The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
A FRIENDLY FOE.
BY WILLIAM NJ. GRAYDON.

u.s. BY WILLIAM NJ. GRAYDoN.
AS strange an adventure, perhaps, as
any man can relate, fell to my lot while
i was experimenting the construction Of
a branch railway in the Province of
-Hydrabad, Southern India.
This branch was one hundred miles in
length, running from Hydrabad to a
small military post called Wadi, where
it joined the Western Railway of India.
From Wadi almost half way to Hydrabad
extended the immense jungle of Osur,
-frequented by various wild animals, and
! by still more savage people, class of
depraved Hindoos, who lived in huts in
the recesses of the forest, and subsisted
; on wild fruit and game.
q To these people the railway was al OBJ
ject of detestasion. They had whole
some dread of the English, however, and
with the exception of an occasional
theft of tools, or the casting of spears at
our workmen, they did not modest US.
1t was q formidable undertaking to
build a roadbed through such dense
and marshy jungle, but we overcame all
s difficulties nob.y and were soon nearly
half way to Hydrabad.
{: AS the railway progressed the tele-
graph line was put up at the same time,
and thus constant communication was
kept up with Wadi. At point only five
miles distant from the eastern edge of
the jungle, and nearly forty-6ve miles
from Wadi, We erected a transit station,
installed therein telegraph operator,
and brought forward large quantities of
tools and machinery from Wadi. Just
when everything looked most favorable
we were startled by a rumor that the
wild men of the jungle were arming
themselves and swarming together with
the avowed intention of Staying the
engineering corps, and destroying the
station.
The news came to US from sources, the
reliability of which we had no reason to
doubt. Our party comprised five Eng
ishmen and large number of native
workmen. These latter we promptly
armed, and prepared in other ways to
defend the station.
The jungle men owned very few fire.
tarms, and if only our own workmen
showed proper valor, we had little fears
as to the result of the attack. That very
night, however, every one of the rascals
scuttled off, fearing to face the enemy.
Oaly the FIVE of US were left, and our
situation was decidedly serious. 1t be.
came even more so an hour later when
we discovered that telegraph communi-
cation with Wadi was cut off.
Z "Ttc rascals mean business, "said Jack
Hunt. "This looks as though they were
preparing for an immediate attack.
What had we better do3 Strike for
Hydrabad or make stand of itl"
"The station must be defended" I re.
piled decidedly-for of course the re-
sponsibility was all on my shoulders.
'We can't afford to lose our tools and
machinery. 1 can see but one way to
save them, must take the trolly, try
to run through to Wadi, and bring Cap
tain Kennedy back with detachment of
troops. Meantime you fellows must hold
cut like grim death"
"Ycu'll never get through, said Jack
ATS madness"
~ "I'll try It," I replied briefly, "and
any way it's our only chance
No further objections were made, and
I was soon ready for the start.
A mysterious noise coming from the
direction of our feet led to the discovery
of two of our runaway workmen who
were hiding under the station floor. The
.rascals agreed to accompany me as trolly-
men on condition of complete forgive
ness.
The trolly is simply comfortable
seat, mounted on four wheels, which
runs of its own accord down grade and
is propelled over steep places by the
trollynen. for whose convenience sreE
; is attached to the rear of the seat. Under
!. the trolly was a small rack, and in this
slowed myrtle and ammunition, retain
irg a revolver in my hand, ready for use
The first five mile stretch was perfectly
level. The trollymcn bow!ed me along
rapidly. and kept close outlook or
both sides of the jungle. Six miles from
the station heavy down grade COM
menced, nearly two miles in length, anc
as We approached this point my spirit!
began to rise. could hear the laboret
breathing of the trollymcn as they pantee
along. Suddenly this ceased entirely
and glancing round in response to a shril
cry of alarm 1 saw my two cowardly at
.tendauts making off as fast as their two
legs could carry them.
The trolly had just rounded small
bend and looking ahead was confronted
by spectacle that made my blood rul
cold.