The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-02-27
VOL. XXVII.-NO. II.

who did not count-babies, and old women,
and the crippled girlin the far hut Only
herself and Sirdar Begun to be brave, for
Mai Jewun was sick.
"Wake up Wake up Mai Jewun the
floods are out !" broke in on the newborn
baby's wall as Nuttia's broad scared face
shut out the sunlight from the door.
$50 away, unlucky daughter of a bad
mother, grumblei Jewun drowsily 'Dost
wish to cast thy evil eye on my hearts de-
light2 Go, 1 say"
"Yea go" grumbled the old nurse,
cracking her fingers. "Sure some devil
possesseth thee to tell truth or lies at thy
own pleasure
But the crippled girl spinning in the far
hut had heard the flying feet, caught the
excited cry, and now, crawling on her knees
to the door. threw up her hands and shrieked
aloud. The water stood ankle-deep among
the tamarisk roots, and from its still pool
tiny tongues had licked their way. along the
dry sand.
''The flood the food ? The unayail-
ing cry rang out as the women huddled
together helplessly
"Mai Jewun there is time" came the
Legacy's eager voice. "Put the baby down,
and help. I saw them do it at Luckimpura
that time they took the cattle over the
deep stream, and Bahadur beat me for
seeing it, Quick Quick =
Simple enough, yet in its very simplicity
lay their only chance of escape A string
woven bed buoyed up with the bundles of
reeds cut ready for rethatching and on this
frail raft four people-nay five, for first of
all with jealous care Nuttia placed her be
loved Sirdar Begun in safety, wrapping
her up in the clothes she discarded in favor
of free nakedness.
Quick Quick if the rising ground is
to be gained and'the levels beyond forded
ere the water is too deep! Mott aud
companion yoked by plough-ropes to the
bed waded knee-deep, hock-deep, into the
stream, and now with the old cheerful cry
Nuttia, clinging to their tails and so guiding
them, urges the beasts deeper still. The
stream swirls past, holding them with it,
though they breast it bravely. \ log, long
stranded in some shallow, dances past, shay
ing the raft by an inch. Then an alligator,
swept from its moorings and casting eyes
on Nuttias brown legs, makes the beasts
plunge madly. \ rope breaks-the churn-
ed water sweeps over tho women-the end
is near-when another frantic struggle
leaves Mott alone to her task The high
childish voice calling on her favorite's
courage rises again and again; but the
others, cowed into silence, clutch together
with hid faces, till fresh plunge loosen
their tongues once more. 1t is Mott find
ing foothold, and they are safe-so far
''Quick Mai Jewun," cries Nuttia, as
her companions stand looking fearfully
over the waste of shadows before them.
She knows from the narrows of the ridge
they have reached that time is precious.
eve must wade while we can, saving
Mott for the streams. Take up the baby,
and /"
Her hands, busy on the bed stilled
Observation-Disclosures grew grap-she turn
ed on them Ikea fury. ''Sirdar Begun |
l put her there-where is Sirdar Begum?"
"That bed-leg !" shrilled the mother,
tucking up her petticoats for greater free
dom. ''There was no room, and Hearts
Delight was cold Bah wood floats
"HuH.Ial-lal-a lula lar The herds
mans cry was the only answer Mott has
faced the food again, but this time with
light load, for the baby nesting amid
Nuttia's clothes is the only occupant of
the frai raft
"My SOM My son Light of mine
eyes Core of my heart Come back
Come back y
But the little black head drifting down
stream behind the big one never turned
from its set purpose. Wood foated, and
so might babies. Why not
Why not, indeed But as a matter of
fact Mai Jewun was right A dilapidated
bed-leg was picked up on a sand-bank miles
away when the floods subsided and Mott
joined the herd next day to chew the cud
of her reflections cnntentedly. But the
Village Legacy and Hearts Delight re-
manned somewhere seeking for something.
That something doubtless which had turn
ed the bed leg into Sirdar Begun.
! Punished the Bows