The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-10-14

over two young men who had made mp
their minds to have few days sport
with gun and rod in the forest despite
its evil repute. They were both Eng
lishmen and new chums, and like Eng
lishmen travelling for pleasure were
pretty free with their money, showed
good deal of it as well as lavish dis
play Of jewelry, while they laughed
easily at the warnings which they re-
ceived.
They had their TASKS with them,
therefore did not linger at the shanty
when they landed, but struck straight
out for the forest, and, as they told
Toms wife on their return, had good
sport until the rain came on and drove
them back
1t was about noon when they re-
turned on the fourth day, after wad-
ing for many hours through the
swamps, with that persistent and bone
chilling downpour saturating them as
it did everything about, and the first
thing they did was to seek, the bar and
ask for stiff jorum of brandy each,
and while the hostess was placing the
bottle to their reach they inquired
about the boat.
The landlady, an aged female nearly
bent double with rheumatics and other
infirmities of time, received them in a
very friendly manner, told them that
the boat had that morning gone to
Auckland and would not be back for
some hours as the weather was so
rough, and offered to light fire in the
parlor, so that they could warm and dry
themselves meanwhile, an offer which
they gladly accepted.
AS she told them there was no one at
home but herself, she left them in pos
session of the bar while she went out
to prepare the room for them, and thus
helping themselves, as was the custom
in colonial bars, they took up the liquor
according to their different habits
that is, the youngest bolted about a
third of his quickly and without dis
elimination. while the elder, being of a
more fastidious turn. smclt his glass
carefully SO as to test the quality before
drinking it, after which he emptied it
hastily amongst the sawdust at his feet
and caught at the upralsed arm of his
companion.
For Gods sake don't drink any of
that stuff, Charley" he whispered sit
is drugged.
'But l have done so already, Jack"
replied the other, with dismay in his
tones.
"Then take no more, but pour it out
as have done mine quick, for the old
hag is coming back. There, now keep
quiet and I'll manage the rest.''
AT this moment the old woman came
back, and, casting her eyes over the
empty glasses and the bottle, from
which she could see quantity had
been taken, she said:
"The room is ready now, gentlemen,
if you will step round, and the fire will
be up in few moments, SO that you
can rest and dry yourselves while /
get you cup of tea and something to
eat" ~
Eyes! let us go in, Jack, for feel
confoundedly tired and sleepy" mur-
INJURED Charley, as he leaned heavily on
the counter, with his eyelids closing.
No, Charley, We'll walk about,in-
stead outside" answered Jack, firmly,
getting hold of his companions arm
and beginning to drag him to the door.
Surely You are not going to stand in
the rain till the boat comes," cried the
old woman, in astonishment "Why,
the ram is worse than ever, while it is
SO comfortable inside, with a nice sofa,
where your friend can rest himself il
he is tired"
"Yes-let us go comfortable
sofa-slcep," muttered Charley, inco-
herently.
NO" answered Jack. 'sOutside or
nowhere. There is no one else about
the place, ] suppose?" he asked, as he
thought he saw the door of the shed
opposite move.
No one at all, not even dog or
cat" answered the old woman, as, with