Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-06-05


Hasn't no really?' reioined his
friend, with an air of pretended aston
ishment. well. if he hasn't I'm sure
it's no fault of his; for ever since that
last girl was snapped up he's gone and
perched himself up in tree on the
bank regularly every evening, to try
10 get pop at them"
lis he there now. do you thinky'
asked several voices at once.
Il haven't the least doubt he is; and.
in fact. he passed me only half an hour
ago with his rifle on his shoulder
seemingly going towards the village. "
We'll, I'll tell you what, my boys;
wen just go down there in IA body and
see what Marston's up to. II he's hav-
ing any sport, we may just as well
have our share of it too.
This suggestion was hailed with "A
burst OF approving shouts and laughter
by his comrades, and away trooped
the whole party at "A brisk pace in the
direction of the Bazaar Gas the native
quarter of the station was called),
whore they arrived just in time to
witness a strange and startling spec
tacle.
As evening approached. n number OF
the Hindoo women had waded into the
river as usual to battle, wash their
clothes. or scour out their cooking pots
and stewpans; and among the rest was
Lukshmce. IA young girl, profusely
adorned with massive silver bangles
which glittered like stars upon her
slender wrist and ankles in tho last
rays of the sinking sun.
Forgetting, or disregarding, the risk
of being seized by the Unsuitable croc-
odiles. Lukshmee had already VEN
tured boldly out into the middle of the
stream, when she suddenly uttered a
wild cry, seemed 10 struggle violently
FOR moment and then vanished be-
meath the dark waters.
At the same moment. report like
the crack of whip echoed through
She still evening air, puff of Blush
white smoke jetted forth from the thick
foliage OF tall tree close to the wa
ter's edge and dark figure, SPRING
ing up from among the reeds on the
bank, threw its arms convulsively
above lis head. and fell heavily for
ward upon its face. Curiously enough
just a. il fell the seeming drowned
girl reappcarcd above the surface OF
the stream, and began to paC< feebly
towards the shore.
At that instant a sudden swaying
and trembling stirred the tall grass on
the opposite bank. as il some heavy
body was creeping cautiously through
il. There came a second repcrt-a
lash-anothcr puff OF smole-and the
movement instantly ceased. while a
man (who was seen to be no other
than Walter Marston him self. slid
down the big tree like IN acrobat.
and ran at full speed across the bridge,
while the others hurried after him IA
fast as their feet could carry them.
There. amid the trampled grass. lay
PROSTATE tall, gaunt, sinister-looking
Hindoo. shot through the body. but
still living; and beside him was the
end of "A stout rope, which ran down
10 the banl; and disappeared under the
water
You see the dodge now. on'tyou?"
said MarStOn 20 his wondering follow
ers. These two rascals are the
'crocodiles' that have been doing all
this mischief. The one that | shot
over there is a noted dacoit highway
robbery. and this fellow is evidently
his accomplish. They've been lying
in ambush here and dragging these
poor girls under water by entangling
their feet with noosed ropes, in order
80 drown them and then steal their
silver ornaments; but I've stopped that
game this time, any how
Marston's statement was fully borne
out by the confession of the second
robber. who, although mortslly wound
ed lived for two days afterwards. The
aifair-which made considerable noise
at the time-sent the daring secretary
up the steep ladder of official promo
lion with unusual raHdity; and 10 this
day mis- name is connected in the stories
Of dinner tables with the oft-repeated
legend of the dainty crocodile of
HutteepOre.