The Winslow mail., 1901-03-07
:ure Of fury. crouched for second

Quin's heart almost failed him an
be sighted along the barrel of the
weapon and pulled the trigger. The
gun roared. AS quickly he fired again,
md then jumped to one side. There
was a dull crash on the spot he had
Just vacated, and when the smoke
fitted the tiger was seen kicking
feebly.
Having made sure that the animal
was dead-both balls had reached a
vital part-Quin ran to the dark, still
object that lay in the shadow of the
'ock. He bent down and gazed at the
distorted face.
"By heaven, it's Daventry!" he
cried aloud.
He was right. The manager of the
Cachar plantation lay there dead, his
throat bitten and mangled Nemesis.
in the shape of the hungry man-eater,
had lain in wait to punish him for his
evil deeds.
goat-skin bag, embroidered with
beads and patches of blue cloth in the
Naga fashion, was tied to his belt.
Quin cut it loose. opened the mouth.
and drew out handful of gold coins
mixed with rubies that glitte, ed with
dull. fiery luster.
"What does it all mean?" he asked
himself in bewilderment. "Hnw came
Daventry in the hills-in company with
the officer? And this Naga bag! By
Jove. it's more than | can fathom!"
He hurried back to the village with
his prize. and there he found the solu-
fcer. thanks to the stimulating eff
fects of the brandy and to Carruthers'
treatment, had pulled out of his swoon.
The bullet wound was not serious.
though the nature of the knife thrust
was as yet uncertain.
1t was brief but thrilling narrative
that was told by Lieut.. West of the
Fifth Bedfordshire regiment. after he
had listened to the account of Daven-
try's death.
'The day after the Nagas burned
Hardy's place, and carried the manager
off prisoner" he said, "a coolie
brought the news to Darrung canton
ment. Without delay we started for
the hills-a strong column, under Capt.
Douglas, and two days ago l was sent
ahead to Howsata's town to demand
the release of Daventry. proper in
demnity and the punishment of the
raiders.
"Itook sergeant with me, but hefell
i'll and had to go back. Howsata was in
a blue funk, and rather than fight he
agreed to the terms. He gave me the
bag of jewels and money to deliver to
Capt. Douglas, and this morning l set
out with Daventry to rejoin the force.
'But we lost the path, and am con-
vinced that Daventry purposely led
me astray; for we had no sooner
camped here tonight than he attacked
me with knife; grappled with him
after he had stabbed me, but he broke
my hold, drew off. and shot me in the
head. And now"
The wounded officer was overcome
with a sudden faintness. which soon
yielded, however, to drink of brandy
and water.
Douglas must know what has hap
pened." he continued, anxiously "He
will push on and attack the town,
thinking that have been treacherous-
ly held. There will be a lot of blood
split needlessly. l implore you, sir, to
try to stop the advance"
"I'll do my BEST" promised Quin.
"The column"
''It should be encamped tonight
about 12 miles to the southwest
"Then I'll strike due west in the
morning. I know the country"
At the first flush of dawn. leaving the
officer in the care of Carruthers, Ouin
started on his important errand. And
three hours later, having reached the
main route to the Naga stron ghold he
intercepted the eXpeditionary force on
it's march to the north.
''It's lucky you headed me off, said
Capt. Douglas. when he learned the
facts. 81 thought West had been mur-
dered. and l would have blown Howsa-
ia and his niggers and his cardboard
fortress to bits. Thank you. sir! Come
to the rear and have drink. and then
you shall guide US to the village"
Lieut.. West recovered with careful
nursing. and Daventry lies buried
where he met his fate. The chief How
sata properly punished the raiders and
paid an indemnity to Mr.. Hardy.
The skin of the man-eater now
adorns the apartments which Matthew
Quin occupies on the rare occasions
when he may be said to be in residence
in London.-Boston Globe.