The Savannah morning news., 1902-03-02


and looked into the Devils face. The
latter rode erect. his eyes steadily
ahead. his jaw firmly set; but at the
corners of his mouth a subtle smile
flickered. Danger vas as wine to him.
He is a man." thought the Chaplain.
He is more worthy of her than l."
The earth beneath them swept stead
lily backward, a streaked brown plane.
Above the sun waxed to a greater. al
most uncomfortable heat that racked the
body, and baked the brain: but II did
not serve TO diminish thunder of hoofs
and exultant whooping in the rear.
The Chaplain looked again at the
Devil. He was riding wildly now.
chuckling to himself quietly; and his
eye danced with CLEAN of mad mirth.
Chill fear gripped at the Chaplain's
heart. The two rode with empty stom-
achs. Neither had eaten since the pre-
ceding noon. The heat was terrific.
Well might reason totter on that mem
ory-tortured mind.
But little while, Padre, and we
shall stand before the Judge. oh, it
will be sweet"
BE quiet! We must make it for the
sakes of those
No hope; it is too far"
TT is not so far; we may" He
glanced over his shoulder, and the
words faded from his lips. OF the pur-
suerS three had outrun their fellows
and had gained greatly. The remaining
two were specks upon the horizon. He
saw the foremost swerve slightly, and
bullet raised a squirt of dust at their
feet. Two more shots rang loudly. The
Chaplain's horse leapt convulsively
forward and fell, throwing him. The
Devil refined in and dismounted.
mo use!" he said, as he thrust the
reins into the Chaplains hands. Here,
hold Nellie while amuse the dear
creatures"
The Chaplain, dazed by the fall,
stared stupidity as the Devil turned and
walked, Keeling like a drunkard, to-
wards the Sioux. who had stopped alb
ruptly and sat patiently awaiting the
outcome of this undheard-of action
not unlike cats toying with a mouse
before delivering the final blow In eth
er hand the Devil held a long Colt. The
chaplain awoke to the situation, and
started after him.
Come on, you spawn of hell" the
Come on; We'll show you how men can
die in the open!"
He cursed them violently standing
bareheaded in the blazing sunlight.
Inc Sioux did not move nor reply but
sat balefully smiling lingering the locks
OF their rifles. The Inquisition NAV have
thus looked upon its prey. The Devil
ragged, openly insulting each in his
turn; and still they smiled grimly.
suddenly one of the Indians raised
his rifle. The Devil swung upon his
neel and the two reports rang as one.
The Sioux toppled and fell from his
saddle his head caved in by the
crashing shot. Instantly the others
opened fire. The Devil capered with
glee; and the Colts spat viciously be-
tween the cracking of the Springfields.
Forever after the chaplain memory
held picture of a tall, athletic figure
CARRIED in blue. dancing furiously In a
yellow haze of smoke and sunlight,
and with the picture there was an ac-
compartment of shrill, unearthly mirth
and the swapping of gun play.
When at length it was finished the
Sioux lay dying, while the Devil tore
at gaping wound in ms breast
I've got it, Padre" he cried, Joyful
ly; I've got it! That was a fight!
Now l can die!"
The chaplain went to him and helped
him tenderly to the horse. With agon-
izing effort he lifted the wounded man
to the saddle and mounted behind.
Altar two Sioux lowered as foiled vul-
lures, fearful to venture nearer the liv-
ing prey.
The horse moved at hal1ing gallop
under the double load. The chaplain
wound one arm round the Devil, leav-
ing the other free to hold revolver.
The rocking heat beat down pitilessly
from brazen sky and was fiNg back
to scar his eyes and nostrils. Dust en-
veloped them like a shroud-fine i'm
palpable, penetrating to the last degree
of maddening irritation. The groun1
rose and fell with sickening Irregular
ity. His arm was tortured to numb
ness by the dragging strain.
And thus mile upon weary mile was
covered painfully, while the human
birds of prey battered fresh cogsage
to make wary approaches, swo1ping
about in ever lessening circles, COM
pelling the Chaplain to eternal vigil
ance, though his eyes ached and were
trimmed with burning red, though the
world wheeled and swirled about him
and the merciless sun multiplied to
many suns which swan in fiery arcs
through a yellow sky, though an hour
was an untold cycle of he'll, and a
minute an infinity of purgatory; till
at last his reason passed from him,
and he rode unfeeling and happy,
swelling a parched throat and fng-
ing husky tenor upon the quivering
air.
Light Slle was, anu ike a 1dlfy,
And her shoes were number nine.
Thou art lost and gone forever,
Gone forever, Clementine.
o, my darling o, my darling.
o, my darling, o, my darling.
The old, foolish words quavered pit
fully. but thereafter he was in safety.
with no need of fear had he been SEN
tient to the emotion; for the Sioux
would not harm him, knowing that he
was mad.
O., my darling Clementine,
Thou art lost and gone forever,
o. my darling Clementine.
And the Devil writhed feebly, tear
ing at the binding arm, moaning and
calling ENORMOUSLY:
-Urcilla-W ater-"
Some one dabbed grateful moisture
on his brow and lips. The Chaplain
sucked greedily at each niggardly
drop, and returned to consciousness
and sanity. His eyes were still as Goals
of fire in their sockets, and he could
open them but narrowly and with
great pain. He saw that he was lying
on the veranda of the ColoneHs house,
I in tha calm security of the army most