The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-03-17

diminished to a mere specl on
the smooth sea. The even
breeze kept its canvas taut, and the
sailor knew that no ruse was intended.
The Dyaks were flying from the island
in fear and rage. They would return
with a force sufficient to insure the
wreaking Of their vengeance.
That he would again encounter them
at no distant date jerks had no doubt
whatever. They would land in such
numbers as to render any resistance
difficult and a prolonged defense I'M
possible. Would help come first?-,a
distracting question to which definite
answer could not be given. The sail
or's brow frowned in deep lines; his
brain throbbed now with an anxiety
singular1y at variance with his cool de-
meanor during the fight. He was ut
terly unconscious that his left arm en-
,ircled the shoulder of the girl until
The gently disengaged herself and said
appealingly3
please, Mr. jerks, do not be angry
with me. l could not help it. l could
not bear to see you shoot them"
Then he abruptly .awoke to the real
tiles of the moment.
Come" he said. his drawn features
relaxing into q wonderfully pleasing
smile. 1--WE will return to our castle.
We are safe for the remainder of this
day, at any rate
Something must be said or done to
reassure her. She was still grievously
disturbed, and he naturally ascribed
her agitation to the horror of her car
ture. He dreaded a complete collapse
If any further alarms threatened at
once. Yet he was almost positive
though search alone would set at rest
the last misgiving-that only one sam
pan had visited the island. Evidentl.'
the Dyaks were unprepared as he for
the events of the preceding half hour.
They were either visiting the island to
procure turtle and beche-de-mer or had
merely called there en- route TO some
other destination, and the change in
the wind had unexpectedly compelled
them to put ashore. Beyond all doubt
they must have been surprised by the
warmth of the reception they encoun
tered.
Probably when he went to Summit
rock that morning the savages had
lowered their sail and were steadily
padding north against wind and cur
rent. The most careful scrutiny of tho
sea would fail to reveal them beyond
distance OF six or seven miles at the
utmost
After landing in the hidden bay OIL
the south side they crossed the island
through the trees instead of taking the
more natural open way along the
beach. Why? The fact that he and
Iris were then passing the grown ovel
tract leading to the valley of dealt
instantly determined this point. The
Dyaks knew Of this affrighting hollow
and would not approach any nearer t.
il than was unavoidable. Could ht
twist this circumstance to advantage
if Iris and he were still stranded there
when the superstitious sea rovers mex
put in an appearance? He would see
All depended on the girls strength. Il
she gave way now; if, instead of tax
ing instant measures for safety, III
were called upon to nurse her through
a fever, the outlook became not only
desperate. but hopeless.
And. while he bent his brows il
worrying thought, the color was re
turning to Iris cheeks and natura
buoyancy to her step. 1t is the faul
of all men to underrate the marvelou
courage and constancy of woman il
the face of difficulties and trials
jerks was no exception to the rule.
you do not ask me for any accoun
of my adventures" she said quietly
after watching his perpleXed expires
sion in silence for some time.
Her tone almost startled him, it's un
assumed cheerfulness was so unlocked
for.
NO" he answered. 81 thought yol
were too overweight to talk Of then
at present"
"Overwrought! Not q bit of it!
was dead beat with the struggle an,
with screaming for you, but pleas
don't imagine that | am going to fain
or treat you to display of hysterl
now that all the excitement has ended
l admit that cried little when 20
pushed me aside on the beach and rails
ed your gun to fire at those poo
wretches flying for their lives. We
perhaps l was wrong to hinder YOU"
"You were wrong" he gravely inter
rupted.
"Then you should not have heede
me. No, l don't mean that. You a
ways consider me first, don't you? N
matter what 1 ask you to do you Ell
deavor to please me, even when yo
know all the time that l am acting @
speaking foolishly."
The unthinking naivete of her word
sent the blood coursing wildly throug
his veins.
Never mind" she went on, wit
earnest simplicity. "God has bee
very good to us. / cannot believe this
he has preserved us from so man
dangers to permit us to perish mil
erably few hours or days before hel
comes. And do want to tell you e.
actly what happened"
- n ~I ~,