The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-08-09

at which Mrs. King and smiled at
each other; a slender line, a pan of
ashes, and some other little articles
which have forgotten now.
The line, which was handed the man,
was our spare signal halliard, and after
swinging il around his head moment
he seemed satisfied and laid down be-
side the mat which he had spread upon
the deck. This mat was of woven
grass, like thousands of others we saw
every day.
The only thing which he had brought
with him was long slender sword and
small crystal globe, which seemed
filed with some liquid clearer than
water, with a sparkle and simmer in
its depths even when nothing Jared
the globe to account for the motion.
After a short time the man squatted
down upon his mat and his strange
eyes gazed at each one in the circle
surrounding him for a moment. As
he looked straight into my eyes felt
a most unusual chill and shudder pass
through my veins. was not nervous
woman, and this heart-chill was new
experience to me. His gaze passed
slowly around our little circle, linger-
ing for q moment as it met some eyes,
and passing rapidly over others. 1
thought he paused longer as he gazed
into my face than he did at any other,
but that may have been imagination.
When he had completed the circle he
raised the crystal globe and held it
poised upon one hand and spoke some
words to his young companion in the
strange musical tongue in which he
had carried on all his conversation
since coming on board. She turned
from him and repeated to us his
words. "Tell the strangers TO each
think of the dearest one in his own
far off land and to look deep into the
magic crystal if he would learn what
that loved one is doing at this in
stant."
We each fixed our attention upon
the globe, and 1 wondered what my
sister would think if she could see me
sitting here before this strange Indian
looking into the depths of q glass of
water (if water the globe contained),
and wishing that could really see her
for but one moment. As these thoughts
passed through my mind gazed
steadily at the globe and saw the con-
tents glitter and ripple as if moved by
some wind which we felt not. Slowly
across the surface passed dim cloud,
which grew rapidly more and more
Opaque.
Then suddenly 1 saw a corner of the
old familiar dooryard in my far-ofi
home. The big maple tree grew into
form before my eyes; its leaves fut-
tered and swayed in an unfelt breeze.
The green grass beneath its branches
waved and tossed as if it felt the fresh
air of morning passing across its ver-
dant face. A slender form came swiftly
out of the dim haze which filed in the
background to the picture. 1t was my
sister, and look of wonder shone in
her hazel eyes as she seemed looking
straight across the thousand miles of
water which divided us. L started up
and the picture faded away. saw
nothing but the Hindoo squatting be-
fore me, holding the crystal globe
aloft and watching the faces before
him with keen intentness.
He sat silent for a moment, then
rose to his feet and began his perform
ance by giving us some of the less i'm
portant tricks of the juggler, all the
time his eyes rowing from face to face
as if he would read each heart to its
depths, and 1 for one felt sure that he
could so read mine, for could feel his
gaze sink deep into my brain. was
half afraid of him, but wholly de-
termined to do nothing to break up the
sitting.
After some minor tricks of sleight of
hand and of the commoner class of
legerdemain, he spoke to the girl in a
harsh, quick tone. She brought out
from under her voluminous robe q
small, fiat silver salver, which noticed
was entirely covered by an intricate
pattern of engraving. This the man
put carefully down upon the exact
centre of his mat, and taking from his
bosom small silk bag, he scattered
the contents, white powder, upon
tuS SdlNtIs tlS huuIcoSSu VIC blil III
earnest tones, and then took his seat
again upon his mat, with his head
bowed upon his breast and his hands
gripped closely together us if he was
making some desperate effort or was
bearing some terrible agony. The
girl lighted small taper which had
been among the articles they had
brought with them and put it down
beside her master. Then she also
stood with bowed head and clasped
her hands for moment as if waiting
some signal from her master. She
waited but for moment, for with a
shudder he raised his head and spoke
to her in a quick, shrill voice.
She in turn repeated to us hisrequest
that we should promise that, no mat
tel what happened, we would none of
us move from our place. If we should
move no one could tell what terrible
accident might happen. OF course we
all promised, more or less readily, and
the man, to mako sure of our obed-
fence, beckoned us to sit closer to-
gether in ring almost touching the
mat upon which he sat. We did so,
laughing and crowding together, and
when we had taken the required posi-
tion he spoke to the girl, who imme-
diately caught up the signal line and
proceeded to arrange it in ring sur
rounding our little group as we sat
around our entertainer