Smith's Volcanic Dog Biscuits

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 24, 17 June 1905, Page 23

Smith's Volcanic Dog Biscuits

‘Bjl

Hugh Pendexter

cA 'Brand 'Recommended for General Consumption, but Effective When Used Intelligently

GENII'S consists of doing an unusual thing at the right tint-?; of utilising the commonplace so as to give a hint of the supernatural.’' Billy Campbell made this declaration in referring to Tiberiu* Smith's knack of making bricks with very little straw. -And that's why Tiberius nearly always was able to score a ma *t er-stroke." be continued: “for he u*c«.i whatever property effects there were at hand, and was never dependent upon any intricate paraphernalia. He could astound a crowd of men by doing something extraordinary with a clothes-pin. and I revk ß «ii he could quell a mob with an umbrella. —lt wa* the very oddity of his move* ami the simplicity of the deu* ex machina that awed the average gang of trouble-seekers and gave him time to hunt for the rear exit.” -But the Burma incident ?'' 1 remin 1ed him: for Billy had long saved me this story as an illustration of American adaptability in the Orient. ”Oh. yes; 1 was to give you the Irrawaddy transaction on the first rainy evening. And. by -love, how it does rain!" Saying Jthis. he went to the window and pulled ixack the curtain* to enjoy the sullen autumnal c downpour. Then, turning app revia tingly to the open grate, he remarked: ”lt was ridiculous to take a while woman up there, any way.” • That was the strolling actor's way. Just as you settled back to enjoy a go *1 yarn he would anticipate something in his -lory by *ome such irrelevant observation. -Well.” I a*ked desperately. exasperated by this continued silence. “did y u and Smith abduct any white woman in Burma?” •*No.” he replied absently. ”Tib *ave»l one. though. Say. let nic begin al the beginning. It's a queer story. Suu except for the climax 1 reckon siore* and *core* of foolish Europeans have facet! the same fate, and unfortunately succumbed to it. •“li was after we wade a haul in Brazilian diamonds that Tib proposed a trip abroad, in order to get out of the beaten track, and enjoy life in our own jjrsiv. \X itn plenty of funds and an inclination to enjoy them, there was nothing to hinder our going where we pleased. “I had no people to watch for my exit~ and en'rames. and Tiberius, who had left* his home State. Vermont, when verv voting, could point to uo relative nearer than the sixth degree. The only bother was to decide just where we would go. "You see. we knew Europe like a guide-b<x>k. and it was not until we had secure-.! state-rooms on the liner that we saw our course clearly defined. For just as we were leaving the hotel in this town to board the boat. Tib received a letter from Sydney Dauby. "Danbv. you know, was an AngloIndian. and' idiotic enough to prefer the banks of the Irrawaddy to the Thames or the Hudson. A man of independent means, he could live where he listeth. and souse erratic strain of ancestry led bins to go house-hunting in Burma. "In fact, to him. Assam ami Burma were the cnlv decent rental stations in th. world's real estate market. Think of it! ‘■Well, we’d met Danby in New fork several rears before, when he was globetrotting. Ho entangled in some contretemps here, and -liberiu* entered from tlv right wing and performed a tliril’i'J: t'frce dollar rescue. It was nothing for a man to remember. but the idea sank in Danby’s slow mind that Tib wa* hi. sworn brother, ami all that sort of stuff, and occasionally he wrote Tib long letters, solid and stolid. It was only his English imperturbability that restrained him from gushing.

