Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-05

tokened by the birds rapid dart into the
void. Turning first to peer at Iris. he sat
isfied himself that she was still asleep. Her
lips were slightly parted in smile; she
might be dreaming OF summer ana Eng
land. He noiselessly worned his way 10
the verge of the rock and looked down
through the grass roots.
The Dyaks were already stirring. Some
were replenishing the fire, others were
drawing water. cooking. eating smoking
long, thin-stemmed pipes with absuruly
small bowls, oiling their limbs and weap-
ons with impartial energy. The chief yet
lay stretched on the sand, but, when the
first beams OF the sun gilded tho waters.
a man stopped over the PHOSPHATE form and
said something that caused the sleeper to
rise stfffiy. supporting himself on his unin-
jured arm. They at once went off to-
gether towards Europa Point.
They have found the boat" thought
jerks. We'll. they are welcome to all the
information 1t affords.
The pair soon returned. Another Dyak
advanced to exhibit one of jerks spring.
gun attachments. The savages had sense
of humor. Several laughed heartily when
revealed. The chief alone preserved a
gloomy and saturnine expression.
he gave some order at which they all
hung hung back a, sheepishly; cursng them in, in
faggot and strobe in the direction Ct
the cave. Goaded into activity by his
truculent demeanor, some followed him,
and Jenks-unable to see, but listen
tearing the cheval de frise from its
supports. Nevertheless none of the
working party entered the excavation.
They feared the parched bones that shone
by night.
Poor j. S." murmured the sailor eff
his spirit still fingers near the scene of
his murder he will thank me for drag
gfng him into the fray. He fought them
living and he them dead
AS he had not been able to complete the
communicating shaft it was not now of
vital Importance should the Dyaks pene-
trate to the interior. Yet he thanked the
good luck that had showered such IA heap
of rubbish over the spot containing his
chief stores and covering the vein of gold.
Wild as these fellows were, they well Knew
the value of the precious metal, and II by
chance they lighted upon such a well
fined lode they might not quit the island
for weeks.
At last, on a command from the chief,
the Dyaks scattered in various directions
Some turned toward Europa Point. but
the majority went to the east along Tur-
tie Beach or by way of the lagoon. Pros
pect Park was deserted. They were ScOur-
ing both sections of the island in tull
force.
The quiet watcher on the ledge took
no needless risks Though 1t was i'm
possible to believe any stratagem had been
planned for his special benefit an acei-
dent might betray him. With the utmost
CircumsDection he rose on all fo:lrs and
with comprehensive glance examined trees,
plateau and both strips of beach for signs
of lurking foe. He need have no fear.
o. all places in the island the Dyaks least
imagined that their quarry had lain all
night within earshOt of their encampment.
At this hour, when the day had finally
conquered the night, and the placid sea
offered a turquoise path to the infinite,
the scene was reStful, gently bewitching.
He knew that. away there to the north.
n n -x~D AFa.co rartn q Il inn a
and North German Lloyd liners were stead
lily churning the blue depths en- route 10
Japan or the Straits Settlements Ihey
carried hundreds of European passengers
men and women, even little children, who
were far removed from the knowledge that
tragedies such as this Dyak horror lay
almost in their path. People In London
were just going to the theater lie re-
called the familiar Jingle of the hansoms
scampering along Piccadilly, the more
stately pace of the private carriages cross
ing the park Was it possible that In the
world of today-the world OF telegraphs
and express trains, of the newspaper and
the motor car-two inoffensive human be-
ings could be done to death so shamefully
and openly as would be the fate or Iris
and himself If they fell into the hands of
tolerable! But 1t was true!
And then, by an odd trick of memory.
his mind reverted, not to the Yorkshire
manor he learnt to love as a boy. put to
a little French inland town where he once
passed a summer holiday intent on i'm
proving his knowledge of the language.
Interior France is even more remote, more
secluded more provincial, than agricul-
tural England. There no breath of the
outer world intrudes. All Is laborious,
circumspect, a trife poverty-stricken. but
beautifed by an Arcadian simplicity. iet
one memorable day, when walking by the
banks Of river, he came upon three men
dragging from out G. pool the water
soaked body Of a young girl into whose
fair forehead the blunt knob often seen on
the back of an oId-fashioned axe had been
driven with cruel force. So. even In that
tiny old-world hamlet. murder and lust
could stalk hand in hand.
He shuddered. Why did such hateful
vision trouble him? Resolutely banning the
raven winged specter. he slid back down
the ledge and gently Weakened Iris. She sat
up instantly and gazed at him with Won
dering eyes.
Fearful lest she should forget her sur
roundings, he placed a warning finger on
his lips.
oh" she said in whisper. ARE they
still here?"
He told her what had happened, and sug
gested that they should have something to
eat whilst the coast was clear beneath. She
needed no second bidding. for the long vigil
of the previous night had made her very
hungry, and the two breakfasted right roy
ally on biscuit. cold fowl. ham and good
water
In this. the inner section of their refuge,
they could be seen only by a bird or by
man standing on the distant rocky shelf
that formed the southern extremity of the
opposite cliff. and the sailor kept a close
lookout in that direction.
Iris was about to throw the remains of
the feast into an empty oil-tin provided for
refuse when jerks restrained her.
NO" he said, smilingly. Scraps should
be the first course next time. We must not
waste an atom of food"
How thoughtless of mev she exclaimed.
please tell me you think they will go away
today
But the sailor flung himself fiat on the
ledge and grasped a Lee-Metford.
BE still, on your life." he said Squeeze
into your corner. There is a Dyak on the
opposite cliff"
True enough a man had climbed to that
unhappily placed rocky table. and was
shouting something to confrere high on
the cliff over their heads. AS yet he had
not seen them. nor even noticed the place
where they were concealed The sailor
imagined from the Dyaks gestures, that
he was communicating the uselessness of
further search on the western part of the
island.
When the conversation ceased he hoped
the loud-voiced savage would descend But
no! The scout looked into the valley, at the
WELL the house. the cave. Still he did not
see the ledge. At that unIucky moment