The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-10-06
eucalyptus grove before scrambling
down +ha stans. hnt discovered nothing

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to encourage them. VIII. who had
made the long detour Of the winding
road, arrived at the foot Of the stairs
almost as soon as they did, ho, and
GREATNESS. but with no trace OF tue
fugitive to report.
II wonder what that craft Is aboutT'
asked Fritz, po.uting to Il tisherboat.
lying to, q short distance down the
coast.
They hurried down the beach and at
the same time the little craft hoiSted
a rag Of snil and made toward them,
She was almost opposite when MILDLY,
who had been jumping around like Il
crazy dog gave out Il loud yell and
started back as If he had been shot.
The boys wheeled around and stared.
Look they shouted simultaneously.
and started after the dog.
A bare legged and swarthy Mexican
had emerged from one of the large hol.
lows worn by the sen in the bluff and
was running down across the san
straight for the surf. They could see
that he had a large sack IN his hand.
Meanwhile a fresh breeze had struck
the dory anu It was making good head.
way in his direction.
I'VE shall lose him." said VIII.
Hes going to swim for It."
"After him! Go for him. Middy!'
yelled Fritz.
The dog needed no urging, but
bounded down the beach and took to
the water after the man with the bag.
The tide was out. but the fellow was
already in the surf and the boat was
rounding to. just outside the breakers.
mo use" said win. HE has too
good n start"
Just then a shrill cry of pain came
from the surf. followed by another still
louder.
The fugitive had halted. He stag
gered in the deep water that was now
above his waist and turned ana limped
toward the shore. bowling g~rievously
as he slowly retraced his steps.
what is ity' asked VIII in amaze.
ment.
II know-it's n stingaree," exclaimed
Fritz. 1.-THE thief has a hot barb In
his heel and It's cramped his leg. We
have got him!"
With a cry Of rage the fellow lifted
the bag above his head and flung It
as far as he could into the sea.
But the setter was too good n bird
dog to wait for any command to swim
for 1t and bring 1t ashore, and 1t was
safe in his mouth before 1t could sink.
Hurrying to meet him, the boys
found their precious cockerels In the
sack, frightened half to death and
their white plumes dripping. but not
beyond recovery Of animation or fam.
lily pride.
As for the thief. the boys cut the
barb out Of Manuel's ankle. dressed
the wound, gave him back his substi-
tuted birds and sent him home VOW.
ing solemnly to keep at an honest dis
tance from other folks chicken coops,
with the burning smart Of his injury
to remind him of a yirtuous resolution
for many days to come, for the barb Of
the "stingaree" is stepped In poison.
It Is the wasp Of the sea-, the sting
ray, and the warm surf Of the Pacific
beaches Is It's favor!te abode. 1t is n
round, fiat fish, varying in diameter
from a few inches to a foot. with q
barb IN inch or two long reposing in a
neat groove on the top Of It's tail.
The sting ray employs this weapon
only for defense or retaliation. When
a bather steps on the fish the barb flies
up as II the indignant sting ray had
touched a spring and lodges In the I'M.
lucky heel or ankle.
OF course the Krantz brothers cock.
erels took the $50 prize, as no rivals
approached their merits and nagnih.
enc
This victory added to the fame Of the
young breeders, and eggs for Matching
from their pens. now command n pre-.
MUM, adding much to their revenue
and many to the comforts Of their lit
tie home on the bluffs.-Boston Globe.