Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-08-11

tactician, coming behind the latter, sank
his teeth into his shins. The terror and
agony Of the savage at this unexpected
attack were only eqnaled by the look Of
mortal terror on his face as Savile. re-
covering himself. swung his great club
around his head and cracked his skull.
1t was Jack who first discovered that
the blacks had taken with them our
provisions. which in the pack hags had
been placed at the foot Of the cliff. At
this discovery we stared blankly at one
another, for IL wa were forced to re-
main in that cave for any length o8
time We must starve Jack wanted to
make a raid upcn them and endeavoe
to recapture the provisions. but this
was mad scheme and impracticahla
l promptly reminded him Of those
whom in that case we must leave be-
hind us in the cave comparatively I'M
protected. believe such was the reck-
less courage Of Jack that he would have
attacked the blacks himself single hand
ed If we had let him. AS for DAILY, he
was strangely taciturn, though he had
showed considerable courage. l had
seen him during the fight when black
fellow had seized the barrel Of Jacks
rifle and was otherwise engaged de-
liberately fire. in another direction when
he might Just as well have rid jack oe
his antagonist It was satisfactory.
however. to think that Elsie Gordon
had also seen this. for saw surprise.
indignation and horror in her eyes,
Going back into the great cavern.
which opened up into three other pas.
sages az 1t pierced the cliT. l found
Norah Mackenzie leaning against the
side of the cave as II in faint On
seeing her forgot that hint Of resent
ment in her voice when Jack had asked
IL she really cared what he did. For
getting what it meant. l only remem-
bered what she was to me. To fetch
some water from the spring. take the
handkerchief from the breast Of her
jacket and to lave her cheek with the
water was my next effort. When had
removed the blood discovered to my
| relief that she had only received slight
cut on the cheek bone, which IL IL did
/ leave mark would only be trifling. So
/ concerned was over her condition that
| II IL not unlikely my manner betrayed
a greater degree Of solicitude than any
one is my position was justified or had
any right to express just then. What !
said to her out OF the steadily growing
sense of my great love it We're difficult
to remcmher now, but must have lost
sight OF the fact that as yet she had
given me no right t. speak to her rs i
did. for the color came back into her
cheeks. Her great eyes looked at mo rs-
f,,ll nj AL; "a, al, a
ow under them seemed 10 deepen as ahs
spoke.
"Mr. Parker. do you think fright to
talk to me as you are doing? don .
wish TO appear ungrateful but why for
get yourself like this3'
"Because you have grown dearer than
life itself to met" l cried boldly. and
the truth was ont nt last
Falteringly she rose TO her feet and
looked steadily bnt, as l thought, not
resentfnlly upon me.
"You don't know what you are say
ing. /" she said. .This is neither the
time nor place to talk Of such thing.
Besides, there is come one"-
heard no more. for at that moment
my mate entered the cave. and she
stopped short. could see their eyes
meet and read In them the dawn Of that
new life which it had now become inn
possible TO conceal. Her action and
words only few minutes before had
been avowal enough. How could have
been so blindy Was it not natural
that she should prefer Jack to me- he
who was handsonier. better man
than myself in every respectf What
but more than ordinary interest in
him could have made her masquerade
as she had done ON the Macarthur and
run tho grave risk OF detectiony II was
clear RI day to me now. 1T il written
In the book" said for the time being
becoming q fatalist.
bowed my head and went out ON to
the terrace--the light had gone out of
my life 1t seemed to matter little to
me now whether or not was killed hy
the blacks thought she stood looking
after me, as If she would have softened
the blow. But had got my answer
the deathknell Of my hopes had been
,bounded.
We held council Of war upon the
terrace, but the outlook was q gloomy
one. we kUtW ttlat tDluOITOW Ut mex
day at the latest the squatter must come
hack. most likely down this very same
valley in which we were now entrap-
ped and discover us. But again the
chances were that the blacks who must
have been cognizant of his where
abouts. would lie in wait for him in
large numbers in one of the narrow
gorges and surprise him on his way
back.
1t was now getting dark. but we
could still SEQ the forms Of the savages.
carrying fire sticks in their hands. Tit
ting about among the powders and be-
hind the trees. All that night they kept
up most terrible wailing over such of
their numbers as had come TO grief in
the fight
All through that long dreary night