The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-06-06

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xAcH-osA BECAME SUDDENLY AND ALARM
Is0LY ILL.
he said. Il held up the little clock, SO
II was not harmed when ! fell. The
other things are on the floor" He
placed the watch aud purse upon the
bed and moved toward the entrance.
There he paused.
Does the sahib want some one to
look after his thlngsY' he insinuated.
Il would like to be the sahlb's man"
"No, | do not need YOU" was the
answer. Now get along. and mind.
don't let me hear OF you being In this
sort Of work again."
The next day the man had returned,
as composed and imperturbable as
though he had not been caught In u
questionable act He ingratiated him.
self with the boys by telling them
stories OF the jungles and Of his own
wild life, and he watched for oppor.
tunities OF making himself useful, es-
pecially II Dr. Graylle was anywhere
In sight. This man he never seemed
weary Of looking at, though generally
his gaze rested on the arm and slender
ironlike fingers which had dropped up
on his shoulder. He was like natu-
ralist investigating some new discov-
cry or philosopher debating his own
philosophy, and after a few days COM
panionship with the two manly,
straightforward boys he seemed In
clined to let them, too, come under his
investigation, as bearing directly upon
the discovery Of the philosophy. 1t
was then that he offered his services
In whatsoever capacity the sahib
might wish. The next day he was en-
gagged as a hunter and guide. and the
following morning the small party set
out for the new mission on the Some.
The third day the rains struck them,
and they were obliged to go into camp.
There Kach-cha became suddenly and
alarmlngly Ill with some type Of ma
llgnant fever. He did not make the
fact known himself. but stole Off into
the bushes to die. That was the proper
way. His experience was that they
would abandon him as q matter OF
course, as he would do in their place
So when one OF the boys sought him
out and went back for help to bear him
to the most comfortable bed In camp
the puzzled look which had come into
his eyes many times during these last
few days grew yet more puzzled and
wondering.
Dr. Graylle was at first for sending
the boys on to the mission and re-
naming behind himself to nurse the
sick man, but the thought that they
had already been exposed and might |
come down with the fever while away |
from him caused him to allow them to |
remain. Thus they all took turns at
nursing, and during the ten days of
illness and convalescence Kach-cha's
deep, inscrutablc eyes roved frequently |
from one face to another, as though |
they would solve the problem OF hu-
manity which TO him was 80 strange
and incomprcbensibie.
sometimes coming down for a few
hours only. sometimes during most OF
the day. But still they hurried on, for
they felt they must reach the mission
rs soon ns possible. When the nights |
were clear they did not even go into
camp, but marched steadily on, eating
their lunches as they walked.
At length the mission was but four
hours away, three hours, two, then
suddenly they came to branch OF the
Some wild, turbid. apparently i'm
pnssable. DR.. Graylle shuddered as he
looked out upon the swirling waters.
He had heard that white trader had
been drowned here the rainy season
before aud that natives were frequent
IL lost In attempting to swim the food
or to paddle themselves across on logs.
But II was even more dangerous to
remain where they were. for the
ground was soft and spongy and reek-
Ing with fever. so they spent two
days In building a raft making II as
strong and secure as possible and
launching II at point where the wa.
ters seemed less swollen and turbid.
When they reached the other shore In
safety and with only the loss Of few
Of their provisions DR., Graylie's face
lost Its expression Of anxiety.
Thank Godr he cried feryeDtly AZ |
Harry and Jack sprang from the raft,
followed by the Others This Is con
sidered the most dangerous ford In all 4
the country round. and yet II Is the one I
most used II only good strong boat /
could be kept here, with safe man
who understood the river and its dns-
gers, II would mean a vast amount OF |
good for the community and perhaps |
the saving OF many lives each season.
It's another bit Of Gods work that is
waiting for the right man.
Kach-cha was standing to bis wnist
In the water, holding the raft. But for |
all the expression On his face be had |
no more apprchended the danger than
be now did their safety, and II be had /
heard DR.. Crayiie's remark bis coun
tenance did not show H. When the /
goods were all on shore and they were 4
preparing TO resume the march he /
came forward and held out his hand.
.The Journeys end IL hut a little
way over the bill. be said, -and there
IL no more use for me win now bid I
the sahfb gocfby ln his own way.
win bc glad to touch the sahlb's hand
In friendship"
But are you not going on with usr
asked Dr, Grayiic 10 surprise.
There IL no need. sahib. Ny journey
ends here
-Well. perhaps you can do better for
yourself by going back. Kaehcha, but
| have hoped you would see your way
o.. .sir0 .atsh a. amhfle - tIa tf-0k 3