The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-05-19

"a SACRIFICE? A HUMAN SACRIFICE"
the Euglishman rushing forward and
grasping Selkirk's hands MY name
is BrandyWine think we met ia
Amapala. These wild fellows want to
eat me or something Can you under
stand their lingo? My guides deserted
me day ago. stole everything | had
except this blanket my rife and
The wild black Caribs interrupted
them. They had been talking to Sci
kinks guide, ana they were now de-
handing a hearing.
"What do they wantT demanded
Selkirk to his native guide Then, in Il
side tone TO the Englishman "You
can't trust any Of these treacherous
guides They'd sell you for a dollar
ana Kill you for piece Of gold"
"1hey say we're prisoners" the guide
mumbled humbly, "and we must give
up our weapons They are bad men
bad black CARDS" Then in n frighten-
ed whisper, They eat white men
sometimes, and'-
Sekirk laughed harshly. "You tel!
them iii give them indigestion if they
should eat me. Besides, I'm not their
prisoner"
How can We get out Of this holeT'
murmurel the Englishman. Il wish
Id never come here"
"Nhat did you come for, anyway"
Because / was Il foel Some Eng
fish rubber company sent me to eX.
plorc the interior 10 locate rubber for
ests didn't know. I was fooled"
sehrk did not reply lie was quiet
ly watching the natives His two
months experience in the interior
ought to help him in the present emer-
gency. lie had heard stories of the
wild black Caribs They were not bad
ut heart, but If they took 1t into their
heads that they needed human sac
rifce for their religion they would
spend their last drop Of blood to ac-
compliSh the end.
Sckirk talked a few minutes With
the leaders Of the Carbs through his
guides and then once mere addressed
the Englshman. ..,
"They demand a sacrifice, One Of rs
must be offered up. and the other can
return to the coast"
"NIy God! A sacrifice? A human sac
rldccT
Eyes. TO please the wrath Of some
Of their gods" coolly replied Sclkirk
ITS terrible! Monstrous" shouted
the Englishman, the drops of perspira-
ton appearing on his forehead "What
can we do? You don't propose yielding
to them. I'd rather die fighting than
than
"Bcng roasted alive? Well, SO would
|. But one Of us can escape. and it is
folly to sacrifice both lives"
Brandywine's face was liyid. and his
hands trcmblcd violently. His eyes
lulged from their sockets as he STAN
mercd. You mean that we should
should draw lots TO sec which one
we might do that" laconically IL
terrupted Selkirk.
'I-I-my family-my dear wife and
child" muttcred the Englishman.
Sclkirk suddenly stiffcned. You have
family WIFE and cAildf"
"Ycs; the best that ever lived. She
did not want me to come out here. II
was my pigheadedness. She said
"That makes a difference. | could
not draw lots with you. l have nc
family 40 wife or children only "a
"Swccthcart; some one waiting for
you to-
No, not that; she is not waiting
fear she does not care"
There was a bitterness in the tons
which made the Englishman vince
rrsfinctivciy lie held forth his hand
Sefkirk grosped it, squeezed it a mo
mcnt and then said 'fll stay. You
con go back 20 the coast. No one will
miss me"
"No, couldn't do that desert you
r.
"You must One life lest Is better
than two. These people are ignorant
and superstitious. but they are honest
in redeeming their word. If they prom
fse it they will take you back safely tC
! the coast. and then you can reach ANA
pala and the American CONSUL Tel
him ait. and if -
He stopped. The Englshman blink
ed and held back a tear Il under