The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-08-08


Boer was now helpless, so on little Paul
dcvolvcd great responsibility, which
his father. always proud Of him, had
yielded him with Il smile.
"You are head OF the family now,
Paul." said he, riding away, land. re.
member, you are in charge-cvcn of the
we'll"
And his father would come back from
Pretoria to find his son was not fit to
trust. For long time Paul wept by
the stream.
He was reused from his misery by q
great trnmpling OF feet Of horses in tho
distance and loarsc, loud voices and
that peculiar Jingle ianglc of stcc
against steel which, like the rattle OF
the snake, Is the warning note of tho
approach OF Il cavalty command
Before Paul made up his mind what
to do-drive his cattle rs far away rs
he could or run to the house TO war;,
his grandfather - the troop came in
sight at the trOt from round Il corner
or the wood. The captain, riding ahead.
saw Paul with quick, all scanning
eye. With wave back ward Of his
gauntlrtrd hand ne fell to a walk, and
Mt once the men behind him did the
same, and then at the word "IIalt"' the
company remained still and mute, and
the officer brckonrd Paul to his horses
side. Paul went with great awe and
trcpidntion. for thcrc is something ter
roriZing to even II grown peasant at the
unfamiliar sight of many Sabrrcd sol
dirrS OF strange dress and manner and
speech.
"WhoSc cattle are these, my boy!
said the officer. 81 must have some"
PaulS face heightened so that the sol
dicr laughed and reached down and
pattcd his head.
"Don't be frightened, laddic." said
he. "My men are short OF fresh meat
and want two fat steers. but YOU will
get fair price for them and cash down
at that. Are they your fathcr'SE'
"IcS, sir" Paul answered, somewhat
rcassurcd. "but he is not at home. My
grandfather Is. but he's sick. That's
our house"
"Take me to sec your grandfather
then"
lie told sergeant to have the mon
diSmount, and he himself liSmountrtl
to follow Paul. The boy watched tn,
agile men obey the order as if touched
by one spring. and then suddenly Paul
saw something which made him cry
out shrilly.
ITS Nunjc!' he shouted, for, now
the men were off their horses, he could
see at the bnck Of the column the big
black SwaZi bound with a rome iI
charge OF II soldier.
"llcllo, my boy! DO YOU know that
/ Kattr?" the officer asked in surprise.
/ 1T is kunjc, our servant, who ran of
this morning and stole Il rifle and watcl
and other things"
"Oh, was that ~" the soldier laugh
! cd. 1T was the gun that got him int,
trouble. We don't approve Of armr,
natives In these times who can't civ,
an account Of themselves SO hos
thief. Is he? | don't know but tha
shooting would be the best thing 70
him. Bring that fellow here. corporal.
! Inc corporal moved forward to obey
when with such SuhdcH uuirknoSs tina
the SOlhirrS had no time TO see VIII:
was intended Kuni" gave Il ju.glrrl.I,
twist OF his almost naked body. +.
rope fell from him. ami h- Ia>l,.
away among t." trees "nH l." cai:,
AID ':.,o tie ."n>. - t.. Stream
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