The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-05

you are, you shall not be permitted to d.
this thing. | will see your general thi.
night"
Jansen's face grew white. but as swift,
turned to livid look of fendish triumph.
You are too latei'' he snarled, pointing
to the whitening sky without 1T is dawn
already. You shall stay and see the execu-
ton"
The Major with swift movement lifted
his hand and smote the ruffian full on the
| mouth.
! Jansen reeled back. recovered himself,
wiped his bleeding lip, and smiled. THAT
| We will settle later" he said. Then turn
| ing to his men: "Blindfold the boy, place
! him twelve PAGES from the door of my
tent. Bind this man and place him there,
facing the boy. You Bottle. and you, Meth,
| take your rifles, and when give the word
| fire, and see to it that you don't miss
Five mipr:es later the livid sunlight
smote on the fair curls of the child, as,
erect and beautiful in lhis graceful, sup
pie curve of limb. Ne stood on the side Of
the bronzed veldt, facing the leveled bar
rels of the two Boer sharpshooters. The
Major, bound handgand foot, stood with
white, strained face. and eyes Iurid with
passion, gazing on Jansen, who, revolver in
either hand. stood at the back of his two
men.
lie did Tot notice eflook that glanced
and met and was Understood by each as at
his word the men stood ready.
"Fire" he snarled, hbarsely.
The Major, with a bitter curse. bowed his
head.
Two shots rang out in the clear air, and
Jackie felt the singing hiss of two bullets
whizz one at either side of his head.
Curse you!" yelled the Commandant;
you have missed
YAH grunted in the same breath the
two men. missed we have. and miss we
shall If you keep us here till Christmas"
And with cool courage they loaded their
rihes, splitting phlegmatically after the re-
jected cartridges.
with an oath Jansen hurled them aside.
and, leveling his revolver, took steady aim
at the boy. But even as he fired flash of
dirty yellow lanced athwart the sunlight,
and Tinker, VINO till that moment had
cronched unobserved at the Majors feet.
flew at the leveled hand of the Comman-
dant
The report of the pistol was followed by
long, unearthly howl, and the dog sank
bleeding 10 the earth as Jansen. shaken
and upset, recoiled in startled fear.
At the sound of that howl Jackie. till
then motionless, sprang forward, and tear
ing the bandage from his eyes. flung him
self on the dog
who did It? Who did it," he cried.
Something in the imperious blazing of
the child's eyes awed Bottle into respond
ing by silent nod in the direction Of his
Commandant
with cry of rage he sprang to his feet
ana literally flung himself on Jansen, |
at the still smoking revolver |
Even as he did so the clatter of horses |
hoofs was heard. Round the corner of the |
tent swept Il cavalcade, and Bottle and /
Meth sprang to attention calculating. |
"The GeneraIi'
The unlooked-for arrival Of the dreaded
Cronje In per5on startled the Commandant
into swift recoil, staying his upllfted
INST In his hand he clasped the barrel of
his revolver, and as he dragged It back
me childs sturdy fingers, clinging to the
putt. locked suddenly on the trigger There
was nash, a report, and Jansen Iurched
suddenly forward. shot through the heart
'alling face downward on the boy.
The explanation that followed was short
ana to the point. the two troopers bearing
aanful evidence in the childs behalf.
The Boer general glanced coldly on the
'till twitching face of the commandment.
he was dog" he said. shortly. land
lied Ike dog. He is well served. AS for
you, child get you home. We war not
With children"
Il won't go without my father" said the
10Y, stoutly, facing the general.
Cronje smiled grirnly.
Take your father. them" he said. "and
le on. You, there, see them through the
ines"
IL was some seven hours later that
dajor Brand reached home. Jackie had
Prevailed on the two good natured Beers
o makeda litter and bear the dog naiong.
And when the Major, later, after telling
us wife the true ideIizity of the boy they
ad SO strangely found. visited with her
ne room where the two Vagabonds slept.
erhaps his eyes were just as misty as the
yes of the mother, as. bending over the
ushed sleeping face. she tried to spell
ut OF his features the tiny baby face she
ad mourned SO long.-eBasil Marnan. in
he Strand Magazine