The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-06-02

little time, however, for reflection. He
was flung violently to the ground. The
leader of the little band touched the
Brute upon the breast and made a
sign.
"Look-see," he signed. The Brute
followed, staring, mildly wondering,
possibly-perhaps not wondering at
all
The leader led the way to rude
tesquely daubed with clay. In front
of this he paused and chanted some
weird song. A figure, huge and I'M
wieldy, appeared in the doorway. Huge
and unwieldy as he was, he was a
pygmy compared with the big b.
He was a CHEF, this man, and he
looked it, every inch He was the
greasiest, the dirtiest, OF all the
greasy, dirty crew. In his right hand
he held bone. Now and then he
gnawed upon it-now and then he
used 1t as a scepter. He extended it
and touched the approaching native
on the forehead. The latter bowed
then turned and pointed at the Brute.
This" he jabbered in his native
tongue, lis god, and risen from the
sea. He is hungry. He would eat"
The chief in turn threw himself upon
his face. He called to all the multi
tude, and babe 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 ire.
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 dozen men now bounced 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 cutlery 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 mere man, after ALL
There was 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. 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
slant half his clothes were torn from
his back.
Beast" he shrieked, save me,
Beast"
The Brute saved him He charged
into their midst like raging bull-he
tore Hernandez from their grasp.
The Brute snarled in his throat-he
kicked and clutched and clawed at the |
little nucleus of savages. They fell |
back before him as before a whirlwind |
they were stunned.
Again, murmurs. But again the !
murmurs were silenced by the chief
himself.
He is his own captive" said the |
chief 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 |
4 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
brain was working once again. Quick |
IS flash he stopped and picked up a
short piece OF twisted vine. Raising
ais hand high in air, he brought this
piece of vine-a singing, snakelike
down upon the head
md shoulders OF the Brute.
The Brute covered. cringed, within.
pered. Hernandez folded his arms,
stared sternly at the Brute for one
swift instant, and then turned and met
he chances of the chief and all his
.ribe.
The chief was startled. He plucked
MS lieutenant by the arm
Look" said the chief, the big man
q god hut tb{S 10 hi.