Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-09-23

more Sneerlng races 10 greet him
when he walked into the town. And
the woman who wouldn't pass him,
wouldn't even walk under the same
sun with him-he pictured her in the
power Of the savage warriors.
He had become SO embittered that
his mind was twisted, and he saw all
this in the light Of the natives He
justified it. On the night before the
massacre was scheduled TO occur he
lay down in his kraal. He knew that
the natives were suspicious Of him,
were watching him. He would show
them how ungrounded their suspicious
were.
He slept, and awakened suddenly 90
ward morning. In his sleep a saner
vision had come to him. He saw
things in a different prospective, now,
himself in all his baseness, and Lady
Sibyl a prey to the savages.
Outside his hut a party Of young
men we're keeping watch, armed with
spears.
The night was very dark. Dawson
crawled noiselessly from where he lay
and wriggled out Of the hut door. He
had to pass within dozen feet Of
the camp fire. But he was skilled in
native craft
Listen, brother!" said one of the
young men by the fire. What is that
sound?"
"A snake" answered the other.
finging his spear in that direction.
Once beyond the range of hearing,
Dawson rose to his feet and ran noise
Iessly along the trail which led to-
ward Grey. He knew that within a
very few moments his absence would
be discovered; but he must carry out
his purpose now. He ran, hiding
against the light of the rising moon,
a shadow among the shadows of the
trees.
At the place where the trail joined
the high road he came suddenly upon
a native picket. The two men were
standing together, whispering Daw-
son leaped at them and bore them to
| the ground. He ran. He heard two
spears " ulL past Ills ASdA anu Ll4C
hoarse cries Of the savages to their
compatriOts. But Dawson had been a
famous sprinter in his college days
and now, unframed though he was, the
old instinct awoke in him. He out
distanced the picket.
He heard the hollow sound of tap
ping as he ran on, and knew that the
natives were sounding hollow trees
to warn those in front Of him. He ran
with pumping lungs and bursting
heart, until he saw Grey, shadow on
the horizon against the misty dawn.
Two miles-and the attack might
begin at any moment now. He quick
ened his speed. A group of armed
warriors burst out from among the
trees. They flung their spears, but
missed him. He was almost invisible
among the reeds of the dried river
bed; and he ran. He heard their steps
die in the distance. And Grey was
still safe.
A mile, and it was growing light.
The savages must be around the
town, waiting for the signal to close.
He stopped. A cluster of shadows
against the sky resolved itself into one
wing of the savage army, drawn up in
battle array.
He knew that they would wait sew
eral minutes while the witch-doctor
gave them medicine" to make them
invulnerable against bullets. He
worked his way round among the
reeds. He had got fifty yards in front
of them before he heard the rustling
of their shields; and he knew that
Grey had still ten minutes of grace.
He was in Grey now. He passed like
a shadow between the outlying houses,
running along the highway until he
reached the administrator house,
next to the police camp. He beat a
loud tattoo upon the doors.
Turn out!" he screamed. Turn
out all men! The natives are attack
ing Grey"
1t needed but a moment before the
alarm took effect. The sentries, the
guard came running to the gates.
Dawson shouted to them with all his
falling strength of voice, pointing
down the main road. They under
stood.
The soldiers and citizens swarmed
out of their houses at the ringing of
the alarm bell. Hastily dressed, they
had their rifles in readiness. Presently
Dawson began to hear the rattle Of the
distant Maxims, the shouts of the
charging sayages, the roar of battle.
Then, long after, he opened his
eyes. a doctor was bending over him.
mo chance" he read in his eyes.
Where did you get that spear
wound, Dawson?" asked the doctor
Before I started" Dawson an
swered weakly.
The spear cast at the snake had
pierced the body almost through.
Dawson had run ten miles where many
men would have dropped senseless.
Before his glazing eyes there came
another vision-a girl who leaned over
him, sobbing, and watching his face.
Live for my sake!" she pleaded.
Grey cannot spare you-the best and
bravest man in Grey"
And Dawson's eyes defantly gave
the lie to the doctors.
Back to the Cradle.
Grading wheat will be a new expert