The Coconino weekly sun., 1894-01-04

inis, explained OSSOrlO, was uO frighten away any evil spirits who might attempt to steal the body.
 The dead mans entire kit of weap- ons and bunch of plantains was placed in the coffin with him, to pro- tect and feed him on his long journey to :he land of everlasting felicity.
 Again the low-murmured wall began and continued until it reached a fren- zied pitch. Faster beat the drum and faster whirled the women about the open grave in wild ecstatic dance un- til, weak and dizzy, they sank to the ground, s9uirming and clutching at the grass about them while the foam tlicked from their mouths as from rabid animals.
 Once raore silence fell upon the as- sembled crowd. The sulSia stepped to the grave and with his machete dis patched three dogs and cat which were to bear the dead man company on his journey.
 "I say, Ossorio, this is horrible-it's voodooism-let's go," muttered Struth- CTS.
 "Yes, Buclxra, obeah an voodoo; de Waikas long time come from Africa; dey still keep up CT r'ligion ob der faders. But make me wait; he stop now, see, dcy do something else," added the Carlo, as the natives swayed back.
 The crowd parted and two hideous old hags stepped into the open, drag ging between them trembling young ,,,a h.. before her.
 Shame to whip such nice little girl" murmured the Carib What do you mean-who is going to whip her, and for what reason?" de- manded Struthers. De WailSa man tell me de dead sukia's her fader," answered the Carib. "Waika always whip de 'lations of de dead man at de fun'ral; maybe she do something when he live he no whip her for-dey whip her now for shuah." Hardly had the Carlo spoken, when a brawuy Waika buck stepped forward with a heavy manatee whip. which flashed through the air down upon the girls shrinking shoulders, and left a
 
 A shriek burst from the girl and she writhed and twisted vainly to escape l from the clutches of the hags who held | her.
 Look out, Ossorio, l can't stand this" aasped Struthers. ''Im going to stop it."
 But the faithful Bones, who had crouched till then at Struthers' feet, relieved them from all further respon. sibility, for, as the Wailla raised his arm for the second lash, Bones, at a whispered word from Struthers, gave a low growl, and, gathering himself to- gether, made one of his famous jumps and launched his forty odd pounds of l bone and muscle straight at the execu- tioner's breast.
 l It was all so sudden that the WailSa before the assembled crowd realized what had happened.
 Then, with fierce yells, machetes were drawn and the men made rush at Bones.
 | Struthers and Ossorio were before them, however, the former vowiug he would shoot the first man who touched the dog
 Bones, obedient to his masters com mand, released the Waika, who, stag gering to his feet, rushed to the grave and, seizing from beside it loaded musket, raised it to take aim at Struth- CTS.
 Before he could fire, knife thrown by the Carib pierced his right arm, which fell limp at his side.
 To make a stand against such over whelming numbers was madness, so the two men dashed into the trail be- hind them, hot pursued by the shriek- ing, maddened mob of Wail1as.
 On and on they dashed, till they were breathless, till their hearts beat against their breasts, as though they would burst through. With every step their pursuers seemed to gain, and Struthers was about to give up in despair when a glimmer in the heavy shade ahead re- vealed the river.
 They crashed out into the open, and in an instant had jumped into the pit pan, which had recently borne the corpse of the sultia, and were well ont into the river when the angry Waikas emerged from the forests.
 The yells of the disappointed natives spurred them to swifter paddling, and they were on the schooners deck be- fore the Waikas could launch another dugout.
 The Waikas were too cautious to risk an immediate attack, but soon had dozen pitpans manned and armed
 70, for breeze" cried Struthers, ito take us out over the bar and away from these heathens!"
 But no breeze came, though the an- chor was catted and all sail set ready for the wind.
 On came the Waikas, the war drums beating, the gourds rattling, and the men yelling like demons.
 Suddenly, amid the pandemonium raised by the Waikas, came sounds of rasping and creaking overhead. The Carlo looked anxiously aloft from his place under the bulwarks and gave a cry of gladness.
 Hardly had he spoken when shout