Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-02
Seeing The World
CHAPTER II.

He arose and tiptoed gingerly to the
opening Of the tent Here, Colin ne
called feehly He could not bring MS
lips to frame whistle.
Are there any wolves around here!
asked Archie when they had settled
themselves for the third time
why, some came once in winter over
to the front porch, and you know were
miles from home. Why"-Tommie lost
in the interest Of his story, forgot OF
mention, and, in fact, forgot himself,
that an old trapper had told him this
some years ago. He continued in low
tones, "Once l read about some Rus'
slams that were pursued in their slelgn
by wolves, and they drew lots ana
threw out people, so that tie wolves
would stop and eat them and maybe
, some might escape"
Archie capped this with the sad tale
of an Indian whom monstrous pear
had dragged ten miles and at last given
to his-the bears family, who tore him
limb from limb and finally devoured
him.
"Gee!" calculated Tomme apprecia.
lively. Then he spoke as Thomas, the
doubter mig,lt have done. Il don't be-
liove it really happened cause, if the
guy was eaten up, who lived to tell the
tale?"
Put Archie exploded this theory by
adding IN a thrilling whisper, "His lit
tie son fo"n nd his cracked skull and
wamprm lelt he wore in the bears den
years afterward."
Neither spoke for while Suddenly
Archie hit oub with his hand.
Here. quit punching me-
I'm not; there are a thousand mos
quitOeS on me-
Tom ME focame aware that spider
had BIT en- him in seven spots, which
he specified and offered to show.
I'll Believe vor." said his companion.
sourly. i've killed four ants on me.
Yon call this seeing the world Now
Jaw. shut up
Silence again while they both rolled
away from each other, and each made
efforts to drown thought in
slun1hcr
Suddenly Tommie sat bolt upright,
demandin~: Don't you hear some
thin"? l do, and look at Colin-he's
bristling.'
Jaw. shucks." Archie turned over,
rubbing his eyes, when upon the still
ness broke the unmistakahle sound of
bushes reing pushed aside. Nerves
taUt, they listened while the numbering
bly, avFi' le They heard him
upon sticks. steadily nearing.
ooh Tom is it a -b-bear?"
II guess it is. and wnopper too"
The general made no effort to conceal
the trembling in his voice now. We're
yCncrS Arc',. and lust as we're nearly
men. too But what an adventure"
They listened in GREATNESS terror
while the horrible creature advanced
without haste. Stopping, as it seemed.
to sniff his prey from time to time. Al!
at once Colin growled ferociously, and
without warning dashed from the tent
Here. how. Here. sir Colin, come
back" cried Tommie. But too late;
they heard furious barkings. curious
low scur(' from the savage invader, and
silence, followed by a steady crunch,
speaking volumes to their fright. Archie
felt instinctively at his leg to see If by
chance the beast had set his teeth in it.
Suddenly Colin yapped. The boys heard
rustling in the bushes, then the
sound of something being trampled
upon.
20 poor Colin!" cried Tommie. Hes
killed him and brought him back to eat
before he goes for us
"What do you s'pose he is? Look
how 'normous his shadow looks on the
tent"
maybe he's a wild tiger"
They exchanged these comments in
low whispers. Then Archie spoke, slow
ly, but with growing calmness: I'm
going to die, anyway-Pm smaller'n
YOU. an I'm not goin' to die 'thout
knowing what ate me. I'm going to
peek"
archibald Gliding, you shall mott"
Yes. WILL Then if he should get me,
you cut and rum
Persuasions, threats, and promises,
all glanced helplessly aside from his
adamantjne firmness. Never had pri-
vate thus rebelled before. Tom was
silenced. He stood back mutely, watch
ing while his friend lay down and, lift
mig the tiniest piece of canvas, applied
an eye to the aperture. Meanwhile, the
enemy had ceased to chew. but main
tanned sound as though licking his
chops, half in remembrance of Colin
and half in anticipation of the canni-
balls treat in store for him. Archie
gazed long, to the increasing impa-
tience of mis- companion. When he wrig-
g'ed slowly back at last, his eyes were
wide
Gee! He's whooping! His back was
to me, and he's sitting down, so he
couldn't see me, but he's bigger'n
house and black with short-haired skin
and'-Archie lowered his voice, partly
in fear and partly for histrionic pur-
poses-"by the light Of the moon I saw
a l-l-long tusk!'
Tommie scorned to smooth the hair
which he felt rising rampant upon his
head at this tremendous disclosure. 1T
must be a wild boar" he gasped. II
hadn't heard about them round here,
but | guess that's what it must be-"
They're man ters, too.' added
Archie, feeling that he stood on an
equal plane with any general in
Christendom now. He was trembling
with excitement and nervousness, yet
glad that the darkness hid a warm
glow upon his cheeks, which came from
pride.
Here their fright increased ten thou
sand fold for they heard the ponderous
raise himself slowly and move
toward them or away? They could not
tell Breathing quic kand short, they
strained to hear. Still with no signs Of
haste he stepped heavily. Surely that
cracking twig sounded less distinct.
No? Yes! In another instant they were