Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-08-04
CHAPTER MI Continued, .

Mu~-alnau -l"uAin- lllnt.n" IL Au-irulhrr.
actin. a. !tt.,rjrctcr. Mer Jan, the Indian.
n-,rce- :. ;..d Au>!iaiilor and supply him with
CHAPTER MI .COntinued,.
II believe you. Go. But inform
your chief that once you have disap-
peared round the rock whence you
came l will talk to him only with a
rifle"
Taung SAL seemed to comprehend
the Englishman's emphatic motions.
Waving his hand defiantly, the Dyak
turned. and. with one parting glance
of mute assurance, the Indian followed
him.
Iris touched his arm and he told
her all that had taken place Iris be-
came very dOwncast when she grasped
the exact state Of affairs. She was al
most certain when the Dyaks proposed
parley that reasonable terms would
result 1t Mortified her beyond meas
ure to find that she was the rock on
which negotiations were wrecked.
Hope died within her. The bitterness
Of death was In her breast.
"What an unlucky influence havehad
on your exlstencew she exclaimed III
It were not for me this trouble at least
would be spared you. Because I am
here you are condemned. Again, be-
cause i stopped you from shooting that
wretched chief and his companions
they ore now demanding your life rs
q forfeit. 1t Is all my fault. can
not bear It."
She was ON the verge Of tears. The
strain had become too great for her.
After indulg1ng 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.
I'VE must make the best Of a bad
business" he said. III we are in q
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 lis most
useful ally In the Mohammedan. When
Ill 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 him.
She walked along the ledge and tim
Idly bent over him.
Forgive mew she whispered. II
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 ex-
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 out? jerks
shivercd, though the rock was grilling
him. He must divert her mind from
this dreadful brooding
1.-The fact is" he said, with feeble
attempt at cheerfulness, I'VE are both
hungry and consequently grumpy.
Now, suppose you prepare lunch. We
will feel ever so much better after we
have eaten"
The girl chOkel back her emotion
and sadly essayed the task Of prOvid-
ing a meal which was hateful to her,
A few tears fell now and made little
burrows down her soiled cheeks. But
they were helpful tears, tears Of resig-
nation, not Of despair. Although the
destruction that wasteth at monday
was trying her sOrely. 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 q biscuit
and some timed meat to the sailor
when q 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 risking such loss as
the defenders might be able to inflict
upon them during brief race to the
shelter and food to be obtained in the
other part of the island.
jerks 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.
111 To- ~
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. lie laughed so heartily that
Iris, not knowing either the cause Of
his merriment or the reason of his un-
looked for clemency to the flying foe
feared the sun had affected him.
He ut once quilted the post occupied
during SO protracted n vigil.
Now" he cried, we can eat in
peace. I have stripped the chief OF
his 1nery. 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 now
threatened them. for Taung sab. furi.
Gus and unrelenting, resolved that II
he could not obtain the girl he would
slay the pair Of them. and he had ter
rible weapons in his possession.