STENTOR THE SECOND.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 473, 21 May 1890, Page 3

STENTOR THE SECOND.

It was some years ago, during a missionary journey to the Red Indians of the Border States, that our zealous band of thirty members, under the pious guidance of ‘ scout ’ Bishop, were proceeding towards a settlement, when a distant shrieking caused ua to halt and listen. It was a terriblesound, and such exclamations as ‘lndians! A massacre 1 A scalping !’ passed from mouth to mouth. Then each man calmly looked to liis civiliser and used his favourite text to charge with. The only one unmoved was ‘The Bishop,’ and he is worthy of a word here. An old hand at such good work on which we were engaged, among his many accomplishments he could scent an Indian anywhere inside the horizon and convert him into a notch on his rifie in the quickest and kindest manner possible. He paused with the others, and seraphically remarked

‘Them’s no Injuns—-it’s too unearthly. One o' you come ’long er me.’ So I rode forward about a mile with him, but tho noise so increased that we had to plug our ears with tobacco, and then reached a man and woman sitting beside the path, tho picture of despair, near them a babe, yelling so that it was impossible to hear ourselves speak. Consequently, the deaf and dumb method was resorted to. The man stated that they had been expelled from the settlement as the baby made so much noise, und that in desperation they were about to commit suicide as we arrived.

‘The Bishop’ made an eloquent reply, to the effect that he was grieved at their misfortune, and believed that they had seen their worst, for if they approved he would adopt the child, as his life was devoted to the benefit of mankind even at the sacrifice of comfort.

At. this reply tears of gratitude flowed from the parents’ eyes as they eagerly accepted the offer, then insisted upon putting some tobacco and bowie-knives into our collection-box for tho use of tho mission. Then they gladly departed. That same night our leader was busily engaged in making a gag for the youngster. Ho seemed happier when he had it on, and evidently appreciated the biscuits soaked with whisky, other infantile provision not having been made at the time of our equipment.

After two days’ journey Indians were scented. We tethered our horses and crept cautiously forward until wo sighted their encampment, where preparations were evidently in progress for some festival. Under * The Bishop’s ’ directions the party made a detour until they reached a defile, where they remained in silent meditation. Night came on ; the Indians lib fires, and chanting, the beating of drums and dancing took our attention, while our leader took the baby to a position about one hundred yards on the further side of the festive savages. Then he opened the meeting by pinching his little companion aud removing the gag. May the reader never experience a sound one-hundreth part so horrible as that bloodcurdling scream, the pent-up yells of the last two days, which drowned even the noise made by the terrified Indians as they, like maniacs, rushed towards the defile until within range of our ministrations, which wo used with most blessed effect! Thus was peace happily restored by means of an innocent child. ,

Years have passed,during whichouryoung phenomenon became a guide to the Niagara Falls, but hia voice clashed with the thundering waters and so spoiled the effect as to compel his retirement from that calling. Ho is now a foghorn on the Newfoundland coast, a part which he fulfils with greater success, as with a favourable wind he can sometimes be heard in New York.

The good Bishop has developed into a promoter of public companies—chiefly breweries. Many of his ventures have, however, had an unfortunate termination ; but still the good man is patient and perseveres as one who knows that bis mission is to leave the world better than ho found it.