HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1893-1-6, Page 2TSE
BRUSSELS POST,
BEYOND RECALL
CHAPTER X VII.
1 (ET INTO THE 11:E1(111TMOE.
It took me ten days to eompletc my prep -
orations, and some of the nights as well,
First of all I Made 11 journey to Tavistock,
where I bouhht m pony, u bustle' of flour,
and a quantity of tinned )neat, Be'. as I
failed to find what 1 wanted at any of the
drapers' or tonere' there I had to make
another journey the nest day to Exeter.
After trying a eecod many shops 1 found at
last some tweed cloth to my taste, some
worse canvas, and a pair of red -striped
stooltings, Besides these I bought a dozen
buttons, a packet of needles, some thread,
a pair of scissors, and a large thimble.
These things, with whet I had from Tavis-
tock, seamed to be all I needed ; but catch-
ing sight of a pair of rusty hsndoullh that
hung up outside a curiosity shop in a book
street, I purchased them, and else a long
clasp knife with a buckliorn handle that
lay temptingly on the stall board.
Having got my materials home, I carried
them into the upper room, where 1 thought
it advisable to do my work, lest by any am-
cldent some pedestrian, losing Ills way,
might discover the het and come in ; and
here I proceeded to make up the tweed into
a suit of clothes as nearly like those I hal
worn during the years I had been a bad -
conduct man at Dartmoor as I could man-
age. It was a long and tiresome job, for I
knew nothing about tailoring, and could at
first hardly hold the needle in my still' fin -
gars ; however I euoceeded at last m 11111011.
ing a pair of breeches and a jacket to fit
the fairly ; ono side blank and the other
arab ; the colors on one leg the reverse of
those on the other, and the same with the
sleeves. The 01,0005 I made up into a loose
slop jacket, decorating it freely with the
broad arrow, which I painted with a brush
the artist had left under his bed, and a tube
of color 1 had bought for the purpose. For
the finishing touch I trod the sunt into a
heap of cinders and earth to destroy the
effect of newness. \Vhen all was done I felt
eery well satisfied.
I bad been compelled to quit my tailor.
lug one day in order to go up to London
and settle my affairs with Mr. Renshaw.
On this 000aston I managed to behave my.
self a little more litre a civilised being than
formerly. I even ventured to make a sort
of apology for my previous behavior.
" My dear sir," said le, " who could ex-
pect you to behave like an ordinary man
after such a long term of suffering ? The
only wonder is that, under the sense of in-
justice, and wrong, you preserved your roe -
eon."
Having concluded that business satisfac-
torily, and received two hundred pounds
on account, with permission to draw upon
Mr. Renshaw for any farther sums I might
require up to a thousand pounds at a couple
of days' notice, I took the train back to
Torquay , where I paid Mrs. Bates the re•
maindor of the purchase money.
" What name shall I put, sir?" she ask-
ed, when she sot down to write a re.ieipt.
"John Gregory," I answered, without
hesitation, having settled beforehand and
new alias to take.
From Torquay I walked to the Chequers,
a roadside inn that lies oetween Newton
and Totness, where I staid until it note time
to close, wishing to make sure that I could
find my way home in the dark. I had ale
ready made the journey four times, leaving
the but while it was yet light and return-
ing in the semi -darkness of a mummer's
right. Although the sky was overcast that
ight rI reached my destination without
once going astray.
Ar last the day cane to take the next
groat step, I was up at daybreak, collect-
ing all the shreds of cloth and canoes
that littered the floor. These I burnt in
the stove, leaving not a morsel of thread or
stuff that could betray me, Thon, taking
the saissore and placing myself before the
glass, I set to work clipping my beard and
Lair, wbich had grown to a respectable
length, es close to my face and head as the
.steel would go. ft was a more difficult job
than I expected, and I gave myself more
than one jag in clipping my hair behind ;
but in the end I bad the grim satisfaction
-of seeing my head converted from the
,book of an honest man into the likeness
of a grisly convict. I was bettor pleased
still when I looked at myself again, dress•
ed in barred stockings and the hideous
010111es I had made. There was no mis.
taking me for an honest man then. My
savage delight added to the brutal ferocity
in my face. I looked as if I had been
attained up in prison half my life time and
had deserved my punishment. I had made
a pocket inside my jacket ; in this I put
my olasp knife and the handcuffs, after
breaking the link that joined the two fet-
ters together.
Over this costume I drew on the ragged
suit of oilskin and the battered sou'wester,
which had served the artist's model in the
oharacter of a shrimper. Again I looked at
myself in the glees with sattefaotiou. My
long, thin face, seen under the sou'wester
tied down nnder the chin with a ragged col•
ored lcandkerchie?, looked, in its haggard
misery, like enough to one of the unfortun-
ate wretches, weatherworn and starved,
who gets a meagre subsistence by dredging
the shores. There were craving and misery
in my sanlron eyes and fallen cheeks ; in
the hard linos of my face the signs of long
years passed in dull dejection and utter
hopelessness. I should pass muster.
