Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-13

enemy.
 Above all. perhaps, was the quiet influence of man who never fiinched from danger or seemed to be In the least dlsconcerted by Its presence.
 Tt seems, sir." said Joseph to his master later in the day, that you've kinder stumped them. They don't un. derstand you"
 "They must be kept in check by fear. There is no other way" replied Mere' dith rather wearily. Of late he had felt less and less inclined to exert him. self.
 "Yes, sir. Those sort O men," Meredith made no answer, aQd after . little pause Joseph repeated the words significantly, if ungrammatical- ly, Those sort O men," F..
 "What do you mean?" -ssz Slaves" replied Joseph sharply, touching his hat without knowing why.
 Slaves! What are you talking about?"
 The man came little nearer.
 Those forty men-leastwise thirty four men-that we brought from Msala; Mir. Durnovo's men that cultivate this ere simiacine, as they call it. They're different from the rest. sir.''
 "Yes, of course they are. We do | not hire them direct; we hire them from Mir. Durnovo and pay their, wages to him. They are of different tribe from the others-not fighting men, but | agriculturists."
 "Ah"-- Joseph paused. Strange thing, sir, but I've not seen 'em han ding any of their pay yet"
 "Well, that is their affair."" "Yes, sir! 1 Having unburdened himself of his suspicion, the servant retired, shaking his head ominously. At any other time the words just recorded would have aroused Jack Merediths attention, but the singular slothfulness that seemed to be creeping over his intellect was already acting as clog on his mental energy.
 The next morning he was unable to leave his bed, and lay all day in q state of semi-somnolence. Joseph ex- plained to the men that the leader was so disgusted with their ungrateful conduct that he would not leave the tent. In the evening there was slight attack made from the southern side. This Joseph was able to repulse, chiefly by his own long range firing, assisted by a few picked rifles, but the situation was extremely critical The roll of the big war drum could be ' heard almost necessarily, rising with weird melancholy from the forest land beneath them.
 Despite difficulties the new crop of | simiacine, the second within twelve ! months, had been picked, dried and stored in cases. Without on the pla- teau stood the bare trees, affording no covert for savage warfare, no screen 1 against the deadly bullet. The camp was placed near one edge of the table land and on this exposed side the stock ade was wisely constructed of double strength. The attacks had hitherto been made only from this side. but Joseph knew that anything in the na- ture of a combined assault would carry his defense before it. In his rough and ready way he doctored his master, making for him such soups and strength giving food as he could. Once, very late in the night. when 1t almost seemed that the shadow of death lay over the little tent, he pounded up some of the magic simiacine leaves and mixed them in the brandy which he administered from time to time.
 Before sunrise the next morning the alarm was given again and the little garrison was called to arms.
 He took his station on the roof of hut in the center of the little stockade, and from there he directed the fire of his men. Crouching beneath him he had a disabled native who loaded each rifle in turn. and just by way of encourag- ing the others he picked off the prom inent men outside the stockade with a deadly steadiness.
 If Joseph detected anything like cowardice or carelessness, he pointed his rife with a threatening frown to- ward the culprit. with instant effect. Presently. however, things began to get more serious. This was not the sudden assault of single chief. but all organized attack. Before long Joseph ceased to smile. By sunrise he was oil the roof running from one weak point to another. encouraging. threatening. fighting and swearing very hard. More than once the enemy reached the stock ade. and. Ominous sign. one or two of their dead lay inside the defense. Hc was everywhere at once urging Oh his men. kicking them. pushing them. forcing them up to the stockade. But he saw the end. Half dazed. the blacks fought on fin silence. { Tn the midst of 1t a hand was laid ! on Joscph's shoulder.
 There cried q voice. that corner. See 10 it.
 { Without looking round. Joseph 1 obeyed. and the preached corner was saved He only knew that his master. who was almost dead. had come to life again. Tbere vas no time for any thing else.
 ! For half an hour it was a question of any moment. Master and man were for the time being nothing better tbal
 madnen. and the fighting frenzy Is
 wildly infectious.