Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-06-06

desire to send bullet through the
Dyak's head. Again lie resisted thu
impulse. And so passed that which II
vouchsafed by fate to few men-a sec
ond opportunity.
Another vehement harangue by the
chief eoaded some venturesome spirits
into carrying their wounded comrade
OFT of sight. presumably to tine hut
Inspired by lheir leaders fearless eX
ample they even removed the third In
jured Dyuk from the vicinity of the
cave. but tie ceic,ity of their retrea,
caused tie N.etcl to bawl in agony.
Tie next un- ci;;;king was 10 sooner
appgUc.;:,cC by the sailor than he hur
rie,liy CAUSED Iris 10 shelter herself be
rcath The t;trpaulin, while lie covered
close 10 the floor Of the ledge, looking
only throa. the screen of tall grasses
They kiniled II fire near the well. SOor
its ruddy glare lit up the dark rock
with fantastic chickering's and drew
scintillations from the weapons and or
naments of the hideOusly picturesque
horde gathered in its vicinity.
They spoke language Of hard
vOwels and nasal resonance and ate
what he judged to be dry fish, millets
and strips Of tough preserved meat
which they cooked OIL small iron skew
ers stuck among the glowing embers
His heart sank us he counted siXty-One,
all told, assembled within forty yards
of the ledge. Probably several Others
were guarding the boats OF prOwling
about the island. Indeed, events prov
ed that more than eighty men had
come ashore in three large sampans
roomy and fleet craft, we'll fitted for
| piratical excursions up river estuaries
or along Il coast.
They were mostly barelegged rascals,
wearing Malay hats, loose jackets
reaching to the knee and sandals. One
man differed essentially from the 9th
| ers. He was habited in the conven-
| tional attire of IN Indian MOhamme-
dan, and his skin was brown, while the
swarthy Dyaks were yellow beneath
the dirt. jerks thought from the man.
ner in which his turban was tied that
he must he u Punjabi discriminatory
likely an escaped convict from the An
| damans.
The most careful scrutiny did not re-
veal any arms of precision. They all
carried muzzle leaders, either antiquat-
ed fintlocks or guns sufficiently mod
ern to be fitted with nipples for per-
cussion caps.
Each Dyak, of course, sported pa
rang and dagger-like creese; few bore
spears, and about dozen shOuldered
q long straight piece of bamboo. The
nature of this implement the sailor
could not determine ut the moment.
In the neighborhood of the fire an
animated discussion took place. Though
it was easy to see that the chief was
all paramount, his fellow tribesmen ex-
ercised democratic right of free
speech and Outspoken opinion.
Flashing eyes and expressive hands
were turned toward the cave and hut
Once when the debate grew warm the
chief snatched up burning branch
and held it over the blackened embers
of the fire extinguished by jerks. He
seemed to draw some definite conclu-
sion from an examination Of the char
coal. and the argument therefortb pro-
eeeded with less emphasis. Whatever
1t was that he said evidently carried
conviction.
Iris, nesting close to the sailor, whls-
pered:
"Do you know what he has found
out?"
II can only guess that he can tell by
the appearance of the burned wood
how long 1t is since 1t was eytinguish-
ed. Clearly they agree with him."
"Then they know we are still here"
"Either here or gone within a few
hours. In any case they will make
thorough search Of the island at day
break"
"Will II be dawn soonl"
"Yes. Are you tired?"
"a little cramped-that is ALL"
Don't think l am foolish. Can You
manage to sleep?"
"Sleep! With those men so near"
"Yes. We do not know how long
they will remain. We must keep up
our strength. Sleep, next to food and
drink. is IL prime necessity
IF it will please you l will try" she
said. with such sweet readiness to
obey his slightest wish that the won
der is he did not kiss her then and
there. BY previous instruction she
knew exactly what to do. She crept
quietly back until well ensconced in
the niche widened and followed for
her accommodation. There so seclud.
ed was she from the outer world Of
horror and peril that the coarse voices
beneath only reached her in murmur.
Pulling one end of the tarpaulin over
her, she stretched her weary limbs OIL
a litter of twigs aud leaves, commend.
ed herself and the man she loved to
Gods keeping and, wonderful though
II NAV seem, was soon slumbering
peacefully.
The statement may sound passing
strange to civilized ears, accustomed
only to the routine Of daily life and
not Injured to danger and wild sur
roundings. But the soldier who has
snatched hasty doze in the trenches,
the sailor who has heard fierce gale
buffeting the walls Of his frail ark,
can appreciate the reason why Iris,
weary and surfeited with excitement,
would have slept were she certain that
the next sunrise would mark her last
hour OH earth.
jerks, too composed himself for a
brief rest. He felt assured that there
was not the remotest chance Of their
lofty perch being found out before
daybreak, and the first faint streaks OF
dawn would awaken him.
When the morning breeze swept over
| the ocean and the stars were beginning
| to pale before the pink glory flung
I'll IL