Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-01
went to my belt. The pistol was no

her embrace. but she held to me like a
cat, and almost succeeded by sudden
jerk in throwing me out Of the boat,
which was already on one side. con-
| trived. however, to restore the equilib-
rum, and then began, between my per-
fidious companion ard myself, desper-
ate struggle. in which employed all my
strength. while feeling that the abomin-
able creature was overcoming me by her
agility
What do you neanF' | said to her,
squeezing her little hands SO tightly that
heard her fingers crack; but whatever
pain may have caused her. she did not
utter word. Her reptile natuIe could
not thus be overcome.
.'You saw us. she cried at last. You
want to denounce US" Then by a rapid
and violent effort she threw me down
Her oody and mine were now bending
over the side Of the frail craft and her
hair was in the water The moment
was critical one. got up on my
knees. took her with one hand by the
hair. with the other by the throat, and
when at last compelled her to unclutch
my clothes, | threw her into the sea.
Twice her head reappeared among the
foaming waves, Then | saw her no
more.
In the bottom of the boat found an
old oar. with which. after much labor,
succeeded in getting to the shore. As |
walked back to the hut by the path
leading TO the sea. | looked toward the
place where the night before the blind
boy had been awaiting the arrival Of the
sailor. The moon at this moment was
shining in the sky, and fancied could
discern on the seashore white figure
Filled with curiosity. | concealed my
self behind sort of promontory, from
which | could remark what was going
on around me. What was my surprise,
and | almost say my joy, when saw
that the white figure was my naiads
She was wringing the water out of her
long. fair locks. and her wet d1ess clung
to her body. a boat, which | could Just
see in the distance, was coming toward
us. Ont Of it sprang the same boatman
whom had seen the night before, with
the SAME Tartar cap. now saw that
his hair was cut in the Cossack fashion.
and that from his girdle hung large
knife
'Janko. cried the young girl. 'all is
lost.
Then they began to talk, aut in so low
voice that could not hear them.
Where is the blind boys" said Janko
at last, raising his voice.
He will be here soon." was the an
sver.
At that very moment the blind boy
appeared, carrying on his back packet.
which he placed in the bark.
Listen, said Janko, keep a good
watch here; the things you know are
valuable. Tell"-here name was ut
tered which could not catch-"that
am no longer in his service. Things have |
taken bad turn. He will see me no
more. The situation is so dangerous that |
| must get something to do elsewhere.
He viii not find such another very easily. /
You may add that if he had rewarded 1
more literally the dangerous services
rendered to him, Janko would not have
left him in the lurch. Ii he wants to /
know where to find ne-where the wind /
bowls. where the sea foams. that is where
| am at home
After a moments silence Janko went
on; 'Say she accompanies me. She can
not remain here. Tell the old woman
that she has done her time. and that she
ought to be satisfied, We shall NOT see
her again"
And II murmured the blind boy.
Il cannot be troubled about you"
The young girl leaped into the boat,
md with her hand made sign to her
"Here. he said to the blind boy, that
will do to buy gingerbread"
Nothing mores" replied the child.
"Yes, take this" and piece of money
ell upon the sands.
The blind boy did not.pick it up.
Janko took his place in the boat. The
blind boy remained sitting down on the
and he seemed to be crying.
POOR fellow his grief afflicted me. Why
lad fate thrown me in the midst of this
'NcCNANt SiANiN Vi cA-Aue ACAcs 40 IL clOt0
roubles the water. had brought dis
rider into these lives. and like the stone. !
moreover, | had very nearly sunk.
When got back to the cabin my Cos
ack was so fast asleep that it would
ave heen cruel to disturb him. lighted
he candle and saw that my little box
my valuables, my saber with
liver mountings. my Circassian dagger
siven to me by friend) had all been !
arried off Now | understood what the
acket placed in the boat by the blind
oy must have contained.
| woke up my Cossack with blow,
him for his negligence and
Iirly lost my temper But my anger J
ould not make me find what had lost. !
And how could | complain to the au-
loritiesf Should | not have been laughed
if had told them that had been
obbed by blind boy, and almost
rowned by young girl?-Detroit sun
ews =