills of Cuba to light ND
,his picture. but all was blight aud gloom,
with murky masses Of dead, still clouds
hanging low down over the island.
The little suffering boy lying there on tho
coral pavement. with his head resting on
the thin. delicate arm. with pale sweet face
turned half upward towards tho Savior,
gave IL feeble cry and opened his eyes. He
rose to asitting posture. with his little hand
resting on his lap and little ragged shirt.
Then with his dim hazel eyes fixed upon tho
painting, while the tears coursed slowly
down his palli! cheek, he put forth his
hand in childish movement of supplica.
ton aad murmurcd again his fearful prayer,
'manan! lnilman,"
Presently rising. he turned his feeble
footsteps toward the doorway and MS his
eye caught the bowl of holy water standing
on its coral pedestal near the portal, no
bent down his feverish head and slakcd lis
parched lips. Revived by this, he timidly
looked out from the chapel. and shuddering
ash he beheld the gloomy wilderness around
he once more screamed in thin, piercing
cry. "Maman! oh, ma chere mlman!"
That was the last sad vail for help for
many and many long year that those in
FAINT lips were destined to utter; and when
he again called upon that dear name his
manly arms would claspa joyful mother to
his swelling heart.
clear shout to the shrek of tho boy.
Henri! Henri" was reiterated again and
again, each time in voice that seemed TO
| split asunder the canopy Of clouds above.
| The boy started aud listened: Henri!
| Hlnyi! this way to your good friend the
doctor! quick. NY little boy!'
| Now with the step of fawn the child
ran out upon the sharp sandy esplanadc,
| end following the voice as he tripped light
ly through the narrow pathway of the
needle pointed cactus. in n moment le
stopped, with Il look of horror. beside the
trestle on which the bound and nearly
naked man Was stretched.
Ay, it was sight to make strong and
stalwart man turn pale with sickness and
horror, much less q baby boy of three or
through the dreadful night. with swarms
on swarms and myriads upon myriads of
singing insects biting, and slipping, and
sucking his life-blood with distrlcting
agony away. All, think of the murderous
torture often practised bv those pirates up
Oh eheir victims in the West Indies! The
bound mans oyeu were closed. the lips
and cheeks were puiied and swollen ont Of
NIL human proportions. and tho infiamed
body was one glowing, red, and angry sur
face. No needle could have been stuck
where the venomous stings of q thousand
sand-iies or mosquitoes had not already
sucked blood. Ay, we'll might the child
start back with horror!
1T is your friend, he doctor, Henri, he
said in French, still IN strong but kindly
voice. 4 cannot see you. but get mo q
knife! No, my child, never mind YOU can
not find ono; don't leave mel"
Here the child timidly put his little
hand out and brushed away tho poisonous
insects, and then touch ed the doctor face.
"Ah, Henri, see if yon cannot slip that
pretty silk rope over my head; yes. that is
the way-doucement--easily. my child!