The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-12-17
P rince in Papua.
By C. ROSS JOHNSON
(Copyright, by Short Stories Co.. Ltd.)

Stories Co., LID
path. It was trying moment for,
him and his prophetic eye saw inter,
nationoal trouble in the near future.
Follow me-" he said. He had al
ready sent the natives out in different
directions and the camp was resound-.
ing with the crack of rifle and gun to
the unspeakable delight of small ma
tive boys. They wandered through
the bush for nearly an hour. Then
suddenly they found him.
There was a glinmer ahead from a
hut in a small clearing. 'Alecs place."
said the governor. HE might know
something"
They pushed open the door and en-
tered. There was a flaring lamp in
the dirty room, In one corner. gazing
blankly at figure at the rickety
table, stood Alec-a negro from the
Muritius. Over his shoulder peered
his Papuan wife and Jimmy Japan,
while Mac, a half-caste, stood on one
bare foot and thoughtfully scratched
his woolly poll. Seated on the table,
dismally sucking two feet of sugar
cane and glarins at his hosts, was the
prince. His shirt was in rags and
his face was scratched and dirty, while
two little pigs rubbed themselves
grunting against his spurs.
I'VE thought your serene high
ness"
Would like something to eat"
snapped the other.
Twenty minutes later very DISNEY
eled and exhausted heir-apparent was
helped into camp He had gone
through enough to tire man-not to
mention prince.
DinSer was over and the prince
seemed recovering. On the bank of
the river O'Brien was in earnest con-
versation with the native corporal.
This place." said O'Brien to the
Count Bierundonner, who strolled up,
this place is the very devil for alli-
gators"
"Du lieber Gott!" calculated the lat
ter piously.
Yes; but you are all right in your
hammock, you know. It's worse for
me on the ground. It's only a few
yards from the river, you see, and
they might sneak up and nip me-"
What do you propose doing?"
asked the count, much moved.
Il shall put a barricade round my
bed; then they can only fool round
outside and smell at me, but won't be
able to get in"
Dear Cod" thought the count.
The monsters might climb this barri-
cade and nip me-" He seemed de.
pressed, but, recollecting that he was
soldier, comported himself bravelyl
Tired out, every one turned in early;
The count watched with fascinated
Interest Mr.. OBriens preparations for
the night. This gentleman had coli
lected everything he could lay his
hands on and built them like wall
round where he lay, under the counts
hammock-boxes, swags, biscuit tins
and buckets The count examined 1t
critically and with a knowledge of
strategy and the art of war. II
Look" he said; II will move a
little this box-so.' !,
Thanks very much, old man." re.
piled Mr.. O'Brien from inside, rs II
better now?"
YES" said the count, "yes-much
better-for me-" he muttered, as he
crawled into his hammock. "The
brutes might have come upstairs as 1t
was" and he sank into sweet sleep.
Downstairs" O'Brien moved rest
lessly on his rugs. He was stiff after
the unaccustomed ride, and the bed
was hard. He dreamed that the
prince was lost and that he was be-
ing led off to instant decapitation. He
dozed off again and dreamed that the
alligators were. crawling up and sit,
ting on his chest (tinned lobster). He;
awoke with start and yell. There;
was crash-then something got him
firmly by the arm. With convulsive'
shrek he brought both legs together
and put all his soul into one last kick.
There was an answering shrek from.
above as the Count Won Bierundonner.
receiving the full force of the kick in.
the small of his back, was hurled
bodily out of his hammock and landed
groaning some yards outside the tent.
The whole camp turned out in con-
fusion.
Whats the matter?" queried Dali.
las, the private secretary, hurrying up
with lantern. &
can alligator" gasped O'Brien, who
was pinned down with two boxes on
his chest. Save me, old chap. 1t
has got me by the arm"
IAN alligator" said Dallas. you
essence OF an idiot! Why. you drivel.
ing ass. you have knocked over a
bucket and the handle has closed over
your arm. Get up, you juggins, and 1
will. take your arm out.
Then an irate and scornful camp.
after having told Mr.. O'Brien exatly
what it thought of him and provided
for his future in q few powerful and
well-chosen expressions. returned to
Its interrupted slumbers.
I Royalty Enjoys Musical Gifts.
Princess Henry of Battenberg,
whose latest song won applause atsthe
concert given by colonial artists at
the Imperial Colonial club, shares the
gift Of musical composition with
many other European royalties. from
the German emperor downward. The
sArchduke Peter Ferdinand, who has q