Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-08-25
CHAPTER NV (Continued).

orient. which has been attracted to the island
by the firing.
CHAPTER XIV Continued.
The sailor stood in instant readiness
to make a counter demonstration were
the native assailed. But there was no
sign Of the Dyaks. Mir Jan returned
with the news that the sixth victim of
the brief yet fierce encounter was a
renegade Malay. He was so confident
that the enemy had enough Of it for
the night that. after recovering jerks
revolver, he boldly went to the we'll
and drew himself q supply Of water.
During supper jerks told Iris so
much Of the story Us was good for her
that is to say, he cut down the casu-
atty list.
1t was easy to see what had hap
pened. The Dyaks, having missed the
Mohammedan and their water bag,
searched for Lin and heard the con-
Knowing that their presence was sus-
pected. they went back for reinforce
ments and returned by the shorter and
more advantageous route along Turtle
beach.
Iris would have talked oil night, but
jerks made her 60 to sleep by pillow
ing her head against his shoulder and
smoothing her tangled tresses with his
hand.
He managed to lay her on q COM
Portable pile Of ragged clothing and
then resumed his vigil. Mir Jan Of
fered to mount guard beneath, but
jerks babe him 60 within the cave and
remain there, for the dawn would soon
be upon them.
Left alone with his thoughts, he Won
dered what the rising sun would bring
in its train. He reviewed the events
Of the last twenty-four hours. Iris and
he-Miss Deane, Mr.. jerks. to each
other-were then undiscovered in their
refuge. the Dyaks were gathered
around roaring fire in the valley, and
Mir Jan was keen in the hunt as the
keenest among them. Now Iris was
his aff1anced bride, over twenty Of tho
enemy were killed and many wounded,
and Mir Jan, q devoted adherent, was
seated beside the skeleton in the gloom
Of the cavern.
A period Of reflection could hardly
pass without q speculative dive into
the future. II Iris and he were res
cued, what would happen when they
went forth once more into the busy
world7 Not for one instant did he
doubt her faith. She was true as
steel. knit to him now by bonds Of
triple brass. But what would Sir Ar
thur Deane think Of his daughters
marriage to discredited and cashiered
officer? What was 1t that poor Mir
Jan called himself-"a disgraced manr'
Yes, that was it Could that stain be
removed7 Mir Jan was doing it. Why
not he-by other means, for his good
name rested on the word Of perjured
woman? Wealth was potent. but not
oil powerful. He would ask Iris to
wait until he came to her unsoiled by
Islander, purged of this odium cast up
on him unmerited.
To awake her he kissed her; he knew
not perchance it might be their last
kiss on earth. Not yet dawn. there was
morning in the air. for the first faint
shafts Of light were not visible from
their eyrie owing to its position. But
there was much to be done.
Tho canvas awning was rolled back
and the stores built into barricade in
tended to shelter Iris.
"What is that for?" she asked when
she discovered its nature. He told her.
She definitely refused to avail herself
Of any such protection.
Robert, DEAR" she said, III the at
tack comes to our very door, so to
speak, surely l must help you. Even
my slight aid may stem rush in one
place while you are busy in another"
He explained to her that If hand to
hand fighting were necessary he would
depend more upon a crowbar than a
rifle to sweep the ledge clear. She
might be in the way.
VERY well. The moment you tell
me to get behind that fence I will do
80. Even there l can use a revolver"
That reminded him. His own pistol
was unloaded. He possessed only FIVE
more cartridges of small caliber. He
placed them in the weapon and gave it
to her.
"Now you have eleven mems lives In
your hands," he said. 'Try not to miss
II you must shoot"
In the dim light he could not see the
spasm Of pain that clouded her face
No Dyak would reach her while he
lived. If he fell, there was another use
for one Of those cartridges.
The sailor had cleared the main floor
Of the rock and was placing his four
rifles and other implements within easy
reach when hiss came from beneath.
Mir JAM exclaimed Iris.
'What nowT demanded jerks over
the side.
"Sahib, they comer'
Il am prepared Let that snake
get back to his hole in the rock, lest a
mongoose seize him by the head"
Mir Jan, engaged in a scouting expe-
dition on his own account, understood
that the officer sahib's orders must be
obeyed. He vanished. Soon they heard
a great cracking among the bushes on
the right, but jerks knew even before
he looked that the Dyaks had correctly
estimated the extent Of his fire zone
and would keep out Of 1t.
The first physical intimation of the
enemy's design they received was a
pungent but pleasant smell Of burning
nine horne to them by the mort herlv