Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-06-13

Of siege In that rocky prison. almost
distracted her.
Jenks was very stern and curt in his
reply.
I'VE must make the best Of bad
business" he said. IF we are in a
tight place the Dyaks are not much
better off, and eighteen of their mum.
ber are dead or wounded. You forget
too, that Providence has sent lis a most
useful ally in the Mohammedan. When
all is said and done, things might be
far worse than they are
Never before had his tone been so
cold, his manner so abrupt, not even
in the old days when he purposely en-
deavored to make her dislike him.
She walked along the ledge and tim
idly bent over him.
"FOrgive me.' she whispered. 81
| did forget for the moment not only the
goodness Of Providence, but also your
| self sacrificing devotion. | am Only a
| woman. and | don't want to die yet,
but will not live unless you. too, are
saved"
Once already that day she had eX-
pressed this thought in other words.
Was some shadOwy design fitting
through her brain? Suppose they were
| faced with the alternatives Of dying
from thirst or yielding to the Dyalis.
Was there another way ont! jerks
shivered, though the rock was Grilling
him. He must divert her mind from
this dreadful brOOding.
",The fact Is" lie said, with feeble
attempt at cheerfulness, 1--WE are both
hungry and consequently grumpy.
Now. suppose you prepare lunch. We
will feel ever so much better after we
have eaten"
The girl chOliel back her emotion
and sadly cssayed the task Of provid-
Ing meal which was hateful to her.
A few tears fell now and made little
| burrows down her soiled checks. But
| they were helpful tears. tears OF reiig-
nation. not Of despair Although the
OBSTRUCTION that wasteth mt monday
was trying her sorely, she again felt
strong and sustained.
She even smiled OH detecting an in
voluntary effort to clear her stainel
face. She was about to carry Il biscuit
and some timed meat to the sailor
when sharp exclamation from him
caused her to hasten to his side.
The Dyaks had broken cover. Run
ming in scattered sections across the
sands. they were risking such loss as
the defenders might be able TO iniict
upon them during brief race to the
shelter and food to be obtained in the
other part Of the island.
jerks did not fire at the scurrying
gang. He was waiting for one man.
Taung SAL. But that redoubtable
person. having probably suggested this
dash for liberty, had fully realized the
enviable share of attention he would
attract during the passage. He there
fore discarded his vivid attire and by
borrowing odd garments made himself
sufficiently like unto the remainder OF
his crew to deceive the sailor until the
rush of men was over. Among them
ran the Mohammedan, who did not
look up the valley, but waved his hand
When all had quieted down again
jerks understood how he had been
fooled He laughed so heartily that
Iris. not knowing either the cause OF
lis mcrrmcnt or the reason Of his un-
lO1ke.i for clemency to the flying foe,
feared the sun had affected lin.
He ut once quilted the post occupied
during so protracted vigil.
"Now," he cried. 1--WE can eat in
peace. have stripped the chief OF
his tinery. His men can twit him on
being forced to shed his gorgeous plum
age in order To save his life Anyhow,
they will leave us in peace until night
falls. SO we must make the best OF n
hot afternoon"
But he was mistaken. \ greater dan
ger than any yet experienced now
threatened them. for Taung S'Ali, fur!-
GUS and unrelenting. resolved that II
he could not obtain the girl he would
slay the pair Of them and he had ter
rible weapons in his possession.