Evening star., 1904-02-29

| out of existence. But his deliberat tion
though skillful was too profound. The
sailor fired first and was professionally as
tonashed to see the gaudily attired indi-
vidual tossed violently backward for many
, yards. finally pitching headlong to the
earth Had ne been charged by a bull in
full career he could not have been more
utterly discomfite- The incident was SEN
sational, but inexplicable.
Yet another member of the band was
Frustrated ere the two yet unscathed
thought fit to beat retreat. This they now
did with celerity, but they dragged their
chief with them. 1t was part of jerks
program to allow them to escape. He aimed
again at the man nearest the trees. There
was sharp click and nothing more. The
cartridge was m sire. He hastily sought
to eject 1t and the rifle jammed. These
little incidents Will happen, even in good
weapon like the Lee -Metford.
Sprfnging to his feet with a Yell he ran
forward. The flying men caught a glimpse
of him and accelerated their movements
Just as he reached Iris they vanished
among the trees.
Singing the rifle over his shoulder, he
picked up the girl in his arms. She was
| conscious, but breathless.
You are not hurt?" he gasped, his eyes
blazing into her face with an intensity that
she aftervard remembered as appalling
NO." she whispered.
Listen" he continued in labored jerks
TRY and obey me-exactly. I will carry
you-to the cave Stop there. Shoot any
one you see-tiil come"
She heard him wonderingly Was he
going to leave her. now that he had her
safely clasped to his. breast? Impossible!
All, she understood. Those men must have
landed in a boat. He intended to attack
them again. He was going to fight them
single-handed, and she would not know
Gradually her vitality returned She al
most smiled at the fantastic conceit that
she would desert HIM.
Jenkn placed her on her feet at the en-
trance to the cave.
You understand" he cried, and without
waiting for an answer, ran to the house
for another rifle. This time, to her amaze-
ment. he darted back through Prospect
Park toward the south beach. The sailor
knew that the Dyaks had landed at the
sandy bay Iris had christened Smugglers'
Cove They were acquainted with the pas
sage ga, through the reef and came came from the
To escape by the same channel. They must
be prevented at all costs.
He was right. AS they came out into the
oren he saw three men. not two. pushing
dictu. was the chief. Then jerks under
stood that his bullet had hit the lock OF
the Dyak's uplifted weapon, with the result
already described By miracle he had es-
capped.
He coolly prepared to slay the three of
them with the same calm purpose that
distinguished the opening phase of this
sirgularly one-sided conflict. The distance
was much greater. perhaps 800 yards from
the point where the boat came into view
He knelt and fired. He judged that the
missile struck the craft between the trio.
II didn't allow for the sun on the side
of the foresight" he said. "Or perhaps l
am bit shaky after the run. In any event
they can't go far
hurrying step on the coral behind him
caught his ear. Instantly he sprang up and
faced about--to see Iris.
They are escaping" she said.
mo fear of that" he replied, turning
away from her.
Where are the others?'
tDead!"
do you mean that you killed nearly all
those menT' 'yssa
six of them. There were nine In ALL
He knelt again, lifting the rife. Iris
threw herself on her knees by his side
There was something awful to her in this
chill and business-like declaration Of fixed
purpose.
..Mr. Jenks." she said. clasplng her hands
in an agony OF entreaty. do not kill more
men for my sake!'
For my own sake. them" he growled,