Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-05-17
I 6be Wings ef the
:: ~ By LOUIS
(: Mnf9n In q TRACY
= 4 AVA AAAA ~ Copyright 1905. by
:. ~ Edward J. Clode
By LOUIS
TRACY
Copyright. 1908. by
Edward J. Clode

pIalned the mans request. She only
stipulated that he should not leave the
ladder, while she would remain within
easy earshot. The sailor, of course,
carried his revolver. He also picked
up Il crowbar, Il most useful and silent
weapon. Then he went quietly down.
ward. Nearing the ground, he saw
the native, who salaamed deeply and
was unarmed. The poor fellow seem
ed to be very anxious to help them.
"What is your nameY' demanded the
sailor.
Mir Jan, sahib, formerly corporal in
the Kumaon regiment"
"When did you leave the regiments"
1.-TWO years ago, sahib. killed.
"What was the name of your colo
nel?"
"Kurnal I-shpcnce-sahib. brave
man, but Of no account on n horse"
jerks we'll remembered Colonel
Spence-a fat. short legged warrior,
who rolled Off his charger If the ami
NAL SO much rs looked sideways. Mir
Jan was telling the truth.
you are right, Mir Jan. What is
Tunng SAIL doing now?"
"Cursing, sahib, for the most part.
Els men are frightened. He wanted
them to try once more with the tubes
that shoot poison, but they refused. He
could not come alone, for he could not
use his right hand. and he was wound
ed by the blowing up Of the rock. You
nearly killed me. too, sahib. l was
there with the bazaar-born whelps By
the prophets beard, it was fine
stroke"
Are they going away, them"
mo, sahib. The dogs have been
whipped so sore that they snarl for re-
vcnge. They say there is no use in
firing at you, but they arc resolved to
kill you and the miss sahib or carry
her off If she escapes the assault"
"What ASSAULT"
Protector of the poor, they are build
ing scaling ladders-four in ALL Soon
after dawn they intend to rush your
position. You may Stay some, they
say, but you cannot STAY threescore.
Taung Sail has promised gold to every
man who survives if they succeed.
They have pulled down your signal on
the high rocks and are using the poles
for the ladders. They think you have
n charm, sahib, and they want to use
your own work against YOU"
This was serious news. A combined
attack might indeed be dangerous,
though it had the excellent feature that
if it failed the Dyaks would certainly
leave the island. But his sky sign de-
stroyed! That was bad. Had vessel
CHANGED to pass the swinging letters
would surely have attracted attention.
Now even that faint hope was dis
PEELED.
"Sahib, there is worse thing to tell"
said Mir Jan.
Say on, then"
Before they place the ladders against
the cliff they will build fire Of green
wood SO that the smoke will be blown
by the wind into your eyes. This will
help to blind your aim. Otherwise yor
never miss"
"That will assuredly be awkward
Mir Jan"
ut will, sahib. Soul of my father, ii
we had but half troop with u.s.
But they had not, and they were boil
SO intent on the conversation that the!
were momentnrily off their guard. Iris
was more watchful. She fancicd there
was light rustiing amid the under
growth beneath the trees ON the right
And she could hiss, too, If that were
the correct thing to do.
So she Kissed
jerks swarmcd halfway up the lad
der.
YES, iris" he said.
| II am not sure, but imagine some
thing moved among the bushes behint
the house."
"All right, dear. will keep SHARP
lookout. Can you hear US talklng?"
Hardly. Will you be long?"
Another minute"
He descended nnd told Mir Jan what
the miss sahib said. The native was
about to make u search when jerks
stopped him.
"Here"-hc handed the man his re
volver-'I suppose yoa can use this?"
Mir Jan took 1t without word, ant
jerks felt that the incident atoned fol
previous unworthy doubts Of his darL
friends honesty. The Mohammedn1
cautiously examined the back of the
house, the neighborlng shrubs and thu
open beach. After n brief absence llt
reported all safe. yet 10 man has cvcl
been nearer death and escaped it thar
he dukng that reconnaissance. He too
forgot that the Dyaks were foxes, ant
foxes can lie close, when hounds are ,
trifle stale.
Mir Jan returned the revolver
"Sahib," he said, with another So
laam, II am disgraced man, but 4
you will take me up there with you
will fight by your side until both m,
arms are hacked off. l am weary Of
these thieves. Ill chance threw me in
to their company. will have no NOR,
Of them. If you will not have me OF
the rock, give me gun. I will hid,
among the trees, and promise tina
some Of them shall die tonight before
they find me. For the honor of tn,
regiment sahib, do not refuse thl.
thing. All I nsk is If your honor es
capes that you Will write TO Kurna
1-shpence-sahib and tell him the las
act of Mir jan, corporal in B troop"
jerks was profoundly moved. II,
reflected how best to utilize the serv
ices Of this willing volunteer withou
exposing him to certain death In. tn,
manner suggested. The native misin
tcrpreted his silence.
II nm not rascal, sahib," he ex
claimed proudly. 81 only killed maj
becausc''-
Listen, Mir Jan. You cannot vel
mend what you have said. The Dyaks
you are sure, will not come befor,
morning7'
"They have carried the wounded t,
the boats and are making the lad
| derS. Such was their talk when 7 Iaf