Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-06-20
NUMBER 25.
Iris waited until he could speak

again.
"Why did YOU she began.
But he bent over the parapet.
"Hellow.
"Sahibw
"You have not been followed"
81 think not, sahib. Do not talk too
loud. They are foxes in cunning. You
have ladder, they say, sahib. Will
not your honor descend? | have much
to relate"
Iris made no protest when jerks ex-
planned the mans request. She only
stipulated that he should not leave the
ladder, while she would remain within
easy earshot. The sailor. Of course,
carried his revolver. He also picked
up a crowbar, q 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
ed to be very anxious to help them.
What is your name" demanded the
sailor.
Mir Jan, sahib, formerly corporal in
the kuma0n regiment.
when did you leave the regiment"
1.-TWO years ago. sahib. | killed
What was the name of your colo
nel:"
"Kurnal I-shpencesahib. brave
man. but Of no account on horse"
jerks well remembered Colonel
fnt hnr "
who rolled off his charger II the AMI
NAL so much as looked sideways. Mir
Jan was telling the truth.
You are right. Mir Jan. What Is
Tuang S'Ali doing now?'
"Cursing, sahib. for the most part.
His men are frightened. He wanted
them to try once more with the tubes
that shoot poison, but they refused. He
could not come alone, for lie could not
use his right hand, and he was wound
ed by the blowing up OF the rock. You
nearly killed me. too. sahib. | was
there with the baZaar-born whelps. BY
the prophets beard, it was a fine
stroke"
Are they going away, then"
mo. sahib The dogs have been
whipped so sore that they snarl for re-
venge. They say there Is no use In
firing ut you. but they are resolved to
kill you and the miss sahib or carry
her off if she escapes the assault"
What ASSAULT
Protector of the poor. tEey are build
Ia,
after dawn they intend TO rush Your
position You may slay some, they
say. but you cannot slay threescore
Taung S'Ali has promised gold to every
man who survives If they succeed.
They have pulled down your signal on
the high rocks and are using the poles
for the ladders. They think you have
charm, sahib and they want to use
your own work against you
This was serious news. 4 combined
attack might indeed be dangerous,
though il had the excellent feature that
if il failed the Dyaks would certainly
leave the island. But his sky sign de-
stroyed. That was bad. Had vessel
CHANGED to pass the swinging letters
would surely have attracted attention.
Now even that faint hope was dis
PEELED.
"Sahib. there is a worse thing to tell"
said Mir Jan.
"Say on. them
Before they place the ladders against
the elf they will build fire OF green
wood so that tie smoke will be blown
by the wind into your eyes. This will
help 10 blind Your aim. otherwise you
never miss"
"Tliat will aSsurcui! .e awkward,
Mir in"
"IG will. sahib. Soul OF M father, X
we lad but half Il troop with us
I;ut they had not, and tl:cy we're both
so intent Oh the conversation that they
were momcntarly of their guard. Iris
WIS more watchful. She fancied there
was light rustling amid the under
growth beneath the trees on the right.
And she could hiss. too, II that We're
the correct thing to do.
So she hissed.