The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-11-10
They knelt on the parapet Of the

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 a lullaby to the reef, and the
fresh breeze whispered among the
palm fronds-that was all.
II the Mussulman kept his COMPACT
the hour was at hand. Then the iipht
Mss of a snake rose to them from the
oepths. That is a sound never forgot.
ten When once heard. 1t is like unto
no other. Indeed the term .hiss" ID =
non for the quick sibilant expul.
sion or the breath by an alarmed or
angered serpent.
Iris paid no heed to it; but jerks.
VINO knew there was not q reptile az
the snake variety on the island. leaned
owe the ledge and emitted a tolerablv
good Imitation. The native was ha.
meath.
"Sahib!"
Inc girl started at the u~nexpected
call from the depths.
YES" said jerks quietly,
"a rope, sahib."
The sailor lowered a rome Some.
tnlng was tied to it beneath. The Mo
mammalian apparently had little fear
OF being detected.
Pull, sahib."
Usually 1t is the sahib who savs
pull but circumstances alter cases.n
communed jerks. He hauled steodilv
al a heavy weight. a goatskin filed
Win cold water. He emptied the hot
ana sour wine out Of the tin cup and
was about to hand the thrice well
coined draft to Iris when a suspicious
thought caused him to withhold it.
Let me taste first" he said.
The Indian might have BETRAYED
them to the Dyaks. More unlikely
things had happened. What If the wa
ter were poisoned or drugged?
He placed the tin to his lips. The
liquid was musty, having been in the
kin nearly two days. Otherwise it
seemed to 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 it.
Drink yourself and give me some
more" she said.
mo more for you at present, madam.
In a few minutes, yes"
"Oh, why not now?"
DO not fret, dear one, You can
have all you want in a little while.
But to drink much now would make
you very ILL.,"
Iris waited until he could speak
again.
why did YOU she began.
But he bent over the parapet.
"Hello!"
"Sahib!"
"You have not been followed?"
II think not, sahib. Do not talk too
loud. They are foxes in cunning. You
have a ladder, they say, sahib. win
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, 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
ed to be very anxious to help them.
What is your manner" demanded the
sailor.
"Mir Jan, sahib, formerly corporal in
the Kumaon regiment"
when did you leave the regiment"
"Two years ago, sahib. l killed.
"What was the name Of your colo
nel?'
"Kurnal I-shpence-sahib, a brave
man, but Of no account on a horse"
jerks well remembered Colonel
Spence-a fat, short legged warrior,
who rolled off his charger if the ami
NAL so much as looked sideways. Mir
Jan was telling the truth.
"You are right, Mir Jan. What Is
Tuang SAIL 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 he 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"
"No, sahib. The dogs have been
whipped so sore that they snarl for re-
venge. They say there is no use in
firing at 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, they are build
ing scaling ladders-four in all. Soon
after dawn they intend to rush your
position. You may Stay some, they
say, but you cannot Stay threescore.
Taung sail 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 pores