I gave the pony enough food for the day,
put something tor my own sustenance in
the basket slung on my back, and than,
after a last careful look round the rooms to
eoc that there was nothing wonted in their
studied arrangement, 1 sbouldered the
shrimping net, closed the door behind 01e,
and etarted off across the moor,
It meet have been between five and six
witeh I got down to the shore, a mild or so
beyond rho .Hermitage on the 'Teipnmouth
side. It was my intention to wait about
until supper time here ; but seeing a fleet
of yachts skimming moreas the bay and a
umber of small boats in shore, it strttalc
me that a regatta 1000 being held, and that
the present time would be as favorable as
,any for getting into the hoose. Tho day
had been brilhaut, and I conjectured that
mylpleceure-loving wife would not lose this
opporeunil.y of amusing herself and display-
ing her finery, My impatience to be do.
ing decided me to make the attempt.
I hastened along the beach till I came to
a
point jut opposite the opening to the
private read, which cemmandod a lull view
01 Inchoate:: and the sloping lawn on which
11 stood A grotip of servants, distinguish.
able ab that distance by their light print
dresses and white caps, tood on theterrace,
and one was looking ant over the hay
through a tolesoopo.
"When the cat's away the mice may
play," said 1 to myself. " They wouldn't
be Mien if my wife were at home,'
'I'ne°o was not minute to be lost. 1
threw aside my net, and roar up the road
until 1 oaolled the iron gate opening upon
the side path to the house. It was unfasten•
ed now. T pawed through and made my
Way along the ehrubbcry, Presently I came
to whore tho path forked in two direabions,
1 had not notioed a seooncl path in the
dark ; which should I take now? While 1
was standing in doubt I suddenly hoard a
footstep, and before I could make an et -
tempt, to conceal myself a plainly dressed,
middle-aged woman came into sight.
I htid ttecided what I must de if I en-
countered any one, and so sinking my head
in my shoulders, and assuming an abject
expression, I muttered something about
charity and a sick wife.
Tito woman looked ab me, and put her
hand in her pocket ; after a moment's search
she said--
' I ha ren't never a pointy, my poor fellow;
but the servants are up tbere at the house
and for sure they'll Find you some broken
victuals.
She pointed the way along the path she
had descended by a movement of the hand,
and want on while I mumbled out my
thanks.
As soon as she was out of sight, I took
not the path she had indicated, but the
other, perceiving that it led, in all probe.
bility, to the back of the noise, where the
kitchen would be situated.
I was not mistaken ; in a oeuple "of 01in
utas I was at the kitchen door ; in another
I had reached the passage beyond; in two
more I was half way up the bedroom stairs.
There I stopped short, hearing voices and
laughter. Lookingover my shoulder down-
ward 1 sow a couple of girls just entering
the hall by the door opening tipon the ter.
race. They must see me if they looked up.
Whab should I do? The rustle of my oil-
skin trousers would attract their attention
if I mored quickly.
" Oh, my custards ; I quite forgot them 1"
cried one of the women, clapping her heeds 1
then the pair bolted past the stairs on their
way to the kitchen, one laughing and the
other scolding.
And now I had escaped this danger, holy
was I to escape thenext? At any moment
ce servant might come upstairs, and I
must find a secure hiding -plane before
that, oz' lose the game. How was I
to dietinguiali my wife's room from
the rest? One after the other I opened the
doors quickly and glanced in, trusting to
my instinct—to some sign charaotoristie of
my wife's character, for direction.
.An indiarubber ballon a cheat of drawers
and a child's bedstead beyond caught my
eye. "Her ohild sleeps here," thought I,
n-it11 a stealthy step forward. A het -open
door allowed that another room was beyond.
" That must be rho mother's," said I.
", She's fond of her beat—I saw thee."
011, 1 was sure the room was hers when I
slipped into it and looked about lie. I know
not how I recognized it. The other roams
wore not less elegantly, furnished, the Dena•
ments not less rich, the taste in their ar-
rangements not less delicate; but in this
there was an indefinable grace that associ.
ated itself with all my memories of Hebe.
More voices in the hall below gave me no
time for consideration. It was clear that
the race was ended, and that before long
the fancily would return for dinner. I looked
about me for a place of eonceelment.
"There is no better place than that,"
thought I, as I looked at her bed; and
slipping the baskeb from my ehouldere and
dropping on my kuees, I pushed it tinder
the valance, and crawled after it, Baying to
myself :
I shall he wall enough heregif the tem
roes of a guilty conscience do not prompt
her to look under the bed."
