The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-09-06
CHAPTER XIV.
VICTORY FOR THE RIGHT.

VICTORY FOR THE RIGHT.
One day, shortly after I had seen
the last of my orders carried out, 1
was in Galneor, ostensibly plying my
trade as peddler, but in reality look
ing over the ground with an eye to
the future struggle. It was not my
purpose to attack Quiental. The
forces in the Notifications would have
every advantage over my army in the
field. I did not, of course, dare build
any sort of protection above ground,
and yet it was my determination to
win the coming battle with as little
loss of life among my own men as
possible. And to do this resolved
that the scene of the first struggle
must be i'll Galneor.
Suddenly heard a crying among
the women and bitter wailing. I
knew too we'll what it meant. The
cry, "The tax! The taxi" had become
familiar one to my ears. The
official tax-gatherer Of Hen-Ko-Hi was
going his rounds to gather in every.
thing that had not already been stolen
or to insult or abuse the people.
This particular tax-gatherer was a
most Misunderstanding scoundrel, and
murder seemed to be his favorite
sport. He rode fairish horse, and
was followed by horde of rufians-
eager for carnage or deviltry. They
tramped through the houses of Jumars,
knowing no law save their own lust
and greed.
The women, seeing me near by, ran
out to beseech me to do something at
once to prevent further outrage.
I hastily made o resolve and told
one of the women to fly as rapidly as
possible to the mines where Garu-Saak
worked, and tell him to get his men to-
gether, kill the guards and come to
me. She darted off breathless and
anxious. The tax-gatherer came rid
ing down the streets of Galneor with
his gang of followers, swinging into
all the houses, committing such
depredations as they liked.
When he reached me he stopped.
Looking OF me in mocking way,
he took off his hat and bowed.
Then suddenly becoming fierce, he
exclaimed in the native language of
the island:
"Well! Dog of Jumar! Why are
you not at work. instead of idling
away the governors time in the
street?"
IT am here for my dinner" I replied
calmly.
"Take that for your dinner" he
said, giving me severe blow In the
face. Ny blood boiled with rage, yet
I held my peace. knew that one
error now would ruin all. Ny time
was coming, and had been treated
thus before.
"See, he has no tongue. He is o
dumb beast, shouted the tax -gatherer.
His followers laughed merrily at this
witty sally.
"We will see if he can talk. Take
that, beast"
He pricked me with his sword.
I stood in circle of Cinnamon.
Outside, and around them, were the
Jumar women. I hoped to see men
among them soon.
There was no doubt that the tax
gatherer intended to goad me into
open rebellion, that he might have
m excuse for taking me before the
governor. I began to fear lest he
should do it before assistance could
arrive.
Oso-Bark heard of the trouble and
came in from his farm. Other farmers
came in, and soon q number of Jumar
men had joined the women.
I made no reply to the officer.
"Ha! You don't speak! Well, I'll
make you sing then. Ha! You will
be a fine bird to sing before the
governor"
At his command they bound me. I
was securely wound up in cords and
thrown down in the street.
"Tie there, dog, until l want yoa,"
said my tormentor, "and if one of
these beasts lets you loose I will kill
him and you"
They turned their attention to
other things. for the moment leaving
me alone. hoped my messenger to
the mines would fly on the wings of
the winds, for 1 sorely needed my
men around me now, and there were
not enough among the farmers to be
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