The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-02-07
A SACRIFICE.

-"
some, generous fellow and a favorite with
the whole corps from the bluff old COM
mandant to Nicer Ali, the Hindoo servant.
though in truth he was apt in the exuber-
ant hilarity of youth to commit actions Sc
rious to himself and liza BILE to compromise
the credit of our regiment, which was at
the time stationed in India.
Complaints were constantly being
brought in against him by the inhabitants
of the towns around. Now the house OF
surly Mussulman had been forcibly enter
ed, now sacred pigeon had been shot a!
while roosting on the very pinnacle OF a
pagoda, while onca upon time he was
likely to have Jared still worse for having
dared to pursue one of the dancing girls
belonging to the temple into the very pre-
cincts of that prohibited edifice.
He was passionately fond of field sports,
and often his fowling piece led him into
scenes that at times were anything but
agreeable.
On one occasion, allured by the news OF
much game, we obtained months leave
of absence, intending to roam the jungles
until time was up and duty again called
us. Attended by three servants and Sc
poy, we commenced on. knight errantry.
After a glorious weeks sport we found
ourselves nearly used up and decided to
rest week at town with jawbreaking
name.
Our sepoy was a fine, intelligent fellow,
and by him we were informed that he had
made friends with an old man whose only
child, young and lovely girl, had lately
been dragged from their cottage during bis
temporary absence, the only person that
was with her at the time being decrerit
old woman, their servant.
That plunder was not the object sought
was evident, for nothing was touched in
the house or garden, and the old woman,
recolleot that among the party who tore
the poor girl from her arms was one in the
garb of Hindoo nendicant.
Interested In Ali's recital, at my desire
he introduced me to his new acquaintance.
He was a fine, venerable old man on the
verge of 80, and il answer to our inquiries
declared that he was convinced his daugh-
ter had been carried off by the Goands fol
their annual human sacrifice.
t'But can nothing be done to save herr"
we both exclaimed. But the only answer
was that in thrss days, at the new moon,
the sacrifice would be made.
ssNay,' returned Charles, ''lead me to
the spot, or the one yon suspect, provide
us aud our attendants with such DISCUSSES
as you deem most likely to favor such an
enterprise, and lei me try what can be
done.
Disguised as native soldiers, we COM
menced our search. and it was not long
before we had discovered the principal pa
CODA of the place, situated in thick grove
We felt assured that the interior OF this
temple was 5fe place allotted for the sacrl-
fees, HOT Eas it with difficulty we learned,
by mingling with the crowds that attend
ed fair in the town, that grand festival
was to be soiemnized at midnight.
While crawling carefully around the
building accommodating. a large snake is
sued from heap of stone, passed rapidly
toward the temple and entered a crevlce In
the wall and glided away out of sight.
Charles seized stick and Immediately
commenced pursuit, until when he strove
to dislodge the reptile by thrusting his
weapon into the aperture the stick struck
something that emitted a metallic sound,
and on approaching to examine it he found
it was a small door imbedded in the stone
work of the wall.
Digging away the mortar and rubbish
that almost concealed it from sight until
he was able to drag it open and gain ad
mittance to a small cell, then returning
he related to us his discovery, and with
our swords and pistols near at hand and a
torch in case of need we returned to the
search.
On entering the cell CLEAN of light
warned us that neighbors were at hand,
ana that all must be done as silently as
possible if we hoped to succeed.
A groan from the bereaved parent and
his fall proved that his nerves had received
an additional shock.
Selling him, commenced dragging him
into the open air, while my companion,
following the old mans example, saw
through the orifice a most lovely creature
"a young and graceful girl, whose beauty
shone in the glare of many torches stuck In
the wall as she lay bound hand and foot.
Passing his hands over the wall, search
ing every clevice and Granny with his fin
gers in the DARK, regardless of the hiss of
the startled snake, he sought an entrance
to the prisoner. At last springbolt was
touched, the door opened, and in five min
utes, free from cord or chain, she lay mo-
tionless in the arms of her overjoyed par
ent, and after successful retreat was at
last placed in safety but not until a dart
from Cupid's bow and Azeeta's bright
eyes had pierced my young friends heart
Soon they were united, and on the death
of bis beloved ones father Charles Norton
found himself worth few laos of rupees
and with wife whose clinging affection
rewarded him for all dangers incurred for
her sake.
But sickness seized him, and as the
heavy damp hung on the brow that Azeeta
pressed to her bosom and so tearfully kiss
ed she seemed unconscious it was the damp
of death or that the dread silence told that
he hrcatherl no more, and that life with it
had fed.
Slowly came the conviction to her mind,
and with shrek that echoed in my ears
for yeals. SO embodied was it with unut-
tcrn bic woe, she fled to her own apartment
and WAS com ortless
Ills body was prepared for the grave,
but so lifelike it seemed that felt over
wheln,ed with grief. lighted the torches
around his bier, and locking the door with
drew.
As passed a thick and almost impassa-
bic hedge | heard whispering, and drop
ping to the ground listened to the quarrel
Of two natives en- the other side of the