The Red Cloud chief., 1905-09-01

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filling and adjusting the magazine.
Then he went to examine the corpse of
the nan who lay In the open les the
quarry path.
The sailor stood In instant readiness
to make a counter demonstration were
the native assailed. But there was no
sign Of the Dyaks. Mir Jan returned
with the news that the sixth victim Of
the brief yet fierce encounter was a
renegade Malay. He was so confident
that the enemy had enough of 1t for
the night that, after recovering jerks
revolver. he boldly went to the we'll
and drew himself a supply Of water.
During supper jerks told Iris so
much Of the story as was good for her
that Is to say, he cut down the casu-
atty list.
1t was easy to see what had hap
pened. The Dyaks, having missed the
Mohammedan and their water bag,
searched for him and heard the con-
versatiOn at the foot Of the rock.
Knowing that their presence was sus-
pected, they went back for reinforce
ments and returned by the shorter and
more advantageous route along Turtle
beach.
Iris would have talked all night, but
jerks made her go to sleep by pillow
ing her head against his shoulder and
smoothing her tangled tresses with his
hand.
He managed to lay her on a COM
Portable pile Of ragged clothing and
then resumed his vigil. Mir Jan Of
fered to mount guard beneath, but
jerks babe him go within the cave and
remain there, for the dawn would soon
be upon them.
Left alone with his thoughts, he Won
dered what the rising sun would bring
in its train. He reviewed the events
of the last twenty-four hours. Iris and
he-Miss Deane, Mr.. jerks. to each
other-were then undiscovered in their
refuge, the Dyaks were gathered
around n roaring fire In the valley, and
Mir Jan was keen in the hunt as the
keenest among them. Now Iris was
his affianced bride, over twenty of the
enemy were killed and many wounded,
and Mir Jan, a devoted adherent, was
seated beside the skeleton in the gloom
Of the cavern.
A period Of reflection could hardly
pass without a speculative dive into
the future. II Iris and he were res
cued. what would happen when they
went forth once more into the busy
world? Not for n instant did he
I~,phN hA~ Hntxh SIA .,n, v,SA m
steel, knit to him now by bonds Of
triple brass. But what would Sir Ar
thur Deane think Of his daughters
marriage to a discredited and cashiered
officer? What was It that poor Mir
Jan called himself-"a disgraced MANI"
Yes, that was It. Could that stain he
removed? Mir Jan was doing it. Why
not he-by other means. for his good
name rested on the word " a perjured
woman? Wealth was potent, but not
all powerful. He would ask Iris to
I wait until he came to her unsoiled by
SANDER, purged Of this odium cast up
on him unmerited.
To awake her he kissed her; he knew
not, perchance Ii might be their last
kiss on earth. Not yet dawn, there wa
morning in the air. for the first faint
shafts Of light were not visible from
their eyrie owing to It's position. But
there was much to be done.
The canvas awning was rolled back
and the stores built into a barricade i'll
tended to shelter Iris.
what Is that for?' she asked when
she discovered it's nature. He told her.
She definitely refused to avail herself
Of any such protection.
Robert, dear" she said, III the at
tack comes to our very door. so to
speak. surely l must help you. Even
my slight aid may stem u rush In one
place while you are busy in another"
He explained to her that II hand to
hand fighting We're necessary he would
depend more upon IA crOwbar than q
rife to sweep the ledge clear. She
might be in the way.
Every well. The moment you tel
me to get behind that fence ! will dc
so. Even there l can use a revolver"
That reminded him. His W pisto
was unloaded. He possessed only Ave
more cartridges of small caliber. HI
nlaced them I'm the weapon and gave II