CHAPTER XXVIII.
1 0(11(0 DIY WIFE A PRISONER,
There was perfectsilence in the house for
the best part of an hour, and then 11 was
abruptly broken by the sound of voices be-
low. I distinguished my wife's voice at
once, mingled with the prattle of her
children, and the measured tones of the
major and others that were unknown to
me. Presently there was a rustle of dresses
in the passage. A lady and my wile stayed
at the further door to chat—the running
cadence broken now and then by a little
laugh ; a drawer was opened in the next
room ; a young voice hammed a tune, The
conversation ended withanother lightlaugh,
and Hebe came into the room. Her feet
w ere olose to the valance when she seated
herself. I could see the buoklea on her shoes
and the clock on her silk stookiegs. I knew
it was she.
"Shall I wear my grey dress, mamma?"
called tho child from the next room.
"Yes, dear," answered the well-known
voice. "Mary will be here to help you
whet: situ has stressed Lonny."
It w,. tho girl, her elder child, in the
next rye :.1.
Whou :ry wife had dressed for dinner she
seated herself again in the their by the
bedside. Onoe or twice the child came into
the room. She was singing end chatting
all the tante. At length she ran downstairs,
and my wife and I were alone together, she
within arms' reach of me.
"You would not sib there so complacent-
ly," thought I, "if you know you were with-
in reach of the man you threw into prison
for life. If your life wore worth saving,
Providence would warn you tlmb I have
escaped, and am lying here, with murder in
my south and a knife to my hand, ready to
plunge into your faithless, winked heart."
I had to think of the more terrible ven-
geance in store for her in order to overcome
the temptation of taking that which was
offered me now. The time had not yet
come; I must waib yet a little longer,
A gong sotnded in the hall, and she left
the room. Along, oventlose interval follow-
ed, in which I had time to consider what
course l should take if my original plan was
upset,
The servant who came up to arrange the
room upset a box ; a ring fell on the ground
and rolled under the bed. Happily it came
within my roach, and I rolled it out again.
The woman found it, and there rho clangor
of discovery ended. But it showed me how
easily an accident might precipitate the
oabastrophe.
"Suppose the major should oom0 up at
the same time as my wino," I said to myself.
Well, if the worst oamu to the worst, I
w ould put ne end to him, and Hobe would
then have to shield a real murderer from
discovery.
A little later the child nd her 01111(1 came
into the next room. When the maid won
about to loavo her she seed—
" Toll
ee d—
"Toll mamma to come up soon, Mary ;
nay 1 can't go to sloop bill sho comes."
" Why, there's nothing to bo frightened
of, Miss. There I'll go and look in the
next meta,"
She ammo in, and having made a pretence
of looping round, returned.
"I've looked everywhere," she said; "it's
silly to go on like this every night,"
"But you'll tell mamma I'm frightened,
won'tyou 1"
The maid promised and went downstairs,
leaving a light burning hi the child's room.
I got ready now—untying the cord abont
my waist, and opening tho oilskin gnat, se
that my hideous convicts slop might be
soon ; then I drew nzyeelf close to the v0l-
mute, in readiness to slip out.
Time dragged on. It seemed to me sho
would never Dome, Cramped with lying so
leag in one position 'turned upon my back
and stretched out my arms. My hand
etrnek 111e basket and overturned ib. The
next moment 1 heard the child's feet patter
across the floor, She )vont to the head of
the stairs, and called out, hi a bight, tremu-
lous voi00.—
" "Mumma I mamma 1"
A door was opened downetaire, and Hebe
cried, in gentle remonstrance—
" Oh, my child go back I We ore all
Doming up 110W."
The feet pattered back ; the voice on the
stairs drew nearer and nearer. My wife
canto into the next room. I heard her :areas.
ing and soothing rho child, who was whim-
pering plaintively. Thera was talking and
laughter in the passage outside, ending in
mutual "good-nighte." Then the major
entered the next room.
"Nob orying, surely, little one !" said he.
"Do you well yourself a soldier's daughter?
Afraid of ' the man' as usual, hay ? Shall I
go and fetch my word?"
"No, no ! Go away and leave me all
alone with menutlm," said the child. "Go
to your own room."
" f am to be banished, am I? Well, you'll
have to give mea kiss before I go. There,"
said he, after the kiss, "now I'll go. Good
night." Teen, in another tone, he added,
" Goodnight, dear," and I knew that tho
kiss e'hieh followed was my wife's.
" The last I" said I to myself.
