The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-09-06

thoroughly convinced of this some time
before. It was possible, just possible,
that I might in the uncertain moon
light safely run the gantlet Of the rife
shots. The place was SO full Of terror
for me that was prepared to undergo
any risk in leaving it. Imagine my de-
light, then, when after creeping stealth
ily to the river front ! found that the
internal boat was not there. Ny free
com lay before me in the next few
steps!
By walking out to the first shallow
pool that lay at the foot of the project
ing left horn of the horseshoe I could
wade across, turn the flank of the
crater and make my way inland. With
out moments hesitation I marched
briskly past the tussocks where Gunga
Dass had shared the crows and out in
the direction of the smooth white sand
beyond My first step from the tufts of
dried grass showed me how utterly
futile was any hope of escape, for as I
put my foot down I felt an indescriba-
BILE drawing. sucking motion of the
sand below. Another moment and my
leg was swallowed up nearly to the
knee. In the moonlight the whole sur
face of the sand seemed to be shaken
with devilish delight at my disappoint-
ment. I struggled clear, sweating with
terror and exertion, back to the tus-
socks behind me and fell on my face.
My only means Of escape from the
semicircle was protected with a quick
sandl
How long lay I have not the faint
est idea, but was reused at last by
the malevclent chuckle of Gunga Dass
at my ear. 81 would advise you, pro-
tector of the poor" (the ruffan was
speaking English, 'tto return to your
house. It is unhealthy to lie down here.
Moreover, when the boat returns, you
will most certainly be rihed at" He
stood over me in the dim light of the
dawn chuckling and laughing to him
self. Suppressing my first impulse to
catch the man by the neck and throw
him on to the quicksand, rose sullenly
and followed him to the platform be-
lew the burrows
Suddenly and futilely, as thought
while I spoke, I asked, "Gunga Dass,
what is the good Of the boat if I can't
get out anyhow Irecollect that even
in my deepest trouble I had been specu-
lating vaguely on the waste Of ammu-
milton in guarding an already well pro-
tected foreshore.
Gunga Dass laughed again and made
answer: "They have the boat only in
daytime. It is for the reason that there
is a way. I hope we shall have the
pleasure of your company for a much
longer time. It is pleasant spot when
you have been here some years and eat
en- roast crow long enough
I staggered, numbed and helpless, to-
ward the fetid burTow allotted to me
and fell asleep. An hour or so later
was awakened by piercing scream
the shrill, high pitched scream CT a
horse in pain. Those who have once
heard that will never forget the sound.
I found some little difficulty in scram-
bling out of the burrow. When l was
in the open. saw Pornic. my poor old
Pornic, lying dead on the sandy soil
How they had killed him cannot guess
Gunga Dass explained that horse was
better than crow, and greatest good
of greatest number is political maxim.
We are now republic, Mr.. Jukes,
ard you are entitled to fair share OF
the beast. If you like, we will pass
vote Of thanks. Shall propose?'
Yes, we were a republic indeed-a
sepublic of wild beasts penned at the
bottom Of a pit, to eat and fight and
sleep till we died! I attempted no pro-
test OF any kind, but sat down and
stared at the hideous sight in front of
me. In less time almost than it takes
me to write this Pornic's body was di-
vided, in some unclean way OF other.
The men and women had dragged the
fragments on to the platform ard were
preparing their morning meal Gunga
Dass cooked mine. The almost irreslstl-
BILE impulse to fy at the sand walls un-
til I was wearied laid hold of me
afresh, and l had to struggle against II
with all my might. Gunga Dass was
extensively jocular till I told him that
if lie addressed another remark Of any
kind whatever to me should strangle
him where he sat This silenced him
till silence became insupportable and l
bade him say something.
"You will live here till you die like
the other Feringhi, he said coolly,
watching me over the fragment of girls
tie that he was gnc-,''>'-
What other sahib, you swine?
Speak at once, and don't stop to tell me
lie.
"He is over there answered Gunga
Dass, pointing to a burrow mouth about
four doors to the left of my own. "You
can see for yourself. He died in the
burrow as you will die and will die
and as all these men and women and
the old child will also die. .