Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-01

verge of the rock and looked down through the grass roots.
 The Dyaks were already stirring. Some were replenishing the fire, others were drawing water, cooking, eating, smoking long thin stemmed pipes with absurdly small bowls or oiling their limbs and weapons with impartial en- ergy. The chief yet lay stretched on the sand, but when the first beams of the sun gilded the waters man stopped oyer tho prostrate form and said something that caused the sleeper to rise stiffly, supporting himself on his uninjured arm. They at once went of together toward Europa point.
 They have found the boat thought Jenks. .'Well, they are welcome to all the information it affords
 The chief gave some order, at which, they all hung back sheepishly. Cursing them in choice Malay, the chief seized thick faggot and strode in the direc- tion of the cave. Goaded into activity by his truculent demeanor, some fol lowed him, and Jenks, unable to see, but listening anxiously, knew that they were tearing the cheval de frfse from its supports. Nevertheless none of the working party entered the excavation. They feared the parched bones that shone by night
 As he had not been able to complete the communicating shaft it was not now of vital importance should the Dyaks penetrate to the interior. Yet he thanked the good luck that had showered such heap of rubbish over the spot containing his chief stores and covering the vein of gold. Wild as 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 a command from the chief the Dyaks scattered in various direc- tions. 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 cd. They were securing both sections of the island in full force. The quiet watcher on the ledge took no needless risks. Though it was im- 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 sours and, with comprehensive glance, examined trees, plateau and both strips of beach for signs of lurking foe. He need have no fear. Of all places in the island the Dyaks least imagined that their quarry had lain all night within earshot of their encampment. Jenks slid back down the ledge and gently wakened Iris. She sat up in- stantly and gazed at him with wonder ing eyes.
 Fearful lest she should forget her surroundings. he placed warning fin ger on his lips.
 "Oh," she said in a whisper, "are 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 breakfasted 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 a close lookout in that di- rection.
 Iris was about to throw the remains of the feast into an empty oil tin pro- vided for refuse when Jenks restrained her.
 "No," he said smilingly. Scraps should be the first course next time. I We must not waste an atom of food"
 How thoughtless of mer she ex- claimed. Please tell me you think they will go away today" But the sailor flung himself flat on the ledge and grasped rife
 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 a 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 i 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. Sull 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. i flew down the face of the clin and be- gan circling quest for some safe perch on which to alight.
 Jenks swore with an emphasis not the less earnest because it was mute and took steady aim at the Dyak's left breast. The birds nuttered 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. and he darted