One would have thought my wife was the
incarnation of sweetness, gentleness, and
purity to hear her murmuring in her child's
ear of faith in God and His unfailing watch-
fulness over those who loved Him,
"I will try to be a brave little girl," said
the child, with a shivering cob; ' but in-
deed, mamma, I thought 1 heard a noise in
your bedroom."
The mother continued to murmur words
of love and encouragement for some time ;
then she stopped, and presently came with
noiseless steps into her own room, bringing
the lamp with Lor, and softly closing the
door, The 0111111 slept.
When the lamp was set on the table that
stood in the middle of 111e room, the light
wane brightly bhrongh the blue and white
chintz of the bod hangings. This was what
I wanted.
Sho went to the toilet table. I saw her
skirt, my eyes being on a level with the
floor. Her side was towards me.
1 took the broken handcar from my
pocket. One fetter I pushed out beyond the
valance into the light; the other 7 slipped
on to my right wrist. Then I waited in
breathless suspense, waiolhing iter skirt.
Sho moved from the table as if to cross
the room. Just opposite the carefully
polished fetter she stopped suddenly with e
long -drawn breath. For a moment she
stood motionless ! then she bent down and
picked up the iron, her white, thin lingers
trembling violently, I slid out my hand
into 1110 light, the sleeve drawn back to
show the fetter on my wrist. God knows what
ideas that broken fetter conjured up in her
nnincl 1 A minute afterwards the fatter fell
from her hands, and I heard a stifled scream.
She had caught sight of lay begrimed hand
lying there open on the floor.
She tottered book towards the tenet table
for support. I knew her oyes were on my
right band hand. With my left I slowly
raised the valance, with) a savage joy in the
awful terror that stealthy movement and
the fearful uncertainty were inspiring.
Under the raised valance I little by little
protruded my bared head and turned my
face up to hers. The movement was nothing
but a pieoe of diabolical noting, but 111e
malignity that governed it was real, and
must have made my face horrible to look at.
My wife stared at me with eyes wide
opened with horror, She reeled towards
the chair and sank in it, her hands raised
as if to ward off a blow, her fano ghastly
white, her lips moving ae though she sought
to articulate in words the sound that rat-
tled in her throat. I drawled out, end rail-
ing myself upon my feet, stood before hcr.
By a desperate effort she overcame the
terror that had paralysed her sufficiently to
shape a few words, though the sound wa
heavenly audible.
"Are you my husband ?" I gashed.
""Do 1 Look like your husband?" I asked,
bending down and whispering hoarsely in
her fano.
Shaking her head wildly sho replied—
" No,
eplied—"No, no 1 You are not Kit 1"
'saw the meaning of that frantic gesture
and rapid denial. She saw the danger of
admitting the possibility in the probability
that I should claim her husband's rights.
" ditto are yon?" she asked, as I lnadeno
response, but Stood bending over her, glar-
ing in her face. Mr very whisper took an
accent of fearful apprehension.
"No wetter who I am," said I. " You
are Kit Wyndhatn's wife -1 know that.
And if you don't want all the world to know
ie as well, you must get me out of this."
The prospect of getting rid of me gave her
strength and courage.
"Tell me what can 1 do to help you.
What do you want?"
" Food to begin with. Don't you see ,I
am starving?"
"I will got it," she said, rising, and turn-
ing as if to go by the door that opened di-
rectly on to the Massage.
T put thyself lu her way, atoppiug her
brusquely.
" Not so quick I Not 0o quick I" said I.
" We must understand each other before I
lose sight of you."
I drew the clasp knife from my pooket
and opened it with a snap. Then I strode
towards the adjoining room where her child
lay asleep.
She sprang to my side, and clutched my
arm with vehement force.
"What are you going to do there?" she
pouted.
" I am going to wait there till you oomo
hank."
"I will not trust you."
"Nor I you. Now what's to bo done 1"
She took her hands from my arm, and
clasped her temples with a gesture of die -
traction.
" You fool I" I muttered. " I could
have out the child in pieces an (tour ago
if I wanted to, I didn't. Do you thfuk
I mean to swing for suolt a thing los
you or ynue child? I am in danger—not
you, Your ohild is safe as long as I am
safe, You'll find it living when you return
if you aro careful, But mark this if you
raise an alarm, if you'alluw me to bo die.
covered, I'll murder rho brat. Don'ts think
11 an idle threat, I would rather hang then
go back to that infernal prison.
I made a step forward bowarde the room.
She threw herself between meand the door,
speechless with maternal fear, throwing up
her arms es 1f inviting mo to plunge the
knife into her own defenceless bosom.
"Why don't you scream for help, idiot?"
I whispered, to avert the climax I dreaded.
