Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-01
CHAPTER VIII.
PreparatiOns.

breeze kept its canvas taut, ana tne saiioi
knew that ruse was intended-the Dyaks
were flying from the island in fear and
rage They would return with force
sufficient to insure the wreaking of their
vengeance.
That he would again encounter them at
no distant date jerks had no doubt what
ever. They would land in such numbers as
to render any resistance difficult and pro-
longed defense impossible. Would help
come first?-a dlStracting question to which
definite answer could not be given. The
sailors brow frowned in deep lines; his
brain throbbed now with an anxiety singu-
larly at variance with his cool demeanor
during the fight. He utterly uncon-
scious that mis- left arm encircled the shout
der of the girl until she gently disengaged
herself and said appeangly:
Please, Mr.. jerks do not be angry with
me. l could not help it. 1 could not bear
TO see you shoot them"
Then he abruptly awoke to the realities
of the moment.
Come he said. his drawn features re-
Taxing into a wonderfully pleasing smile.
We will return to castle. We
safe for the remainder of this day, at any
rate
Something must be said or done to re-
assure her. She still grievously dis
turbed, and he naturally ascribed her agi-
tation to the horror of her CAPTURE. He
dreaded a complete collapse if any further
alarms threatened at once. Yet he was
almost positIve-though search alone would
set at rest the last misgiving-that only
one samDan had visited the island. Evil
IDENTIFY the Dyaks were unprepared' as he
for the events of the preceding half hour
Trey were either visiting the island to pro-
cure turtle and beche-de-mer or had merely
called there route to some other desti-
nation, and the change in the wind had I'M
expectedly compelled them to put ashore.
Beyond all doubt they must have been sur
prised by the warmth of the reception they
encountered.
Probably. when he went to Summit Rock
he. L.,I
their sail and were steadily padding north
against wind and current. The most care
ful scrutiny of the sea would fail to re-
veal them beyond distance of six or
seven miles at the utmost
After landing in the hidden bay on the
south side, they crossed the island through
the trees instead of taking the more
natural open way along the beach Why?
The fact that he and Iris were then
passing the grown-over tract leading
to the Valley of Death instantly de-
Of this affrighting hollow, and would
not approach any nearer to it
than was unavoidable. Could he twist this
circumstance to advantage If Iris and he
We're still stranded there when the supersti-
tlous sea-rovers next put in an appearance?
He would see. All depended on the girls
strength If she gave way now-if instead
Oh taxing instant measures for safety he
Were called upon to nurse her throueb a
fever-the outlook became not only desper-
ate but hopeless
Worrying
thought. the color was returning to Iris
cheeks, and natural buoyancy to her stem.
1t Is the fault of all men to underrate the
marvellous courage and constancy of woman
IN the face of difficulties and trials. jerks
was no exception to the rule.
hoc don't ask me for any account of
my adventures" she said quietly. after
watching his perplexed expression in
silence for some time. !
her tone almost startled him its mas.
stunned eheerfulness wac so unlocked for.
NO. ne answered II thought you were
emit" ~ 81 pies-
"overwrought Not bit Of it! I was
oeau peat with the struggle and with
screaming for you. but please don't INA sine
tnat am going to faint or treat Won TO a
dsplay of hysteria now that all the excite
ment has ended I admit that I cried q
httle when you pushed me aside ON tho
oedch ana raised your gun to fire at those
poor "retches flying for their Heves Yet
perhaps was wrong TO hinder you.
rupted, 4i'e'
Then you should not have Needed me
NO don't mean that You always con-
S4aer me first, don't you? No matter what
80. ash you 10 DO you endeavor to please me,
even When YOU know all the time that am
acting or speaking foolishly"
me unthinking naivete of her words sent
me blood coursing wildly through his veins.
Never mind" she went on with aarpast
simplicity. God has been very good To nc
! cannot believe that He has preserved ms
from 1aS SO many dangers to permit us to per-
help comes. And | do want 10 tell yn,,
exactly what happened"
Then YOU shall" he answered "Ru, fret
drink this, They had reached their camp
small quantity of brandy
enc swallowed the spirit with protesting
moue She really needed no such ADVENT.
uous support she said
'All right" commented Jepk. ere ,,o,
DON'T want Il drink. | do
Il can quite believe it." she retor+ed
our ease Is very different. knew the men
would not hurt me-after the first SHOCK Of
their appearance had pa ssed, I meant also
knew that YOU would save me. But YOU. Mr.
jerks. had TO do the fighting You were
.adied upon to rescue precious me. Good
Stacious! NO wonder you were excited"
The sailor mentally expressed his INABILITY
10 grasp the complexities of feminine ma.
ture. but Iris ratified on
i carried my tin of water TO the nitcbar
plant. and was listening to the greed roots
gurgllng away for dear life when suddenly
four men sprang out from among the trees
my revolver" o
Thank heaven. you failed"
You think that If I had fired at them
they would have retaliated Yes. especially
II had hit the chief But II was he who
instantly gave some order and I suppose
IL meant that they were not to hurt me AS
matter of fact, they seemed to be quite
as much astonished as was alarmed Rut
II they could hold my hand. they could
not stop my voice readily Oh, didn't
yell?''
You did
II suppose you could not hear me dis
tinctly?'
Quite DISTINCTLY
Every word?''
Yes"
She bent TO pick some leaves and hits
OF dry grass from her dress We'll YOU
know, she continued rapidly. lin such
moments one cannot choose ones words
Il shouted hat
my head"
And L" he said, picked up the first
rine could lay hands Now Miss
Deane. as the affair has ended so happily.
may venture to ask you to remain in the
cave until return?'
oh, please" she began.
Really, must insist / would not leave
you If il were not quite imperative You
cannot come with me-"
Then she understood one at least of the
tasks he must perform, and she meekly
Obeyed.
He thought 1t best to go along Turtle
beach TO the cove and thence follow the