Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-11-21
NUMBER Al.

SICK white man. Any one Of them
could have knocked him over with
the blow Of little finger. Despite his
firearms. the gang could have rushed
him and delivered that blow. when his
head and the plantation would have
been theirs Hatred and murder and
lust for revenge they possessed to
overfowing. But one thing they
lacked. the thing that he possessed
the fame Of mastery that would not
quench. that burned 6ercely as ever
In the disease wasted body.
"Narada! Billy" Sheldon called
sharply.
Two men skunk unwillingly forward
and waited
Sheldon gave the keys Of the hand
cuffs to. house boy. who went under
the house and loosed the prisoner.
"You fellu Narada. you fella Billy,
sSke um this fella boy along tree and
make fast. hands high up." was Shell.
don's command
While this was being done one Of
the house boys fetched heavy han.
died. heavy lashed whip. Sheldon be-
gan n speech.
This fellu Arunga, me cross along
him too much. | no steal this fella
Arunga. no CANNON. say. All
,.i,rIf RoranhQ
work three fella year. He say. All
right. me come along you work three
tela year lie come. He catch plenty
good fella kai kai food plenty good
fella money. What name he run
away! Me too much cross along him.
| knock what Maine outa him tella.
pay Seelee. big fella master along
Balesuna. one case tobacco catch that
fella Arunga. All right Arunga pay
hat fcl!a ease tobacco. Six pounds
thar fella Arunga pay. ALE same one
rear more that fella Arunga work
3crande All right Now he catch ten
ELLA whip three times. You fella Billy
catch whip. give that fella Arunga ten
fella three times All fella boys look
see. all fella Marys (womeD look see:
bime bye. they like run away they
think strong feIla too much. no run
away. Billy. strong fella too much
ten fella three times"
The house boy extended the whip
to him. but Billy did not take It. Shell
don waited quietly The eyes OF all
the cannibas were fixed upon him In
doubt and fear and eagerness. It
was the moment of test. whereby the
lone white man was to live or be lost.
Ten fella three times. Billy" Shell
don said encouragingly. though there
was q certain metallic rasp in bis.
voice.
Billy scowled. looked up and looked
down. but did not move.
"Billyw
Sheldon's voice exploded like pistol
shot. The savage startled physically.
Grins overspread the grotesque feat
ures Of the audience. and there was
sound Of tltering.
"S'pose you like too much lash that
fella Arunga. you take him fella Tul.
agi." Billy said Zone fela govern
ment agent make plenty lash. That
um fella law. Me savvee um fella
law"
II was the law. and Sheldon knew
It. But ne wanted to live this dav
and the next day auC LoI ~ uIe walt.
Ing for the law to operate the next
week or the week after.
ITO much talk along you" he cried
lngrily. What name. eh? What
nameT
NE savvee law" the savage repeat.
ed stubbornly.
"Astoa!'
Another man stepped forward in al.
most sprightly way and glanced In
solently up. Sheldon WIS selecting the
worst characters for the lesson.
"You fella Aston. you fela Narada.
tie up that fella Billy alongside other
fella same fella way.
"Strong fella tie" he cautioned them.
"IOu fela Astoa take that fella whip.
Plenty strong big fella too much ten
iella three times. Savvee"
NO" Astoa grunted.
Sheldon picked up the rifle that had
leaned against the rail. and cooked II
"I know you. Astoa." he said calmly.
You work along Queensland six
years."
NE fella missionary" the black In
terupted with deliberate insoIence.
Queensland you stop Jail one fella
year. White fella master fool no hang
you. You too much bad fella. Queens
land you stop jail six months two fella
time Two fela time you steal. All
right. you missionary. You savvee one
fella prayer"
"Yes. me savvee prayer" was the
reply.
"All right. then you pray now. short
time little bit You say one fella
prayer quick. then me kill YOU
Sheldon held the rife on him ana
waited. The black glanced around at
his fellows. but none moved to aid
him They were intent upon the
coming spectacle. staring fascinated at
the white man with death In his hands
who stood alone on the great verunda.
"Astoa." Sheldon said. SELLING the
psychological moment. II count three
fella time. Then | shoot you fella
dead. good by. all finish you"
And Sheldon knew that when he had
counted three he would drop him In
his tracks. The black knew II. too.
That was why Sheldon did not have
to do II. for when he had counted one.
Astoa reached ont his hand and took
the whip And right well Astoa laid
on the whip. angered at his fellows
for not supporting him. and venting
his anger with every stroke. From
tha<veranda. Sheldon egged him on to
strike with strength. till the two triced
savages screamed and bowled while
tho blood oozed down their backs.
The lesson was being well written In
red.
When the last Of the gang. including
the two bowling culprits. had passed
out through the compound gate. Shel.
don sank down half faindnR on his
couch
You're a sick man." he groaned.
"A sick man"