The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-03-16


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 10 the
ground, squirming and clutching at
the grass about them while the foam
flicked from their mouths as from
rabid animals.
Once more silence fell upon the as
sembled crowd. The sultia stepped To
the grave and with his machete dis
patched three dogs and eat which were
10 bear the dead man company on his
journey.
Il say, Ossorio, this is horrible-it's
voodooism-let's 60, muttered Struth-
ers.
Yes, Bucl1ra, obeah an voodoo: de
NailSas long time come from Africa:
dey still keep up er r'ligion ob der
faderS. But make me wait; hc stop
now, see, dey do something else" ," added
the Carib, as the natives swayed back.
The crowd parted and two hidcous
ola hags stepped into the open. drag
ging between them a trembling Young
native girl, who east terrified glanccs
before her
shame to whip such a nice little
girl, murmured the Carib
What do you mean-who is going 10
whip her, and for what reason" de-
manded Struthers.
DE WailSa man tell me de dead
sukia's her fader," answered the Carib
"Nail<a always whip de 'lations of dc
dead man at de fun'ral; maybe she do
something when he 1--we he no whip her
for-dey whip her now for shuah ~
Hardly had the Carib spoken. when "A
brawny Naika buck stepped forward
with a heavy manatee whip. which
flashed through the air down upon the
girls shrinking shoulders. and left
long red welt of tortured flesh.
A shrek burst from the girl and She
writhed and twisted vainly 10 escape
from the clutches of the hags who held
her.
Look ont, Ossorio. / can't stand
this" pasped Struthers. I'm going 10
stop it,
But the faithful Bones. who had
crouched till then at Struthcrs' feet,
relieved them from all further respon-
sibility, for, as the Waiza 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
bone and muscle straight at the execu-
toners breast.
1t was all SO sudden that the Wailsa
was down, with Bones at his throat,
before the assembled crowd realized
what had happened.
Then. with fierce yells. machetes
were drawn and the men made "A rush
at Bones.
Struthers and Ossorio were before
them, however the former vowing ne
would shoot the first man who touched
the dog
Bones, obedlent 10 his masters com
mand. released the Wailla, who, stag
gering to his feet. rushed 70 the grave
and, seizing from beside il a loaded
musllet. raised il 10 take aim at Struth-
ers.
Before he could fire, a 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 bc-
hind them, hot pursued 10y the shriell-
ing. maddencd mob Of NaiSas.
ON and on they dashed, till they were
breathless ill their hearts beat against
their breasts, though they would
burst through With every step their
was about TO give up in despair when
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 sukia, and were Hcll out
into the river when the angry WaiIlas
emerged from the forests.
Tho trallc ~ tho 1ieanrgiu+.I rrffErag
spurred them 10 swifter padding, and
they We're on the schooncrs deck br-
fore the WailIas could launch another
dugouL
The Wail<as were too cautious 20
risk an immediate attack, but soon had
a dozen pitpans manned and armed
80, for breeze, cried Struthers, TO
take us out over the bar and away from
these heathens!'
But nc breeze came, though the an
chor was Gated and all sail set ready
for the wind.
On came the WaiiSas, the war drums
beating, the gourds rattling, and the
men yelling like demons.
Suddenly, amid the pandemonium
raised by the Waillas, came sounds of
rnsping and crealIing overhead. The
Carib looked anNiously aloft from his
place under the bulwarks and gave
cry of gladness.
Hardly had he spoken when "A shout
Of anger came from the WaiKaS. Struth-
ers raising his head above the tatr-
rail, saw the pitpans slowly falling
behind. while the freshening breeze.
carried them faster and faster toward
the open sea
For long time he watched the re-
ceding canoes until they were but
speclls far stern. Finally the Carib
touched his shoulder
.'Bucka," -" said Ossorio, eve are out at
sea now. Which way must ! head de
dory? You want To make for Cabo
Gracios an de home steamer, or you
tink you want TO hab some more ven
tures?''
Struth RS turned slowly upon the
questioner; he looked first al 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:
mo. Ossorio, think this adventure
will do me for a time-let il bc Cabo
Gracios and the steamer Stevens
Vail, in Boston Globe.
Terrible Stroke of Lightning.
Nineteen soldiers were marching
along the highway at Bourges 10 reach
the artillery practice ground when "A
thunderstorm broke over them and in
"A mir nj a. 1renched them all 10 the skin.