The Western news., 1904-12-14
By Paul De Ldney
CHAPTER XVIII-Continued.
Huihor OF lord Of the Desert" "Oreaon Sketches"
and other Pacific Coast Stories

CHAPTER XVIII-Continued.
She found it vacant and entersd.
The bunks were poorly furnished, and
would have been pronounced unfit for
use by girls reared under different con.
ditions from those which had sur
rounded Sankala's life, but she was
accustomed to the fishermen and their
ways. and viewed things as they viewed
them.
There was crude fireplace and some
dry driftwood, but the girl knew that
the southsiders were in close proximity
and would probably be driven ashore
and she feared to kindle fire which
would give warning of her presence.
She rolled herself in the dingy bed
clothing of the most decent appearing
bunk and attempted to 60 to sleep.
She expected to awaken before dawn
when she hoped the storm would have
subsided and she might find Dan about
the island.
How long she had lain there she had
not the time to verify, but she was
awakened from half doing state by
voices from the outside. These rose
above the storm which beat upon the
frail structure with An appalling noise.
As they approached nearer and nearer
she knew that she was about to have
visitors.
SankaIa had often visited the old
shack and knew of little loft in the
cook room of the structure where fish
ermen often stored their nets. Taking
two of the old quilts with her she
went into the adjoining room and
climbed into the loft.
The southsiders began to enter the
place from all directions. They had
been driven ashore by the storm and
naturally took refuge in the camp.
They soon had cracking fire in the
fireplace, and began discussing the
days events in loud voices. Sankala
was thus enabled to learn what had
taken place on their side of the fight.
But what she wished to know above all
other things was not spoken. The
name of Dan Lapham was not men.
toned.
The storm continued throughout the
entire night. The men talked, sang
and swore. Some tried to sleep, while
others planned for the following day.
Morning dawned upon the storm at
it's height. 1t was nearly midday be-
fore it subsided. The sea did not be-
come calm enough for the small fishing
boats until late in the afternoon. 1t
was then that the men began to leave
the place for another attack upon the
traps.
Sankala had heard their plans.
They thought they could reach the
traps and destroy them before the
northsiders could come to their defense.
1t was then the second afternoon since
the war had begun, and the southsiders
began their attack. The northsiders
were on the alert and seeing the move
ment of the enemy came like an ava
lanche to meet them.
Sankala was compelled to remain in
concealment, though she could see what
was going on through crack in the di.
lapidated roof. She saw thu men scat.
ter on both sides and realized the plan
of attack, and the manner OF defense
The southsiders had divided into
squads. as they had planned to destroy
the traps at one fell swoop, while the
northsliders divined their purpose ant
met them accordingly.
Strain her eyes as she would the CIR
could not distinguish one from anothe
among her friends. They were so fal
away that they looked like specks upol
the water.
The sun went down upon the contest
ants with honors divided almost equal
ly. They had practically abandoned
their fire arms, and were engaged in i,
hand-to.hand fight with their oars
There was murder in the hearts o
only . few on either side, and but few
shots were exchanged. The casualtie
were light in the afternoon engagement
Az darkness closed in, Sankala va
about to come from her hiding plac
and attempt an escape from the island
But she heard q number Of the south
siders returning to the shack, and sool
learned from their talk that they ha,
been strongly reinforced, ana that 9th
ers were coming.
The news of the number wounded il
the former days engagement ha,
reached the south shore and the fisher
men rose up in their fury, joined b,
many outside friends, and swore tha
they would come in sufficient number
to sweep the river and bay of tn
northside fishermen and their traps.
Sankala learned that they intende,
to renew the attack at midnight, a
which time their reinforcements woul,
arrive in larger boats, armed to com
plete the work, and that it was thei
determination to win at any cost Q
property or life.
How to give the warning to he
friends, was the question. The rlot
ters remained in the shack while run
ners were sent in different directions t
organize the men for the midnight ad
vance,
CHAPTER XIX.