Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-09-20
CHAPTER XXV.-COntinu

IN sight, might they not nope, aler
all, to signal her with their rudely
constructed Photograph, and stop her.
AS tor Methuselah's secret, there
was only one way, Felix thought, in
which it could now prove of any use to
them. When the actual day OF their
doom drew nigh, he might, perhaps.
be tempted to try the fate which Ma
thanial Cross of Sunderland, had sue
cessfulv courted. That might gain
them at least little respite. Though
even so he hardly knew what good it
could 90 him to be elevated for awhile
into the chief god of the island. 1t
might not even avail him to save
Muriels life: for he did not doubt that
when the awful day itself had actually
come the natives would do their best
to kill her in spite of him, unless he
anticipated them by fulfilling his own
terrible, yet merciful, promise.
Week alter week went by-mOnth
after month passed and the date when
the Australiasian might reasonably be
expected to reappear drew nearer and
nearer. They waited and trembled.
AT last, few DAYS before the time M.
Peyron had calculated, as Felix was
sitting under his big shade tree in his
garden one morning. while Murlel,
now worn out with hope deferred lay
within her hut alone with Mali. a
sound of tom-toms and beaten palms
was heard on the hill-path. The ma
tives around fell on their faces or fled.
u announced the speedy approach Of
Tu-Kila-kila.
BY this time 10th the castaways had
grown comparatively accustomed to
that hideous noise, and to the hateful
presence which it proceeded and her
aided. A dozen temple attendants
tripped on either side down the hill
path. to guard him, clapping their
hands in barbaric measure as they
went Fire and Water, in the midst,
supported and thanked the divine UNI
brella. Felix rose from his seat with
very little ceremony, indeed, as the
great god crossed the white taboo
line Of his precin It's, followed only be-
You'd the limit by Fire and Water
Tu-Kila-Kila was in his most inso-
lent vein. He glanced around with a
horrid light of triumph dancing visibly
in his eyes. 1t was clear he had come
intent upon some grand theatrical
coup. He meant to take the white
+'Good- O King of the Rain, -
he exclaimed, in loud voice and with
boisterous familiarity. GLOW do you
like your outlook now? Things are
getting on. The end of your rule is
drawing very near, isn't it? Before
long | must make the seasons change.
L must make my sun turn [ must
twist round my sky. And then | shall
need new Korong instead Of you, O
pale-faced one"
Felix looked back at him without
moving a muscle.
IL am WE'LL" he answered shortly.
restraining his anger. The year
turns round whether you will or not.
You are right that the sun will soon
4 in to move southWard on it's path
I; ain. But many things may happen
to all of us meanwhile. | am not afraid
OF you"
As he spoke, he drew his knife, and
opened the blade, unostentatlOusly,
bat firmly. If the worst were really
Honlng now. sooner than he expected,
ne would at least not forget his prom
Use to Muriel
.Tu-Kila-Kila smiled hateful and
ominous smile. Il am a great
god, " he said, calmly, striking an atti-
tude as was his wont. Hear how my
people clap their hands in my honor?
/ order all things dispose the course
of nature in heaven and earth. If look
al IL co ooanut tree it dies: if | glance at
a bread-fruit, it withers away. We
will see before long whether or not
YOU are afraid of me. Meanwhile, O
KOrOng. | have come to claim my dues
at your hands. Prepare for your fate.
To morrow the Queen of the Clouds
must be sealed my bride. Fetch her
out that | may speak with her. have
come TO tell her so.
1t was Il thunderbolt from clear sky,
and il fell with terrible effect on Felix.
For moment the knife trembled in
his grasp with an almost irresistible
impulse. He could hardly restrain
himself, as he heard those horrible. in
credulous words and saw the loathsome
smirk on the speakers face by which
they were accompanied, from leaplng
then and there at the savage's throat,
and pluneing his blade to the haft into
She vile screature's body. But by a
violent effort he mastered his indigna-
ton and wrath for the present. Plant
ing himself full in front of Tu-Kila-
k&Ga, AMI blocking the way to the
door of that sacred English girls hut
oh. how horrible it was to him even
% think of her purity being contami-
mated by the vile neighborhooi. for
one minute. of that loathsome monster.
lie looked full into the wretch's face,
and answered very distinctly, in slow,
low tones: "lf you dare to ask to see
her face again, will plunge the knife
hilt deep into your vile heart. and kill
You where you stand without sec
ond's deliberation. Now you hear my
words and you know what | mean. My
weapon is keener and tiercer than any
YOU Polynesians ever saw. Repeat
those words once more, and by all
that's true and holy. before they re out
OF your mouth leap upon you and stab
you.
Tu-Kila-Kila drew back in sudden
surprise. He was uuaccustomed to be
so bearded in his own sacred is and.
''Weu. | shall claim her tomorrow,
he faltered out, taken abaca by Felix 5
unexpected energy. He paused for q
second, then he Went on more slowly
s'To-morrow / " iii come with all my