The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-07-06

| procure turtle and beche-d e-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 the
sea would fail to reveal them beyond
a distance of six or seven miles at the
utmost
After landing in the hidden bay on
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 over
tract leading to the valley of death
instantly determined this point. The
| Dyaks knew of this affrighting hollow
and would not approach any nearer to
1t than was unavoidable. Could he
twist this circumstance to advantage
II Iris and he We're still stranded there
| When the superstitious sea rovers next
put in an appearance? He would see.
All depended on the girls strength. If
she gave way now; if, instead of tax
ing instant measures for safety. he
were called upon to nurse her through
fever, the outlook became not onlv
| desperate, but hopeless.
And, while he bent his brows in
worrying thought, the color was re-
turning to Iris cheeks and natural
buoyancy to her step. It is the fault
OF all men to underrate the marvellous
courage and constancy of woman in
the face of difficulties and trials.
jerks was no exception to the rule.
You do not ask me for any account
of my adventures" she said quietly,
| after watching his perplexed express
sion in silence for some time.
Her tone almost startled him, it's un-
assumed cheerfulness was so unlocked
for.
NO." he answered. Il thought YOU
were too overweight to talk of them
at present.
"Overwrought! Not bit of it! I
was dead beat with the struggle and
with screaming for you, but please
don't Imagine that am going to faint
or treat you to a display Of hysteria
now that all the excitement has ended
admit that I cried a little when YOU
pushed me aside on the beach and rails
ed your gun to fire at those Door
Wretches flying for their lives. Yet
perhaps I was wrong to hinder you.'
"You were wrong he gravely inter
rupted
"Then you should not have needed
me. No, don't mean that. You al
ways consider me first, don't you? No
matter what ask you to do you en-
deavor to please me, even when you
know all the time that am acting or
speaking foolishly."
The unthinking naivete of her words
sent the blood coursing wildly through
his veins.
Never mind" she went on, with
earnest simplicity. "God has been
very good to us. I cannot believe that
he has preserved us from so many
| dangers to permit US to perish mis-
erably few hours or days before help
comes. And I do want to tell you ex-
actly what happened"
'Then you SHALL" he answered. sBut
first drink this" They had reached
their camping ground, and he fastened
to procure small quantity of brandy
She swallowed the spirit, although
she really needed no such adventurous
support, she said.
Cali right" commented jerks. IF
you don't want drink, do.''
II can quite believe it." she retorted
''Your case is very different. I knew
the men would not hurt me-after the
first shock Of their appearance had
passed, 1 mean. I also knew that you
would save me. But you, Mr.. jerks,
had to do the fighting. You were called
upon to rescue precious me. Good gra-
cious! No wonder you were excited
The sailor mentally expressed his in
ability to grasp the complexities of
feminine nature, but Iris ratified on:
Il carried my tin of water to the
pitcher plant and was listening to the
greedy roots gurgling away for dear
life when suddenly four men sprang
out from among the trees and seized
my arms before I could reach my re-
volver."
''Thank heaven you failedv
''You think that if 1 had fred at them
they would have retaliated. Yes, espe-
cially if had hit the chief. But it was
he who instantly gave some order, and
l suppose it meant that they were not
to hurt me. AS matter of fact, they
seemed to be quite as much astonished
as I was alarmed. But if they could
hold my hands they could not stop my
voice so readily. Oh, didn't yell?'
"You did,
II suppose you could not hear me
distinctly?'
"Quite distinctly"
EVERY word?''
eyes,