-Later on we met him in IjonJon. just after his marriage to a little pank cheeked woman who alway* thought w»f him in capitals. Al that time he was busy crating up his lares ami p. nates. Ixund for his old home in InJia. Only. ?told u*. he had I* night a new place up in Burma on the banks of the Irrawaddy. —Well, the Idler told Tib how the writer wa* cbganily siuiatj. while hi« only sorrow was that we two couldn’t drop in and have a smoke with him. - ‘I gues* that's where we are bound for.' cried Tib. Tve been in i aacutta. but not for any length of lira-'. Let's take it easy and wind up by visiting Danby.’ “As his way was my way 1 nodded, although 1 didn't exactly like the idea. It seemed a long jaunt to lake ju< to b • eaten up by a new breed of die*, or io h - stung by a serpent with a long Latin name. —Still, if it hadn't been for Til* 1 should never have retained my equity in life, let alone having any vacation money so I bowed in acquieseejuv and wv began .to study tiie ship's atlas. Danby said his bungalow wa* about thirty mile* from Bhamo and about three mile* from the nearest plantation. -’Tlie voters in hi* ward have plenty of elbow room. 1 should say.' remarked Tib. as he opeswd a volume of Kipling’s jungle stories to ascertain the neatest way of separating a tiger from life. And I tell to wondering what on earth an English gentlewoman could find to enjoy up there alone with her husband and a dozen coolies. "No dropping into fi?a. no theatres, no lawn partie*. just a sun-baked violence minus the latest fashions. 1 remarked that the lady nius; lonely at tmus. but Tib wax?d enthusiastic anil s]»oke learaedlv of the seenerv. of the sport of hunting wild animals in the company of a rajahputra. or s-*me other wild elf. and many o’Jier diversions peculiarly suited to feminine I held my peace, and when vro reached London Tib wrote a hastv note saying the (ampbells and Smith* were coming an <| would detrain at Rangoon and work up the Irrawaddy with al! possible speed. “The letter despatched, we took it easy in London town, and after a week's stay scampered over to Paris and nut in a few' day* there. Tlien by comfortable stages, stopping here and there lor sightseeing, we worked east. “The nearer we got to India the ■n-»ro Indian-like did Tib become in attire as well as language. He addressed use as •*ahib.’ and reckoned all his expenditures in annas, and told me I wa* a sumjah or a sepoy, according to whe’her he was pleased or angry with me for some of my loyish remarks. And slowly l»ut surely we ate up the indeterminable miles, reached Bombay, and at last touched at Calcutta. - ‘Now for the last leg. sahib.' cried Tib gleefully, resplendent in an inu*o*sible turban which, together with hi-* rotund form and merry Vermont face, caused even the niggers to smile, and we were off to ltango<»n. -<»n»e there. I insi*te<l on a few days* rest Itefore making the final spurt, for. although young and lithe*<*me. I could never stand a hegira as could Tib. wh» wa* solidified by many long travels. “While recuperating and preparing for the trip up-country, a letter from Danby found u*. lie was immensely plea*ed to know we were coming, although not

one versed in the characteristics of the average Eritoa would never have absorbed that impression- But realising that he was one of those careful, xmservative fellows, who. if you saved the dearly beloved life of his grandfather, would colour up and say. ’Aw. thanks, old chap.' we read between the lines and knew he was impatient for oixr arrival. •’The only thing to mar the placidity of the journey was when we were leaving Mandalay. It was then that the native agent for the freight d*pot overtook u* al the gang plank widi a small box. an<! asked if we would deliver it to the English sahib, and would the sahib be very cawful of it? -’What is it? Gold?' asked Tib quizzingly. “The agent salarttej very low. and. backing away, replied it wa* not gold, and that the contents of the box weie indicated on the cover. As the little Imat crept away from the landing, we were interested to read ’Handle with t are. DYNAMITE From Becks A Dungrove's depots. Rangoon.’ ■ ‘Drop it overboard.’ was my earnest advice, for 1 fek very shivery. ”Tib started to do so. but paused and remonstrated. ’No. it's inconvenient, but doubtless Dauby wants this or he wouldn't have sent for it. It might be weeks getting to him by the runntrs. and of course *he company wouldn't atcepi it as freight. Well say notaing about if. and I’ll keep the length of the b -at between us. if it *h,Hild go off. vou'll be left to notify the Vermont pa|>trs. There's no danger if we don't fus* or get frolicsome wi’h it•’Later wo decided that Danby wanted it for r«sad building, a* in his letter he had mentioned that l.e was laying j highway, and that the rock boihercd him quite a deal. -Well, to arrive at Danby’s plantation we ha<l to make the last 40 miles in a small l*>»at rowed by coolies, t* the lit tie river craft had broken down. W erne* Danby. baked to a fine chocolate colour, several miles down stream on the w.it< .1 for us. and he was overjoyed to behold us. But beneath it all I thought I detected an air of restraint. -Tib also notion! this, and at last a*kcd him if our visit wa* inop|>ortune: if he had lots of company, or if his wife were ilh - Nothing like that, old chap, ne regravely. 'But ’« thorougi.ly iioneM. some of the Dacoits na-ey up here, am! may make a rani !r ; Mn the iiilU at any time. If my coolies .HrK hv me it’s of no consequence, ns 1 '* s,-i.t a runner to Bhaino for the it oops there, and the Shan robl.-rs »>" * cleaned out of this district in short order. To 1 e more honest. I in selfish enough to b- slad to have you here as vou ran help me stand 'em off i! they o.me ahead of the troops. And it will .alm Alice's fears. She's the only English ladv in sixty miles of the vallev.' ’•’Well. I'w' no need to *ay that this wa* a situation plea*ing to lib. 1 he |M«*ibilitv of *uwoiiring a gentlewoman caused hi* brawn eye* to twinkle, and he smote the box of dynamite smartly* then remeiuk'ring it* irresponsible nature he l»ru*lied it tenderly, as if to take luck the Blow. And he swore that nothing could delight him more than to tie a minute man when the foe wa* ap preaching. -Danby'*. fare cleared wonderfully, and he shook hand* with us both warmly

