Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-10
CHAPTER XIV-Continued.


tie, chortled his loud way across the park
Iris was dying-as women say-to remind
jerks of their first meeting with that bla-
tant insect. but further talk was impossi-
BILE; there was too much stake-water
they must have.
Then the light hiss of a snake rose to
them from the depths. That is sound
never forgotten when once heard 1t is like
unto no other. Indeed the term "hiss' is
a misnomer for the quick, siblant expul-
sion of the breath by an alarmed or an
gered serpent.
Iris paid no heed to it, but jerks, who
knew there not reptile of the snake
variety on the island, leaned over the ledge
and emitted tolerably good imitation
The native was beneath. Probably the flight
of the beetle had helped his noiseless APP
proach.
'Sahibv'
The girl started at the unexpected call
from the depths
yes" said jerks quietly.
"a rope. sahib."
The sailor lowered rope. Something was
tied to it beneath. The Mahommedan APP
parently had little fear of being detected.
Pull. sahib.'
Usually 1t is the sahib who says pull
but circumstances alter cases., communed
jerks. He hauled steadily at a heavy
weight-a goatskin filled with cold water.
He emptied the hot and sour wine out of
the tin cup and was about to hand the
thrice-welcome draft to Iris when a sus-
picious thought caused him to withhold it.
Let me taste first he said
The Indian might have betrayed them to
the Dyaks. More unlikely things had hap
pened What if the water We're poisoned
or drugged?
He placed the tin to his lips. The liquid
was musty, having been in the skin nearly
two days. Otherwise it seemed to be all
a q he
gave Iris the cup, and smiled at the most
unladylike haste with which she emptied
Drink yourself and give me some
more, she said
mo more for you at present, madam. In
a few minutes, yes
"Oh. why not now?"
do not fret, dear one. You can have all
you want in a little while. But to drink
much now would make you very i'll
Iris waited until he could speak again
why did your she began.
But he bent over the parapet-
'Noi hairs
"Sahb!'
You have not been followed?''
Il think not sahib. Do not, talk too loud
they are foxes In cunning. You have a lad
der. they say. sahib. VIII not your honor
descend? | have much to relate
Iris made no protest when jerks ex-
planned the mans request She only stip-
ulated that he should not leave the lad
der. while she would remain within easy
revolver. He also picked up d crowbar a
most useful and silent weapon. Then he
went quietly downward. Nearing the
ground, he the native, who salaamed
deeply and was unarmed. The poor fellow
seemed to be very anxious to help them.
What is your name?' demanded the
sailor.
Mir Jan, sahb formerly naikf in the
Kumaon Rissala'
When did you leave the regiment?"
Two years ago, sahib. killed"
What was the name of your colonel?'
kurnal I-shpence-sahib, brave man,
but of no account on a horse"
jerks we'll remembered Colonel Spence
fat. short-legged warrior, who rolled off
his charger if the animal much as look
ed sideways. Mir Jan was telling the
truth.
You are right, Mir Jan. What is Taung
SAL doing now?
men are frightened. He wanted them to
try once more with the tubes that shoot
poison. but they refused. He could not
come alone, for he could not use his right
hand. and he wounded by the blowing
up of the rock. You nearly killed me, 100,
sahib l there with the bazaar-born
whelps. By the Prophets beard, it was a
fine stroke"
Are they going away, them
mo, sahib. The dogs have been whipped
so sore that they snarl for revenge They
say there is in firing at you, but
they are resolved to kill you and the miss
assault"
What ASSAULT"
Protector of the poor, they are building
scaling ladders-four in all Soon after
dawn they intend to rush your position
You may Stay some. they say, but you
not slay three score. Taung S Ali has prom
ised Il gold tauk+ to every man who sur
wives If they succeed. They have pulled
down your signal on the high rocks and
are using the poles for the ladders. They
think you have jadu,s sahib, and they
want 10 use your own work against YOU
This serious news. combined at
tack might. indeed. be dangerous. though
it had the excellent feature that if 1t failed
the Dyaks would certainly leave the
island But his sky-Sign destroyed That
was bad. Had vessel CHANGED to pass,
the swinging letters would surely have at
tracted attention. Now even that faint
hope was dispeled.
"Sahib. there is worse thing TO tell"
said Mir Jan.
Say on, then
Before they place the ladders against
the cliff they will build a fire of green wood
so that the smoke will be blown by the
wind into your eyes. This will help to
blind your aim. Otherwise, you never
miss"
THAT will assuredly be awkward, Mir
Jan"
1T will sahib. Soul of my father, If
we had but half troop with us
But they had not, and they were both SO
intent on the conversation that they We're
momentarily off their guard. Iris was
more watchful. She fancied there was
light rustling amidst the underground be-
meath the trees on the right. And she
could hiss, too. If that were the correct
thing to do.
So she Missed.
jerks swarmed half way up the ladder.
Yes, Iris?" he said.
Il am not sure. but l imagined something
moved among the bushes behind the house"
'All right. dear l will keep a sharp look
out. Can you hear us talkingr' q
Hardly. VIII you be long?'
Another minute
He descended and told Mir Jan what the
miss-sahib said. The native was about TO
make a search when jerks stopped him
"Here'-he handed the man his revolver
II suppose you can use this?'
Mir Jan took 1t without word, and jerks
felt that the incident atoned for previous
unworthy doubts of his dark friends hon
esty, The Mahomm edan cautiously ex-
amined the back of the house, the neighbor-
ing shrubs and the open beach. After a
brief absence he reported all safe, yet no
man has ever been nearer death and es-
capped 1t than he during that reconnais-
sance. He too. forgot that the Dyaks
Were foxes. and foxes can lie close when