Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-05-16


out faint glimmer in the enst and
told us it was time to get ready.
it grew gradually lighter. I'M
til from my knot hole in the shut.
ter | could make out the trees on
the shore quite plainly. We contin-
ued TO noat on very gently with the
current the suspense growing all the
while more painful.
was 1t possible that our ruse was
suspected?' | began to wonder.
Suddenly shadow darkened the
doorway and Sang whispered in soft
iy: we are near the place now,
sahibs."
Every man took a final look at his
rifle and made ready to cast loose
the shutters when should give the
signal. We dropped down stream
Tor hundred yards or more in dead
silence. l was falling into utter de-
SPAR when suddenly dark figure
stepped out on the bank ana hailed
us loudly in Burmese, bidding our
boatman come peaceably to shore at
once. Sang made reply. ave are
poor boatmen from Myong," he
cried, in well simulated tones of fear.
eve are taking a cargo of rice to
Tamo, and we pray that you will let
us go by unframed"
The only answer to this appea Twas
q derisive laugh and sterner COM
mand to steer for the bank at once.
Sang made no further reply, and as
the robber saw we were going to float
on by regardless of his commands he
gave n loud shout, and on the in
slant from the shadow OF the bank
three long pointed canoes shot out
filled with savage looking fellows, who
padded directly for our boat.
They are coming" l cried, excit-
eddy. "Make ready now, men,"
Redvers was down at the other end
of the line with rifle in readiness, and
l saw that every man had one trem-
bling hand on the bolts of the shut
ter. The dacoits were so close now
that l could see their faces plainly.
They were armed with guns and
spears, and as they drew a little near
er they let fly a volley at our boat
men, which drove them inside, happi-
ly without injury. 1t was time to
act, Tor the long canoes were close to
tho boat and l saw by the triumph
ant look OF satisfaction on their
swarthy faces that they anticipated
an easy victory.
"How close are they?" demanded
Redver3, in hoarse whisper.
"Get ready" l answered. "Now,
then, drop the shutters together,
men, and let them have it,"
The word of commad had hardly
left my lips when the shutters fell in
unison, letting in a binding glare of
light, and so astounding the robbers
that they actually ceased padding
for one second of stupefied amaze
ment. Then our rife fire raked
through the canoes with deadly eff
feet, and in an instant they had
plunged overheard, some never to
rise again, Others striking out wildly
for the shore, while the abandoned
canoes floated off with the current.
One big savage, who seemed to be
the leader, got confused and drove
straight toward the boat. He came
to the surface so close that l reached
out and caught him by his long black
hair and, with Redvers' assistance,
hauled him struggling and kicking
on board. BY this time many of the
dacOits had reached the shore, and
their loud cutlery showed plainly that
1T was their chief who had fallen in
to my hands. l was Just about to
order the men to give them another
volley, when a loud cry from the
steersman overhead attracted my at
tention, and looking down the river
saw n sight that nearly froze my
blood. Less than a quarter of u
mile distant n perfect fleet of canoes
were moving out into the stream
from both shores, and | saw that we
were hOpelessly cut off.
Two of our boatmen at once plung-
ed overheard and gaining the right
bank disappeared in the Jungle. |
confess | was badly scared. My first
sensation was surprise at seeing such
n large force of dacoits. Then real
lied our peril. In this clumsy old
craft we would be overwhelmed by
sheer force ofnum bers, with no chance
of escape. 1t was unless to attempt
to reach the shore. The men with
faces slightly blanched were waiting
my orders.
desperate struggle and a soldiers
death were all that were left to us,
and | was just about to tell them SO
when glance at the sullen counten-
ance OF our captive inspired me with
a brilliant idea.
knew these dacoits were towards
Mt heart and, turning to the chief,
mustered up my scanty knowledge of
Burmese and said fiercely: You dog
of robber, if your men come n yard
nearer will shoot you on the spot"
and pulled out my revolver as
spoke.
Listen" said. San Englishman
never lies, and you know it. Bid
your men go back to shore and let
out boats go by unmolested. When
we are five miles below here you shall
be set free
The robber shook his head sullenly.
and l saw with alarm that we were
fast drifting down into the horde of
canoes. l sprang forward and sliced
him by the throat, pressing the cold
muzzle OF the revolver against his
naked breast.
"Stop, stop, sahibs,' he cried, fall
ing on his knees. 81 will do your bid
ding; only spare my life."
make haste" | cried, cor you die
on the spot