The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-06-14

DlOSt Cc:t;,.u VIXEN lIe DN dhS III Oi'OoS'
parley that reasonable terms would
result. 1t horrifed her beyond meas
ure to find that she was the rock OF
which negotiations were wrecked
Hope died within her The bitterness
of death was in her breast
"What an unlucky influence haveba6
on your existencew she exclaimed. III
it were not for me this trouble at leas1
would be spared you. Because am
here you are condemned. Again. be
cause stopped you from shooting that
wretched chief and his companions
they are now demanding your life as
forfeit. 1t 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.
jerks was very stern and curt in his
reply.
1--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 q 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 so
cold, his manner so abrupt not even
In the old days when he purposely en-
deavored to make her dislike hdm-
She walked along the ledge and tim
idly bent over him.
'Forgive mer' she whispered 4
did forget for the moment not only the
goodness Of Providence, but also your
self sacrificing devotion. I am only a
woman, and I don't want to- die yet,
but will not live unless you, too, are
saved"
Once already that day she had e5-
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 oat2 jerks
shivered, though the rock was grf[ling
him. He must divert her mind from
this dreadful brooding.
'sThe fact is," he said, with feeble
attempt at cheerfulness,. 1--WE are both
hungry and consequently grumpy
Now, suppose you prepare lunch. We
will feel ever 80 much better after we
have eaten"
The Girl choked back her emotion
and sadly essayed the task Of provfd-
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 resfg-
nation, not Of despair: although the
obstruction that wasteth at noonday
was trying her soreiy, 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 biscuit
and some timed meat to the sailor
when sharp exclamation from him
caused her to hasten to his side.
The Dyaks had broken cover. Run
ming in scattered sections across the
sands, they were rfskfng such loss as
the defenders might be able to infict
upon them during a brief race to 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,
Taung sab. But that redoubtable
person, having probably suggested this
dash for liberty, had fully realized the
enviable 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
rush Of men was over. Among them
ran the Mohammedan, who did not
look up the valley. but waved his hand
When all had quieted down again
jerks understood how he had been
fooled. He laughed so heartily that
Iris, not knowing either the cause OF
his merrment or the reason of his un-
looked for clemency to the flying foe,
feared the sun had affected him.
He at once quilted the post occupied
during so protracted vigil.
"Now," he cried, 1--WE can eat in
peace. have stripped the chief OF
his fnery. His men can twit him on
being forced to shed his gorgeous plum
age in order to save his life. Anyhow
they will leave us in peace until night
falls. so we must make the best OF a
hot afternoon"
But he was mistaken. A greater dan
ger than any yet experienced TOW
threatened them. for Taung Sail, furi
Gus and unrelenting, resolved that II
he could not obtain the girl he would
no ho6 or