The Red Cloud chief., 1905-07-14
VINES Of the Morning.
Continued from Page Three

precipice, nearly ninety yards distant.
There was ample room to store water
and provisions, and he quickly saw
that even some sort of shelter from the
fierce rays of the sun n the often
piercing cold of the night might be
achieved by judiciously rigging up a
tarpaulin.
This Is n genuine bit Of good luck"
he unused. Here, provided neither of
us IL hit, we can hold out for u week
or longer at n pinch. How can 1t be
possible that | should have lived on
this island so many days and yet hit
upon this nook of safety by mere
chance, as it were?'
Not until he reached the level again
could he solve the puzzle. Then he
perceived that the way in which the
cliff bulged ont on both sides prevent
cd the ledge from becoming evident in
profile, while, seen in the glare of the
sunlight. 1t suggested nothing more
than q slight indentation.
He rapidly sketcbed to Iris the de-
fensive plan which the eagles nest
suggested. Access must be provided
by means of a rope ladder, securely
fastened inside the ledge and capable
Of being pulled up or let down at tie
will of the occupants. Then the place
must be kept constantly stocked with
a judiclous supply of provisions, water
and ammunition. They could be GOV
cred with n t%arpaulin and thus kept in
fairly good condition.
a'NNn ntInht fn sloan tlnrn nrary
night" he went on, and his mind was
so engrossed with the tactical side of
the preparations hat he did not notice
how Iris blanched ut the suggestion.
Surely not until danger actually
threatens?" she cried.
Danger threatens us each hour after
sunset. 1t may come any night, though
/ expect ut least Il fortnight's repricve.
Nevertheless l intend to act as If to-
night may witness the first shot of
the siege"
do you mean that?" she sighed.
"And my little room Is becoming so
very cozy"
jerks always accepted her words lit
orally.
WELL" he announced, after a pause,
ut may not be necessary to take up
II quarters there until the eleventh
hour. After l have hoisted up Jul
stores and made the ladder l will en-.
deavor to devise an efficient Gordon OF
sentinels around our position. We viii
see."
Not another word could Iris get OF
of him on the topic. Indeed, he provided
her with plenty of work. BY his time
she could splice a rope more neatly
than her tutor, and her particular bust
ness was to prepare no less than sixty
rungs for the o ladder. This was
an impossible task for one day, bu'
after dinner the sailor helped her
They toiled late, until their finger:
were sore and their backbones creakeI
as they sat upright.
Meanwhile jerks Swarmed up TIT
pole again and drew up after him
crowbar, the sledge hammer and TIT
pickaX. With these implements he Sc
to work to improve the accommodation
OF course he did not attempt %seriousi.
to remove any large quantity of rock
but there were projecting Jumps her
and inequalities of floor there whicI
could be thumped or pounded out o
existence.
1t was surprising to see what
clearance he made in an hour. The eS
istence of the fault helped him n goo
deal, as the percolatiOn of water ut tn
point had oXidized the stone to rotter
ness. TO his great joy he discovere
that a few prods with the pick lai
bare a small cavity which could {
easily enlarged. Here he contrived
, niche where Iris could remain In a.
solute safety when barricaded b
stores, while, with n squeeze, Ii wa
entirely sheltered from the m dal
gerous point on the opposite cliff, NJ
need she be seen from the trees.
Having hauled into position tW
boxes of ammunition--for which he Ia
e scooped out a special r~eceptacle-tl
# invaluable water kegs from the stran
e ed boat, several tins of biscuits NJ
Il all the timed meats. together WI
e three bottles Of wine and two OF bra
d DIV. he hastily abandoned the ledge al
busted himself with fitting n numb
v of gunlocks to heavy fagots.
-" Iris watched his proceedings In
lence for some time. At last the int
IS val for luncheon enabled her 10 q
mand an explanation.
IF you don't tell me at once WI
q. Won intend to do with those stran
ID implements" she said. u VIII go
y strike"
-1.. ~