Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-09-27
CHAPTER XXVI.-Continued,


By slow degrees the evening wore
on, and night approached last
night that remained to them. Felix
had decided to make his attempt about
one in the morning. The moon was
nearly full now, and there would be
plenty Of light. Surprising he sue
ceeded. if they gained nothing else,
they would gain at least a day or twos
respite.
As dusk set in. and they sat by the
door of the hut they were all surprised
to see Ula approach the precinct
Stealthily through the Jungle. accom-
panied by two of TuKila-Kila's Eyes,
yet apparently on some strange and
friendly message. She beckoned i'm
periously with one finger to Toxic to
cross the line The Shadow rose, and
without one word of explanation went
out to speak to her. The woman gave
her message in short, sharp sentences.
"Wo have found out ALL she said,
breathing hard. Fire and Water
have learned it. But Tu-Kila-Kila
himself knows nothing. We have
found out that the KING of the Rain
has discovered the secret of the Great
Taboo He heard it from the Soul of
all dead parrots Tu-Kila-kila's Eyes
saw and learned and understood But
they said nothing to TuKila-Kila. For
my counsc was wise: | planned that
they should not, with Fire and Water.
Fire and Water and all the people of
Boupari think, with me, the time
has come that there should arise
among RS a new Tu-kila-kila. This
one let his blood fall out upon the dust
81 the ground His luck has gone we
Lave need OF another
''Then for what have you Gomez
Toxic asked, all awestruck. 1t was ter
l.ible to him for woman to NEEDLE IN
such high matters.
Il have come" Ula answered, laying
her hand on his arm, and holding her
lace clio to his with proEoUnd sol
emnity 4 have come to say to the
King Of the Rain, Whatever you do,
that do quickly Tonight | will en-
gage to l1ee Tux ila-kila in his tenn
pie. He shall see nothing. He shall
hear no. hing [ know not the Great
Taboo; hut know from him this much
that if by vile or guile / keep him
a one in his temple tonight the King
of the kan may fight with him in sim
gle combat; and if the King of the
Rain conuuers IN the battle, he be-
comes himself the home of the great
deity
She nodded thrice, with her hands
on her forehead, and Withdrew as
stealthily as she had come through
the Jungle The Eyes OF Tu-Kila-ki la
falling INTO line, remained behind, and
kept watch uIon the huts with the
closest apparent scrutiny.
More than ever the were hemme1
in By m story on mystery.
Tie Shadow went back and reported
to Felix. Felix, turning it over in his
own min !, wondered and debated. Was
this true. or q trap to lure him to de-
Struct!On?
AS the nj hit wore on, and the hour
drew nigh, Muriei sat beside her
sviond and lover, in blank despair and
ny. H,w could she ever allow him
cave her now? How could she
N@rturc 10 remain alone with Mali in
" hut in this last extremity? 1t was
~ al to he SO girt with mysterious en-
t2}seS. Il mu t go with you, Felix |
~ 1 so 100" she cried over ana over
ain. Il darcn't remain behind with
-. these awful mon. And then, if he
kd'ls either Of us, he will Kill us at
Seaat both together
BIT Felix know he might do nothing
of the sort. A more terrible chance
was still in reserve. He might spare
Nun icl. And against this awful posi-
bi lily he felt it mis- duty now to guard
ut all hazard.
I 'No, Mmiel," he said, kissing her
pale hand. Il must go alone Y on
can't go with me. If return, we will
have gained at least a respite, till the
AustraIaSian may turn up. If don't,
you Will at any rate have strength OF
mind left to swallow the poison, before
Tu-kila -Nila comes to CAIN you"
q Hou after hour passed by slowly,
and Felix and the shadow watched the
the stars at the door, to know when
the hour for the attempt hal arrived.
The eyes Of Tu-Kila-Kila, peering sill
e0t from Just beyond the line, saw
them watching ali the time, but gave
no sign o. roken o. disapproval. VITA
heads cent low, and tangled hair
about lueir faces, they stood like stat
ucs, Watching, Watching, sul,eCly.
Were they only waiting till he moved,
Felix wondered; and would they then
hasten off by short routes through the
Jun aIe 10 warn their master o. the iln,
pending conflict?
~ Sast the hour came when Felix
fg!a sure there was the greatest chance
r TUT ila-kila sleeping soundly in his
ut. and forgetting the defense OF the
cred banyan tree. He rose from his
Ell with a gesture of silence, and
oveu forward to Murie. The poor
,rl flung herself, all tears. into his
rms. "Oh. Felix, Felix" she cried,
redeem your promise now Kill us
10Th here together and then, at least,
| shall never be separated from YOU,
1t wonldn't be wrong! 1t can't be
wrong We would shurely be forgiven
If we did it only % escape falling into
the hands of these terrible savages.'
Felix clasped her to his bosom with
4 faltering heart. mo, Muriel, he
saii slowly Not yet, Not yet. |
must leave no opening on earth untried
bv which | can possibly or concelvabiy
save YOU IT'S as hard for me to leave
you here alone as for you to be left.
But Tor your own dear sake, | must
steel myself. | must do it,
/ l. + ia