ami declared we were a real g‘«>l *»>rt» and th£t he would always remember ik Tren he noticed the fireworks, relieved Tib, md enrs.a the sl'tiou ;'geut fot -' e •.r’.’ck on to "By ibis time we tame io id* planta tion. It '?s pleasantly situated in a little v.'lky. bounded on either *?de by wooded spurs of tie *l*vp hilts that ended abruptly cn the right l»cink< of th< stream. Ute bungalow* wa* Inuit back a bit from the river, in a small clear:nt cn the hillside, laving the wr*t. when th' view wa* certainly mellow. "It was bow near sundown, and th« leak tree* slmwed purple on the sur rounding height*. On the strong log vvrandah the English lady. a!i in white, looking very frail and much cut of place in the wiki mvironuient. *tood to re ceive u*. She was more demonstrative in her greeting than wa* her bu*band and instinctively t,ok to Tib a* a pillai of strength. "That was the magnetic way of him. He wa* lik.' a physician in a*i rv»ora radiating confidence. " 'Mrs. Danby.' he said. l«owin ’ ovc» her hand in his graceful way. ’yout te*|< »i,c some of the Shan |»eople threaten to be rud.'. but I don't tlunk you nwd feel a bit worried.' “‘l'm not very much afraid/ *1 e asserted. ’but the cokdit-* arc. They haw taken to the woods, and I shouhl be nervout here alone with Sydney. Bih how vol and Mr. Campbell l ave eimir. I *’ als fee p'rl\x-tl> safe. And *he smiled in t moss delightful manu< r. ’Her mention of the co lie* castsed her hu*Urnd io fro\v:i a bit. for th*? ser vants were an c\ lle*r l>u--.’nvier a* la ••’‘ ’ . . - the hi!ls IveiinJ us. When he called for a boy to reanov t - the box of <lvna mite, only Mike, an interpreter,, apneat ed. "Mike sai l he reg -Cv i to a»r ounce that all of the sahib's d -2- ha I run away to the jungles. A* for himself !*ah! And he *pat in th- direction •»( the hHls, Alight the graves of his ancestors be defiled if over he turned hia back to the half-caste hill r-’hb'r*. “And yet Mi lael’s y - I uneasily as the war n brwze catigh: the jungle leaves two hundred yard* aa ay and rustled them softly. ’’While waiting for a l»'tc to eat Danby. hi* feet on th verandah rail ing. told us of the Daeoits and explained how they were r«d»l»er~ by pro? from their very birth. similar tc the Thugs in their amiab’c intent.on? on organised society. “If through some freak of nature. h< said, the germ of honestv develops in s Itacoit voting*!er. he i* I <»ked u»»o?! a> a black sheep, a disgrace the family and his own pi rents drive him forth with thongs until he can experience • change of heart an<l come back purified and repentant, a man worthy of hif name and caste, a rob!»er. Thanks tc tiie Government's activity, ho continued, the Daioits have a harder life to lire every year, and arc * <»wly going the way of their first cousins, the 1 . ;g*. "It *eemed all strange to me. as sit there and sipped our whisky aud soda and *m«»kv4 the native tobacco, tc realis<‘ that back in the jungle, perhaps watching us even then, the Shan people with their strange notions and long knives, were waiting patiently to gathet u* in. And 1 remembered that somewhere djvnea th* my feet wa« quiet Broad* way with its occasional knock-out dr<qw and *-unethn •* a bc.’hgercn: policeman "It case,! my mind to a degree tc learn that there were several rilles and shotguns inside the bungalow, but a» I noted Hie dry. thatched roof, imitia; arson, my fears returned and I believe 1 there would be a little inferno despitt <»ur combined effort* if the b-'ggnrc rushed u* under the m mn. "'But the soldiers will here by tomorrow aftern< >m. and that will end >• all,’ laughed ihinny as hi* wife brought

