Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-06-11

plunged them into the Kissing water,
There is war-canoe coming down
the river, ] hear the strokes OF their
paddles, and our only safety lies in
finding hiding place."
Muttering few words TO the Malays,
he babe them turn the nose OF the boat
ashore, which they did with marvellous
instinct, considering how impenetrable
was the darkness with which they were
surrounded. Only just in time did they
succeed in reaching the friendly bashi-
reeds, behind whose waving plumes
they were safe from observations; for
with n rush huge canoe, manned by a
score Of nearly naked saveges and lit
by q dozen flaming torches, flashed
down the stream. At the stern sat n
man who constantly urged the toilcrs to
greater speed, occasionally striking
them with the reverse end Of long,
ugly spear he bore in his right hand.
Like phantoms of hideous dream they
passed into the darkness and were
gone.
"Those fellows are swamp-dweilers,
and If am not mistaken they are in
pursuit of u.s." the Frenchman said, with
o grim smile. Luckily for us they
speed along so incautiously, or we
should have been food for the alligat-
ors ere this"
And what shall we do now?" Dun
bar asked, wearily.
make the most Of our escape and
strain every nerve to catch the white
rascal ahead of us before they RETURN"
was the prompt response.
The natives refused their spell OF rest,
anxious to put greater distance be-
tween themselves and their dreaded en-
cmies, whose bloodthirsty ways they
were familiar with, so the sampan sped
swiftly on in response to their vigorous
efforts.
what was the cry we heard when
the war-boat was reaching us?" Dunbar
asked, still thrilled with the agonized
scream which seemed even yet to float
in the air.
''Most probably the death-yell Of
murdered slave" Campignon replied.
For, when on forced Journey these
gentry see poor wretch shrinking
from his work, exhausted with the ter
Tible toll, they just give him slash
with q crease and pitch him overheard
to feed the crocodilcs. All, thought
so-do you not see in the glimmering
light that little dark mass floating down
the stream? Nay, 1t is no use going out
of our way to the rescue, for II life is
not extinct. the monsters OF the deep
will have seized their prey before we
could reach it"
Even us he spoke, huge snout was
raised four feet above the water, and
with a snap the jaws of II scaly saurian
closed on the dainty norsel.
Already the moon was rising over a
steep bank of cloud. when they found
themselves in a broader eXpanse of
water, which, as the light became more
vivid, took the semblance Of a wide
lagoon, whose placid waters presently
lay like silver mirror under the rays
OF the full moon. In the midst of this
miniature lake stood an island with
deep PERCEPTIONS sides and crowned
with palm trees, lovely bit of land
scapc, the more beautiful after the
gloomy passage Of the tortuous, shaded
river.
Already the Malays were leaning over
the side of the sampan LAYING their
faces in the crystal fluid and drinking
the sweet water from their gourds,
when the Frcnchman checked them in
the unuttcrable bliss of the deep
draughts.
THE waters of the lake are sweet to
the taste and clear to the eye" he said,
"but tainted with the poison Of the
stream above. Let us make the island,
where we shah find some spring from
which we can fill our vessels and be
sure that we are not pouring liquid
death down our throats."
II see n spot where we can land"
Dunbar cried, shading his eyes with his
hand and pointing to an inlet guarded
by two abrupt rocks which stood as
sentinels 10 n narrow natural harbor.
Without reply the toiling natives
bent themselves to the task of reaching
the tiny haven, and, when their efforts
had been crowned with success, they
found themselves at the entrance of q
small canyon, scarce three yards wide,
whose sides were walls ef massive
rock nearly fifty feet in height Cam
pignon whispered a caution as they
forced the boat up the stream. Not even
night bird was disturbed by their
noiseless approach. The channel up
which they were proceeding was
strange freak of nature, winding in its
course, like the coils of huge serpent
winding on and on with unchanging
sameness, as It seemed to the anxious
voyagers, for miles.
Let us turn back!" Dunbar cried.
I'VE are wearing ourselves out for
nothing"
Even rs he spoke the tallest and