The Forrest City times., 1891-06-26
stream. It was a long and tedious

out a 1aint gilmmer m the east and told us it was time to get ready. It grew gradually lighter, un- til from my knot hole in the shut ter 1 could make out the trees on the shore quite plainly. We contin- ued to float on very gently with the current, the suspense growing all the while more painful.
 Was it possible that our ruse was suspected?' l began to wonder.
 Suddenly a shadow darkened the doorway and Sang whispered in soft ly: "We are near the place now, sahibs."
 Every man took final look at his rifle and made ready to cast loose the shutters when should give the signal. We dropped down stream for a hundred yards or more in dead silence. was falling into utter de- spair when suddenly dark figure stepped out on the bank and hailed us loudly in Burmese, bidding our boatman come peaceably to shore at once. Sang made reply We are poor boatmen from Myong," he cried, iii well simulated tones of fear We are taking cargo of rice to Tamo, and we pray that you will let us go by unharmed."
 The only answer to this appea Twas a deriSive laugh and a 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 a loud shout, and on the in stant from the shadow ot 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- edly. Make ready now, men,
 Redvers was down at the other end of the line with rifle in readiness, and 1 saw that every man had one trem- bling hand on the bolts of the shut ter. The daeots were so close now that l could see their faces plainly. They were armed with guns and spears, and as they drew little near CT they let fly a volley at our boat men, which drove them inside, happi- ly without injury 1t was time to l act, for the long canoes were close to the 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 Redvers, in q 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 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 ei- 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 tioated 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 I 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 daeoits had reached the shore, and their loud outcry showed plainly that it was their chief who had fallen in- to my hands. l was just about to order the men to give them another volley, when n 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 n quarter of n mile distant perfect fleet of canoes were moving out into the stream from both shores, and 1 saw that we were hopelessly cut of.
 Two of our boatmen at once plung- cd overheard and gaining the right bank disappeared in the jungle. l confess l was badly scared. My first sensation was surprise at seeing such a large force of dacoits. Then lreal- ized our peril. In this clumsy old craft we would be overwhelmed by sheer force plumbers, with no chance of escape. It was unless to attempt to reach the shore. The men with faces slightly blanched were waiting my orders.
 A desperate struggle and soldiers death were all that were left to us, and l was just about to tell them so when n glance at the sullen counten- ance of our captive inspired me with brilliant idea.
 knew these dacoits were towards at heart and, turning to the chief, 1 mustered up my scanty knowledge of Burmese and said fiercely: "Youdog of a robber. if your men come a ward nearer l will shoot you on the spot" and pulled out my revolver as I spoke.
 "Listen," said. "An Englishman never lies, and you know it. Bid your men go back to shore and let out boats go by unmolested. When we are tive 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 ot canoes. lsprang forward and siezed him by the throat, pressing the cold muxzle oi the revolver against his naked breast.
 "Stop, stop, sahihs,' he cried, fall ing on his knees. ''l will do your bid ding; only spare my life"
 Make haste" cried. "or you die on the spot