The Red Cloud chief., 1905-08-18
lCpNTiNUED.J.

Tho nyaks though 20 the manner
born. We're weary Of sun scorChed
rocks md salt water. The boat was
coming In response TO their signals. ana
The sight inspired JonE- with fresh
hope. Ike a lightning flash came the
reflection that 4 lie could keep them
away from the we'll and destroy the
saWN0H now haStor'YG - their assist.
0nco. perhaps conveying TIE hu'k Of
their stores they would o o tire Of
olaEin- thor thirst on the few pitcher
plants growing IN the north shore.
"Co4c quick he shouted, adjusting
tn back sight Of a rifle. Lie down and
aim az the front Of that boat, Il little
short If anything. It doesn't matter if
tie bullets strike the sea first"
He placed the weapon in readiness
for her and commenced operations him
self before Iris could reach his side.
Soon both rifles were pitching twenty
shots a minute at the Sampan. The re.
suit Of thor long range practice was
not long in doubt. Tie Dyaks danced
from seat TO seat In a state Of wild cX.
element, one man was hurled over
board. Then the craft lurchcd sea-
ward IN the strong current. and jerks
told l"iS to leave the rest 10 him.
Before he could empty a second mag.
GZiuc % fortunate bullet ripped Il plank
out ana the sampan filed and went
down amid "a shri.l yc.l Of eXccration
from the back Of the cliff. The two
DyakS yet living cndcavorcd TO swim
ashore, half a mile through shark in
vested reefs. The sailor did not ever
trouble about them. After a few fran
tic struggles each doomed wretch flung
up his arms AMI vanished. In tie clear
atmosphere the onlookerS cold see
black fins cutting the pellucid sea.
They were QIietinG down-thc thirst
fiend was again slowly sailing their
~veins-whcn something of Il dirty white
color futtcred into sight from behind
the base of the opposite cliff. 1t was
rapidly withdrawn, to reappcar after
an interval. Now 1t was held more
steadily and q brown arm became visi-
bic. As jerks did not fire, a turbaned
head popped into sight. 1t was the Mo
hammedan.
"No shoot it," he roared. "Me Eng.
fish speak it."
Don't you speak IIindoostanee?'
shouted jerks in Urdu of the higher
proficiency.
eyes, sir.'' was the joyful response.
|Will your honor permit his servant to
come and talk with him."
Eyes, if you come unarmed.'
"And the chief, too. sahibE'
Eyes. but listen. On the first sign Of
treachery | will shoot both of YOU"
1--WE will keep faith, sahib. May kites
pick our bones if we fail"
Then there stepped into full view the
renegade Mussulman and his leader.
They carried no guns; the chief wore
his creeSe.
"Tell him to leave that dagger be-
hind cried the sailor im~periously. AS
the enemy demanded a parley he re-
solved TO adopt the conqueror'S tone
from the outset, The chief obeyed, with
a scowl, and the two advanced to the
foot of the rock.
stand close to me- said jerks to
Iris. LET them see you plainly. but
pull your hat wei! down over your
eyes"
She silently followed his instructions.
Now that the very crisis of their fate
had arrived she was nervous, shaken.
conscious only of a desire to sink on
her knees and pray.
The two halted some ten PAGES in
front of the avern and The belliger-
ents surveyed each other. 1t was a fas-
~cinating spectacle, this drama in real
life. The yellow faced Dyak, gaudily
attired in q crimson jacket and sky
blue pantaloons of Chinese silk, a man
young and powerfully built, and the
brown skinned. white clothed MOham-
medan. bony, tall and gray with hard
ship. looked mp at the occupants OF the
ledge. Iris, slim and boylsh in her male
garments, was dwarfed by the six foot
failor. but her face was blood stained,
and jerks wore a six weeks stubble
of beard. Holding their rifles with
alert ease. with revolvers strapped to
their sides, they presented a warlke
and imposing tableau In their inaccessi'
BILE perch. In the path Of the emissa'
ries lay the bodies Of the slain. The
Dyak leader scowled again as he pass
ed them.
"Sahib," began the Indian, my chief,
Taung SAIL, does not wish to have
any more Of his men killed in a foolish
quarrel about n oma Give her up,
he says, and he will either leave you
here in peace or carry you safely to