Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-02

fallen. But the chief was impatient, If
 not suspicious, of these long speeches.
 Angrily holding forth rife, the sail
 or shouted:
 "Tell Taung S'Ali that I will slay
 him and all his men ere tomorrow's
 sun rises. He knows something of my
 power, but not all Tonight at the
 twelfth hour you will find rope hang
 ing from the rock. Tie thereto vessel
 of water. Fail not in this. I will not
 forget your services. am Anstruther
 Sahib of the Belgium regiment"
 The native translated his words into
 a fierce defiance of Taung S'Ali and his
 Dyaks. The chief glanced at Jenks
 and Iris with an ominous smile. He
 muttered something.
 'Then, sahib. there is nothing more
 to be said. Beware of the trees on
 your right. They can send silent death
 even to the place where you stand.
 And I will not fail you tonight, on my l life." cried the interpreter. "I believe you. Go! But inform your chief that once you have disap- peared round the rock whence you came I will talk to him only with a rifle" N
 Taung S'Al seemed to comprehend the Englishman's emphatic motions. Waving his hand deaantly, the Dyak turned, and with one parting glance of mute assurance, the Indian followed him.
 Iris touched his arm and he told her all that had taken place. Iris be came very downcast when she grasped the exact state of affairs She was al most certain when the Dyaks proposed a barley that reasonable terms would result It mortified her beyond meas ure to find that she was the rock on which negotiations were wrecked. Hope died within her. The bitterness of death was in her breast.
 What an unlucky influence have had on your existence" she exclaimed. 'Tf it were not for me this trouble at least would be spared you. Because I am here you are condemned Again, be. cause stopped you from shooting that wretched chief and his companions they are now demanding your life az forfeit. It is all my fault. I can not bear it."
 She was on the verge of tears. The strain had become too great for her. After indulging in a wild dream of freedom. to be told that they must again endure the irksome confinement, the active suffering, the slow horrors of a siege in that rocky prison, almost Distracted her.
 Jenks was very stern and curt in his reply.
 We must make the best of bad business,' he said. If we are in a tight place the Dyaks are not much better off, and eighteen of their num- Der are dead or wounded You forget, too, that Providence has sent us most useful ally in the Mohammedan. When all is said and done, things might be far worse than they are"
 Never before had his tone been 50 cold, his manner so abrupt. not even in the old days when he purposely en- deavored to make her dislike him.
 She walked along the ledge and tim idly bent over him.
 Forgive me!' she whispered. "I did forget for the moment not only the goodness of Providence, but also your self sacrificing devotion. am only woman, and I don't want to die yet, but will not live unless you, too, are saved"
 Once already that day she had ex- pressed this thought in other words. Was some shadowy design fitting through her brain? Suppose they were faced with the alternatives of dying from thirst or yielding to the Dyaks Was there another way out7 Jenks shivercd. though the rock was grilling him. He must divert her mind from this dreadful breeding
 "The fact is," he said. with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness, we are both hungry and consequently grumpy. Now, suppose you prepare lunch. We will feel ever 30 much better after we have eaten"
 The girl choked back her emotion and sadly essayed the task of provid- ing a meal which was hateful to her. A few tears fell now and made little furrows down her soiled cheeks. But they were helpful tears, tears of resig- nation. not of despair. Although the destruction that wasteth at monday" was trying her sorely. she again felt strong and sustained.
 She even smiled on detecting an in- voluntary effort to clear her stained face. She was about to carry a biscuit and some timed meat to the sailor when a sharp exclamation from him caused her to hasten to his side.
 The Dyaks had broken cover. Run- ming in scattered sections across the the defenders might be able to inflict upon them during a brief race 10 the shelter and food to be obtained in the other part of the island.
 Jenks did not fire at the scurrying gang. He was waiting for one man. Taune S'Ali But that redoubtable person. having probably suggested this dssh for liberty. had fully realized the share of attention he would attract during the passage. He there fore discarded his vivid attire and by borrowing odd garments made himself sufficiently like unto the remainder of his crew to deceive the sailor until the