"1 want to help you—I will help yon,
she said, under hor labored breathing. ',But
you shall not go into that room,"
"Well, how cin yob propose to help me t
I must be sure thele shall bo n0 treaohory."
"I will give you what you like. I will
asameareicomattaseteereenelawalla
go downstairs with you. You eholl hold
my hand all the time, and out it off if I
betray you."
;Much good that would do me. I'd
rattler kill you right out and be hanged foe
it, if it oomrs to the worst,"
"What you will, but not that," she said,
turning a terrified glaucotowards her uhlld'e
room,
"Aro the servants gone ?"
"Long ago, No ono 10 up, Conte!" She
offered her hand eagerly that I might hold
11 in gage for her fidelity.
" I can't go out bareheaded," I muttered,
going baelr to the bedside. Site kept to my
aide. I fell on my hands and knees, and
fished out my hat and the basket.
" You want money,"elle said, as I got up,
I (nodded,
She opened a jewel box and gave all it
contained—purse, diamonds, trinkets,
everything.
"Your watch," I said, greedily, as I
stuffed the things bite the pocket of my
shrimping coat ; " the rings off your fingers
—all."
She stripped her wrists, throat, and dress
of its ornaments, and then drew tho rings
from her fingers,
"I'll let yon keep your wedding ring for
Kit's sake," said 1.
We went to the door. She opened it
softly and looked, out ; then she turned to
me, offering her hand boldly..
It was with a strange feeling of repug.
nano that Itook it fn mine. The fingers
were cold es ice: it was like a dead (land.
She helped me to stock the basket with
food from the larder, and then we went to.
gether into the hall. A long ulster with a
hood hung against the wall.
"I'll have that," said I, taking It down
and slinging it over any arm.
My wife uufastened the front door and
hold it open for me to pass.
"Which is the way?" I asked, peering out
into the darkness.
"The first path to the right leads straight
into the road."
"Are you sure it doesn't lead to the prison
I broke away from ?"
"I don't understand you. What do you
mean ?"
"Why, I mean that I'm not a fool to let
you slam the door on my back and rouse the
house while I'm groping about for the path.
No, no! 511 may trust his wife, I don't.
You'll have to show me the way into the
road."
Sho hesitated a moment, and then said,
almost with dignity, as she stepped into the
doorway—
"I ail ready."
"My hands aro full; close the door," said
1. She drew the door to.
When we were at so:no distance from the
house on the carriage drive I stopped her.
" Put this ulster on," I said.
" do not want it," she replied, drawing
book as I set down the basket and held up
the coat.
"Put it on," I muttered, angrily ; " do
you think I am considering whether you
want it or knot? I'm thinking of myself
and the police. I've not escaped them
three days to be caught on the fourth.
On with it, That light new dress doesn't
ook well beside my raga at this time of
night. It can be seen a quarter of a mile
off."
" What have you to fear? You eau see
the gate before you I have twice as far to
return to the house."
" We won't part yet. I must be sure the
gate is not looked. Put the hood over your
head."
She did as I directed her. I slung the
basket on my back again and trudged on,
grasping her wrist,
At the gate she stopped. I lifted the
latah and pushed it open with my feet, still
holding her tightly by the wrist.
"'Come on,' said I ; "the rood's clear."
"I go no further," sho said firmly.
" 01, yes, you do—much further," said I.
" You will go with me as fur as I go,"
" Go with you l Where to ?"
" To find your husband, Kit Wyndham 1
said I. " And we won't part till he's found 1
(T0 nE OONTINIIE0,0
Relps For Horseman.
It improves bedding material and inerees.
es its absorbent capacity to rum ie through
a cutter.
Trust to tested breeds ; lab others experi-
ment with the untried.
All breeding should be from mature ani -
male,
Begin to feed grain as soon as the pate
tures begin to fail.
Hanover is admitted to possess the most
uniformly good breed of horses of any coun-
try in the world. The explanation of this
probably lies in the fact that the govern-
ment long since lent its encouragement to
breeding, ostablishing a government attid as
early as 1755. Thos Hanoverian cavalry is
the best mounted of any military„ force in
Europe, the horses being largo, hardy,
strong and courageous. Ib furnishes a strik-
ing example of the result of thorough and
persistent work in breeding.
French breeders pay attention to the
development of longdisbanoe trotters, horses
that can keep their gait for ten or twenty
milds at stretch. The nearest we Dome to
this Is In our road horse, and for that we
are not breeding very sboudily toward e,
distinctive purpose. Thera is more practical
utility in such animals than in more short
diatanue trotters, and we behove it would
pay to give closer attention to producing
them. Next to draft horses there is no class
for which there is a better demand at pay
ing prices than for good roadsters. The
olainh that very heavy draft horses are nob
well adapted for use upon the paved streets
of the cities is amply refuted by the flambee
employed in every city in Europe. In
Liverpool, London and Paris aro found the
largest horses in the world, and the great
traffic of those ceuters could hardly bo
handled without tion1. Our pities are
rapidly improving in this respect, but
thousands upon thousands of good draft
animals must yet be grown to take the
place of the many light ones still in use.
