Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-12-15

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LIVE DOG SITTING ALONGSIDE OF nus
Now 1t was that great black
brute, Hal Wcscot;. first showed his
teeth, II may be permitted to express
myself so. and big white, sharp and
animal-like teeth they were, too. take
my word for 1t. When Wescott caught
the low gurgling sound Of the wine us
IL spurtcd like rill of lie into the sea,
strange look came over his broad,
bronze-colorcd face, his little pig eyes
glowcd with q wicked fire, his lips
twitched convulsivcly, and his huge
hands opened and shut with q snap in
the iron knuclllcs. lie was like thirs-
ty beast suddenly reused by the trick
linz sound of water. could hear the
biz fellows tongue fairly click between
his massive jaws Us he watched my
movements.
when the time came for me to take
up the second bottle and uncork 1t
Wcscott could hold his rebellious
in'ards no longer in control. With
half scream. half groan, he burst out:
"ror Gods sake, captain. give me n
drinl; o. that! Don't waste it! I'm
burnin' up inside: I'm all on fire, cap
taia. swear am. can't stand 1t,
CAPTAIN. For the love of Heaven don't
sly 10. Just give me taste OF it-just
tastc"
81 needn't tell you, sir, that even n
few mouthfuls Of that wine would have
transformed the big mulatto into II
ficnd incarnatc. Poured into his fast
ing stomach. it would have set n stream
of Dire in his blood and wouldn't be
here to-day to tell you this story. for he
would have Drained every mothers son
of us. sure rs fate. So in an instant |
determined what course Of action to
pursue. and in that brief space of time
| said my pray,r RS, felt for my pistol
and bid Uncle Bob ard you good-by.
Silence, sir" roared, with all the
strength ! could muster, rs ] turned
upon the writing, twitching monster,
whose face. already frightfully distort-
cd with suffering, was now made still
more rcpulsive by iil-disguiscd rage
which burned in his red eyes.
ut took all my self-control to keep
my gaze rivcted upon the man without
ilinching, but was successful. and the
mulatto crouchcd down in his corner
again like half-cowed. half-dciiant
tiger. Things went passably well now
for day or so. The men obcyed me
checrfully, and bore the pangs of hun
ger with wonderful calmncss. | kept
Wescott ut the how ri the boat so |
could have my eve upon him. Next to
me was the steward-nevcr n strong
man and hence the first to sink silent
and lifelcss in heap on the bottom OF
the boat.
ave had now been washing about for
three days. Hunger was beginning to
give our faces that wild, haggard look
that robs the human countcnance Of all
traces of soul and leaves nothing be.
hind but the dull, distrustful glare of
the animal.
But thirst was the thing | most
dreaded In sp.:e Of the few thimble-
fuls of water which doled out from
time to time, it was only too plain TO be
seen that wouldn't be able to keep the
poor fellows from drinking the sea
water many days longer. In their fit
full sleep they would dream OF coming
upon sparkling rills and cool fountains
shaded by far-rcaching boug!is, heavy
with dark green foliage. and when
about to plunge their red and swollen
lips into the cool and limpid pool It
would move away from them like n
painted curtain drawn slowly aside only
TO uncover darkness, blaclsness, moth
ingnessl> Their screams and prayers as
they awoke were pitiful. Sitting bolt
upright, their haggard faces, half ilaycd
by the action of the scorching sunlight
and brine, would be turned upon me,
and hard though they strove TO control
themselves. / could hear the low. dull
whisper: Water! Water! Water!
"Wescott strange to say, bore his
sufferings more patiently than l had
anticipated. ! was touched by what
seemed to me his devotion, his obc-
diencc, and spoke kindly to him. But
he paid no attention TO anyone or any
thing, lying like a huge beast curling
up in the bow Of the boat.
"Ah, sir. those were terrible hours. I
shudder as I call them TO mind, and the