Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-05-05
! Ole Wings Of the I.
- &:
"A n BY LOUIS
:: |" ~ go - n TRACY T.:
4 u ~ Il u u II u M 1903. by
~ J. Clode
. - .... 49,. - 49,. .. %. .. $500. =. 49, :... =

from the doorway they were present in
dozens.
'"rhe remnants of fight lie
Thought The man was attacked and
defended himself here. Not expecting
the arrival of enemies, he provided no
store of food or water. He was killed
while trying to reach the well, proba-
bly, ut night"
He wildly pictured the scene-a
brave. hardy European keeping ut bay
a boat load of Dyak savages, enduring
manfully the agouies Of hunger, thirst,
perhaps wounds; then the siege. fol
lowed by Wild effort to gain the life
giving well, the hiss Of Malay parang
welded by q lurking foe and the last
despairing struggle before death came
He might be mistaken. Perchance
there was a less dramatic explanation.
But he could not shake of his first i'm
pressions.
what was the poor devil doing
here?" he asked. why did he bury
himself in this rock. with mining uten
sils and u few rough stOres2 lie could
not be a castaway. There is the indi
cation Of purpose. Of preparation, OF
method combined with ignorance. fol-
none who knew the ways OF Dyaks and
Chinese pirates would venture to live
here alone If he could help it, and If he
really were alone"
There was relief In hearing his OWL
voice. He could hum and think and
act Aiming himself with the Ak. be
attacked the bushes and branches OF
trees in front OF the cave. He cut 9
fresh approach to the well and threw
the litter over the skeleton. At frs
he was inclined to bury 1t where II
lay, but he disliked the idea Of Irii
walking unconsciously over the place
No time could be wasted that day. IL
would seize an early opportunity t
act as gravedigger.
After an absence Of little more thar
an hour he rejoined the girl. She saw
him from afar and wondered whenc'
he obtained the ak he shouldered.
you are q successful explorer" sh'
cried when he drew near.
Eyes, Miss Deane. have found wa
ter. implements. q shelter. even light"
What sort Of lightT
~On."
"And the shelter-is 1t a houseY'
mo. q cave. II you are sufficient,
tested you might come and take pos
session."
Her eyes danced with excitement
He told her what he had seen. witt
reservations, and she ran ON befor'
him to witness these marvels.
why did you make q new path t.
the wellT she inquired after a rapit
survey.
"a new pathw The pertinent ques
ton staggered him.
"Yes. the people who lived here mus
have had some sort Of free passage"
He lied easily. Il have only clearet
away recent growth" he said.
"And why did they dig a cave? I
surely would be much more simple t
build house from oil these trees"
There you puzzle me-" he sal
frankly.
They had entered the cavern but
little way and now came out.
These empty cartridges are funny
They suggest fort, a battle" We
manlike, her words were carelessl,
chosen, but they were crammed wit
1nductive force.
Embarked on the toboggan slope o
untruth. the sailor slid smoothly down
ward.
Events have colored your imagina
ton, Miss Deane. Even In Englan,
men often preserve such things for fu
ture use. They can be reloaded"
Yes, I have seen keepers do that
This Is different. There is an air or
There is a lot to be done," brok
in jerks emphatically. 1--WE mus
climb the hill and get back here II
time to light another fire before tn
sun goes down. I want to prop a can
vas sheet in front Of the cave and tr,
to devise lamp"
Must sleep inside" demanded Iris
Eyes. Where else?"
There was q pause, a mere Whit o
awkwardness.
II will mount guard outside" wen
on jerks. He was trying to imprOv
the edge Of the Ak by grinding 1t on
soft stone.
The girl went into the cave again
She was inQuisitive, uneasy.
THAT arrangement she began, bu
ended in q sharp cry Of terror Tn
dispossessed birds had returned durin
the sailors absence.
Il will kill themw he shouted in ar
ger.
please don't. There has been enougl
Of death in this place already"
The words Jared on his ears. The
he felt that she could only allude.to tn
victims Of the wreck.
Il was going to say" she explained
'that we must devise a partition
There is no help for it until you cor
struct sort Of house. Candidly, l
not like this hole in the rock. 1t is
vault, tomb"
you told me that ! was In con
mand. yet you dispute my orders" H
strove hard to appear brusQuely goo
humored, Indifferent, though for on
Of his mold he was absurdly irritable
The cause was overstrain, but that e.
PLANTATION escaped him.
"Quite true. But II sleeping in til
cold, In dew or rain, Is bad for me,
must be equally bad for you. and Will
out you am helpless, you know"
He laughed sardonically, and tn
harsh note clashed with her fran
candor. Here at least she was utterl
deceived. His changeful moods wer
incomprehensible.
Il will serve you to the best Of m
ability, Miss Deane," he exclaimed
I'VE must hope for q speedy rescue
and I am Injured to exposure. 1t 1
otherwise with you. Are you ready 70
the climbT'
The crest Of the hill was tree covered
and they could see nothing beyon
their immediate locality until the sailo
found a point higher than the res,