The Mena star., 1898-03-16

| in, and Iee~Carson, wrapped up in blanket and couple of empty provi- sion sucks, sat blinking over the fire made of dried reeds and the moiderinr remnants of forest, and shivered. his head humming with the 20 grains of quinine which was to be his garrison against the now almost due attack of swamp fever. l Grammel, from the other side of the l fire, watched him narrowly through the smoke, and wondered how soon it would be safe to make him comfortable with part of his own clothing.
 T wish you wouldn't sit there and stare like night owl, Grammel, 1" Lee Carson was saying fretfully. 1T like being alone when I've q go of this mongrel malaria. If you would push on to the higher ground you might save us both."
 "Iil start when the moon rises" re- piled Grammel with ready untruthful- ness
 That's all right" said the sick man drowsily; pile up those reeds at my elbow and I'll keep the fire going. I'll do."
 
 arrange the heap of reeds to humor his companions fancy. Lee-Carson leaned against them and dozed and Grammel, seizing the oppor- tunity, added his own blanket to the others coverings.
 Lee-Carson opened his eyes with an effort.
 "Once too often. Friend Grammelie he said.
 Grammel glanced confusedly at the offending blanket.
 I'm not sleepy" he replied; be sides, I'll be starting presently"
 Take it off" was the peremptory rejoinder.
 Let me make up the fire first,'' said Gramrnel, temporizing; but he was saved further argument for the fever was gaining upon the sick man.
 Whats that?" exclaimed Lee-Carson nervously, struggling to sit up. "They are coming! That's the trampling of the hoofs!"
 Dare say they are," said Grammel, within 200 miles of them. You might bfy to rest now.
 Lee-Carson made no reply, but sank back obediently on his blankets, where he lay moaning and muttering in an uneasy half-consciousness.
 Thus the night wore on.
 Then, because the desolation was so intense, Grammel began to grumble; his voice rang like minor undertone through the resonant booming of the bitterns and the harsh chorus of the frogs in the pools and fens around them.
 Half this tobacco's soaked" he said, sniffing contemptuously at the hollow of his hand, 'and the rest tastes like smoked porridge steam; but suppose it's better than breathing in this fetid fog in it's native nastiness. Pah! it's chilly too. I don't think" He stopped. Lee-Caison was singing, broken line or two at first, then his voice rang out clearly:
 Thus as the spreading ocean
 Conquers a sandy coast,
 Each tide has borne us further
 To man lonelier post"
 
 weak laugh, but it warns mans veins, and it's true; l tell you, it's truel" The big man opposite sat very still and listened. Lee-Carson ran on in the irascible monotone of delirium:
 "Fordison and Chester died. you know-wiped out with fever. Fordison died just at dawn, wet, low dawn only as high as the tops of the trees. That was in the forest, when we were mak- ing for higher ground. And Grammel good old Grammel-buried him and planted rock on his chest"
 A squirting blaze famed out of the reeds. and Lee-Carson half rose.
 You must do it to keep the hyenas off, you know" lie proceeded, solemnly. Do you think we'll find it an impedi- ment on Resurrection day? But I sup pose it's 10 worse than q coffin with ten penny nails --is it, Gram?"
 "Of course not!" answered Gramrnel. Do shut up!"
 But Lee-Carson wandered on.
 And Chester-the hyenas have him --if the crocodiles left any. They're birds of n feather, crocs and hyenas Whats one mans meat-one mans meat-how does it go?-I can't remem- berl" he sobhed petulantly.
 The red glow of the fire burnt like a plague-spot on the broad dark breast Of the waste as Gramme fed 1t si- lently.
 The weary, hollow voice went on: