The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-31
CHAPTER XN.

of that strange mans powers. AL
though the traveller has also produced
q revolver and shows an entire will
ingness to use it should occasion arise
he still holds back.
There is a method in his madness
For Sandy thinks it borders on this
not to begin operations upon the en-
emy at once, 90 they may in measure
paralyze their attack.
Mynheer Joe knows what he is
about. From his lips there suddenly
issues a strange sound, unlike any
thing Sandy ever heard. 1t is un'
doubtedly q signal of some sort. His
amazed eyes are glued on Joe. He
sees him make peculiar pantomime
gesture with his hand-the one which
has not been occupied in graspinS a
weapon.
This must mean something. Sandy
knows it Is not intended for him. and
hence he turns his attention upon the
enemy to discover solution of the
mystery.
Whether he can find this out or not,
the effect Of Joe's action is speedily
manifest in the actions of the Thugs.
He hears their exclamations Of amaze
ment, sees the looks Of wonder which
they cast upon the traveller. Instead
Of a forward rush to annihilate him
and his friend, there is shrinking
back on the part o. the thirteen.
What can this mean? Mynheer Joe
continues to wave his hand in that
strange manner and the thirteen terri
BILE foes retreat slowly but surely in
every direction.
Sandy Is forcibly reminded of GER
tain picture in the pantomime where
the good spirit appears upon the scene
and the evil workers ietreat in dismay,
endeavoring to shield their eyes from
the dazzling light that nearly blinds
them, for everything that is evil hates
the light.
He is bewildered by what he sees,
and yet, although the cause Is per-
feet blank, the effect is plainly evident
even he who runs may read: These
Thugs fear Mynheer Joe.
!Sandy's admiration for the man
takes an upward bound. He realizes
that much as he has known of the
other, Joe possesses qualities which
he has Rever even suspected as exist
Ing.
In less than half minute after the
traveller has uttered that strange
sound the thirteen Thugs have backed
out of sight. The coast is clear and
gradually the people resume their in
terrupted trade relationship mer-
chant calls attention to his stock, the
customer takes it upon himself to buy.
As the people come thronging back
upon the road of the bazars it can be
noticed that they cast anxious glances
around them. They seem to expect to
look upon something lying hither or
yon-something that is apt to fill their
souls with horror, and yet which pos
sesses deep attraction.
Sandy notes these glances cast
around, and being bright-mlnded
chap, intuitively guesses their mean
ing. They are looking for the victims
of'the Thugs, and upon failing to dis
cover one or more bodies lying upon
the road, with life rendered extinct
through the agency Of cord or creese,
cannot but feel the greatest amaze
ment.
Then their looks turn upon the two
Americans, as though they have
guessed that these worthless are the
ones against whom this uprising Of the
secret society took place. II must
have been some mistake, after all.
Philosophically they determine this,
and return to their various pursuits,
though glerces full of wou6er greet
Mynheer joe and his companion at
every turn.
AS for Sandy himself he follows the
other along the Street in half stupe-
fed way. 1t seems to him Joe can do
anything. If the Hindoos were about
to place them both upon one Of thu
funeral pyres along the ghauts border.
ing the river, Sandy believes Joe is
wizard enough to change the fire in!o
ice, and cause the vengeful destroyers
to fall upon their knees in humble ser.
vitude. After this exhibition ke will
not doubt Joe's power to accomplish
any wonder. So they pass along, and
by degrees enter among new lot OF
natives who, ignorant Of the event
that has so recently transpired, do not
view them in that strange way. SANDY
is burning with deep curiosity. By
nature he abhors mysteries, and is
just as curious as any woman could
ever be.
Plainly, then. he puts the question
to-Joe, begging to know by what spirit
of necromancy the other managed t.
dissolve the dark clouds that hung 81
threateningly over their heads.
"It's all as simple as falling off 6
log. The whole thing lies in knowing
how to do it," he remarks, whecea
Sandy adds:
"a second Columbus making the egg
stand on end? Suppose you illustrate
matters, my dear fellow: and show Us
how the thing is done"
Perhaps you saw me make a sigma
and the rascals obey. You wonder
what that could mean. Truth to tell
Sandy, am a member Of the very or
ganization which our unscrupulous en-
emy, the baron, has subsidized in or