The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-05-05

''Date, pleaSe!
swell, to begin at the very begin
ming, you thought was nice on board
the lSirdar Now, didn't your
And they were safely embarked on a
conversation of no interest to any 9th
er person in the wide world bpt which
provided them with the most delight
full topic imaginable.
Thus the time sped until the rising
moon silhouetted the cliff on the white
carpet of coral strewn sand. The black
shadow line Travelled slowly closer. to
the base Of the cliff, and jerks, guided
also by the stars, told Iris that mid
Aight was at hand.
They knelt on the parapet of the
ledge, alert to catch any unusual
sound and watching for any indication
Of human. movement. But Rainbow is
land was now still as the grave. The
wounded Dyaks had. seemingly been
removed from hut and beach. The dead
lay where they had fallen. The sea
sang lullaby to the reef, and the
fresh breeze whispered among the
palm frohds-that was all.
If the Mussulman kept his compact
the hour was at hand. Then the light
hiss ofsa snake rose to them from the
depths. That is a sound never forgot
ten when once heard. 1t is like unto
no other. Indeed the term. hiss is a
misnomer for the quick sibilant expul-
sion of the breath by an alarmed or
angered serpent.
Iris paid no heed to. it; but jerks,
who knew there was not reptile of
the snake variety on the. island, leaned
over the ledge and emitted a tolerably
good imitation. The. native was be-
peath.
"Sahibw
The girl started at the. unexpected
call from the depths.
YES" said jerks quietly:
"a rope, sahib."
The sailor lowered q rope. Some
thing was tied to it beneath. The Mo-
hammedan apparently had little fear.
of being detected. -. 80.
pull, sahib."
Usually 1t is the sahib who says
pull but circumstances alter cases."
communed jerks. He hauled steadily
at a heavy. weight, a goatskin filed
with cold water. He emptied the hot
and sour wine out Of the tin cup and
was about to hand the thrice well
coined draft to Iris when suspicious
thought caused him to withhold it.
"Let me taste first" he said.
The Indian. might have betrayed
them to the Dyaks. More unlikely
things had. happened. What If the wa
ter were POISONED or drugged? :.
He placed the tin to his lips. The
liquid was musty, having been in the:
skin nearly two days. Otherwise it
seemed to be all right. With sigh Of
profound relief he. gave Iris the cup
and smiled at the most unladylike
haste with which she emptied it.
Drink yourself and give me some
more" she said.
'tNo more for you at present, madam.
In few minutes, yes"
ooh, why not nowT -
"Do not fret, dear one You can
have ALI you want in a little while.
But to drink much now would make
you very ILL.,"
Iris waited until he could speak
again.
"Why did you she began.
But he bent over the parapet.
"Hellov'
"Sahibv'
"You have not been followedT'
Il think not, sahib. Do not talk too
loud. They are foxes in cunning. You
have a. ladder, they say; sahib Win
not your honor descend2 1 have much
to relate." n -
Iris made no protest when jerks ex-
planned the mans request She only
stipulated that he should not leave the
ladder, while she. would remain within
easy .earshot.s The sailor, Of course,
carried his revolver, Ffe also picked
up crowbar, q most useful and silent
weapon. Then he went quietly down
ward. Nearing the ground, he saw
the native, who salaamed deeply and
was unarmed The poor fellow SEEM
ed to be very anxious to help them.
"what is your nameT' demanded the
sailor. 5,
mir Jan, sahib, formerly corporal In
the Kumaon regiment"
"When did you leave the regiment"
1.-TWO years ago; sahib. l killed.
"What was the name Of your colo
nel?"
"Kurnal I-shpence-sahib, Q brave
man, but of no account on q horse"
jerks well remembered Colonel
Spence-a fat, short legged warrior,
who rolled off his charger If the ami
NAL so much as looked sideways. Mir
Jan was telling the truth.
you are right, Mir Jan. What is
Tuang sab doing nowT'
"Cursing, sahib, for the most part.
His men are frightened. He wanted
them to try once more with the tubes
that shoot poison, but they refused. He
could not come alone, for he could not
use his right hand, and. he was wound
ed by the blowing up Of the rock. You
nearly killed me, too, sahib. was
there with the bazaar-born whelps. BY
the prophets beard, it was a, fine
stroke."' 49,.
Are they going away, Them
mo, sahib. The dogs have been
whipped SO sore that they snarl for re-
venge. They say there is no use in
A.