The National tribune., 1892-03-10

heart OF every soldier, ana We Ntlc c"N'' =" -
an the despicable Wretches who had made INC
name of CawupOre the darkest OF the many on
the man of India
Garrison he was dull enough after the bat
ties. aud we were waiting for something more
exciting 30 turn up Ii was not long before we
were accommodated.
One afternoon Col Murray ordered detail
of Omen who were 10 proceed 10 Balllydak'
village Eve miles 10 the northeast, aud escort
back three wagons OF tents, besides giving room
for the wife of Capt. Poston, young woman
who had been visiting the family OF native
who had remained loyal all through the late
war.
never conld learn Just why the detail was
not made stronger; but then everything was
quiet and the Sepoys seemed 10 nave hau
enough OF the outcome OF the war, and we
were not looking ior any further trouble from
that quarter.
Tie weather was hot, but the men, led by
Corp'l Dix who had won honorable mention lot
bravery al Lucknow went out IN light march
ing order. As the road was good, though u
led Tor some little distance along the edge oil a
dense jungle they were not expected to be gone
long.
Corpl Dxs last instructions were 10 be back
by shutdown, aud we saw the little detail NE
across the parade ground aud out OF the gates
with no fears for its safety.
But when night came and we heard nothing
Of the detail, though we looked down the road
TO Baillyduk with some anxiety, We began 10
fear that trouble had oyertaken the 10. An.
other hour passed aud the tall figure OF Col.
Murray emerged from his quarters and was
seen to leave the harrack aud stand in the
road with his eyes turRed wistiully toward the
near village.
Coming back with q nervous sten, he ordered
out III company, and gave Capt Nolan particu-
lar instructions 10 see what detained Corpl
L.. L.. srFwF.W.
we shouldcred our muskets and stepped into
line. hoping that we would get 10 shoot few
DacOits or pF0Wlng ScpOys on tho trip. But
tue whole tramp was devoid Of any excitement
save that which belonged 10 the fact that we
reached BaillydRk without having seen or
heard Of the lost detail.
Corpl Dix aud his men had disappeared ms
eheciually as II tile earth had opened and swal-
lowed them. We learned at Baillydak that
they had reached the village and secured the
teams besides lifting Mrs. POstOn TO q scat IN
the foremost wagon, and had started on the re-
tum march with high spirits aud full OF glee.
This much, nothing more.
We went back over that hye-mile road, now
highway Of mystery, with feelings that cam
not be described. We proceeded with caution,
for tie disappearance Of the detail suggested a
big case Of kidnapping aud we were eager 10
get nt the perpetrators OF the outrage.
The fringe of the jungle was dark and for
bidding VIC did lot venture into il, as il was
known 10 he infested with some OF the largest
tigers of the district We skirIed It's edge and
called Cor the Corporal and bic men. Then we
fred some shots 20 et them know that we were
on the lookout for them. But all we heard In
reply was the echo OF our shots aud now aud
then the cry OF some uiglit-bird reused from
her nest by orr Efforts 10 find our comrades.
will not attempt to describe tho excitement
caused by our report. IL spread like wildfTe.
The officers got together aud discussed the
matter and the priyatcs in whispers aud not a
few with blRnched checks, talked the affair
over IN their barracks. Capt PostOn. whose
wife was among the lost, was too sick with
fever 10 Join the groups, and il WAS deemed
advisable 20 keep the tidings from him, which
was done.
The next day the road was searched again.
strong force was sent over Il with orders 10
follow the trail when found 10 the end, aud not
let anything escape the human eye.
ltWasmy fortune 10 90 out with the searching
party, When we reached point about mid
way between the two towns we came across
what appeared a clew 10 the mystery.
This Was q WapOn-track among the stones Of
the road, but when we had followed II some
distance il vanished and the mystery was az
deep az ever We went iHtO the jungle, stirred
out two tigers. which fed at our approach. and
turned back when We discovered that nothing
was 10 be found there.
Days passed, aud the mystery Of the lost de
tail was as deep and impeuctrable as ever j
seemed almost impossible 10 lose u persons u
o country well inhabited and along a publ,
road but We had lost CorpI Dix and hi,
party
Rumors that Mana Sahib the arch-rcbel, wa
lurking in the jungle became frequent aud
s0Iuc who heard them believed that be ha,
bounced upon tie party aud gObblcd il in 70
massacre somewhere in the heart Of the will
region north Of Us. This only served 20 OK
HspcHtc thg men, who clamOrcd 10 be led ate
tho rebels. bat oi. Murray shook his head
g. if DC bad other views about tie matter.
Al last the COiouel secretly detailed scycra
men, who were 90 act spies Or detectives
in hopes Of ierreuug out the truth about III
lost detail
ID fell 20 my lot 10 be one Of these, pcrhar
because had succeeded IN getting NJ the bot
tom Of another mystery IN which q part Of III
regiment had figured. j did not like tic i0i
for ] knew the rcyeugefui nature OF the Saint
aud sepoys and bad good cause 10 fear then
traitors aud rebels az they were.
Some four days after tho second detail j vs.
picking my way through an open part OF III
iuuEe toward the summit Of Aill from whic
could overlook the land lying between Ball,
pulr aud Eaillydak. When ! had gained III
SPOT ] halted in the shade Of a group of tami
Tinds aud rested The whole country wild bl
picturesque, lay ln the last beams Of the SUI
aud noticed toward Baillydak some con fusiol
81 ID aEQuad Of hOTscmcn were riding rapidly 4
ward thc,nOrth az though in fear oil pursuit
The h0rscmcn disappeared iu one OF the dar
passes Of the hills, and when the shadows
might had fairly settled over the landscape
turned my face In that direction, for the NOV
monts Of lhe native cavalry had aroused u
suspicious.
There was danger in creeping across the IA
Of Tie country, especially 80 soon after the D
bcl.l0n, when The passions of the native chic
were still aroused; but desire 10 discover n
fate OF tie unfortunate detail animated me al
J pushed forward
gained The pass after long tramp throus
The grass and tail underground, aud halt,
where could command a view OF il la the d.
moonlight that now prevailed.
Certain marks on the ground told me that d
hOIscmon had passed down the raylnc. The
were native horses, az they were not sh0d.
was in tIo act oil following, when strange q
which sounded ike the note OF q certain nigh
bird, found nowhere but in Dude icl up0n u
ears. moment later there came into vie
not tho bird itself but The tall figure Of natl
chief
In an instant my hand was az tic butt Of n
pistol, for 4 bad brought DO muskct 20 the snt
and leaning forward J was watching che mi
closely when hc was Joined by another 30
were tail and clad ia tAe preya ling costuT
81 natives. ] could sec ;hat they were secret
plotting surprise or something o. that uatu
liad they caught sight Of me sneallug throu
the grass3 Was ] to 10 their yictn2
But LEY vanished without q, ing me mu
chance 20 iueupct fhpiF -tnr-outl uuup1 ram