ONLY FIVE MINUTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2012, 25 February 1890, Page 4

ONLY FIVE MINUTES.

Colonel Will. Middleby. who has just returned from the Indian territory, relates a startling experience. "I had permission to traverse the territory," said Colonel, " but I soon found that the white scoundrels who inhabit the country had no regard for it. One day, went and hungry, I stopped at a sort of public-house. A company of rough white men had assembled in t-be bar of the house. I at once noticed that I was regarded with disfavour, and I was on the eve of quitting the place when one fellow, as rough a man as ever I saw, said—

" Cap'n, what's your bus'ness ? " " I am out to look at the country." " Ham't you looked at it ? " " Yes." " Wall, what air you hangin' roun' fur?"

" I have a right to hang around." "What right?" "Ihis," I replied, producing my passport and presenting it to him. " Tain't worth hell room," he said. as he coolly proceeded to tear it up, His companions roared with laughter. I had a pistol, but what could I do with a dozen desperate men ? " Wow," continued the ruffian who had destroyed my passport, " we understand you pretty well. You are a detective, and hain't come here after no good, nuther."

"I am not a detective." "Do you mean to sav that I am a liar?"

" That's what he does, Jack ! " shouted one of his companions. '' In a moment I was surrounded. Every man had drawn his pistol." " I ought to kill you right here," said the ruffian addressed as Jack, " I oughtn't to let you live another minit."

" Some one advanced and relieved me of my pistol."

" Now, I'li tell you what we'll do," said Jack. " We'll just give you five minits to live. ,itnnd right thar, now, an' do your prayin'." "In vain I pleaded. The ruffians would not listen to me," "It's ye*' five minutes to twelve," (•aid Jack. '• Look up thar at tlln clock an' count your s.imo, an' when 12 o'clock comes y>.u ate g ne ; an' if v -ii take y<-ir t-y««j off „ it* in the m -en time \ u w ■ : *u« anyhow."

( gazen at ■ .-I, :•!,■{ be-'an to mumb.es pray-r. Oh, h>w pre. in us a fingie moment of time can be! I thou.-, he of my home, .if my wife and children. 'I he desperate men stepped

me. I could hear their suppressed breathing. I could hear the beating of my heart. Five minutes to live! It had already seemed an age. Would

the time never come? Cold perspiration rolled down my face and almost blinded my eyes. I could not distinctly see the face of the clock, but I

knew that only a minute more was left me. That the wretches would kill me I had not a doubt, but why had they chosen such a method ? Then

I remembered an article I had once read descriptive of the delight felt by such men in seeing a victim suffer. Death, of itself, was not sufficient punishment. The time must have nearly expired. My knees were so weak that I could scarcely stand, I

wondered how I'd feel" when the bullets should strike me. I wondered if I would hear the report of the pistols. I heard a laugh. I quickly turned and saw a negro standing near me. The ruffians were gone. I glanced at the clock. Five minutes to twelve."

"What are you laughing at?" I demanded of the negro. "At dat ole joke dem cowboys played on yer. Dat ar clock ain' running, boss. Der gennermen tole meter give ye dis pistol. Heab. it is • haw haw, haw, how !" Arkansaw 1 raveller.