out tin l ter. things and placed some civil* ised fuod before us. “Thi obvious fact, that even her domestics had fle<l, caused another wave of uneasiness to sweep up my. spine and rutile niy back hair. •• ‘Xo chance of your runner being held up. is there?’ asked Tib keenly as he stood by the rail and scrutinised the deep foliage. "‘Why yes/ confessed Danby slowly. ‘That’s what lx»t hers me. 1 ought to halve sent two or three. But if anyone can get through Shingah Lal can/ ” ‘And yet if they are as near as that, why weren’t wo stopped from coming here / asked l ib. “ ‘Because you were coming here and not leaving here/ replied Danby in a low voiei’, so that his wife might not hear him. “‘I see/ smiled Tib. ‘Kind of a trap, ch* Weil. I’ve been in others worse than this, and I’ve always got away with the bait/ ‘‘And. sir, as if in mockery at his little luiasf. a long knife hurtled from out of the shadows somewhere and stood trembling in a verandah post three inches from Iks head. Jn one jump we were all inside, leaving the untasted supper spread invitingly on the bamboo table. ‘‘Then the jungle gave up its secret, and a score or more of half-naked forms, th<» <piaint tattooing on which showed quite plainly, now sprang into view, shaking their weapons and accompanying their gesticulations with fearsome cries and yells. ‘‘To add to the babel about a score of dogs, gaunt and wolf-like, dashed into the clearing, and. with greater temerity than their masters displayed, ran up near the bungalow and began showing their fangs in a real disquieting fashion. “‘Don’t waste a bullet on the curs/ cried Tib. restraining Danby’s trigger finger as one of the brutes jumped boldly on to the verandah and began bolting down our supper. “And while Alike barricaded the doors and windows, with one accord we three oegan dropping lead into the heathens. They’ disappeared like magic at the first volley. Then the sun sank. “If we only had a light out there!* moaned Danby. ‘They'll rush us in the dark.’ “ I fear we’ll have more light than we want/ whispered Tib. • ‘Unless they are thoroughly untutored in cussedness they’ll try to burn us out/ “Danby turned, looked at his -whitefaced wife, ami groaned. Then Tib pointed to the moon appearing over the teak trees, and told him to cheer up, as we should have plenty of light. “As he said it a dozen forms huddled together, dashed around the house from the rear, hugging the walls of the building. and before we knew it were gone in the gloom again. But each in passing had deposited a bunch of fagots against the base of the bungalow. “‘So that’s their game, eh?’ mused Tib. ‘1 thought they’d come the Seneca Indian trick with a flaming arrow into our roof-tree.' “ ‘Stand by!’ shouted Danby. and we sprang to the rear and sides of the house, for from three directions a man with a flaming torch was running towards us, intent on starting the blaze. “Danby saw them first, and dropped his man before he had advanced ten feet. I'ib nailed Xo. 2 as he got dangerously close to the tinder by a plunging shot. And even then the kicking rascal tried to hurl his torch upon us. But. although 1 fired twice, my messenger delivered the goods and scuttled to safety before the others could pick him off. “Well. sir. the crackle of that little sheet of flame froze me. But Tib. before we knew what he was at, threw open the side door. and. running nimbly around the corner, kicked the bonfire to the hmr winds, and was back again with three pups hanging at his heels. “It was all done in two winks of the eye. But lib was mad. Not mad at the Davoits so much as he was at their dogs. “‘Did they hurt you*’ wailed ‘Mrs. Danby. as we wrung his scorched, old band and tenderly patted out several tmoldering coals on his coat.