There is plenty of room in this nue for the
good breeder.
Feminine Perfection,
The people of Montane seem to have pre.
ehpltated an unoxpeotel discussion as to
feminine perfection. Dr. Sargent, of the
Harvard Gymnasium, has measured nearly
10,000 woman who were perfect as to
health, strength, and general development,
but hie results were not smolt that he is
willing to affirm that there is snoh a thing
as a " perfect feminine figure." He took
as his standard the average of each of the
measurements natio for the whole 10,000,
and then compared the lines of each with
that. Each was found to vary in some
ways, tome more than others, but all in a
marked degree. 1L was a Pelmiaylvmlia
young woman wino aarrisd away the who,
which was offered for Doming the neareac
to physleal perfection.
A man's worst diffierilties begin when 1
is able to do as he likes,
A CANADIAN MOOSE HUNT.
14xoi1t111g 4dvr11lole by Two sportsmen
The moose of North America end Canada
le the largest existing species of the door
kind, And seems to be identical wild) the alk
of Northern Europe. The full•grown shale
an1111a1 stands about six feet in height at
the shoulder, and often weighs twelve bun.
diet) pounds. )besides being the largest,
the moose is certainly the most ungt'aoeful,
of the deer family. 'lie body is heavy, his
load very tong, so, too, are his legs, while
hie neck is so short that he Ottnnot browse
upon level ground without kneeling or
widening his lege to a great extent. His
ears are nearly a foot le length, broad and
slouching, his oyes small, his upper lip over-
hanging the under by several iu0ltea. But
the Borns of the bull moose are his most
striking peculiarity ; they are very largo'
and palmated, o• flattened out like shovels,
while along the edges rise the points, o•
antlers. They aro of greet weight, and as
they are at least four feet apart et the top,
they give to the animal, quite animpoeing
appearance.
The choose is a forest -loving animal, keep-
ing himself quite retired among dense fol'•
ego and impenetrable swamps, where, se-
cure from pursuit, he Dan browse upon the
thvlgs and leaves of the birch,, the willow,
and the maple, which constitute his chief
food, In snmmot-time he takes to the
water, wading into lakes and rivers, partly
that be may feed upon the pout) lily, and
partly, no doubt, that be may escape front
thio myriads of gnats and mosquitoes which
swarm in these regions.
The female moose produces her calf or
calves, for there are often twins, in May,
and the family keep together and apart
from others till the approach of winter,
when several of these family parties unite
and form a herd. When the snow is deep, one
of these herds will tread down a space of
several mores, in which they may be found
quietly browsing during the sem-west weath-
er. A space of this kind is called by hunt•
era a "moose yard," and hi such situations
the animals become
AN EASY PREY,
as they cannot escope through the deep
snow outside without b01ug overtaken and
brought to bay by dogs. When brought
to bey, the moose becomes fierce and des.
perste. They strike with the hoofs of their
forefeet, and are dangerous alike to moll
and clogs.
On one occasion two friends left their
home, a comfortable log -house in the back-
woods, endwise forth to enjoy the exhilarat-
ing but arduous chase of a `" bull moose,"
each being armed with a hunting -knife anti
a heavy deer -gun. They went afoot, and
as the snow lay to the depth of three feet,
they, of course, wore rackets or Indian
snow -shoes, the broad surface of which
prevented them from sinking.
Followed by a couple of strong and valua-
ble deerhounds, the two friends shuffled
along for about two miles, till they reached
a tract of heavy timber where the striped
maple formed the uuderwood, this tree be-
ing the favorite browsing of the moose. In
crossing a glade where tihere was but little
snow, tho prints dm great split hoof were
seen ; this trail they followed until it led
into deeper snow and avery retired part of
the forest. They now carte upon other and
smeller traoks, end were able to discern that
the bull moose tvaa accompanied by a female
and two calves.
Presently they came to n, standstill, while
otie (the more experienced hunter of the two)
pointed with his finger, bob the sane- time
enjoining silence. The bu 1 moose and his
family were standing about three hundred
yards distant, and as yet unaware of their
approaoh. But what was to be done ? how
approach the game any nearer without
arousing their suspicion? It was impossible;
the only feasible plan was to set the dogs
free from their ladies, and snake a dash
right forward. This they did, men, dogs,
and deer cr:hshing through the underwood
at headlong speed. Here we must remind
our renders that the bull moose while run-
ning lays his head quite hack, so that his
stupendous horns are kepb out of the way
of branching trees which would otherwise
intercept his flight. In to shorter time than
it takes to tell it, the four moose were out
of sight, bet the hunters could hear the bay.
ing of the dogs, and followed as gniekly as
possible, guided by the trail the animals had
left.
