Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-11-12

the hands of his murderer. This was
point to go on, but was not even consid-
cred by the authorities. They followed
the course previously pursued and made
several hundred arrests.
On the third day after the sergeant's
death had a bit of chain work to do on
piece OF land two miles east of the town,
and my helper was native who had
served in the department for a year. He
was middle aged man, very slender,
and his weight was not above 100 pounds.
He had drifted into the town at the close
OF the war, and it was said of him that
he came from the north and had been
faithful to the English during the strug-
gle. When not acting as helper in the
field he had the care of some horses be-
longing to the department. The only
name that he was known was Peter.
When | sent him word that wanted him
he returned reply that he was ill, but
half an hour later he put IN his appear
ance and explained that he was feeling
better. We had reached the field and
had fairly begun when my attention was
attracted to his hands. The backs of
both were scratched and lacerated, though
the wounds were half healed.
at was the monkey at the stables who
did it, sahib," he explained, as he held
up his hands for inspection, 81 was
teasing him and he got revenge. l will
sell him if can fin buyer"
knew he had a monkey at the stables,
and his explanation was perfectly salts
factory. The matter was forgotten in a
moment, anl it would never have oc-
Cured to me gain but for wat fol-
lowed. 1t was scorching hot day, and
after an hour work we sought the shade
to rest. As was lighting my pipe for
a smoke Peter observe that he was very
thirsty and would visit spring he knew
of about quarter Of a mile away. The
field on which we were working had
once been cleared, but was now pretty
well grown over with bushes and small
trees. he disappeared at my back, and
| gave him no further thought for many
minutes. had out my book and was
making some field notes when all of a
sudden it struck me that Peter had a pc
culiar look as he explained how he had
received the wounds on his hands.
remembered that his face hardened aud
that there was cruel glitter in mis- eyes.
Things of this sort never strike one at
the moment, but are vivid when recalled.
When | remembers his looks l won
dered that he had not killed the monkey
for attacking him, aud | reflected that
the man must have hot temper when
aroused. l do not suppose | devoted
over five minutes to this train of
thought. As time passed by | forgot
my surroundings while busy with the
pencil. Peter had been gone about
thirty minutes, as | afterward figured
up, wheI l was suddenly clutchei by
the throat. was leaning back against
tree hardly larger than a mans arm,
and was reclining to the left. Ny eyes
caught no glimpse of anything, nor had
my ears detected the slightest sound to
put me on my guard.
The first sensation was exactly like
that of falling, remem Der a roaring in
my ears and fireworks dancing before
my eyes, and l was perfectly conscious
that my throat was in the clutch of
human fingers. What saved me was the
tree and the position in which l sat. l
did not realize that l struggled to break
the clutch, but did put forth mighty
effort. My right shoulder and arm were
lever against. the strangers right
wrist. aud as | hcayed | broke his clutch
and leaped to my feet. 1t was Peter, as
you have suspected. He had only gone
a few rods away and then turned aud
crept back on me like serpent. His
rout was through bushes and vines, but
when I cane to go over it l could not
find that he had broken a twis. My
spriuging up threw him down, but he
was on his feet like cat, and with crv
like that Of an enraged beast he sprang
'ormy throas again. His eyes were fairly
'Izing, his face distorted with passion,
tad [ realized in an instant that it was
MS life or mine.
Under the new laws no native WAS al
lowed to carry a deadly weapon. Ii one
was found provided with knife or pistol
he was sent to prison. On the other hand,
all Europeans went armed. had re.
volver buckled around me, and if Peter
had not been so sure of straugling me he
could have secured the weapon as he crept
up behind me. lie sprlng upo1 me like
wildcat, see King my throat at every
clutch, aud we grabbed and rolled over
and over on the ground. He made a
dash for my taroa. with his right hand
as we rolled about and caught the ends
of his first two fingers in my teeth and
bit to the bone. That one bite gave me
the victory. Still gripping his fingers, l
struggled to my knees, reached for my
revolver, and had the m lzzle against
his body when the thought flashed across
my mind that he was the professional
stranger wanted by the police. Up to
that instant had no thought as to why
he attacked me. Wnen [ dropped his
fingers and covered him with the revolt
yer he made no further resistance. The
native of India, like the Arab, believes
in fate.
"Sahib, you have won" he said. as
| stood over him. at was to be and 50
it is. Do as you will with me"
"Peter, way should yoa seek my
lifeG' | asked, even yet half hoping
there might be some mistake about it.
"Why did straugle the Others, sahib,
A voice commanded me and obeyed
"Good heavens! out you are not the
murderer of the farmer, the clerk, and
the soldiG-you VINO have been con
sidered so faithful to the English"
Given SO. sahb. 1t was to be, and ii
is. Take me to the police aud l will ad.
NIT everything and die like a man"
drove him before me until we Gu
countered troop of cavalry which had
been securing toe country for subjects,
and was then returning to town with no
less than twenty-six prisoners. Had
Peter denied his admissions to me
nothing could have been proved, and he
only would have been punished for as.
sault. But he felt that fate had deliy.