Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-29
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
IN HEY looked long and steadfasfly
at the retreating boat. Soon it
diminished to mere speck 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
Mt no distant date jerks had no doubt
whatever. They would land in such
numbers as to render any resistance
difficult and 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
singularly at variance with his cool de-
meanor during the fight He was ut
terly unconscious that his left arm en-
circled the shoulder of the girl until
she gently disengaged herself and said
appealingly:
"Please, Mr.. jerks, do not be angry
with me. / 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 wonderfully pleasing
smile. eve 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 cap
ture. He dreaded complete collapse
If any further alarms threatened at
once. Yet he was almost positive
though search alone would set at rest
pan had visited the island. Evidently
the Dyaks We're 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 eli 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
q distance of six or seven miles Mt 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
ana would not approach any nearer to
1t than was unavoidable. Could he
twist this circumstance to advantage
IL Iris and lie were still stranded there
When the superstitious sea rovers next
put III an appearance? He would see
All depended on the girls strength. If
she gave way now; if, instead of fax
ing instant measures for safety. he
were called upon to nurse her through
fever, the outlook became not only
desperate, but hopeless.
And, while lie bent his brows in
worrying thought, the color was re-
turning to Iris cheeks and natural
buoyancy to her step. 1t is the fault
OIL 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 perpleNed express
sion in silence for some time.
Her tone almost startled him. its nm
assumed cheerfulness was so unlocked
for
NO." he answered. 81 thought Won
were too oyerwrought to talk of them
at present"
"Overwrought: Not bit of it!
was dead beat with the struggle and
with screaming for you, but please
don't imagine that 1 am going to faint
or treat you to display of hysteria
now that all the excitement has ended.
admit that cried Il 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 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 l ask you to do you ell
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 courslng 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 do want to tell you ex-
actly what happened"
"Then you SHALL" he answered. "But
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.