“ ‘N- once,’ he grow led, ‘but how can the fire company answer a box if those brutes are to remain on the watch to eat him up?’ “And then the full import of the dogs’ presence appealed to us. A sally might be made to stop the flames, as the Shan people seemed to have no firearms. But it wa> a serious proposition to play the hook and ladder act with twenty curs waiting for a bite. “Furthermore, the pests were ’ certainly wise: for they now formed a ring about the two doors and growled heartily. The Dacoits encouraged them with shrill cries, and while we were debating if it would do to waste our precious ammunition on the beasts there came another fagot rush. Only this time two of the hewers of wood remained with us in. as Tib expressed it. status quo. “‘Billy/ he whispered, ‘l'm afraid, unless something unusual happens, they'll get us before morning. If they do. try to get Mrs Danby to the river, where you may find a boat/ “Here he was interrupted by a prolonged howl from the jungle, and a myriad of lights appeared on the border of the wood. “ ‘Don t shoot until they approach/ commanded Tib. at once detecting the ruse, which was to get us to empty our guns, and allow some of them to dash up to the bungalow. e could see the lights rush back and forth, weaving in and out, but we held back our lead. Then, from opposite directions, four of them started for us, with several more in the rear to take their places if they should fall. “They were certainly fanatics, all right. And yet this time, by some very ; lever shooting, we stopped them more easily than we did on the first occasion. and the brush was not set afire. “ ‘I guess we can check ’em unless they all come in a bunch.’ decided Tib, wiping the smoke and powder from his “ ‘lt’s all up/ hoarsely grow led Danby. ‘We have only a round of cartridges apiece/ “You’ll admit, sir. that was discouraging. and even old Tib struck his head in despair and sat down to think. Next, to my surprise, be jumped up and began to whistle a gem from a comic opera he once floated. I concluded his mind was affected. ‘ While Danby and I were watching the innumerable lights dodging back and forth in the forest, he stumbled to the back room. We had no lights in the house except what filtered in from the moon, and by a stray ray of this I saw that Danby’s face was sunken and clammy white. He had a woman with him. you know. “‘Tib/ I choked, ‘can’t you think of something?’ “In a minute, dear boy. Wait till I feed these dogs/ he replied, and I stiffened in amazement to note a cheery strain in his voice. Then I heard him, “Xice doggie, good doggie. Doggie, doggie, doggie. Does he want his supper? Naughty Bruno. Don’t be a glutton. Bruno, let Fido have some/ “ For God’s sake, man, come in here and help us fire the last round!’ cried Danby. tense with fear and passion. “Tib came in on the run. carefully wiping his hands with something. “ ‘Could yoij see a dog at the edge of the clearing?* he asked sharply. “‘Aye. all too well,’ said Danby, turning from his loophole in wonder at the query. “‘Good!’ ejaculated Tib. picking up a revolver. ‘Mark me. both of you. When you see a cur with white flanks making for the wood, drill him ti/rough the body. But on your life don't shoot till he gets to the edge of the jungle, and then through the body. Remember what I say!” “‘Stark mad/ whispered Danby despairingly. “ ‘Hardly/ cried Tib. who had overheard him. ‘But I’ve fed that pup about four sticks of your dvnamite. 1 fed it in

little pieces, covered with toothsome oil. and he bolted it bit by bit, and it never touched even the sides of his gnllet in going down!’ ” ’Fed him dynamite!* I repeated dully. ‘•’Sure! And now I’m going to feed some to a black brute with a shaggy white head. Then to scare them off, for the good Lord only knows what will happen if they get to romping about our back door! Remember the two, white Hanks and white head!’ And he was back on the run to take up again his job of chef to the canines. ”1 could only fall against a in a stupor. Danby swallowed convulsively, and then muttered, •Rum cove!’ “Soon a chorus of yelps announced that Tib was feeding out some more titbits. Imagine the situation if you can, sir. Fixing up four-legged mines, each one a thousand-fold more dangerous than the hound of the Baskervilles! And what if one of the loaded pups should jump against a post or a stone! “’Be ready!’ warned Tib. 'Xo. 2 is loaded. I'm going to try to scare them away with my revolver. One little follow got a nibble I’d not planned on. and I don’t know which one it is. So I’ll shoot over their heads. It won't do to explode a bow-wow here, as you well know.’ “A shrill whistle from the concealed marauders saved this waste of cartridges. however. Evidently the foe grew suspicious at the noise made by the dogs and believed we were poisoning them. The whistle caused the brutes to stop their yelping, and turn toward the jungle. A rep-tit ion of it had them wavering. and the third call sent them all scurrying oil in a bunch. “‘Now, look sharp!’ cried Tib. ‘White head and white flanks! Through the body, you know, to jar that stuff into action. Ah, the white head leads the pack!’ “Bang! Bang! The Englishman and I fined together, ami the white-faeed dog howled in agony and rolled over. “Then, bang, boom! And Tib’s shot struck him full in the stomach, and sent a cloud of dust and twigs heavenward, while the other pups paused in amazed dismay at beholding such extraordinary behaviour in a companion. As to tha white-head himself, he had disappeared in fine particles, "’Quick!’ gasped Tib. ‘White flanks! Side to us!’ “Danby pinked him as-if it were at target practise, and as white flanks was loaded the heavier of all, Iris departure was simply a volcano. “ ‘Had tl’Je inspiration when I happened to sit down on the dynamite. Bless the agent for giving it to m>?!’ murmured Tib exultantly. “ ‘Deueedly clever, don’t ye know, muttered Danby, going as limp as a rag in a second. “The silence in the forest was deathlike after we fired the two mines. Evidently the Dacoits were somewhat perplexed. “ ‘Where’s Mike’’ asked Tib suddenly. ‘Quick! Now’s the time to clinch this!’ “We found him wrapped in a rug, groaning industriously. W<? yanked him forth, and Danby stood ready to kill him or anything else Tib might order. Our leader, however, unfastened the verandah door, ami dragged Mike out among the supper dishes, ‘(‘an he make ’em understand’’ asked Tib of the excited Danby. “ ‘The rascal can talk any dialect in the hills.’ replied our host. “‘Good! Now. Michael, ery out to those people and inform ’em that if they don’t leave here immediately we’ll explode ’em as we did their howling pack of dogs.’ “Mike, in a quavering voice, gave the necessary information, and soon some one replied from th? woods. “ ‘What does he say?” I asked. “ ‘O sahib, he says if you brought his pets to death by the devil’s thunder you are mighty and much to be feared. But hr? says he has seen guns shoot shells that burst, and he knows it was one of

