Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-09
By LOUIS TRACY
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Dyaks and could see several of them
prone on the sand. The latter fact proved
part to reach the well They must dis.
cover him instantly once he quilted the
somber shadows of the cliff He waited
perhaps a few seconds longer than was
necessary. endeavoring to pierce the dim
atmosphere and learn something of their
disposition.
A vigorous outburst of firing sent him
back with haste. Iris was up there alone.
He knew not what might happen. He
was now feverishly anxious to be with
her again, to hear her voice and be sure
that all was well.
To his horror he found the ladder sway
ing gently against the rock. Some one
was using 1t. He sprang forward care
less of consequence and seized the swing
ing end, which had fallen free again. He
nad MS foot on the bottom rung when
IRIS voice. close at hand and shrill with
terror, shrieked:
robert, where are you?
Here he shouted; the next instant she
dropped into his arms
A startled exclamation from the vicinity
Oh the mouse and some loud cries from the
more distant Dyaks on the other side of
overheard.
up he whispered. 'sHold tight and go
as quickly as you cam
Not without your
Up. for Gods sake. I follow at your
She began to climb. He took some arti-
Gle from between his teeth. string appa-
rently, and drew it toward him. mounting
me ladder at the same time. The end
from the ground. Two Dyaks, yelling
house.
Go on he said to Iris Don't lose
your nerve whatever happens. l am close
behind you"
Il am quite safe" she gasped
turning, and clinging with one hand. he
meath, who could now family discern them
ana We're almost within reach of the lad
ger The shooting made them halt. He
ala not know or care if they were hit. To
others were running across the sands to
the cave. attracted by the noise and the
cries he, of the foremost pursuers.
III, Ihen ne gave steady pull to the cord.
Inc sharp crack of a rifle came from the
si or the old quarry. He saw the
flash among the trees. Almost simulta-
neousiy bright light leapt from the oppo-
meteor. 1t lit up the rock. showed Iris
just vanishing into the safety Of the ledge,
ana revealed jerks and the Dyaks to each
othef. There followed instantly tremen-
dous explosion that shook earth and air.
uslodging every loose stone in the south
west pile of rocks. hurting from the pla-
teau some OF its occupants and wounding
debris ~ ''10
The island birds, Ilong since driven to the
remote trees, ciamored in raucous peal and
from the Dyaks came yells of fright or
anguish. 80 -
The sailor, unmolested further. reached
me me ledge to find Iris PROSTATE where she
naa 1aiien, dead or pnconscious. he knew
not which. He felt his face become gray
IN the darkness With a fierce tug he
hauled the ladder well away from the
ground and sank to his knees beside her.
,,I ne TOOK her into his arms. There was no
nght- He could not see her eyes or lips.
her slight breathing seemed to indicate a
falnting fit, but there was no water nor
was possible to adopt any. of the ordi-
He could only wait in a dreadful silence
wait, clasping her to his breast-and dumb
~ wonder what other Toss he could suffer
ere the final release came
AT last she sighed deeply. strong
tremor OF returning life stirred her frame
- ihank God"' he smurmured. and bowed
ms mead Were the sun shining he could
not see her now. for his eyes were blurred
Robertr' she whispered
Yes. darling"
Are you safe?''
,, safe! my loved one! Think of yourself.
what has happened to your"
L fainted-I think. / have M burt
missed you! Something told me YOU had
gone 1 went to help you or die with Won
ana "a. then that noise! And the light! What
did YOU DOR ~
He silenced her questioning with n nos
sionate kiss. He carried her to a lite nook
ana fumbled among the stores until he
Iound a bottle of brandy She drank some
Under ITS revivifying influence she was soon
aple 10 listen to the explanation he offered
-a1ter securing the ladder.
IN a tail tree near the Valley of Death he
mad tightly fixed q loaded rifle which MONT
; eu at a loose stone In the rock overhang-
ing the ledge held by the Dyaks. This stone
rested against a number of percussion cans
extracted from cartridges, and these wera
In direct communication with a train Of
powder leading to a blasting charge nIaced
at the end of a twenty-four-inch hole
drilled with crowbar. The impact of the
bullet against the stone could not fan 10
explode some of the caps. He had used
the contents of 800 cartridges to secure a
sufhclency of powder, and the bullets ware
all crammed into the orifice being tanned
with clay and wet sand. The rife was fired
by means of the string, the loose coils of
which We're secreted at the foot of the
poon. By springing this novel mine he had
effectually removed every Dyak from the
ledge over which its contents would snread
like a fan. Further, 1t would probably de-
ter the survivors from again venturing near
that fatal spot
Iris listened, only half comprehendine.
Her mind was filled with one thought to
the exclusion of all others. Robert had left
her. had done this thing without telling her
best, but he must never, never deceive her
again in such manner. She could not
bear it.
What better excuse could man desire for
caressing her, yea even squeezing her
until the sobs ceased and she protested
with weak little laugh
Robert, / haven't got much breath-af-
ter that excitement-but please-leave me-
the remains!