Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-08

He was absorbed in estimating the
probable number Of the Dyaks. Thus
far he had seen about fifty. More
over, he did not wish to acquaint Iris
with the actual details Of the artiflce
that had been so potent. Her allusion
to the box of water sodden matches
had given him the notion Of utilizing
as an active ally the bleached remains
Of the poor fellow who had long age
fallen victim to this identical moi
of cutthroats or their associates. He
had gathered the principal bones from
their resting place near the well, rub
bed them with the ends Of the matches
after damping the sulphur again and
arranged them with CHASTITY effect on
the pile Of rubbish Mt the farther end
of the cave, creeping under the cheval
de frise for the purpose.
Though rot so vivid as he wished
the pale gllmmering headless skeleton
In the intense darkness Of the interior
was appalling enough N oil conscience
Fortunately the fumes Of the sulphur
fed OH the bony substance. They en-
Dyak who caught glimpse Of the
monstrous object crouching in luminous
horror within the dismal cavern.
Not even the stirring exhortations of
the chief, whose voice was raised in
furious speech, could induce his adher
ents to again approach that affrightine
spot. At last the daring scoundrel him
SELF still welding his naked sword
strobe right up to the very doorway
Stricken with sudden stupor, he gazed
at the fitful CLEANS within. He prod.
ded the cheval de frise with the pa.
rang. Here was something definite and
solid Then he dragged one OF the
wounded men out into the moonlight.
Again jerks experienced an itching
desire to send bullet through the
Dyak's head. Again he resisted the
impulse And SO passed that which is
vouchsafed by fate to few men-a sec
ond opportunity.
Another vehement harangue by the
chief goaded some venturesome spirits
into carrying their wounded comrade
out Of sight, presumably to the hut
Inspired by their leaders, fearless ex
ample, they even removed the third In
jured DyaE from the vicinity of the
cave, but the celebrity of their retreat
caused the wretch to bawl in agony.
The next undertaking was no sooner
appreciated by the sailor than he hur
riedly caused Iris to shelter herself be
meath the tarpaulin, while he covered.
close to the floor of the ledge, looking.
only through the screen Of tall grasses
They kindled 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 it's vicinity.
They spoke language of hard
novels and nasal resonance and ate
what he judged to be dry fish, millets
and strips Of tough preserved meat,
which they cooked on small iron skew
ers stuck among the glowing embers.
His heart sank as he counted sixty
oil told, assembled within forty yards
Of the ledge. Probably several Others
were guarding the boats or prowline
about the island. Indeed, events prov
ed that more than eighty men had
come ashore in three large sampans.
roomy and feet craft, well fitted fol
piratical excursions up river estuaries
or along 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 an 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 be q 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 flintlocks 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
long straight piece of bamboo. The
nature Of this implement the sailor
could not determine at the moment
In the nedghborhood Of the fire an
animated discussion took place Though
1t was easy to see that the chief was
all paramount, his fellow tribesmen ex-
ercised a 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 a 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 thereforth pro
| ceeded with less emphasis. Whatever
1t was that he said evidently carried
conviction.
Iris, nesting close to the sailor, whis-
pered:
"Do you know what he has found
out?"
81 can only guess that he can tell by
the appearance Of the burned wood
how long 1t Is since it was extinguish-
ed. Clearly they agree with him."
1 "Then they know we are still here?"
"Either here or gone within few
houra In snv case they will make q