The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-09-08

>illl1uSluSll
and concentrated intelligence. That
which he essayed he did with all hie
might.
He, toiling with steady persistence.
felt not the inward spur which sought
relief in speech, but Iris was compelled
to say something.
II suppose" she commented with nm
air Of much wisdom, you are contr;v-
Ing an overhead railway for the safe
transit Of yourself and the goods?"
"Y-yes."
why are you so doubtful about it,"
Because l personally intended to
walk across. The ropes will serve to
convey the packages"
She rose imperiously. 81 absolutely
forbid you to enter the water again,
Such q suggestion on your part is quite
shameful. You are taking a grave
risk for no very great gain that I can
see, and if anything happens to you I
shall be left all alone in this awful
place."
She could think Of no better argu-
ment. Her only resource was a wo-
mans expedient-a plea for protection
against threatening ills.
The sailor seemed to be puzzled how
best to act.
miss Deane," he said, "there is no
such serious danger as you imagine.
Last time the cutie caught me nap
ping. He will not do so again. Those
rifles l must have. If it will serve to
reassure you, l will go along the line
myself"
Without another word he commenc-
ed operations. There was plenty Of
rope, and the plan he adopted was
simplicity itself. When each package
was securely fastened he attached it to
a loop that passed over the line stretch
ed from the tree to the crowbar. To
this loop he tied the lightest rope he
could find and threw the other end to
Iris. BY pulling slightly she was able
to land at her feet even the cumbrous
rifle chest, for the travelling angle was
SO acute that the heavier the article
the more readily it sought the lower
level.
They toiled in silence until jerks
could lay hands on nothing more of
value. Then, observing due care, he
quickly passed the channel. For an
instant the girl gaZed a%ffrightedly at
the sea until the sailor stood at her
side again.
The tide had turned. In a few min
utes the rect would be partly sub
merged. To carry the case of rifles tC
the mainland was a manifestly impos.
sible feat, SO jerks now did that which
done earlier would have saved him
some labor. He broke open the chest
and found that the weapons We're ap'
parently in excellent order.
He snapped the locks and squinted
down the barrels Of half a dozen tC
test them. These he laid on one side
Then he rapidly constructed Il small
raft from loose timbers, binding then
roughly with rope, and to this argosN
he fastened the box OF tea, the barrel:
Of -four, the broken saloon chair an(
other small articles which might be o.
use. He avoided any difficulty II
launching the raft by building it Close
to the waters edge. When all wa:
ready the rising tide hoated it for him
He secured it to his longest rope ant
gave it a vigorous push off into the Ia
COON. Then he slung four rifles acros
his shoulders. asked Iris to carry tn
remaining two in like manner and be
gan to maneuver the raft landward.
"While you land the goods | vii
prepare dinner" announced the girl.
"Please be careful not to slip on tn
rocks" he said. 81 am concerned abou
. the rifles. If you fell you might dam
age them, and the incoming tide wi
SO hopelessly rust those cave benin
+ that they will be useless"
II will preserve them at any cos
though with six in our possession the
Is a margin for accidents. However, t
reassure O l will go back quickly"
Before he cold protest she started o
at a run, jumping lightly from rock I
= rock. Disregarding his shouts, she pc
, severed until she stood safely on tn
sands. Then. saucily waving a far
, well, she set off toward the cave.
Had she seer the look Of fierce O.
! spair that settled down upon Jenk
face as he turned to his task Of gull
= ing the raft ashore she might hay
, wondered what it meant. In any cas
she would certainly have behaved al
k ~ferently.
BY the time the sailor had safe
landed his cargo Iris had cooked the
q midday meal. She achieved a fires
. culinary triumph. The eggs were fr1e
!, II am seriously thinking of trying
g boil a ham," she stated gravely. "Ha'
you any idea how long it takes to co
d one properly"
"A quarter of an hour for ca
pound"
admirable! But we can measu
= neither hours nor pounds"
" Il think we can do both. W
construct a balance Of some kin
Then, with a ham slung to one n III
q rife and some cartridges to the otht
= I will tell you the weight OF the ia
% to an ounce. To ascertain the time
III u 49, 10