The Red Cloud chief., 1905-09-01
(CoNTiNUED.)

They chatted in lighter vein with
such pendulum swing back to noncha-
lance that none would have deemed ii
possible for these two to have already
determined the inomentous issue of the
pending struggle should it go against
them.
And 50 the sun sank to rest in the
sea, and the stars pierced the dccpcD.
ing blue of the celestial arch, while the
nal and the awaited patiently
the verdict of the fates.
Before the light failed jerks gath.
cred all the poisoned arrows and
ground their venoined points to powder
beneath his heel. Gladly would Iris
and lie have dispensed with the friend
ly protection of the tarpaulin when the
cool evening breeze came from the
south. But such a thing might not be
even considered. Several hours Of dark
ness must elapsc before the moon rose.
and during that period, were their foes
so minded. they would be absolutely at
the mercy of the sumpitan shafts If not
covered by their impcnetrable buckler.
The sailor looked long and earnestly
at the well. Their own bucket, impro-
yised out of II dish cover and Il rope.
lay close to the brink. A stealthy crawl
across the sandy valley, half n minute
of grave danger, and he would be up
the ladder again with enough water to
serve their imperative needs for days
to come.
There was little or no risk In de-
scending the rock. Soon after sunset
1t was wrapped in deepest gloom, for
night succeeds day In the tropics with
wOndrous speed. The hazard lay in
twice crossing the white sand, were
any of the Dyaks hiding behind the
house or among the trees.
He held no foolhardy view of his
own powers. The one sided nature Of
the conflict thus fur was due solely to
his possession OF modern rifles as op-
posed to muzzle leaders. Let him be
surrounded OF the level at close quar-
tiers by II dozen determined men and
he must surely succumb.
Were it not for the presence of Iris
he would have given no second thought
to the peril. To act without consult
ing her was impossible, so they dis
cussed the project. Naturally she
secuted 1t.
THE Mohammedan may be able to
help u.s." she pointed out. I'm any
event let us wait until the moon wanes.
That is the darkest hour. We do not
know what may happen meanwhile"
The words had hardly left her mouth
x,l,n, M ;,,nn,,Ia- x,nItnp mas aro.l NE
them from the right flank Of the en-
emy's position. Every bullet struck
yards above their heads, the common
failing Of musketry at night being to
take too high an aim. But the Impact
OF the missiles on n rock so highly i'm
pregnated with minerals caused sparks
Il fly. and jerks saw that the Dyaks
would obtain by this means a most
dangerous index of their faulty prac-
tice. Telling Iris to at once occupy
her safe corner, he rapidly adjusted a
rifle on the wooden rests already pre-
pared in anticipation OF an attack from
that quarter and fired three shots at
the opposing crest whence came the
majority of gun flashes.
One at least Of the three found a hui
man billet. There was a shout Of sur
prise and pain, and the next vOlley
spurted from the ground level. This
could do no damage owing to the angle,
but he endeuvOred to dlsconcert the
marksmen by keeping up a steady fire
In their direction. He did not dream
of attaining other than a moral effect,
as there Is a lot Of room to miss when
aiming In the dark. Soon he imagined
that the burst of flame from his rifle
helped the Dyaks, because several bull
lets whizzed close to his head, and
about this time firing recommended
from the crest.
Notwithstanding all his skill and ma
nipulation Of the wooden supports he
failed to dislodge the occupants. Ev.
cry minute one or more unces or lead
pitched right into the ledge, damaging
the stores and tearing the t%arpaulin,
while those which struck the wall of
rock were dangerous TO Iris by reason
Of the molten spray.
He could guess what had happened.
BY lying fiat OH the sloping plateau or
squeezing close to the projecting shout
der of the cliff the Dyaks We're so little
exposed that idle chance alone would
enable him to hit one of them. But
they must be shifted, or this night
bombardment would prove the most
serious development yet encountered.
Are you all right, Iris?' he called
out.