The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-20
CHAPTER ".
THE ESCAPE.

THE ESOAPE.
after we got back in the village they
had their feast, while they mourned over
their slain. cooking, eating and lamenting
by turns.
"Oviro, with her sister Dwia, went to It
with the other women, but was not ma
tive enough to join in, so got away out to
the forest by myself, aud sat down with nv
native pipe out of their road, to think over
it, and consider what was best TO be done
for the future.
My honeymoon was over now, and
things looked black enough for US all, for
although several days had gone by since
our retreat, we knew that the Germans
were coming on solidly, from the remainder
of our allies, who kept dropping In upon US
with what they had left. Village by village.
Our turn would come any day, and then we
might look out for squalls
81 had spoken to Laloka and told him
that the only thing left for US was to clear
out while we had time, and fight our way
through the hostile tribes which Law between
US and the mountains, which we might get
over and enter British New Guinea, where
we would be safer; but that seemed to be
jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
Lalokn could not bear TO leave the lands on
which he had been born without another
struggle, even although | told him, and l
think ne saw for himself how hopeless a
game it would be to stand up against such
an enemy.
"Oviro also was obstinate when urged
her 30 leave her tribe, and risk 1t with me
alone, through the bush.
"'Better to die with our friends than live
with strangers the brave girl answered
me, and l thought perhaps she wasn't
wrong. and as l couldn't hive without her, l
just made up my mind to stay where 1 was
and sea the game out.
Poor Laloka, when he had taken the
rifles and revolvers, hadn't considered cart
ridges, so that barring. the charges that were
i'll the weapons when 'nabbed, | had no am
munition to carry on the war, still had
those, which boarded up, and determined
to do my level best for the tribe when the
end came.
al sorted up the Dubo House, as being the
largest in the village for my arsenal and
final retreat, and here l arranged with the
chief that our women should take shelter on
the first appearance of the enemy, SO l
waited patiently while our scouts went
about the country aud picked up news.
Zone morning we heard that they had
camped about six miles distant, and were on
the move toward US. Then while got the
women together, Laloka and all who could
carry a spear went out to meet them. There
were no use in trying peaceful measures,
for their orders were always, Clear out, or
be killed. and not a native there but
WOulQnb dOOn6r D0 kllleQ LD6Q give q
single foot of his property.
ii waited. with the women In the upper
story Of the Dubo House, looking out at
the forest, with the rifles and pistols
handy beside me for use; and had not long
to wait.
First the distant shots rolled out, which
told US that the fighting had begun among
the trees; and now / felt sure that the ma
tives would give q good account Of them
IL klo
women sat quiet round me, Oviro resting
her pretty head on my knee, aud all the viii
lage outside deserted, and baking under the
blazing sun.
"Then saw them coming, about score
of dark figures first breaking from the
forest and rushing over toward US, LaIoka
at their head, in his hurry to get to his wife,
and holding his weaponles5 hands against
his side as he ran, to stop the bleeding Of the
wound which was under them.
'"Then the white caps and linen Jackets
of the Germans shone out, giving me good
marks as theY marched steadily on, which
took advantage OF by emptying rife after
rifle as fast as could lift them up and aim.
1t stopped them a bit, because they didn't
expect this reception, and allowed our
friends to reach US.
"Poor Laloka had got his billet could see
as he flung himself down on the floor gasp
ing, while Dwia tried to stop the gush of
blood that kept pumping out Of his wound ;
the other women were busy over their own
men, while the new-made widows rolled
| about and moaned in their grief and de-
spair.
~ had emptied the rifles by this time, and
now gathered the revolvers together for
| close quarters
''I meant TO let them come up near
| enough and then shoot as many as l could
| get head on, while the rest were getting
| out the back way and into the woods only a
| few yards behind, for the Dubo House
stood by itself at the end of the village.
"'Now be off as fast as you cap,' l said to
them, as saw the Germans enter the vii
lage four deep and about eighty strong,
while shoot you clear
81 didn't look round after this, but kept at
my work, getting good few down before
the sausage-eaters woke up to it and made
| for the shelter of the houses: it was a lively
five minutes while blazed away, and they
did the same, filing the village with white
| smoke.
"'Now, Oviro, get up and let us make
| tracks, said when / had flung down the last
pistol all smoking on the boards, and tried
| to lift up her head.
God Of heaven mates, what did L see but
| my poor wife stone dead, with stray bullet
through her heart, Still resting her young
head as she had done for the last hour on
my knee with her cheek against my
broken arm. She had died without me
noticing it, while had been busy shooting
left-handed at those cussed beasts. who had
come to make a hell out of paradise.
"Her eyes were still open, and her lips
wore a soft smile as I lifted up her head.
They were beginning TO grow dim, but they
were brown enough vet to break my heart
almost as l looked into them. Gone with
out word and our unborn baby with her,
and l was left, without another shot in the
locker to settle either my own hash, or poll
ish off another Of her murderers. Lord,
mates, If l could only have had another
brace of loaded bankers at that moment it
would have eased my mind bit. l would
have lat them cut me in pieces If they
liked ss l ran among them, but I'd have
sent another dozen of their black souls to
glory first
81 looked about me, O. Laloka
| lay ON his back dead, aa's arms
round his neck, and their /, liking to-
gether, for she had run q bohe .iufo into her
heart when she saw him die fhe others
had fitted, as l told them.
How long / eat there With my poor
young wife on my arm 1 con hardly tel!
you.