The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-07-20

was appalling enough in all conscience.
Fortunately the fumes Of the sulphur
fed on the bony substance They en-
dured a sufficient time to scare every
Dyak who caught a glimpse Of the
monstrous object crouching in luminous
horror within the dismal cavern.
Not even the stirring exhortations of
the chief, whose voice was raised in
furious speech, could induce his adher-
ents to again approach that affrighting
spot. At last the daring scoundrel him.
self, still welding his naked sword,
STROBE right up to the very doorway.
Stricken with sudden stupor, he gazed
at the titful CLEANS within. He prod
ded the cheval de frise with the pa
rang. Here was something definite and
solid. Then he dragged one of the
wounded men out into the moonlight.
Again jerks experienced an itching
desire to send bullet through the
Dyak's head. Again he resisted the
impulse. And so passed that which is
vouchsafed by fate to few men-a Sec
ond opportunity.
Another vehement harangue by the
chief goaded some venturesome spirits
into carrying their wounded comrade
out Of sight, presumably to the hut.
Inspired by their leaders, fearless ex-
ample, they even removed the third in
jured Dyak from the vicinity Of the
cave, but the celebrity of their retreat
caused the wretch to bawl in agony.
The next undertaking was no sooner
appreciated by the sailor than he hur-
riedly caused Iris to shelter herself be-
meath the tarpaulin, while he covered
close to the floor Of the ledge, looking
only through the screen Of tall grasses.
They kindled fire near the well. Soon
its rudy glare lit up the dark rock
with fantastic chickering's and drew
scintillations from the weapons and Or
naments of the hideously picturesque
horde gathered in it's vicinity.
They spoke a language of hard
vowels and nasal resonance and ate
what he judged to be dry fish, millets
and strips of tough preserved meat
which they cooked on small iron skew
ers stuck among the glowing embers.
His heart sank as he counted sixty-one,
all told, assembled within forty yards
Of the ledge Probably several others
were guarding the boats or providing
about the island. Indeed, events prov
ed that more than eighty men had
come ashore in three large sampans,
roomy and feet craft, we'll fitted for
piratical excursions up river estuaries
or along coast
They were mostly barelegged rascals,
wearing Malay hats, loose jackets
reaching to the knee and sandals. One
man differed essentially from the 9th
ers. He was habited in the conven-
tonal attire of an Indian Mohamme-
dan, and his skin was brown, while the
swarthy Dyaks were yellow beneath
the dirt. jerks thought from the man
ner in which his turban was tied that
he must be Punjabi Mussulman-very
likely an escaped convict from the An
damans.
The most careful scrutiny did not re-
veal any arms Of precision. They all
carried muzzle leaders, either antiquat-
ed f1intlocl1s or guns sufficiently mod
ern to be fitted with nipples for per-
cussion caps.
Each Dyak, of course, sported a pa
rang and dagger-like creese; few bore
spears, and about a dozen shouldered
a long straight piece of bamboo. The
nature Of this implement the sailor
could not determine at the moment.
In the neighborhood of the fire an
animated discussion took place. Though
it was easy to see that the chief was
an paramount, his fellow tribesmen ex-
ercised a democratic right OF free
speech and outspoken opinion.
Flashing eyes and expressive hands
were turned toward the cave and hut.
Once when the debate grew warm the
chief snatched up burning branch
and held it over the blackened embers
of the fire e1tinguished by jerks. He
seemed to draw some definite conclu-
sion from an examination of the char
coal, and the argument thereforth pro-
ceeded with less emphasis. Whatever
1t was that he said evidently carried
conviction.
Iris, nesting close to the sailor, whis-
pered:
"Do you know what he has found
out?
II can only guess that he can tell by
the appearance Of the burned wood
how long it is since it was extinguish-
ed. Clearly they agree with him."
Then they know we are still here p
EITHER here or gone within a few
+. hours. In any case they will make a
thorough search Of the island at day.
break
''Will it be dawn soon?'
Eyes. Are you tired?'
"a little cramped-that is all.''
Don't think l am foolish. Can YOU
manage to sleep?'
"Sleep! With those men so near!"
eyes. We do not know how long
they will remain. We must keep up
our strength. Sleep, next to food and
drink, is prime necessity
IF it will please you I will try." she
said, with such sweet readiness to