The Holly chieftain., 1900-08-31

He knew that to do 20 would mean n
Instant spring on the part Of the crea-
ture. He could NOT call his boys. In
all probability they would howl With
terror, and rouse the animal to greater
fury.
HIS rine wis on Gang stool not
ave feet away. but almost beside that
crouchinE dark form. n lie had but
put 1t underneath his head! But It was
no time Tor regrets. 1t was time for
action. He must make up his mind at
once what he was to do: at any mo-
mont the animal might spring.
He cautiously put ont his arm. still
keeping his eyes nxed on the crea-
ture's. Then, without once turning his
glance aside. he tried to creep stsalth-
| lily across towards the camp-stool. The
creature uttered low, threatening
sound. something between ; bark and
a howl.
But Cleland was now desperate. He
felt that, whatever happened. he must
get at the rifle. He made a sudden
dart forward. As he did SO he heard
another low. threatening growi. The
next instant he had his rifle in his
hand
It was short-range one, fortunate
ly.s He lifted it and fred. The ami
mal-he could see now 1t was hyena,
whose movements are slower and less
agile than those OF the feline tribe of
carnivorous animals-rushed at him.
and he saw It's cleaning teeth. Crack.
crack! went the rife. A bullet passed
right through the beasts skull, and,
with horrid sound-half laugh. half
yell-it dropped at his feet and rolled
over. dead.
The native boys, awakened by the
crack Of the rife, started to their feet,
bowling, and made a rush for the
door, made of thick brushwood thickly
| tied together, which had only been
kept secure by the kit, which had been
rolled close to it from the inside.
Here boys! come back!" cried Gle
land loudly. But seeing that the
boys" were already through the door,
way, he rushed to 1t and followed.
Outside, the moonlight flooded the
scene; the great stretch of brownish
yellow sand looked white beneath it;
the tents Of the officers and the rough
RECONSTRUCTED zareba Of the soldiers
stretched between Cleland's hut and
the river. distant about hundred
yards from them. All was the silence
and desolation Of the desert.
But as Cleland looked out tall.
dark figure strobe hastily from its po-
sition in pool OF moonlight right
behind Cleland's hut. Cleland stood
still in his amazement at seeing an
other of the camp out at that hour be-
sides himself
| His first impulse was to follow the
figure, and tell Of the terrible expert
ence through. which he had just
passed. His second was to pause and
think. vague feeling of uneasiness
coming over him.
He felt sure he had recognized the
figure as that of Major Rayburn.
For some reason he knew Rayburn
| disliked him. He had noticed 1t sew
eral times-whenever he came in con-
tact with him. Once or twice he had
caught Rayburn looking at him in a
way that puzzled himself
Cleland could not guess the reason.
He had never dreamt Adrienne Brey-
ton regarded him in any other than a
friendly way, and, even had he done
SO, he had no idea of Rayburn's feel
ings towards Adrienne.
On second thoughts he gave up the
idea of following Rayburn. He got
hold of his boys. told them all danger
was passed. and returned to his hut,
the boys carrying the body Of the hy-
ena to the door, but not outside 1t,
for fear of attracting other wild ami
mails.
Cleland had Just thrown himself
down on his roughly-improvised couch
again when loud knock came at the
door.
Are you awake, doctor? / want
you at once" said hurried voice
the voice Of Philip Rayburn.
II am awake. Open, Adbullah
quickly!" cried Cleland.
| The boy did so, with the lefsureli-
ness Of true Arab. and Rayburn
rushed in. looking ghastly white in the
moonlight
For Gods sake, doctor, come quick
ly!" he said, as Cleland sprang up.
There's man bleeding to death about
a mile away from here! Are you
ready? Come with me. Bring ban
dages and your instruments. and I'll
| tell Won about the affair az we 90 -