Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-06-03


clearance he made in an hour. The ex-
istence OF the fault helped him a good
deal. as the percolatiOn OF water at this
point had oxidized the stone TO rotten
ness To his great JOY he discovered
that a few prods with the pick laid
bare a small cavity which could be
easily enlarged Here he contrived a
niche where Iris could remain in alb
solute safety when barricaded by
stores. while. with a squeeze, she was
entirely sheltered from the one dan
gerous point on the opposite clim. nor
need she be seen from the trees.
Having hauled into position two
boxes OF communications which he had
scooped out a special receptacle-the
invaluable water kegs from the strand
ed boat. several tins OF biscuits and
all The timed meats. together with
three bottles Of wine and two of bran
dy. he hastily abandoned the ledge and
busted himself with fitting a number
Of gunlocks 20 heavy fagots.
Iris watched his proceedings in ST.
lence FOR some time. At last the inter
val for luncheon enabled her 10 de
mand an explanation.
III YOU don't tell me az once what
YOU Intend 20 do with those strange
implements" she said. Il win go on
strike"
II you do" he answered. you will
create a precedent"
Il withdraw the threat and substi-
tute a more genuine plea-curiosity,
she cried
t.-~t,, ,,,, ,,-fl1 D., fts, 81 ,,,,,,..i -
| These are our sentinels Come with
me TO allot his post TO the most dis
tant one"
He picked mp a fagot with its queer
attachment, shouldered ii rifle and
! smiled when he saw the businessIike
air with which Iris slung a revolver
around her waist.
They walked rapidly to Smugglers'
cove. and the girl soon perceived the
/ ingenuity OF his automatic signal He
! securely bound the block Of wood 20 a
tree where II was hidden by the under
growth. Breaking the bullet out OF n
cartridge. he placed the blank charge
IN position IN front OF the hammer. the
case being firmly clasped 10y q bent
nail. To the trigger the spring OF
which he had eased 20 a slight pres
sure, he attached a piece OF unraveled
rope. and this he carefully trained
among the trees at a height OF six
Inches from the ground. using as car
riers nails driven into the trunks.
The ultimate result was that a mere
swish Of Iris dress against the taut
cord exploded the cartridge
ts'Thantawf Ia nvrf.fr.,,H
When J have driven stakes into the
sand to the waters edge or both sides
OF the cove, viii defy them 20 land 10y
night without giving us warning"
do YOU know" said Iris. in all Sc
riousness. Il think you are the clever
est man In the world"
He was manifcstly pleased by the
success Of his ingenious contrivance
and forthwith completed the Gordon
To make doubly sure he set another
snare farther within the trees. He was
certain the Dyaks would not pass
along Turtle beach II they could help
IL. BY this time the light was failing.
THAT will suffice FOR the present" he
told the girl. Tomorrow we will place
other sentries IN position at strategic
points. Then we can sleep in the castle
with tolerable safety"
BY the meager light Of the tiny lamp
they labored sedulously AT the rope
ladder until Iris eyes were closing
with sheer WEAKNESS Neither OF them
had slept much during the preceding
night, and they We're both completely
tired
The first streaks OF dawn were tip
ping the opposite crags with roseate
tints when the sailor was suddenly
aroused 10y what he believed TO be a
/ gunshOt. He could not be sure. He
was still collecting his scattered senses,
straining eyes and ears intensely, when
there came second report.
| Then he knew what had happened.
The sentries on the Smugglers' cove
post were faithful 10 their trust The
enemy was upon them.
At such a moment jerks was not a
man who prayed. Indeed. he was prone
10 invoke the neither powers. a habit
long since acquired by the British ar
my-in Flanders, il is believed.
There was not a moment 10 be lost.
He rushed into Iris room and gathered
her in his arms. He explained 10 the