The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-01-28

the small company OF cannibals thai
had surrounded him and his eompan
ion, we're merely a side issue. Here
was a city-here a multitude. He haC
little time, however, for reflection lie
was flung violently to the ground. The
leader OF the little band touched the
Pruto upon the breast and made Q
sign.
'Look-see," ne signed. The Brute
followed, staring, mildly wondering
possibly-perhaps not wondering al
all.
The leader led the way to a rude
hut, larger than the rest, and gro
tesquely daubed with clay In front
OF this he paused and chanted some
weird song. A figure, huge and un'
wiGldy, appeared in the doorway. Huge
aLd unwieldy as he was, he was a
pygmy compared with the big Brute
He was a chief, this man, and he
looked it, every inch. He was the
groaslest. the dirtiest, OF all the
greasy, dirty crew. In his right hand
| he held q bone Now and then he
ggawed upon it--now and then he
| used It as a sceptcr. He extended 1t
and touched the approaching native
On the forehead. The latter bowed
then turned and pointed at the Brute.
This" he jabbored in his native
tongue, lis 4 god, and risen from the
sea. He is hungry. He would eat. %
The chief in turn threw himself upon
his face. lie called to all the multi
tude, and bade them do likewise. Then
he remembered. He rose and signed
TO the Brute.
He is hungry" he repeated. The
god would eat"
Then he led the way to the hre.
The Brute stared at it contempla-
lively He smiled.
The god is pleased" exclaimed the
chief, let US therefore eat"
He cast from him the bone he had
been holding. He made another sign.
The Brute glanced to one side. There
upon the ground, wild eyed with fright,
lay three human beings.
Upon one of these miserable vic
Tins a dozen men now pounced. They
lifted him, writhing, into the air, and
started toward the flames. They were
about to fling him across the flames
when something happened.
The Brute understood. With one
bound he was upon them, and with
wide sweeps of his powerful hands
and arms he scattered them right
and left.
There was a wild murmur against
this Outrage-a sudden handling of
spears and stone heads, but the Brute
never needed the outcry. Instead he
calmly stopped over each victim, one
by one, and tore the bonds of each
apart, and set them free. He held
back the angry mob while the three
captives trotted nimbly off into the
nearby jungle.
The chief stared at him astounded.
He might, indeed, have Drained the
Brute with his club had he not felt
the terrific grip of the Brute upon him.
Then he realized-once more-that the
Brute was not a mere man, after all.
There was a wild clamor,. but the
chief stilled it with uplifted hand
Then the leader of the beach band
stepped forward and saluted.
He has his own captive" he whis-
pered to the chief, see, yonder. He
brought him with him. out of the sea"
The chief understood. He gave an
order. A dozen more braves sprang
toward Hernandez and bore him to the
chief. The chief pointed toward the
poles and the green vines lying torn
upon the ground. In an instant, Her
nandez lay prostrate-in another in |
stant half his clothes were torn from
his back.
Beast" he shrieked, save me,
Beast"
The Brute saved him. He charged |
into their midst like a raging bull-he
tore Hernandez from their grasp.
The Brute snarled in his throat-he
Kicked and clutched and clawed at the
title nucleus of savages. They fell
back before him as before whirlwind
they were stunned.
Again, murmurs. But again the
nurmurs were silenced by the chief
himself
HE is his own captive" said the
,hief to his followers, let him do as
le will"
Hernandez, once upon his feet, was
lot slow to act.
Quick" he said to the Brute, get
stone-two stones. Knock these
from my hands"
He held out his manacled wrists
he Brute understood, and obeyed.
With his two hands free, Hernandez
rain was working once again. Quick
s flash he stopped and picked up a
hort piece of twisted vine. Raising
is hand high in air, he brought this ]
iece of vine-a stinging, snakelike
down upon the head
nd shoulders Of the Brute. !
The Brute covered, cringed, whim-
cred. Hernandez folded his arms, 6
.ared sternly at the Brute for one {
wifi instant, and then turned and met
le glances OF the chief and all his {
ibe.
The chief was startled, He plucked 6
Is lieutenant by the arm. /
Look" said the chief, the big man
a god, but this is his master" q