For nearly a mils theyplunged on through
the snow, when the baying of the dogs be-
gan to sound through the woods with more
abrupt and fiercer echoes. By this they
knew that the gemo had boon brought to
bay, and they hurried on
EAGER FOR A 51101.
On coming up with the combatants, how-
ever, they found that only the old bull had
madeestand, while the Dow and her calves
were already out of sight, the hull being
successfully engaged in keeping off the doge
both with feet and horns.
But hie memo had not as yet reached
the point of deeperation ; on seeing the
Wren approach, he once more made oil follow•
ad by the dogs, but in a contrary direction
to that taken by the other animals. Ono of
the hunters, who remembered that the lar•
dor was empty at home, and thab a moose
calf was a succulent morsel, without halting
a moment followed the trail of the Dow and
her calves, while the other, guided by
other motives, took after the bull. "'Mind
what you aro about,"shouted his companion,
as they separated ; " mind what you aro
about, that old bull is a dangerous fellow."
"All right 1" responded his companion,
cheerfully. "Pll have his hide and horns
within an ihour, or 1'11 know the reason why,"
and the chase was immediately resum0(1,
We must now follow the Fortnum! of the
man who was pureeing the bull Moose.
Having struggled onwards for another
half -mile or sol guided by the truth as Well
as by the baying of the hounds, he again
came up with the uamo; but now matters had
assumed quite a different appoarohoc. The
moose was standing in a anew -pit which had
boon trodden out by the animals while
battling together ; near his foot lay one of
the clogs, fearfully mangled and.ovidently
quite dead, while the outer hound was rut.
inn round the game on three logs,
AND IIOWLIN0 DISMALLY,
and with his head torn and bleeding. The
memo in his fury wits still trampling upon
the body of the dead dog, but on seeing the
hunter approach his courage failed for the
soon(' time, he bounded out of tho onow•pit
end again made off. Ile an slowly, how.
Oval', and the hunter could see 1 hat this limbs
were muoh lacerated owl bleeding by bum
frozen crust of snots through which he was
continually breaking. Having got within a
hundred ,yards of him, the limiter was just
about to fire when all et 01100 the ittfurtatod
nnilnal 000100 100 stop, and wheeling sudden -
.y round, steed ficin him, His muga
antlers wore thrown back till they almost
Loy on id:shoulders, his mane stood erect,
whfln hos whole attitude was ane of rage
and defiance. Tho pooILtoi wee now 0
,,.,inns nue, and the hunter may h0 oxousod
i- he felt a little nommen ; he was exhausted
with fatigue and colt) and felt himself tobo
J'n.ntinl'y 6, 1892
trembling with excitement. Those noble
antlers, however 1 110 iluslsootive the,),, and
ralsiug Ilia rifle ho took steady aim and fired.
The noose was wounded, but, unfortunate.
ly, in te part that was not vital ; the eltot
enraged hila, and he dashed madly forward,
Fortunately there wore some large pines
close at hand, and behind ono of these the
Mellor took shelter, not, however, before
the enraged moose had almost. impaled hint
upon hie antlers.
The hunter now endeavored to reload hie
gun, bob another misfortune had overtaken
hum ; he had dropped his powder flask in
the confusion ; he could see it lyiug on the
snow not thirty foot distant, but it )night as
well have been a mile away ; he certainly
could not reach ib without an encounter
with the furious animal, an anmounter which
Ile certainly did not intend to provoke. lie
therefore remained whore ho wee, keno in
hand, silent and watchful, bub oh, 00 cold,
so exhausted with fatigue and oxoitement,
that he felb ready to drop and give the
whole thing up t
After more than an hour had paned in
this miserable position, show began to fell
the unfortunate hunter sow this with feel-
ings
ARI.\- TO TE11n0n,
for the snow would soon blind Lhe trail, and
how then was his friend to follow it and
find him? The moose still stood before him
—only the tree between—occasionally snort-
ing, striking 1110 ground with his hoofs, and
ready to spring whenever he should attempt
to move. But something must be done, this
could not go on forever ; rather than endure
another hour of this misery, the hunter re-
solved to step boldly out from the shelter of
the tree, wail till the moose should spring
upon him, and receive the shook upon hie
knife.
