Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-06-06

| iOr OF the birtlS-hiS only lore was the
reading Of such signs-and gazcd in
tently at the ledge. jerks lie could
not distinguish behind the screen of
grass. He might perhaps see some
portion Of the tarpauiin covering the
stores. but at the distance 1t must re-
semble weather beaten segment of
the cliff. Yet something puzzled him.
After steady scrutiny he turned and
yelled to others on the beach.
The crucial moment had arrived.
jerks pressed the trigger ana the
Dyak hurtled through the air, falling
headlong out of sight.
The sound Of this, the first shot Of
real warfare, awoke Rainbow island
into tremendous activity. The winged
life Of the place filed the air with rau-
cous cries, while shouting Dyaks sctr-
ried in all directions. Several came in
to the valley. Those nearest the fallen
man picked him up and carried him to
the well. He was quite dead. and. al
though amid his other injuries they
soon found the bullet wound. they evil
dently did not know whence the shot
came. for those to whom lie shouted
had no inkling of his motive. and the
slight haze from the rifle was instantly
swept away by the breeze.
Iris could hear the turmoil beneath,
and she tremulously asked:
Are they going TO attack u.s.
Not yet" was the reaSsuring an
swer. IL killed the fellow who saw us
before he could tell the Others"
1t was bold risk. and lie had taken
it. though now the Dyaks knew for
there was no prospect Of their s..eedy
departure Nevertheless the position
was not utterly hopeless. None of tie
enemy could tell how or by whom their
companion had been shot. Many
among the excited horde jabbering be-
meath actually looked at the cliff over
and over again. yet failed to note the
potentalities Of the ledge, with its few
tufts of grass growing where seeds had
apparently been blown by the wind or
dropped by passing birds.
jerks understood, of course, that the
real danger would arise when they WIS.,
tied the scene Of their comrades dis.
aster. Even then the wavering bal
ance of chance might cast the issne in
his favor. He could only wait. with
ready rifle. with the light of battle
lowering in his eyes. OF one thing at
least lie was certain-before they con
quered him he would levy terrible
toll.
He glanced back at Iris. Her face
was pale beneath its mask OF sun
brown.
The chief was listening intently to
the story of the Dyak who SAW the
dead man totter and fall. He gave
some quick order. Followed by Il score
or more of his men, he walked rapidly
to the foot of the cliff where they
found the lifeless body.
jerks stole one more hasty glance at
Iris. The chief and the greater num-
Der of his followers were ont Of sight
behind the rocks. Some of them must
now be climbing to that fatal ledge.
Was this the end?
Iris bent forward sufficiently in her
shcltcring niche to permit her to gaze
with wistful tenderness upon jerks.
Size knew he would dare all for her
sake. Size could only pray AMI hope.
Suddenly Il camor of discOrdant yells
fell upon her ears. jerks rose to his
knees. Tie Dyaks had discovered their
refuge ami were about 10 open fire. He
offered them target lest perclance
Iris were not thoroughly screened.
Keep close" he said. They have
found us. Lead will be flying around
soon"
She flinchcd back into the crcvicc:
the sailor fell prone -Four bullets spat
into the ledge, Of which three pierced
the tarpaulin and one iluttcncl itself
against the rock.
Then jerks took mp tie tale. 50 cu'
riously constituted was this man that
although he ruthlessly shot the savage
who first spiel out their retreat. lie
was swayed only by the dictates OF
stern necessity. Thee WIS IeeD.e
chance that further bloodshed might
be averted. ThLt chance had passed.
Very well. The enemy must start the
dreadful game about to be played.
They had thrown the gage, ana lie an
swe.cd them. -Four times did jerks
rifle carry death. unseen. almost un-
felt. across the valley.
Ere the fourth Dyak collapsed Imply
where lie stood others were there,
firing ut the little puff Of smoke above
the grass. They got in few shots,
most of which sprayed ut various
angles off the face of the cliif. But
they waited for no more. When the
lever of the Lee-Metford was showed
home for tile fifth time tie opposing
crest was bare Of all opponents save
two, and they lay motionless.
The fate of the thanking detachment
was either unperceived or unheeded by
the Dyaks left in the vicinity of the
house and well. Astoundcd by the FIR
ing that burst forth in midair. jerks
had cleared the dangerous rock before
they realized that here, above their
heads, were the white man and the
maid whom they sought.
With stupid zeal they blaZed away
furiously. only succeeding in shower
ing fragments of splinterpd stone into
the eagles nest. And the sailor smiled
He quietly picked up an old coat, rolled
it into ball and pushed 1t into sight
amidst the grass. Then lie squirlned
round on his stomach and took up a
position ten feet away. OF course those
who still carried loaded guns discharg-
ed them ut the bundle Of rags, where
upon jerks thrust his rifle beyond the
edge Of the rock and leaned over.
Three Dyaks fell before the remainder
made up their minds to run. once con-
vinced. however. that running was good
for their health, they moved with much
celerity. The remaining cartridges In
the magazine slackened the pace of two
Of their number. jerks dropped the
empty weapon and seized another He
stood up now and sent quick renlhd'
er after the rearmOst pirate. The 9th
ers had disappeared toward the locality
where their leader and his diminished
troop were gathered, not daring to
lin come within range of the wills.