Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-06-24

so horridl.
She could not see the sailors grim
smile. 1t would materially affect his
rest for tho better were he able 70
STAY every Dyak on the island with n
single shot. Yet her gentle protest
pleased him. She could not at the
same time lie callous TO human suffer
ing and be Iris But he declined the
discussion Of such sentiments.
You were going 70 say something
when a brief disturbance took place -
he inquired.
Yes. I was surprised to find how
hot the ledge has become"
You notice IL more because you are
obliged to remain here"
After pause she said:
Il think l understand now why you
were so upset by the loss OF our wa
ter supply. Before the day ends we
will be in great straits. enduring ago
mics from thirst"
Let us not meet the devil halfway"
he rejoined. He preferred the unfair
retort to a confession which could only
foster dlsmay.
But, please. am thirsty now"
He moved uneasily. He was only too
conscious OF the impish weakness, com
mon TO all mankind. which creates a
desire out Of sheer inability to satisfy
it. Already his own throat was parched.
The excitement OF the early struggle
was in itself enough 10 engender an
acute thirst. He thought il best to
meet their absolute needs as far as
possible.
Bring the tin cup" he said. Let
us take half our store and use the re-
mainder when we eat Try to avoid
breathing through your mouth. The
hot air quickly affects the palate and
causes an artificial dryness. We can
not yet be in real need of water. Il Il
largely Imagination"
Iris needed no second bidding. She
carefully measured out half a pint Of
the unsavOry huid-the dregs OF the
casks and the scourings OF the ledge.
Il will drink first" she cried.
NO. no" he Interrupted impatiently
"Give II 70 me-"
She pretended q be surprised.
"As mere matter OF politeness'-
Il am sorry. bat I must insist"
She gave him the cup over his shout
der. He placed it to his lips and
gulped steadily.
There" he said gUuhiy. Il was I'm a
hurry. The Dyaks may have another
rush NJ any moment"
Iris looked into the vessel.
you have taken none at all" she
said.
Nonsense"
''Mr. jerks. be reasonable. You need
1t more than l. I DIDN'T want to-live
w-without-you."
His hands shook somewhat. II was
well there was no call Tor accurate
shooting just then.
Il assure you l took all required"
he declared. with unnecessary vehe-
mence.
AT least drink your share to please
me, she mUrmured.
You wished 20 humbug me" he
grumblcd II you viii take the FIRST
half l will take the second"
And they settled il that way. The
few mOuthfuls OF tepid water gave
them new life. Nevertheless by high
noon they were suffering again. The
time passed very slowly. The sun
rose 20 the zenith and filled the earth
and air with his ariOr. IL seemed 10 be
miracle - now appreciated for the
first time in their lives-that the sea
did not dry up and the leaves wither
on the trees. The silence. the deathlv
inactivity % all things. became lntol-
cradle. The girl bravely tried 10 con
fine her thoughts 10 the task OF the
hour. She displayed alert wsschful-
ness. an instant readiness to warn her
companion OF the slightest movement
among the trees or by the rocks 10 the
northwest, this being the arc OF their
periphery assigned 10 her
Looking at a suniit space from cover
and looking at the same place when
sweltering ia the direct rays Of a t-op-
zeal sun are kindred operations strange
~ diverse in achievement. Iris could
not reconcile the physical sensitiveness
OF the hour with the careless hardl-
hood OF the preceding days. Her ewes
ached somewhat. for she had tilted her
sOu'wester 70 the back OF her head ia
the effort 10 cool her throbbing TEN
pies. She put up her right hand TO
shade the too vivid reflection Of the
glistening sea and was aStounded 10
find that in a few minutes the back OF
her hand was scorched 4 faint sound
Of distant shouting disturbed her pain
ful reverie
How is IT," she asked. that we feel
the beat so much tOday2 I had hardly
noticed IL before"
For two good reasOns-fOrced idle
ness and radiation from this confound-
ed rock. Moreover. this is the hottest
day we have experienced on the island.
There Is not breath OF air. and the
hot weather has just commenced"
Don't ~01 t,i0'-" she said huskily.
that our position here is quite hope
leSs?"
They were talking 10 each other side
ways. The sailor never turned his
gaze from the southern end Of the val
ley.
1T is no more hopeless now than last
night or this morning" he replied
'-Rut STpnoSp We a - kent hara for