Perhaps it was well for him that this pro-
gramme was not carried out, as the weight
of a fell -grown moose -doer would certainly
have borne both Ilton and his knife to the
ground; but jest at this opportune moment
a loud whoop sounded in Its ears, and look-
ing up he saw his friend making towards
111111 across the open ground. He had com-
pleted his chase, having killed all three, and
hung up their carcases till he could send
men to bring them home. By his aid the
bull moose was soon disposed of, a bullet in
the brain laying hint low, when the two
Mende, nothing loth, proceeded homewards
to supper, their only regret being caused by
the loss of two very valuable dogs.
INCIDENTS OFTRE DAHOMEY WAR.
co. Dodds Says 010 Never saw Mack War-
riors Fight So Desperately.
King Behenzin of Dahomey has fled to the
north, leaving his country in the hands of
the French, and followed by a mere rem-
nant of his brave army. The Frenob prob•
ably will not attempt to oapbnre him.
They have destroyed his power, and he is
not likely to give them further trouble. It
remains to be seen whether the Dahomey-
ans will submit to their new rulers with
good grime or whether there will be a little
more lighting.
Col. Dodds' latest despatches give sine
interesting particulars of the war. He says
that in the first battle, after the French
army had left the Whome River and start-
ed on the twenty -five -mile march to Abom-
ey, six of his men were killed, five of whom
wore Europeans, Forty.fi"o were wound:
od, of whom eighteen were Europeans, and
five of them officers. The best marksman
in the Dahomey army were up in the trees
or occupying outer places of advantage, and
had instre:alone to aim particularly. at the
white men. In proportion to their Lum-
bers, the loss of Europeans during the war
far exceeded that of the natives. Col.
Dodds paye a tribute to the bravery of the
Dahomeyans. He says they carried on
their warfare with an energy seldom seen
among the black races. During the French
wars in the Soudan Col. Dodds says henever
met advorearies who were so full of woarage
and showed such indomitable energy as
distinguishes the Dahomeyans. They are
very proud of their military traditions and
of the glory won in battle by their fathers.
It is the practice of Dahomey kings to pet
to death those soldiers who fail to do their
full duty on the field of battle. Both the
Amazons and the men soldiers have had
great confidence in their superiority, for it
is very seldom that they have been defeat.
0d. All these causes conduced to make
them brave to recklessness in the recent
campaign ; but they also fought with des-
peration, for the fate of their King and of
the fetich doctors who dictated his policy
depended upon the issue of the war.
As the French force Was approaching
Abomey they were attacked one morning by
fully 10,000 of Bohanzin's warriors, includ-
ing the Amazons, The natives were led by
the King in person. The Frenoh formed in
a square with artillery on every side. The
Warriors and Amazons charged furiously
upon the equare. Many of them were kill-
ed within thirty feet of the guns. Neither
Dannon, mitrailleuso, nor volleys of quick.
firing rifles dismayed thein, and they died
almost on the bayonets of the invader, One
of the French officers writes that he never
saw a semi.harbarous foe exhibits such won-
derful courage. The avalanche of frenzied
men and women soldiers made three of these
terrible charges upon the French square.
After the battle had raged for three boars
Behanzin gave the signal for retreat, whiOlh
was carried oub in indesmibable disor-
der. The Dahomeymie left over 2,000 dead
and wounded on the field.
It is expected that Col, Dodds will make
peace with the natives on condition of their
abandonment to rho French of Whyde.h,
Ketone, and other points on the =orb 1 the
installation of offoial Residents at Abomey
and 00111(0. with French garrisons, tho eon.
struction of trade routes through the coun-
tryw'herever the Residents maydecide to
slake thein, and the abolition of human sac-
riGcee,
The European contingent which baa boon
serving In Attorney is to be ordered home,
mid relieved by troops that have already
been lent Out from France, These relief
forces, which will oouduot the future mild
tary operations, occupy the big coast town
of Whydah and garrison the up -country
posts, loft Franco and Algeria for Dalhomoy
on Nov, 25. They fnolude engineers and
artillery.
A Novel Instrument of Death.
According to tradition, Konith, the
legendary King of Scotland, was allured t0
ifs death in a most novel manner. Kotith
had slain a son and brother of Pannone, w11o,
to be avenged, ordered Wiltus, a famous
silversmith, to construct a deato•doalfng
state° of silver.
In its right hand the statue hold a basin
and in the left hand an apple of pure gold
both sot with diamonds and otter precious
stones, To touch the apple was to defy
death ; 11 being so arranged that any ono
geilty of snot. vandalism would bo itn.
madiatnly riddled by 0010000d arrows shot
from openings in tho body of the statue.
Konitli was invited to inspect alto won.
dor, and, as I ennella had hoped, ha tried to
pluck the protons imitation fruit. When
hie fond touohad the apple ho was ivoundtd
by the arrows, and died whore ho foil,
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