those that killed the dogs, and that there is no magic about it.’ “ ‘lt needs just another touch to convert ’em, and we haven’t got a single dog in reserve,’ groaned Tib sadly. “ ‘But there’s one dog still intact,’ I reminded him.

“ ‘Yes, yes, Mr. Smith, the little dog!’ urged Danby. “ ‘But hang it all, I only know he was little and that a big pup hit him in the ear when he dodged into the Immpr.’t, lamented Tib. “‘Little dog, mutilated ear!’ I cheered.

“ ‘Why, say, that certainly does identify him,’ cried Tib. “ ‘Tell them, Mike, to bring forth a little dog with a bloody ear if they want further proof,’ commanded Danby, throwing forward his rifle. “ ‘No, no,’ cried Tib, ‘no gun play! They’ll only think we're shooting exploding bullets or something. Wr? must make them explode him.’ ‘“But how’’ 1 gasped. “‘Tell ’em to trot him out,’ commanded Tib to Mike.

“The interpreter gave the order, and soon answered. ‘They say. sahib, they have the dog,’ explained Mike.

“ ‘Tell ’em to strike him on his side with a big elub at least ten times,’ directed Tib. ,

“And would you believe it, sir, thoss men did, or started to do, as Tib had ordered? I reckon they were curious, or else believed that no magic would result until the truth blow, or maybe they decided we were trying to bluff them. Of course it was tough on the dog. At the first smart rap we heard him yelp, and the robbers shouted derisively. But the second blow we were not permitted to hear. .

“Instead, there was a dull report, and I believed some one besides the pup had been taken away. It was not so loud an explosion as the other two, and I remembered Tib said the little-one had swallowed only one piece of the dvnamite. i

“But it had a great effect. There wal a brief silence, followed by yells of fear. Then a trembling voice addressed us once more.

“‘They want to know, sahib, if the big dogs will disappear with a greater noise than the little dogs ’ explained Mike.

“‘Always,’ affirmed Tib firmly. “ ‘They ask, sahib, if you will withdraw your spell if they go home and never return,’ continued Mike.

“‘Tell ’em yes,’ directed Tib. ‘Only if they cut up again here, or elsewhere, I will fill ’em as full of devil's thunder as I did the dogs.’

“‘Sahib, they go,’ proclaimed Mike. And they did. — ‘

“‘Can’t we have that tea now?’ asked Tib playfully as Mrs Danby threw herself hysterically into her husband’s arms.

“And when the soldiers, met on the road by the runner, eame next day it was to find the trouble over and the Danbys packing up to return to the settlements. “‘For,’ explained Danby, ‘I can't live here without roads, and now that i.V guest has used up all my dynamite, I can’t have the roads.’ ”