The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-06-25

showed edcb other n little closer. There
was peculiar ugiiness about the little
brutes that was almost sickening.
Their dark little bodies, swarming un-
pleasantly close, made him think Of
tale an East Indian soldier had told
him Of man who was eaten alive by
countless swarm Of black spiders.
Ie looked at their slaycring, champ.
Ing tuHks and stepped slowly bacl1-
ward. The peccnries clrclcd In closer,
and Wainwright stopped, lifted his
FiGe, took deliberate aim and fred at
tho leader. There were loud "Oofsv'
and quickcning forward of tho whole
mass.
Wainwright recalled Bllly's warning.
Remember that when you strike n
herd OF peccarles you arc up against
q new proposition. They fear nothing
on the footstool. When you strike
herd Just forget thnt you ever hunted
elephants or tigers, drop your rife and
run for the nearest tree"
Wainwright gnrc last glance at the
hundred cruel eyes fastened on him,
dropped his rife and gaye one spring
10 tho trunk Of the nearest tree, barely
escaping The forward rush Of the pee
carieB. A moment later he wns seated
In the lowest crotch. breathing hard.
with the pcccarlea paving. grnntlng
aud roofing below him.
II wonder how long this viii iast,"
he thought. III little Jane could see
me she certainly would think was
getting my punishment for being 40
suriy this morning"
For mn hour Wainwright sat in his
uncomfortable position trying to find
solace In his pipo and growing more
and more Irritated. Tho peccarics
seemed untiring In their vigilance, and
he shuddered at the possibility OF fall.
Ing among them II ho dropped asleep.
Far of through the woods he could
SEQ n line Of snake fence. He won.
dcred II he dared run for II.
Just then he caught tho cleaning OF
Of blue gown among tho trees. 1t
was Jane. wandering on to look for
him. "Sho should have known better.
Heavens. It's my fault" he thought.
Ills heart stood still within him. Then
he tore of his coat, vest and cap and
with a blood curdling yell threw them
far toward the outer edge OF the herd.
Like lightning the little animals turned
In among themselves and fought for
the garments. Wainwright dropped
from the tree and few toward the now
terror stricken girl. Without word
but Gomez he seized her hand and
started In mad flight toward the fence.
Almost Immediately he heard tho pee
carries behind them, but their start was
good. Closer end closer sounded the
sickening grunts.
Faster. Janey, fasterr' painted
and tho girl quickened
her pace to hia. Wainwright gave a
single backward glance. Tho foremost
peccary was only few feet behind
them. Before them was a gully per-
haps Ave feet wide. II only they could
eap thatl He knew that the peccaries
could not Jump, but would be forced to
wade the brook. With the thought
they were across II, though Janey
stumbled and fell just on the other
side. But Wainwright had her up
again without breaking his speed.
The fence was now 30 near that he
.ouid sec tho dead goldenrod on the
,ther side. now no near that he saw !
!he moss on the top rail, and now he !
lifted Jane and tossed her to the other i
'ide Just as the peccaries hurled them
selves at bis lega. But he, TOO, was .
over, and tho peccaries rooted and tore
n vain at the strong old barrier. /
Little Jane threw her arms about
Tim. "Oh, Lawrence" she cried, "I'll
lever be cross again as long as
iver'
Wainwright held her close. "If 1t
,nds this wny." he said az hone Won