The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-06-14
By LOUIS
TRACY
Copyright. 1905. by
Edward J. CIode

ance, perhaps conveying the bulk of
their stores. they would soon tire OF
slaking their thirst on the few pitcher
plants growing on the north shore.
'Come quick!' he shouted, adjusting
the back sight of a rife. 'Lie down and
aim at the front of that boat, little
short If anything. 1t doesn't matter if
the bullets strike the sea first"
He placed the weapon in readiness
for her and commenced operations him
self before Iris could reach his side.
Soon both rifles were pitching twenty
shots minute at the sampan. The re-
suit Of their long range practice was
not long in doubt. The Dyaks danced
from seat to seat in a state Of wild ex-
citement. One man was hurled over
board. Then the craft lurched sea-
ward in the strong current. and jerks
told Iris to leave the rest to him.
Before he could empty second mag
azine fortunate bullet ripped plank
out and the sampan filed and went
down amid shrill yell Of execration
from the back Of the cliff. The two
Dyaks yet living endeayored to swim
ashore, half a mile through shark in
vested reefs. The sailor did not even
trouble about them. After few fran
tic struggles each doomed wretch flung
up his arms and vanished. In the clear
atmosphere the onlookers could see
black fms cutting the pellucid sea.
They were quieting down-the thirst
fiend was again slowly sailing their
yeins-when something Of dirty white
color futtered into sight from behind
the base of the opposite cliff. 1t was
rapidly withdrawn, to reappear after
an interval Now it was held more
steadily and brown arm became vIsl-
BILE. AS jerks did not fire, turbaned
head popped into sight. It was the Mo
hammedan.
mo shoot it." he roared. "Me Eng
lish speak it.
Don't you speak Hindoostanee"
shouted jerks in Urdu Of the higher
proficiency.
eyes, sirr' was the joyful response.
ssWill your honor permit his servant to
come and talk with him"
eyes, If you come unarmed."
"And the chief, too, sahib?"
eyes, but listen! On the first sign OF
reachery I will shoot both Of your
1--WE viii keep faith, sahib. May kites
nick orr bones If we faiIr'
Then there stepped into full view the
renegade Mussulman and his leader.
They carried no guns; the chief wore
his creese.
sTell him to leave that dagger be-
hindr' cried the sailor imperioasly. AS
the enemy demanded pariey he re-
solved to adopt the conquerors tone
from the outset. The chief ebeyed. with
a scowl, and the two advanced to the
foot Of the rock.
Stand close to me-" said jerks to
Iris. "Let them see you plainly. but
pull your hat well down over your
eyes"
She silently followed his instructions
Now that the very crisis of their fate
had arrived she was nervous. shaken.
conscious only of desire to sink on
her knees and pray.
The two halted some ten PAGES IN
front of the cavern. and the belllger
ents surveyed each other. 1t was fas
chatting spectacle. this drama in real
life. The yellow faced Dyak, gaudlll
attired in a crimson jacket and SKY
blue pantaloons of Chinese silk. man
young and powerfully built, and the
brown skinned. white clothed Moham-
medan. bony, tall and gray with hard-
ship. looked up at the occupants OF the
ledge Iris, slim and boyish in her male
garments, was dwarfed by the six foo;
sailor. but her face was blood stained.
and Jenks wore a six weeks stubblt
Of beard. Holding their rifles wlth
alert ease. with revolvers strapped To
their sides. they presented a warlike
and imposing tableau in their inaccessl-
bic perch. In the path of the emlssa-
ries lay the bodies Of the slain. The
Dyak leader scowled again as he pass
ed them.
sSahib.' began the Indian. my chief
Taung Sail, does not wish to have
any more of his men killed in foollsl
Quarrel about woman. Give her up
he SAYS. ond he will either leave yot
..ere in peace or carry you safely e
some place where you can find shll
manned by white men,
"A woman" said jerks scornfully
That is idle talk! What woman Il
Eere?"
This question nonplused the native
The woman whom the chief saw
half month back. sahib.'
"Taung Sail was bewitched. slew
his men so quickly that he saw spirits.
The chief caught his name and brok
| in with a question. a voll@f OF tau
between the two was enlivned Will
expressive gestures by Tar1S SAL
who several times pointed to Iris, an'
Jerks now mathematical his thought
less folly in permitting the Dyak to ap
nroach so near. The MohammeGan, 0
corrSo had never seen her and Nigh