El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-28
The Herald's
Daily Short Story

mass of huts surrounded by a stockade
of rough timber. the smoke curling
above its roofs and staining the blue
of the sky. Already the news of his
approach had come before him and the
: sound of tomtoms echoed holloway
within its defences. The heat was al
most unbearable. Sharply he gave his
orders, and the rattle of the Maxims
began, drowning the boom of the tom
toms. Then, with a shout, he led his
men forward at the double and breast
ed the stockade.
1t was soon over. The major had a
confused vision OF swarthy savages
with naked bodies, or angry faces and
, cleaning spears, of men who thrust
and hacked, and broke and gave way
before the superior skill and weapons
of the white man, In little time he
stood in the center of the village be-
fore the chiefs hut, master of the stu
alton, and taking stock of his casual
ties.
Two hours later. as he sat in his tent
writing a report Of the action. the flap
was lifted, and a white-faced and bag
gard man came in, accompanied by
the sergeant who escorted him. Maj
Oliver rose heartily and stretched out
his hand Then he drew it back sharp
~ and stared.
Hamilton" he exclaimed He turned
to the sergeant CO." he said sharply
you can leave US alone Co.
Its you, is it?" he said dryly.
Hamilton glanced at him and looked
away. obviously embarrassed
Yes, its me" ne said. Funny. isn't
it2' He laughed nervously. II suppose
If you had known it was me-" he said
suddenly. you wouldn't have hurried
up here?''
That's a point" said the major
thoughtfully. He appeared to consider
II for moment. No. he said after
a pause You're wrong. 1 had this
job to carry through, and I'd have
done it even if / knew-what 7 know
now"
Very good OF you said Hamilton.
with an aosurdly conventional note in
his voice
What are you doing out nere?" ask
ed the major
Il had to leave the service of
course" replied Hamilton. with a
shrug of his shoulders. But that isn't
what 1 mean. Oliver, how the deuce
did you live with that woman?-
Enid-Mrs. Hamilton" ,queried the
major BY the way, how Is she?"
she's all right as far as 1 know"
said Hamilton sullenly, Il haven't seen
her for over a year You haven't an
swered my question"
Il lived with her, said the major
deliberately, on the understanding
that L was going to be master in nv
own house. She got tired of it. and
she ran away"
She's lived with me-, answered
Hamilton, with a sheepish grin, ION the
understanding that she was going to
hn mi in mil
and l ran away"
81 ran away" he repeated grimly. ct
got job in a firm out here. 1t seem
ed the sort of place she couldn't get at
1 was agent in factory. The niggers
burnt the place. Now you know the
story. Well, what are you going to
do? You can kill me if you wish"
The major smiled grimly.
TITS a bit too late for all that" he
said. If 1 meant to do that 1 ought
TO have done it long ago, before / in
voked the aid of the law AS it is. I'm
responsible to the British government
for your safety.
L see,' said Hamilton slowly He
looked around the tent. You haven't
got such thing as a drop of whisky"
ne asked Il haven't had drink for
longer than 1 care to think Of"
The major extracted a bottle from a
packing case and produced a couple of
tumblers.
Help yourself he said. pushing the
bottle across the little table
Honor is satisfied, eh?" said Hamil-
ton. smiling uneasily as he poured out
the liquor.
ut wouldn't make things any better
If 1 were to kill you,'' said the major
thoughtfully. And it's no use pre-
tending to feel what 1 don't feel. Fill
up, man.
Salute" said Hamilton as he drain
ed his glass.