Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-01

Are they going to attack us I"
 Not yet" was the reassuring an- swer. Y killed the fellow who saw us before he could tell the others"
 It was a bold risk, and he had taken it, though now the Dyaks knew for certain their prey had not escaped there was no prospect of their speedy departure. Nevertheless the position was not utterly hopeless. None of the enemy could tell how or by whom their companion had been shot. Many among the excited horde jabbering be- meath actually looked at the cliff over and over again, yet failed to note the potentialities of the ledge, with its few tufts of grass growing where seeds had apparently been blown by the wind or dropped by passing birds.
 Jenks understood, of course, that the real danger would arise when they vis- ited the scene of their comrades dis aster. Even then the wavering bal ance of chance might cast the issue in his favor He could only wait, with ready rife, with the light of battle lowering in his eyes Of one thing at least he was certain-before they con auered him he would levy terrible toll.
 He glanced back at Iris. Her face was pale beneath its mask of sun brown.
 The chief was listening fntently to the story of the Dyak who saw the dead man totter and fall He gave some quick order. Followed by score or more of his men, he walked rapidly to the foot of the cliff where they found the lifeless body.
 Jenks stole one more hasty glance at Iris The chief and the greater mum. Der of his followers were out of sight behind the rocks. Some of them must now be climbing to that fatal ledge. Was this the end?
 Iris bent forward sufficiently in her sheltering niche to permit her to gaze with wistful tenderness upon Jenks. She knew he would dare all for her sake. She could only pray and hope.
 Suddenly clamor of discordant yells fell upon her ears Jenks rose to his knees. The Dyaks had discovered their refuge and were about to open Arc. He offered them target lest perchance Iris were not thoroughly screened.
 Keep close" he said. They have found us. Lead will be flying around soon."
 She finched back into the crevice; the sailor fell prone Four bullets spat into the ledge, of which three pierced the tarpaulin and one flattened itself against the rock.
 Then Jenks took up the tale. So GU. rfously constituted was this man that, although he ruthlessly shot the savage who first spied out their retreat, he was swayed only by the dictates of stern necessity. There was a feeble chance that further bloodshed might be averted. That chance had passed. Very well. The enemy must start the dreadful game about to be played. They had thrown the gage, and he an- swered them. Four times did Jenks' rine carry death. unseen, almost un- felt, across the valley.
 Ere the fourth Dyak collapsed Imply where he stood others were there, firing at the little puff of smoke above the grass. They got in few shots, most of which sprayed at various angles of the face of the cliff. But they waited for no more. When the lever of the Lee-Metford was showed home for the fifth time the opposing crest was bare of all opponents save two, and they lay motionless.
 The fate of the flanking detachment was either unperceived or unheeded by the Dyaks left in the vicinity of the house and we'll Astounded hy the fr- ing that burst forth in mida.r. Jenks had cleared the dangerous rack before they realized that here, above their heads. were the white man and the maid whom they sought
 With stupid zeal they blazed away furiously, only succeeding in shower ing fragments of splintered stone into the eagles nest. And the sailor smiled He quietly picked up an old coat rolled 1t into ball and pushed 1t into sight amidst the grass. Then he squirmed round on his stomach and took up a position ten feet away. Of course those who still carried loaded guns discharg- ed them at the bundle of rags. where upon Jenks thrust his rife beyond the edge of the rock and leaned over.
 Three Dyaks fell before the remainder made mp their minds to run. once con. vinced. however. that running was good for their health. they moved with much celerity. The remaining cartridges in the magazine slackened the pace of two of their number. Jenks dropped the empty weapon and seized another He stood up now and sent quick remind CT after the rearmost pirate. The oth- CTS had disappeared toward the locality where their leader and his diminished troop were gathered. not daring to again come within range of the whis- ting dumdums. Tbe sailor, holding his rife as though pheasant shooting. bsnt forward and sought a belated oppo- nent. but fin vain. There was no sound save the wailing of birds. the soft soush of the sea and the yelling of the three wounded men in the house. who knew not what terrors threatened and vainiy bawied for sucoW.
 Again Jenks could look at Iris. Her face was bleeding. The sight madden cd him
 My God-' be groaned. ~Ass yoa