Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-01

rang. Here was something definite and solid. Then he dragged one of the wounded men out into the moonlight Again Jenks experienced an itching desire to send bullet through the Dyak's head Again he resisted the impulse And so passed that which is vouchsafed by fate to few men-a sec ond opportunity.
 Another vehement harangue by the chief goaded some venturesome spirits into carrying their wounded comrade out of sight, presumably to the hut. Inspired by their leaders fearless ex- ample, they even removed the third in- jured Dyak from the vicinity of the cave, but the celerity of their retreat caused the wretch to bawl in agony. The next undertaking was no sooner appreciated by the sailor than he hur- riedly caused Iris to shelter herself be- meath the tarpaulin, while he covered close to the floor of the ledge, looking only through the screen of tall grasses. 1 They kindled a fire near the we'll. Soon ! its ruddy glare lit up the dark rock with fantastic dickerings and drew scintillations from the weapons and or naments of the hideously picturesque horde gathered in its vicinity. They spoke a language of hard | vowels and nasal resonance and ate 1 what he judged to be dry fish, millets and strips of tough preserved meat which they cooked on small iron skew CTS stuck among the glowing embers His heart sank as he counted sixty one, I all told, assembled within forty yards of the ledge. Probably several others were guarding the boats or proving about the island. Indeed, events prov | ed that more than eighty men had come ashore in three large sampans, I roomy and fleet craft, well fitted for | piratical excursions up river estuaries or along coast.
 They were mostly barelegged rascals, wearing Malay hats, loose jackets reaching to the knee and sandals. One man differed essentially from the oth- CTS. He was habited in the conven- | tional attire of an Indian Mohamme- dan, and his skin was brown, while the swarthy Dyaks were yellow beneath the dirt. Jenks thought from the man. ner in which his turban was tied that he must be Punjabi Mussulman-very likely an escaped convict from the An damans.
 The most careful scrutiny did not re- veal any arms of precision. They all carrie c1 muzzle leaders, either antiquat- ed hintlocks or guns sufficiently mod ern to be fitted with nipples for per cussion caps.
 Each Dyak, of course, sported pa rang and dagger-like creese; few bore spears, and about dozen shouldered long straight piece of bamboo. The nature of this implement the sailor could not determine at the moment In the neighborhood of the fire an animated discussion took place. Though it was easy to see that the chief was all paramount, his fellow tribesmen ex- ercised a democratic right of free speech and outspoken opinion.
 Flashing eyes and expressive hands were turned toward the cave and hut | Once when the debate grew warm the chief snatched up burning branch and held 1t over the blackened embers of the fire extinguished by Jenks. He seemed to draw some definite conclu- sion from an examination of the char coal, and the argument thereforth pro ceeded with less emphasis Whatever it was that he said evidently carried | conviction.
 Iris, nesting close to the sailor, whis- pered: ...
 "Do you know what he has found out?'
 T can only guess that he can tell by the appearance of the burned wood hov= long 1t is since 1t was extinguish- ed. Clearly they agree with him."
 Then they know we are still here?"
 "Either here or gone within a few hours. In any case they will make a thorough search of the island at day break
 twill 1t be dawn soonT
 "Yes. Are you tired"
 "A little cramped-that is all.s
 Don't think am foolish. Can you manage to sleepy
 Sleep. With those men so nearw
 "Yes We do not know how long they will remain. We must keep up our strength. Sleep. next to food and drink. is a prime necessity"
 If it will please you will try" she said. with such sweet readiness to obey his slightest wish that the won- der is he did not kiss her then and there By previous instruction she knew exactly what to do. She crept quietly back until we'll ensconced in the niche widened and hoiIowed for her accommodation. There 90 seclud- cd was she from the outer world of horror and peril that the coarse voices beneath only reached her in a murmur. Pulling one end of the tarpaulin over her. she stretched her weary limbs on litter of twigs and leaves. commend ed herself and the man she loved 10 Gods keeping and. wonderful though it may seem. was soon slumberins peacefully.
 The statement may sound passing strange to civilized ears. accustomed only to the routine of daily life and not inured 10 danger and wild sur roundings But the soldier who has snatched a hssty doze in the trenches the sailor who has heard ferre gale