The Strand Magazine, Vol. 05, Issue 28, April 1893: An Illustrated Monthly — John Shaqi
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 05, Issue 28, April 1893: An Illustrated MonthlyVarious
History
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 05, Issue 28, April 1893: An Illustrated Monthly
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; Short stories, English -- Periodicals
Sandringham has saddening associations for its owners, but "Joy cometh
in the morning," and as we take our farewell of this favourite residence
of the Prince and Princess, we will wish them a bright future and
continuance of good health to enjoy their Norfolk home.
_Shafts from an Eastern Quiver._
X.--THE HUNTED TRIBE OF THREE HUNDRED PEAKS.
BY CHARLES J. MANSFORD, B.A.
I.
"Are you awake, sahibs?" questioned Hassan, our guide, as he eagerly
roused us from sleep one night. "The Hunted Tribe of Three Hundred Peaks
is about its deadly work: Listen!"
[Illustration: "LISTEN!"]
We sat up and leant forward as he spoke, straining our ears to catch the
slightest sound. Across the plain which stretched before us came at
intervals a faint cry, which sounded like the hoot of a night bird.
"That is their strange signal," continued the Arab.
We rose, and, going to the door of the tent, scanned the wide plain, but
could see no human being crossing it.
"You are mistaken this time, Hassan," said Denviers. "What you heard was
an owl hooting."
"The sahib it is who misjudges," answered the Arab, calmly. "I have
heard the warning note of the tribe before."
"It seems to come from the direction of Ayuthia," I interposed, pointing
to where the faint outlines of the spires of its pagodas rose like
shadows under the starlit sky.
"It comes from beyond Ayuthia," responded Hassan, whose keen sense of
hearing was so remarkable; "and is as far away as the strange city built
on the banks round a sunken ship, which we saw as we floated down the
Meinam. Hist! I hear the signal again!"
Once more we listened, but that time the cry came to us from a different
direction.
"It is only an owl hooting," repeated Denviers, "which has now flown to
some other part of the plain and is hidden from us by one of the ruined
palaces, which seem to rise up like ghosts in the moonlight. If Hassan
means to wake us up every time he hears a bird screech we shall get
little enough rest. I'm going to lie down again." He entered the tent,
followed by us, and stretching himself wearily was asleep a few minutes
after this, while Hassan and I sat conversing together, for the strange,
bird-like cry prevented me from following Denviers' example.
"_Coot! Coot!_" came the signal again, and in spite of my companion's
opinion I felt forced to agree with the Arab that there was something
more than a bird hooting, for at times I plainly heard an answering cry.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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