The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 177: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SLEEP’S FAVORITE. 369 which Manners. had credited him, as soon as he was made acquainted with the terms of the singular document handed in by the Malays, and beyond the utterance of several very hearty maledictions upon the heads of those scoun- drels, and the reiterated declaration that they should kill him before they harmed a hair of the head of either of the prisoners, he had nothing to say. Henderson was reduced to a condition of absolute despair. ‘“Leave me, both of you,”’ he at length exclaimed in desperation—‘“ leave me to watch and to think out this matter alone ; lie down and rest if you can for an hour or two; husband your strength as much as possible, for we shall have need of it all before sunrise ’’—he shuddered involuntarily as he uttered the last word—‘‘ and fear not, I will call you in good time.’’ The two men turned, and without a word retired below to their room, leaving the doctor to wrestle alone with the difficult question of what was his actual duty in this terrible strait. Reader, do not mistake this man’s character. No braver or more gallant man—no nobler or stancher friend—ever lived than he. Had he been an un- married man, ot had those two women and that helpless child, his daughter, been in a place of safety, he would have unhesitatingly accepted the hints which Manners and Nicholls had so repeatedly thrown out, and placing him- self at their head, would have marched with a light heart against the Malays, and either have rescued the captives or have perished with them. But the odds against him and his two companions were so great—a little over seven to one even now, after the losses already sustained by the enemy —that he felt that he daved not indulge in any hope of success, especially as those odds would be so greatly increased by even one casualty on his side; and if failure ensued, what would be the result to them all, including the women and the child still safe in the shelter of the fort? It would not bear thinking about. ‘God help ie !’’ he cried in his despair. ‘‘ What shall I do?’’ The minutes dragged by while he sat there motionless on the roof, with his head bowed down and his face between his hands. At last he sprang to his feet. A look of determination had replaced the helpless expression that his face had worn. He had resolved upon a plan of action. It was a desperate one, but he had decided to risk his life and the lives of his friends in the attempt to carry it to success, flarry Collingwood. (TO BE CONTINUED. ) SLEEP’S FAVORITE. CARE keeps his watch in every old man’s eye; And where care lodges sleep will never lie ; But where unbruised youth, with unstuffed brain, Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign. — Shakspere. [1] CONNICLOOKS.(eo