Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-13
My Strangest Case
BY guy BOOTHBY.
Author Of "Dr. Kikola," The Beautiful
White Devil" Pharos, The
Egyptian" Etc.
Copyrighted, 1901. By ward. Lock 4 Col

mysterious traveller from Nhlna had
left the lonely frontier station of
Nampoung. In outward appearance
it was very much the same as it had
been then. The only difference con-
sisted in the fact that Capt. Greg
DRY and his Subaltern Dempsey. hsv-
ing finished their period of enforced
exile, had returned to Bhamo to Join
the main body of their regiment. A
Capt. Handiman and subatern
named Grantham had taken their
places, and were initiating them in
asmuch as they spent the greater por-
ton OF their time fishing and COM
planning of the hardness Of their
lot. 1t was the more unfortunate in
their case that they did not get on
very well together. The fact of the
matter was Handiman was built on
very different lines to Gregory, his
predecessor; he gave himself airs, and
was fond of asserting his authority.
n consequence the solitary life at
the ford sat heavily upon both p,en.
One hot afternoon Grantham, who
was keen sports man, took his gun,
and, accompanied by wry little
Shan servant, departed into the jun
gle on shikar thoughts intent. He
was less successful than usual; indeed
he had proceeded fully three miles be-
fore he saw anything worth empty
ing his gun at. In the jungle the air
was as close as a dollhouse, and the
Precipitation ran down his face in
streams.
What an ass I was to come out!"
he said angrily to himself. This heat
is unbearable."
AT that moment crashing noise
reached him from behind. Turning to
discover what occasioned it, he was
just in time to SEQ large boar cross
the clearing and disappear into the
bamboos on the further side. Takin 2
his rifle from the little Shan he set off
in pursuit. 1t was no easy task, for the
jungle in that neighborhood was so
dense that it was well-nigh impossible
TO make ones way through it. At last,
however, they hit upon dried up null
lah, and followed IT. along, listening as
they went to the progress the boar
was making among the bamboos on
their right. Presently they sighted
him, crossing an open space q couple
OF hundred yards or SO ahead of than.
On the further side he stopped and be-
gan to feed. This was Grantham's cp-
portunity, and, sighting his rife, he
fred. The beast dropped like stone,
well hit, just behind the shoulder. The
report. however, had scarcely died
away before the little Shan held up his
hand to attract Grantham S shoulder.
What is it?" the other inquired.
Before the man had time to reply
his quick ear caught the sound of a
faint call from the jungle on the other
side of the nullah. Without doubt il
was the English word help. and, who
ever the man might be who called, it
was plain that he was in sore straits.
What the deuce does it mean? ?" said
Grantham, half to himself and half to
the man beside him. Some poor devil
rot lost in the jungle. I suppose? III
30 and have look"
Having climbed the bank Of the null
lah he was about to proceed in the
direction whence the cry had come
when he became aware Of the most ex-
traordinary figure he had ever seen II
his life approaching him. The appear
ance Hayle had presented when he hac
turned up at the Ford two months be
fore was nothing compared with ths
Of this individual. He was small
man, not more than five feet in height
His clothes were in rags grizzl.
beard grew in patches upon his cheek
and chin, while his hair reached nearl,
to his shoulders. His face was pinche,
until it looked more Ike ihat of
skeleton than man. Grantham stoo,
and stared at him, scarcely able to be
Ieve his eyes.
Good Heavens he said to himselt
what figure! wonder where tn
beggar halls from?" Then addressini
the man, he continued: care you a
Englishman, or what are your
The man before him, however, di,
not reply. He placed his finger on hi
lips, and turning, pointed in the direc
ton he had come.
Either he doesn't understand, o
he's dumb" said Grantham. "But it
quite certain that he wants me to fol
low him somewhere"
TO him TO proceed, whereupon the iii
tie fellow hobbled painfully away fror
the nullah in the direction whence h
had appeared. On and on he went Ut
til he at length came to standstill a
the foot of hill, where little strear
came splashing down in miniatur
cascade from the rocks above. The
Grantham realized the meaning Of tn
little mans action. Stretched out be
side rock was the tall figure of m al
Like his companion, he presented
miserable appearance, His clothes,
clothes they could be called, were i
rags, his hair was long and snow
white, matching his beard, which d.
seconded to within few inches of h
waist. His eyes were closed, and for
moment Grantham thought he wa
dead This was not the case, howeve
for upon his companion approachin
him he held out his hand and inquire
whether he had discovered the ysa
who had fired the shot?
To Grantham's surprise the oth'
made no reply in words, but, takin
his friends hand he made some my
terious movements upon it with h
fingers, whereupon the latter raise
himself to a sitting position.
fr;a tellc m that