Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-05-16

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breeze kept its canvas taut. and the
sailor knew that no ruse was intended
The Dyaks were flying from the island
in fear and rage. They would return
with force sufficient to insure the
wreaking Of their vengeance.
That lie would again encounter them
at no distant date jerks had no doubt
whatever. They would land in such
numbers as to render any resistance
difficult and prolonged defense i'm
possible. Would help come frst?-a
distracting question to which definite
answer could not be given. The sail.
or's brow frowned In deep lines; his
brain throbbed now with an anxiety
singularly at variance with his cool de-
mcanor during the fight. He WAS ut
terly unconscious that bis left arm en-
circled the shoulder Of the girl until
she gently disengaGed herself and said
appealingly:
please. Mr.. jerks. do not be angry
with me. could not help it. could
not bear to see you shoot them"
Then he abruptly awoke to the real
tiles of the moment.
Come" he said. his drawn features
relaxing into wonderfully pleasing
smile. we will return to our castle.
We are safe for the remainder Of this
Cay. 1t any rate
Something must be said or done to
reassure her. She was still grievously
disturbed. and he naturally ascribed
her agitation to the horror Of her cap
!urc He dreaded complete collapse
f any further alarms threatened at
once. Yet he was almost positive
though search alone would set at rest
the last misgiving-thHt only Ole sam
pan lad visited the island. Evidently
l,c D.aks were un?rc9arcd "s lie for
the events Of the preceding half hour.
They were either visiting the island to
procure turtle and beche-de-incl or had
merely called there ell route 10 some
other destination. aud tie change in
the wind had unexpectedly cJM.eliel
them to put ashore. Beyond i'll doubt
thev must have been surprised by the
warmth of the reception they encoun-
tered.
Probably when he went to Summit
rock that morning the s::vaGes had
lowered their sail and wee steadily
padding north against wind and cur
rent. The most careful scrutiny OF the
sea would fail to reveai them beyond
a distance Of six or seven miles ut the
utmost.
After landing in the hidden bay Oh
tie south side they crossed the island
through the trees instead of taking the
more natuS..l open way along the
beach. Why? The fact that he and
Iris were then passing the grown over
tract leading to the valley of death
instantly determined this point. The
Dyaks knew of this affrighting hollow
and would not approach any nearer tc
it than was unavoidable. Could lie
twist this circumstance to advantage
il Iris and he were still stranded there
when the superstitious sea rovers next
put In an appearance? He would see.
All depended on the girls strength. II
she gave way now; II, instead Of TAX
ing instant measures for safety, he
were called upon to nurse her through
a fever, the outlook became not only
desperate, but hopeless.
And. while he bent his brows In
worrying thought. the color was re-
turning to Iris cheeks and natural
buoyancy to her step. 1t IS the fault
Of all men to underrate the marvellous
courage and cOnstancy Of woman in
the face of difficulties and trials
jerks was no exception to tie rule.
You do not ask Inc for any account
of my adventures" she said quietly.
after wutcling his perplexed expires
sion in silence for some time.
Her tone almost startled him, its un-
assumed cheerfulness was so unlocked
for.
NO." he answered. II thought you
were too overwrought to talk Of them
at present"
"Overwrought! Not a bit of It! l
was dead beat with the struggle and
with screaming for you, but please
don't imagine that l am going to faint
or treat you to display Of hysteria
now that all the excitement has ended.
I admit that cried little when you
pushed Inc aside on the beach and rails
ed your gun to fire at those poor
wretches flying for their lives. Yet
perhaps l was wrong to hinder YOU"
You were wrong" he gravely inter
rupted.
"Then you should not have needed
me. No, I don't mean that. You al
ways consider me first, don't you? No
matter what l ask you to do you en-
deavor to please me, even when you
know all the time that am acting or
speaking foolishly."
The unthinking naivete Of her words
sent the blood coursing wildly through
his veins.
Never mind" she went on, with
earnest simplicity. God has been
very good to us. cannot believe that
he has preserved us from so many
dangers to permit us to perish mis-
erably a few hours or days before help
comes. And do want to tell you ex-
actly what happened"