Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-08
CHAPTER XIV.

see. Imagined YOU were wounded
and had fallen from the ledge. What
else could do but follow. either TO
help you, or. If that were not pos
5ible"-
He found her hand and pressed it TO
his lips
Il humbly crave your pardon" he
said. That explanation is more than
ample. II was 1 who behaved I'M
reasonably. OF course l should haze
warned you"
May / ask how many more wild adj
ventures you undertook without my
knowledge"
zone other. Of great magnitude
fell in love with you"
Nonsense she retorted Il knew
that long before you admitted it to
yourself"
Date, pleaSeT'
"well. to begin at the very begin
ming. you thought I was nice on board
the Sirdar. Now. didn't your
And they We're safely embarked on n
conversation Of no interest to any 9th
er person in the wide world. but which
provided them with the most delight
full topic imaginable
Thus the time sped until the rising
moon silhouetted the cliff on the white
carpet OF coral strewn sand. The black
shadow line Travelled slowly closer 20
the base OF the elf. and jerks. guided
also by the stars. told Iris that mid
night was az hand.
They knelt on the parapet or the
ledge. alert TO catch any unusual
sound and watching for any indication
OF human movement. But Rainbow Is
land was now still as the grave. The
wounded Dyaks had seemingly been
removed from hut and beach The dead
lay where they had fallen The sea
sang lullaby to the reef. and the
fresh breeze whispered among the
palm fronds-that was all.
IL the Mussulman kept his compact
the hour was ut hand. Then the light
hiss or a snake rose 20 them from the
depths. That is a sound never forgot
ten when once heard 10 Is like unto
no other. Indeed the term hiss" Is a
missioner for the quick sibllant expul-
sion OF the breath by an alarmed or
sngered serpent.
Iris paic no heed 90 it: but jerks.
who knew there was not reptile OF
the snake variety on the island. leaned
over the ledge and emitted tolerably
good imitation. The native was be-
meath.
"Sahibr'
The girl started at the unexpected
call from the depths.
Yes" said jerks quietly.
"A rope, sahib."
The sailor lowered a rope. Some
thing was tied 10 IL beneath. The No
hammedan apparently had little fear
or being detected.
Pull, sahib"
Usually Il is the sahio who saws
pull but circumstances alter cases"
communed jerks. lie hauled steadily
at heavy weight a goatslsin filed
with cold water. lie emptied the hot
and sour wine out Of the tin cup and
was about 10 band the thrice vel
coined draft % Iris when a suspicious
thought caused him to withhold il.
"Iet me taste first" he said.
The Indian might have betrayed
them 10 the Dyaks. More unlikely
things had happened What IL the wa
ter were poisoned or drugged?
He placed the tin 20 his lips The
liquid was muSty, having been in the
skin nearly two days Otherwise II
seemed 10 be all right With a sigh OF
profound relief he gave Iris the cup
and smiled at the most unladylike
haste with which she emptied il.
Drink yourself and give me some
more" SHE said.
mo more for you at present. madam.
In few minutes. yes"
''Oh. why not now?"
do not fret. dear one. You can
have all you want In little while.
But to drink much now would make
you very ~"
Iris waited until he could speak
again.
Why id .ru"- she began
But lie benz over the parapet.
Hello
"Sahib,~
you have not been foilowed?"
Il think not, sahib. Do not talk too
loud. They are foxes in cunning. You
have a ladder, they say. sahib. VIII
not your honor descend? have much
to relate"
49, AA*AON Ab liOAtNN Wien JtukS PA-
planned the mans request. She only
stipulated that he should not leave the
ladder, while she would remain within
sasy earshot. The sailor OF course.
carried mis- revolver. He also picked
up crOwbar. a most useful and silent
weapon. Then he went quietly down
ward. Nearing the ground. he saw
the native. who salaamed deeply and
was unarmed. The poor fellow seem
"a TO be very anxious 10 help them.
what is your name?" demanded the
sailor
Mir Jan. sahib, formerly corporal in
the kumaon regiment"
when did you leave the regimentY''
Two years ago. sahib. l killed
What was the name OF your colo
nel?"
'kurnal I-shpence-sahlb. brave
man, but OF no account on a horse"
jerks well remembered Colonel
Spence fat, short legged warrior,
who rolled on his charger IL the ami