Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-03

N or certainly least bearable be-
 tween 2 and o'clock in the afternoon
 At the conclusion of not very lus- cious repast Jenks suggested that they should rig up the tarpaulin in such wise as to gain protection from the sun and yet enable him to cast a watchful eye over the valley. Iris help cd to raise the great canvas sheet on the supports he had prepared. Once shut off from the devouring rays, the hot breeze then springing into ftful existence cooled their blistered but per- . ,spiring skin and made life somewhat tolerable.
 Still adhering to his policy of com batting the first enervating attacks of thirst. the sailor sanctioned the con- sumption of the remaining water. As last desperate expedient to be re- sorted to only in case of sheer necessl- ty. he uncorked bottle of champagne and filled the tin cup. The sparkling wine. with its volume of creamy foam, looked so tempting that Iris would then and there have risked its potency were she not promptly withheld. q Jenks explained to her that when the wine became quite fiat and insipid they might use it to moisten their parched lips. Even so, in their present super heated state, the liquor was unques- tionably dangerous, but he hoped 1t would not harm them if taken in mi mute quantities.
 Accustomed now to implicitly accept his advice, she fought and steadily con quered the craving within her Oddly enough, the 'thawing' of their scorch- cd bodies beneath the tarpaulin brought a certain degree of relief. They were eupremely uncomfortable, but that was as naught compared with the relaxa- ton from the torments previously borne.
 For long time the best part of an hour, perhaps-they remained silent.
 The sailor was reviewing the pros and cons of their precarious condition. It would, of course, be matter of s,l- nreme importance were the Indian to be faithful to his promise Here the prospect was decidedly hopeful The man was an old soldier. and the ex- officer of native cavalry knew how en- during was the attachment of this poor convict to home and military service. Probablysat that moment the Moham- medan was praying to the prophet and his two pephews to aid him in rescuing the sahib and the woman whom the sahib held so dear. for the all wise and all powerful Indian government is very merciful to offending natives who thus condone their former crimes.
 But. howsoever willing he might he, what could one man do among so many? The Dyaks were hostile to him in race and creed, and assuredly in. furiated against the foreign devil who had killed or wounded in round num- bers one fifth of their total force Very likely the hapless Mussulman would lose his life that night in attempting to bring water to the foot of the rock.
 Even if the man succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his present associates. where was the water to come from? There was none on the island save that in the well. In all likelihood the Dyaks had store in the remaining sampans. but the native ally of the belea guered pair would have a task of exceeding difficulty in obtaining one of the jars or skins containing 1t.
 Again, granting all things went well that night. what would be the final outcome of the struggle? How long could Iris withstand the exposure. the strain. the heartbreaking misery of the rockT
 He shook restlessly, not aware that the girls sorrowful glance. luminous with love and pain, was fixed upon him. Summarly d,smissing these gris- iy phaptoms of the mind, he asked himself what the Mohamnedan exact iy meant by warning him against the trees on the right and the silent death that might come from them. He was about to crawl forth tp the lip of the rock and investigate matters in that locality when Iris. who also was busy with her thoughts. restrained him.
 "wsit little while she said None Of the Dyaks will venture into the open until night falls. And have some thing to say to you"
 There was q quiet solemuity in her voice that Jenks had never heard be- fore. It chilled him His heart sc- knowIedged a quick sense of evil omen. He raised himself slightly and turned toward her. Her face. beautiful and serene beneath it's dishgurements, wore an expression of settled purpose. For the life of him he dared not question Der
 That man. the interpreter she said. told you that if were given ID to the chief he and his followers would go sway and modest you no more"
 His forehead scanned with sudden anger.
 "A mere bait he protested. Tn any event II Is hardly worth discussion"
 And the answer came clear and res eiute
 T think [ will szree to those terms"
 At first he regarded her with undis- ruised snd vordless snszeuent. Then the appalling thought dsr1ei through his brain that she contemplated this supreme sacrifice in order tO save him. A cIammy sweat bedeUe5 his brow. but by sheer will power he contrived to say