Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-08-22

through the Stats Of one OF the pig boxes
and its effect was indeed telling. All the
way up the consignment Of swine had
emitted scarcely a grunt, and such a
piercing squeal, coming so suddenly from
the stricken pig, electrified the staid don
key upon whose back he was strapped.
AS Joe had prOphesied, re mule will not
pleased be IL re pig squeal In re ears
The mule snorted hoarsely. He jump
cd forward against the one In front of
him. The pig squealed again-a terrific,
maddened squeal, that did not die away,
but grew more ear splitting than at first.
Every mule in that heretofore snail-like
train pricked up It's long ears. Those self
same ears must have gathered in great
volume Of that horrid din, for the lead
donkey struck out on a numbering trot,
closely followed by the other thoroughly
alarmed beasts.
Towering pines bordered the trail; a
pack saddle came In contact with a big
tree trunk; another shrill scream Joined
in with the first. The jolting, swaying
boxes, with their lusty lunged inmates,
fairly shrieked, and the faster the mules
ambled the more deafening waxed the
dim old woods. What unearthly cries
dispelled their wonted quietude!
Summer was In progress In the long,
low boarding house at the logging camp.
Two rows OF tired, hungry men We're
busily making wonderful lnroads upon
China Toms we'll cooked viands. Tai
low candles shed a dim light upon the
ruddy faces OF the "crew."
Now, Mike, you know there's no such
thing as fairies or banshees. So what do
you spin yarn like that forT
"Oi sweer me grandfather hearn wan,
an didn't he tell me the truth, now, whin
he says he didT
An animated conversation ensued. The
men dearly loved to hear Mike rant about
his queer superstitions and argued with
him simply for that reason. In the heat
OF the discussion China Tom appeared
at the door which opened into the kitchen.
He carried a dish Of smoking suet pud-
ding in either hand. The Mongolian
seemed uneasy; he hesitated and looked
back over his shoulder. Some Of the men
noticed that his whole form shook violent
ly. Before they had time to say word
the Chinaman let both dishes fall with q
o-osh hle almond ewes glittered wildly.
and he made a frantic dash for the door.
His cue sailed out behind him in a
straight line, and as he disappeared the
men heard a gasping Him debbil, sure!
He catchee me"
Whats up with the heather" said
some one.
Through the chinks OF the logs came q
strange sound. Every man heard it. A
chorus OF discordant screams broke sharp
ly on their ears. 1t grew louder, louder.
A frightful calamity seemed impending.
The main volume split up. A piercing
shrek, apparently borne on wings, cir
cled about the cabin. Another uncanny
cry rent the air from the direction Of the
stables. The woods were full Of screech-
ing, screaming noises.
"Catamounts" yelled burly logger
Mary, mither! Save me sowl! It's
the bansheel Och, it's the banshee"
The banshee! Did it not tally with
Mikes vivid description Of skurrying,
whistling winds, OF terrorizinG cries, of
dire premonitions2
Mike fell upon his knees, praying audi
bly, and rapidly. No one directed a sin
gle jeering remark toward the praying
Irishman. The crews jesting mood had
vanished. They knew not what explana-
ton to offer in regard to these unnatural
noises.
A clatter Of hoofs dashed up to the
cabin, u heavy body threw itself against
the latched door, broke through and a
huge man stood before them. "Ah, NOR
bleu! 1t ees one vera big meestake, zis
ting, know"
"Joe, holy smoke! Man, what have
you been doingF shouted the superin-
tendent.
''Ze pigs zat m'sieur wished that
bring up are arrived, and zey squeal In
re mules ear, and 20 mule he run away
Ran away with the pigs! Where are
they now"
"Oh, mseur, it ees not easy to say!
1t ees vera necessaire for US all to 30
look"
A relieved laugh resounded through the
candle lit dining room. Mike arose sheep
ishly from his knees.
In n short time lanterns were twin
king midst the forest aisles-here, there,
everywhere. The men had no difficulty
In locating the strangely burdened mules,
for spasmodic squeals still echoed through
the woods. When the seven donkeys
were corralled, it was found that three OF
four boxes had burst open, liberating the
pigs. The men made merry as the re-
mainder Of Joes freight was turned loose
In an unoccupied stable.
AS the superintendent suggested, the
loggers fully appreciated the fresh pork
now and then. China Tom served 1t out
to them in many different styles, and to
give zest to their hearty meals they de-
lighted in clubbing the crisp, brown
roasts, sayory stews and spareribs "bak
ed banshees," "stewed catamounts" and
'broiled debbils. ."-Argonaut
Squared.