The midland journal., 1898-12-23

weeks passed. Excitement was
running higher than ever over the un-
ranny bandit of the woods, for bolder
and more frequent assaults were con-
stantly reported. Quite a number of
settlers had moved away from sheer
terror and apprehension. The state
had taken up the matter and increased
the reward for the villains capture by
another $500. 1t was just after this
had been done that my odd adventure
befell me.
II had been cut after Wild turkeys
ostensibly, at any rate-and was COM
ing home with an old gobber slung
over my back. AS approached the
road l heard the thud of horses
hoofs, and, as had been customary with
me, hurried forward to see the rider
pass, with u vague hope that the mys-
terious eagle might choose that very
moment to swoop down upon another
victim.
"A familiar proverb says it is the un-
expected that happens But every
rule has it's exceptions and every
proverb as well. This time it was the
expected that happened. l had pre-
sentiment that / was about to behold
something wonderful and strange
and l did. Hardly had come in sight
of the horseman (and there was still
thin, concealing veil of foliage be-
tween me and the open road) when a
great waving shadow came drifting
along the highway. glanced up
and with my heart in my mouth,
saw a huge bird descending with
set and motionless wings. But l
saw something more, something that
almost froze the blood in my veins. A
miniature man sat astride Of the
eagles neck, his fierce little face set
with vindictive purpose. To this day
I can see the baneful CLEAN of his
small, blazing eyes. In one hand he
carried glittering, naked knife. The
other hand was extended as if to grasp
in anticipation his victims hair.
"When the eagle was almost direct
ly over the unsuspecting horseman,
the pygmy bandit threw one leg over
the birds neck, sat sidewise and poised
himself ready to drop upon his victims
shoulders. Instinctively and with a
motion as quick as thought my rifle
sprang to my shoulder. just as the
dwarf let go his hold and dropped there
was ringing report, and the eagle,
pierced through the heart by my bull
let, fell simultaneously with his pigmy
master. Both struck the fanks of the
| frightened horse, and the animal
| sprang forward in a wild snorting
gallop, so sudden and so endangering
| TO the rider that he did not even ven
ture to turn his head to see what oc-
casioned it. In minute more horse
and rider were out of sight around
bend in the road.
"The eagle rolled into the dust and
| after few spasmodic flutterings lay
still. The pigmy bandit, springing 10
| his feet, glared about him for a mo-
ment with mingled rage and terror in
his weazened and contorted face.
Then, with cry, whose utter despair
and piercing anger 1 shall never for
get, he darted into the bushes on the
opposite side of the road and disap-
peared.
Hardly knowing what 1 did, I
bounded after his disappearing form,
but the sly creature was too quick for
me. In the tangled underbrush it was
useless to pursue being who could
| dart unobstructed along rabbit path,
| and l soon gave up the chase as vain,
Leaving my wild turkey concealed
in the bushes, I carried the dead eagle
to the village and told my story. AT.
first there were none who would be-
lieve me, but when I led the way to
tie spot where the tragedy had oc-
CURED, and the Indian-fghter had ex-
amned the small footsteps in the dust,
and in the soft mud of spring-hole in
the woods, where the dwarf had crossed
in his flight, doubt and cavil gave way
to wonder and congratulation. and
became a once the hero of the COM
munity.
Although 1 had not captured the
pygmy bandit, had solved the mys-
terry that surrounded him and de-
stroyed the unique means by which he
approached and surprised his victims.
From that day the terrible little man
NlSd PFSdiSd uptClly. AuC ldsl Vi his
strange crimes had been recorded.
81 received one thousand dollars for
my amateur detective work. Half of
it I offered to the man who had puz-
zled out the necessary clew. But he
would not touch cent. No, my boy
he said, you deserve all you have
earned and more, whether you actual
ly captured the pygmy bandit or not,
for you fixed him so that he is better
than dead to the world. He has ceased
from his crimes and retributive JUS
tice has been spared the unnatural
Job of disposing of such human frek.
You are born detective, lad, and my
advice to you is to go into that profess
sion for all you are worth And I
have"
"Gnod advice!" 1 cried, as Sandhurst
ceased. "and in some respects the most
remarkable introduction to q profess
sion I ever heard of!"-Detroit Free
Press.
What She Wanted.
SIS there anything you want?" asked