The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-03
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
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-THE
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
BY HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER TX.

| his surroundings His eyes were raised
TO heaven, his lips moved fro mtime TO
time, and IL was manifest that he was
holding the most solemn and momentous
communion which II is possible for man
TO hold even with his Maker. Pale. hag-
gard and worn with mental and physical
suffering. his crisp brown curly hair stiff
and matted with blood his face streaked
with ensanguined stains. and his scorched
clothing hanging about him In blood
stained rags, nevertheless thought II
would be difficult to picture a more per-
feet embodiment OF a good, noble and
brave man.
Slowly and sinuously, like a serpent
stealing upon his prey. the fetish-man or
witch-doctor advanced until he stood
within yard OF his intended victim, with
the fatal wand still pointing straight at
Smellie's breast. He stood thus for a full
minute or more. seemingly striving 10
wiring from the bound and helpless
prisoner some sign OF panic or at least
OF discomposure In vain His last most
solemn act OF duty done. Smellie at
length turned his eyes upon those OF his
enemy. regarding him with gaze 90
calmly steadfast, so palpably devoid of
fear, that the savage. mortified at his
utter failure. suddenly. with an exclama-
ton unmistakably Indicative OF rage and
chagrin. dropped the point OF his wand.
TO raise IL again instantly and direct II
toward my breast.
But the cool intrepidity which had Just
witnessed vas contagious; I'm my sublime
admiration OF II my soul scared far above
and beyond the reach of so debasing
feeling as fear. and In my turn / met the
with one as calm as Smellies own
For perhaps a full minute-it may have
been more. II may have been less II IS
difficult to estimate the lapse OF time un-
der such trying crcumstances-the fetish
man did his best to discopcert me; then,
baffled once more, with furious ana
threatening gesture he passed on TO the
next prisoner.
I'VE are rcprieved for the time be-
ing" said Smellie. as the gesticulaung
witch doctor and his myrmidons passed
on, but only 10 become the victims of
more refined and protracted torture at
last. Having failed 10 exhibit any signs
to witness the cumulative sufferings of
those who are to precede US, in order that
by the sight OF their exquisite torments
our courage may be quelled by the antici-
patton Of our own. ! imagine, from what
/ have heard OF the customs OF this peo-
pie. that we are about TO witness and be-
come participants In "A ceremony under
taken 10 avert or remove some great ca
lamity-a ceremony involving the sacri-
fice OF many victims, each OF whom is
put 10 death with more refined barbarity
than that dealt out TO the victim preced-
ing him. Ahl see there a worthy victim
has at last been found with which TO be-
gin the sacrifice"
/ looked In the direction his eyes indi-
Gated. and. sure enough. the light but fa-
tai stroke with the wand was just In the
act of being struck upon the naked breast
OF one Of the negro prisoners. As the
out from the lips of the wretched man,
the fetish-man's four assistants sprang
upon their prey. his bonds were cut, and
struggling desperately and shrieking with
mortal fear, into the inner circle and up
to the broad tree-stump which supported
the fetish or idol.
In the meantime the fire had been boun-
ufully replenished with wood and now
blazed up flercely. BY It's ruddy light l
saw the fetsh-man retire TO the interior
OF the temple or fetish-house, to appear
Immediately afterwards with rude stone
hammer In one hand, and what looked
like four or Eve large spike nails In the
other. He stood for a moment gloating
over the agonized countenance OF his
victim and then nodded his head. AT
the signal his four assistants seized
their prisoner, and, despite his terrible
wards with his back against the tree
stump. and his limbs extended as far as
they would go round IL. when the fetish
man proceeded with cruel elaboration
20 secure him in position by mailing him
there. the spikes taken from the fetish
house being used for the purpose.
The horns. drums, and harmonicon now
broke forth afresh into a hldeous clamor,
which. however. was powerless 10 drown
the dismal shrieks OF the victim; and
the fetish-man. arming himself with
large broad bladed and most murderous-
looking knife. began to dance slowly, with
most extraordinary contortions OF visage
and body round the idol. Gradually his
gyratlons grew more rapid, his gestures
more extravagant; tho knife was -four
ished In the air in an Increasingly threat
| ening manner, and az length. as the weird
dancer whlrled rapidly round the tree
stump tho weapon was at each revolu-
tion plunged ruthlessiy into the writhing
body OF the hapless victim. the utmost
care being taken, noticed, 20 avoid any
vital part. Finally. when the dancer had
| apparently danced himself into a frenzy
when his gyrations had become 30 rapid
| that 10 almost made me giddy TO look at
| him. and when his contortions OF body
/ grew so extravagant that was difficult
| to say whether he was dancing on he
! head or on his heels-there flashed n sud
| den lghtning-llke gieam Of the knife. and
the head Of the miserable victim fell 20
the ground. TO be snatched UP instantly
| and. with still twitching features. nailed
| between the feet OF the body.
A loud murmur OF applause from the
| spectators greeted this effort Of the fet-
| ish man. In the midst OF which he retired
| for few minutes 10 the interior OF the
1 fetish house prohahiv N racr1tff his