Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-16

r,oneter marked lOS degrees in the shade
was ouartered with two fellow-oiacers
IN charge OF the outpost at Mamma, where
our duty consisted in keeping the roads
open and looking after the Dacoits who
infested the country for miles round.
Lower Burinah was quiet enough. Prem
dergast had done his work, and done II
well Thebaw was a prisoner, and the
country quiet; but acts of secret reprisal,
robbery, and murder were OF daily oc-
currence, and It was TO check these that
had been sent up-country with hand
ful OF loyal sikhs
our little camp was duh enough; our
sole recreation. occasional shooting expe-
ditions. and more frequent whist. Some
times we received visits from Wrottesley.
the Resident, whose bungalow was at the
foot OF the hill we occupied. At others,
we descended and played with him. But
on these occasions we were driven 10
dummy whist. as we could not all three
leave camp together.
One night about the middle OF March,
&artingale and 4 had gone down to the
residency. leaving VALLEY in command,
and we had received the customary well
rome from Wrottesley. lie was good
specimen OF the type OF man who builds
up our empire IN the East. Herculean in
ngure, full Of character. possessing an IN
uomitable will, and absolutely fearless, ne
was ready to face any peril. and went
Through life with a smile upon his face.
ale was. in short. a typical Englisnm3n.
q living example OF the triumph OF MIND
over matter.
Il wonder you aren't dead" exclaimed
Martingalc. as our host mixed a gin and
soda. This country is a perfect hell
use, my dear chap; use is second ma
lure. This place is positively healthy,
compared with Kulema, where 1 used to
be. That's a matter Of 400 miles west
Of this, and there it was almost waste
M time 10 order dinner; before you had
Iaten thin you might be buried before
IL was cooked"
That sounds rather nice" I said;
'It's cons0iing 60 know that we might
be worse OF than we are. But l agree
with Freddy that this place is pretty
beastly. 1t ism the heat only-though
that's bad enough-but it's the awful
gloom OF It. one day like another; no
,ning TO 90. The hideously serene, ex-
pressionless faces roundabout; the lack
OF companionship; and then the eternal
being on the qui yive for something to
happen that never does. It's enough TO
make one go mad"
1T is II you take on like that" replied
the Resident. 'But why do you? Take
d lesson from me. never exert myself.
] do my routine as it occurs; read my
1ail when IL comes, write my dispatches
when they are due; and then l reap my
reward when the round is done, and 80
home on q furlough."
"But how about when you come back?''
I'm not coming back; I've done my
twelve months: and next year / shall
have a berth down river, somewhere out
Promeway, where the temperature never
goes over 20 degrees. And I'll tell you
chaps a secret'-he smiled as he said
this. and read our looks Of inquiry-"I'm
not coming back alone, either!'
Martingale whis.led.
"This Is real news" he said. when is
it TO be-"
well, / go home in October and shall
probably be married In February, return
,ng at the end of the year. The Com
missioner minuted my appointment last
week"
We congratulated him, and resumed our
game In better spirits.
We stayed at Wrottesley's tin quite
late. and had many an awkward collision
with brush and bush on our homeward
climb through the darkness. But we
reached our tents before midnight, and
found VALLEY fest asleep ana all serene.
Shortly after breakfast the next morn
Ing we were surprised by the appearance
o. Martiugale's servant Tommy. who was
evidently the bearer OF some bad news.
'If you please, sir. here's that chap
with the awful name from the Resident.
He's talking lot of rubbish as 1 can't
make out, and I think there's something
wrong with Mr.. WrotteSley."
We both sprang Up and, regardless Of
the heat, went out TO where the messen-
ger stood.
We found the sirdar-beayer and con-
sosutiql yCTyaut who had waited on us
overnight. who was evidently I'm a
perturbed state. Ills usually copper
ccior01 complexion had become ashen;
his sarang, til now always carefully
swgthed AID Ealing In fauitless folds,
was awry. Ills story was soon told.
Something was wrong with his master.
lie was I'll. very 81; perhaps dead. Would
we come?
Martingale and glanced at one an
other.
do you stay here, Cranstone," he
said. "and IL VIII take Valley with me,
lie has had more medical experience than
you have"
AVA then ne called Tommy and bade
him fetch quinine and opium, the small
case Of Instruments. and some mustard
leaves from the chest In five minutes
they we-e off. and 1 was left alone with
ny thoughts.
The iroiaert had thrown gloom
eroaaaS. What should be ailing with
tvrstteelcy? He was not the man 70
,icken easily he was young, strong, and
Reasoned / had parted from him but
Seven hours ago, leaving him fit and
poll as could be. Then II struck me that
mere had been foul play. l had otter
Thought that IL was, 10 say the least
hash OF Wrottesley 20 live alone with only
eve or six natives for a retinue and
ruard. He had laughed, and replied that
lhe headmen of the village were r..
Dponsible for him; but I pointed out q
am at the time that this was but ar
Imaginary security And now, as likely
ys not. he was deai--muriei cd. OF course
! felt an irrepressibie longing for the
ietun OF my companions.
They came sooner than 7 expected
Barely three hours after leaving me
tney came back, weary and exhausted
NTH the hf8t.
'iaimed Valley who spoke first. I'm
lone up."
mixed two drinks and watched them
iisappear.
"Well?" | asked
"Ar up" replied Dick Dead as n
toor-nail. Must have died soon after you
eft"
what was it?'
Impossible to say" responded Martin
yale "The body was quite cold when we
BOT there. II must have been very sud
hen, and hope painless. Features quite
composed: nothing suspicious about: no
,igns OF violence. Heart or apoplexy. /
-,