Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-06-06

The DyGt hnrttcd through he 6u.
soldierly thought. CONF cl.cl Him to keep
watch and ward over lis fortress. but
he could not help asking himself what
world happen If iris We're seriously
wounded.
There was one enemy more potent
than these skulking pyaks. Il foe more
irresistible IN his might, more pitilcss
I'm his strength. whose assaults would
tax 10 the utmost their powers OF re-
siStance. In another Lour the sun
would be- high in the heavens. pouring
his ardent rays upon them and drying
the blood in their veins.
Hitherto the active life of the island,
the shade of trees. hut or cave. the
power of unrestricted movement and
the possession of water in any desired
quantity robbed the tropical heat OF
the day of its chief terrors. Now all
WAS changed Instead of working
amid grateful foliage they were bound
To the brown rock. which soon would
glow with radiLtcd energy and give
off scorchug ;.uS;S like unto the open
ing of furnace door.
This he had foreSeen all along. The
tarpaul!n would yield them some de-
gree of uneasy protection. and they
both were in perfect physical condi-
ton I;ut-if Iris were wounded. IL
tie extra strain brought fever in its
wake. That way he SAW nothing but
H. nix despair. To be ended for her by
dc!irium and merciful death. for him
by Il Berserk rush among the Dyaks
and one last mad fight against over
whclnIing numbers.
Then the girls voice reached him.
self reliant. almost cheerful:
You will be glad TO hear that the
cut has stopped bleeding. 1t Is only
a scratch"
So kindly Providence had spared
them yet little while. The cloud
passed from his mind. the gathering
mist from his eyes. In that instant he
thought he detected slight rustling
among the trees where the cliff shelv-
ed up from the house. Standing as he
was on the edge Of the rock, this was
point he could not guard against.
When her welcome assurance recall
ed his scattered senses he stepped
back to speak to her. and in the same
instant a couple of bullets crashed
against the rock overhead. Iris had
unwittingly saved him from n serious.
perhaps fatal. wound.
He sprang to the extreme right OF
the lee 70 and boldly looked into the
trees beneath. Two Dyaks were there,
belated wanderers cut Off from the
main body. They dived headlong into
the underground for safety. but one
of them was too late. jerks rifle
reached him, and its revcrberating con-
cussion. tossed back and forth by the
echolng rocks. drowned his parting
scream.
In the plenitude of restored vigor the
sailor waited :or no counter demon
stration. He turned and crouchingly
approached the southern end Of his
parapet. Through his screen of grass
he could discern the long black hair
and yellow face Of man who lay on
the sand and twisted his head around
the base of the farther cliff. The dis
tance oft measured. Was ninety yards,
the target practically six inch bulls
eye. jerks took careful aim, fired. and
Whit Of sand flew up.
Perhaps he had used to fine sight
and plowed Il furrow beneath the Dy-
axis ear He only heard faint yell,
but the enteIprising head .anished, and
there were no more volunteers for that
particular service.
lie was still peering at the place
when cry of unmitigated anguish
came from Iris:
"Oh. come quick! Our water. The
casks have burst"
1t was not until jerks had torn the
tarpauin from Off their stores and lie
was wildly striving with both hands to
scoop up some precious drops collected
| In the small hOiows Of the ledge that
| he realized the full magnitude OF the
| disaSier which had befallen them.
tro BE oOSrNUED.l