Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-04-19

now of vital Importance should the
Dyals penetrate to. the interior Yet
he thanked the good luck that had
showered such a heap of rubbish over
the spot containing his chief stores and
covering the vein of gold. Wild rs
these fellows were, they well knew the
value of the precious metal, and if by
chance they lighted upon such well
defined lode they might not quit the
island for weeks.
At last on command from the chief
the Dyaks scattered in various direc-
lions. Some turned toward Europa
point, but the majority went to the
east along Turtle beach or by way of
the lagoon. Prospect park was desert
ed. They were securing Doth sections
of The island in full force.
The quiet watcher on the ledge took
no needless risks. Though it was i'm
possible to believe any stratagem had
been planned for his special benefit, an
accident might betray him. With the
utmost circumspection he rose on all
fours and, with comprehensive glance,
examined trees, plateau and both strips
of beach for signs of lurking foe. lie
need have no fear. OF all places in the
island the Dyals least imagined that
their quarry had lain all night within
earshot of their encampment.
jerks slid back down the ledge and
gently Weakened Iris. She sat up in
stantly and gazed ut him with wonder
ing eyes.
Fearful lest she should forget her
surroundings, he placed IL warning fin
ger ON his lips.
oh" she said in Whisper care
they still here?"
He told her what had happened and
suggested that they should have some
thing to eat while the coast was clear
beneath. She needed no second bid
ding, for the long vigil of the previous
night had made her very hungry, and
the two breakfastcd right royalty on
biscuit, cold fowl ham and good water
| In this, the inner section of their ref
uge, they could be seen only by bird
or by a man standing on the distant
rocky shelf that formed the southern
extremity Of the opposite cliff, and the
sailor kept close lookout in that d.
rcction.
| Iris was about to throw the remains
of the feast into an empty oil tin pro.
vided foe refuse when jerks restrained
her.
"No," he said smillngly. Scraps
should be the first course next time.
We must not waste an atom Of food"
"How thoughtless of mev' she ex-
claimed. "Please tell me you think
they will go away today"
But the sailor flung himself fiat on
the ledge and grasped rifle.
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 con-
frere high on the cliff over their heads.
AS yet he had not seen them nor even
noticed the place where they were con-
cealed. The sailor imagined from the
Dyak's gestures that he was commu-
nicating the uselessness Of further
search on the western part Of the is
land.
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 unlucky moment three
birds, driven from the trees on the
crest by the passage of the Dyaks
flew down the face of the cliff and be-
gan q circling quest for some safe
perch on which to allght.
jerks swore with an emphasis not
the less earnest because it was mute
and took steady aim at the DyaE's left
breast. The birds fluttered about In
| ever smaller circles. Then one OF them
dropped easily on to the lip of the
rock. Instantly his bright eyes encoun-
tered those of the man, ana he darted
off with Il scream that brought his
mates after him.
[To DE Continued