The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-01-05

til. weak and dizzy, they sank to the
ground. squirming and clutching at
the grass about them while the foam
ficked from their mouths as from
rabid animals
sembled crowd The sulzia stepped te
the grave and with his machete dis
patched three dogs and a cat which were
to bear the dead man company On his
journey.
81 say, Ossorio, this is horrible-it's
voodooism-let's CO." muttered Struth-
ers.
Yes, Buckra, obeah an voodoo; de
Waikas long time come from Africa;
dey still keep up er r'ligion oh der
faders. But make me wait; he STOP
now. see. dey do something else" added
the Carib, as the natives swayed back.
The crowd parted and two hideous
ola hags stepped into the open, drag
ging between them trembling young
native girl, who cast terrified glances
before her.
Shame to whip such nice little
girl" murrnured the Carih.
'What do you mean-who is going te
whip her, and for what reason?" de
manded Struthers.
''De Waika man tell me de deaG
suizia's her fader," answered the Carib.
"Waika always whip de 'lations of de
dead man at de fun'ral; maybe she dc
something when he i've he no whip he,
for-dey whip her now for shuah."
Hardly had the Carib spoken, when g
brawny Waika buck stepped forward
with a heavy manatee whip. which
flashed through the air down upon the
girls shrinking shoulders, and left a
long red welt of tortured flesh.
A shrek burst from the girl and she
writhed and twisted vainly to escape
from the clutches of the hags who held
her.
Look out, Ossorio. / can't stand
this" easped Struthers 'T'm going to
stop it!'
But the faithful Bones, who had
crouched till then at Struthers' feet,
relieved them from all further respon-
arm for the second lash, Bones, at a
whispered word from Struthers, gave a
low growl, and, gathering himself to-
gether, made onejof his famous jumps
and launched his forty odd pounds OF
bone and muscle straight at the execu.
toners breast.
1t was all so sudden that the Waika
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 vowing he
would shoot the first man who touched
the dog:
Bones, obedlent to his masters com.
mand. released the Waika, who, stag
gering to his feet. rushed to the grave
and, Selling from beside it loaded
musket, raised it to take aim at Struth.
erS.
Before he could fire, knife thrown
by the Carib pierced his right arm,
which fell limp at his side.
To make stand against such over.
whelminG numbers was madness, sc
the two men dashed into the trail be-
hind them, hot pursued by the shriek,
ing, maddened mob of Waikas.
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
glimmer in the heavy shade ahead re-
vealed the river.
They crashed oat into the open. and
in On instant had jumped into the pit
pan, which had recently borne the
corpse of the sukia. and were we'll out
into the river when the angry Waikas
emerged from the forests.
The yells OF the disappointed natives
spurred them to swifter padding, and
they were on the schooner's deck be-
fore the Waikas could launch another
dugout
The Waikas were too cautious to
risk an immediate attack. but soon had
a dozen pitpans manned and armed
so, for breeze" cried Struthers, ''to
take US out over the bar and away from
these heathens!''
But no breeze came, though the an
chor was Gated 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 crcaking overhead. The
Carib looked anxiously aloft from his
place under the bulwarks and gave q
Cry of gladness.
Hardly had he spoken when a shout
OF anger came from the WaiKas Struth-
ers, raising his head above the taft
rail, saw the pitpans slowly falling
behind. while the freshening breeze
the open sea
For long time he watched the re-
ceding canoes until they were but
spccks far stern. Finally the Carib
touched his shoulder.
''Bucka," SAID Ossorio, I'VE are out at
sea now. Which way must l head de
dOry? You want to make for Cabo
Gracios an de home steamer, or you
tink you want to hslb some more ven
tures?"
Struthers turned slowly upon tIe
questioner; he looked first at the peace
full Bones, who was slumbering bliss
fully on a coil of rope, then at the fad
ing shore line, and replied with a little
catch in his voice:
No, Ossorio, think this adventure
will do me for time-let it be Caho
Gracios and the steamer. Stevens