368 



A FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE. 



will trot five or ten miles along the dusty highway, bearing a bundle of letters and 

 papers. The small bell which he carries suspended to the stick is to give notice 

 of his coming, just as the postman in this country apprises us of his approach by 

 blowing his whistle. 



^ C nat * ve trots ^ e ent i re 

 distance until he meets another 



postman to whom he delivers 

 the mail, and, while the second 

 takes up the trot, the first turns 

 about and goes back at a more 

 leisurely pace. 



" I'm afraid that fellow is 

 running into more danger than 

 he suspects," remarked Mr. 

 Godkin ; " I have often won- 

 dered why they persist in pro- 

 claiming their coming in that 

 way, for the sound of the bell 

 often serves to guide the tiger 

 lying in wait for his victim." 



" Ought we not to warn him 

 of his peril ? " asked Dick, feel- 

 ing that the poor fellow's life 

 was worth more than a thousand 

 tiger kittens. 



" By all means," replied his companion. 

 The two started their animals at the same 

 moment, and galloped to where the wondering Jed 

 awaited their approach. They quickly explained 

 their wishes, but he shook his head. 



" Too late mebbe no tiger there ! " 

 " Listen ! " broke in Dick, with a start of terror. 



The hearts of the two almost stopped beating as they heard frenzied shrieks 

 and screams, just such as a strong man makes when caught in the grip of some 

 power that is tearing him to death. 



" Come on ! " called Dick, spurring his horse into such a gallop that he quickly 

 placed himself at the head of the others, who followed close behind. 



Meanwhile, the rest of the servants, seeing that something was amiss, took 

 good care to linger in the background. 



A sharp ride brought the three horsemen to the top of the hill, but, brief as was 

 the gallop, the cries of the poor native were hushed before our friends could gazo 

 down the long stretch in front of them. 



The sight they saw was enough to startle the bravest man. 



DEATH OF THE POSTMAN. 



