The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-09-18
BY
WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE

used by the natives had been torn.
Like cures like. The island of Swat
was breeder of mosquitoes, but it
was death to them, at that But the
mosquitoes, always just little ahead
of the game, as they had given rise to
the sound of swat, had given rise also
to the name of Swat.
Later Constitutional Smith had time
to revolve all these curious things in
his mind. In the meantime, however,
he was busy with the things at hand.
Smith found that the more prosper
Gus in the island kept their bodies
covered during the mosquito season.
He, therefore, was able without COM
ment to keep his tattoo marks, and
the sticking plaster which still covered
them in spots, well hidden. O'Keefe
had been there in the winter season.
AS he left, 1T will be- remembered, he
too had been bitten by mosquito
the first harbinger of spring. Smith
had arrived in the height of sum-
mer season.
He found himself socially and politi-
vague whispers in the air that sounded
like "Oh Keefe-Akoond." These
whispers grew Into murmur, and
then rumbled on into a shout. The
cry again was long and loud, "Oh
Keefe, AlSoond of Swat
1t was the tribute of savagery to civ
ilization. 1t was the compliment of
people who had roughed it for CEN
turtles to a man who had taught them
to enjoy life, how to work and how to
play. They were stupid, but they
were appreciative.
The Akoond was all too pleased with
this disposition on the part of his peo-
pie. He had disposed of O'Keefe in
secret some months ago. He would
ny,1xy bo Tor <r1o n 49, "a, -, Jo
strutted about with a smile of triumph
on his face. He did more He egged
on the followers of O'Keefe. He
urged that Oh Keefe become candi
date. He was magnanimous, even to
the point of suspicion. He sent men
into the field to root and howl for
Oh Keefe. And they rooted and howl
ed to their hearts content; and SO did
everybody else.
Constitutional Smith soon understood
the situation. He acquiesced. He
said he would run. He did not care
how soon. Neither did the Akoond.
The Akoond did not even prepare him
self as he had been wont to. do.
But the thing was arranged and a
day was set. This time. thought the
Akoond, Oh Keefes day had surely
come. This time it was just as well,
perhaps, to make a complete finish of
him. The Akoond was a fair man,
but his rival had become persistent
This time he would kill him and have
done with it. 1t was easy enough.
Then there would be an end to this
vague unrest.
Constitutional Smith spent his time
in the interval in prospecting the ISL
and. He was looking for gold. He did
not find any. He found nothing
nothing at all, but superabundance
Of this fresh green vegetation that
seemed death to the mosquitoes. And
he found marsh after marsh which
he found nothing else. The Isle of
Swat was indeed a God-forsaken
But Smith did not repine He did
not rail at O'Keefe. He knew that
O'Keefe had done him, but he did not
acknowledge that fact himself. There
were worse things than being upon
Ing he was content. He loafed and
lived. and for the present that
would do.
He almost forgot about the great
battle that was to take place. One
day he heard number of shouts in
the village and he saw men scurrying
in every direction. He was sitting un-
der tree.
"Oh Keeefe!s Oh Keefe!" they shout
ed, ooh Keefe!" Then one of them
saw him as he stood up, and ran to-
wards him and dragged him towards
the village, shouting probably that Oh
Keefe was found. Smith entered the
village and found that the army was
drawn up about spacious ring. ON
one side of this ring stood the Akoond,
putting out his black chest. Smith
made an apology for not being on hand,
which was probably understood by the
Akoond, for he waved his hand in a
gracious manner. Smith, cautious as
he was, and lazy as he seemed to be,
did not take the trouble to rid him
self of his superfiuous clothing. He
stepped into the ring and glanced
carelessly at the Akoond and then at
the assembled guests. He nodded to
two. or three. Some fellow blew q
blast on horn and the Akoond
charged down upon Smith. Smith
sidestepped and tapped the Akoond
lightly on the shoulder as he passed.