The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-07-09

dIcated the StOckade was being al
tackled
Smoke rose from the direction of the
coolie quarters. and dark forms rush
ed in and out the bungalow, that
plainly showed Us all was lost
The foremost Of the Looshais who
had followed rs was within twenty
yards, when, stepping out from the
shelter of the tree. | covered and fired.
The charge struck him fnll in his
hrawny breast rs he was in the act of
jumping d bush. With a terrific yell.
he fell headlong forward
My companion was equally foltu
nate, and the fall Of the two leaders
somewhat dampenel the ardor Of the
rest, who stopped and fired at us.
The relief was but temporary, as
half Il dozen Of those who were wreck
ing the bungalow came tearing ont at
the sound OF the shots to JOIN in our
chase
1t was time TO be off, so, plunging
into the tangled underwood, wet with
the heavy uew, we dashed on. our trail
being unfortunately revealed by ter
rlar | had, keeping close to my heels
and barking furiously, little knowing
the jeopardy he was placing his mas
ter's life in,
The energy Of despair kept us up.
for we we'll knew our fate if taken.
and should they come up with us, il
must be Struggle to the death.
Our greatest fear was that we might
be crippled by one of the struggling
shots that hurtled among the branches
now overhead and then alongside, as
we rushed on, for, crippled and unable
to resist. q lingering death by torture
would eGsue ere our heads were cut
off to grace the grave of some defunct
hill chieftain.
was better OFF than my companion
IN having shoes on. as he had started
IN slippers, which were lost ere the
shelter of the forest had been gained.
and though fully occupied in securing
my own safety, an occasional glance
IN his direction plainly showed that
the pace and nature of the ground
were telling painfully on his bare feet
But, outnunbered as we were. it was
everyone for himself"
Mutual assistance was ont Of the
question, while the wells. shots and
crashing III our rear showed but too
plainly the chase was hot and deter
mined, with the probability that our
pursuor's number were increasing.
For an hour we held on, till the les
senlng density Of the forest indicated
we were approaching the open rice
fields, in which the crisis must come;
for though pretty equal in tangled
brushwood, the tleetness and superior
training Of our pursuers over open
ground would soon bring them no
with us
Perhaps the wish was father to
the thought" but | certainly seemed
TO imagine that the sound behind
grew fainter as we neared the open,
hut 1t was impossible 10 pause even
for an instant to ascertain.
At length. with clothes in tatters.
hatless, almost fainting with exhaus
ton, our limbs lacerated with the
thorns and stumps we had dashed
through or against in our headIong
flight, we reached the open.
On our left lay cluster of huts.
whose inhabitants @azed in wonder at
our sudden appearance; but as loud
ef yell resonnding through the forest
gave them an inkling of tie state of
affairs, they precipitately bOIted, pell
nell. before there was any time for
communication
The idea of doubling struck us
both instantly. So. running rapidly
along Ghe outskirts of the Jungle for
about q hundred yalds, we again
plunged into the underwood. and
threw ourselves, painting, to the
ground.
Most providentialIy, the dog had
followed the fleeing villagers. doubt
less arriving at the conclusion that
our mornings run was the object of
chasing something instead Of being
ourselves chased.
\ terrible shout, either Of exuIta
hOn or bat1led rage at missing their
prey, announced our pursuer., had
reached the outskirts OF the forest.
and though not daring TO rise from
the ground. we listened Dreathlessly
for signs Of then next movements. ex
changing hopes and anticipations IN Il
whisper.
We had run TO the right and swept
the heavy dew from the rice-stubble.
giving quite sufficient trail if our
trackers should suspect our doubling:
hnt our hope was that, seeing the fly
nS villagers spread over the plain.
they would take mp the chase OF them.
without casting about for onr trail.
under the impression we were among
the visible fugitives,
My dread was lest the dog. missing
rs, might return, in which case ou1
doom was sealed. as he would certainly
lead the savaGes to our hiding place.
The silence and suspense were I'M
endurahie, and though my companion
GVerred that he could not run another
mile, II We were discovered at the i'm
mlnent risk Of detection | crawled to
the edge Of the Jungle, and. raising
myself cautiously under shelter of d
thick bush, endeavored t. ascertain
the state OF affairs.
One look was enough. and down I
dropped. Ny glance had revealed i
flying mob Of people. hotly pursued
by at least Il dozen hillmen, far away
10 ow left; while some four or five oI
the latter We're rummaging among the
huts, and two others examining the
ground IN search, | doubted not. oi
0ur lost trail
The sun had now risen. and might
destroy all traces through the stubble
before they could find it; but we knew
them to be SO keen sighted that ever
i bent twig would be sufficient fol
them as a clue.
To remain in our present LAIR was
too risky. So keeping we'll within the
shelter Of the forest, we skirted the
rice fields 10 increase our distance
4.