The Red Cloud chief., 1905-06-02

- 80 "''N s'N
conclusion that the bodies had been
dragged from off the sun dried rocks
INTO the lagoon by some agency the ma
ture of which he could not even ron.
lecture.
They were lying many feet above the
sea level when he last saw them, lit
tie more than half an hour earlier. At
that point the beach shelved rapidly.
He could look far into the depths Of
the rapidly clearing water. Nothing
vas visible there save several varie-
ties Of small fish.
The incident puzzled and annoyed
him. still thinking about II. he sat
down on the Highest rock and pulled
Off his heavy boots to empty the wa
ter out. He also Invested himself Of
his stockings and spread them out to
dry.
The action reminded him OF Miss
Deanc's necessities. He hurried t. n
point whence he could call out to- her
and recommend her to dry some Of
her clothing during his absence. He
retired even more quickly, fearing lest
he should be q Iris had already
displayed to the sunlight a large por-
ton of her costume.
Without further delay he set about
a disagreeable but necessary task.
From the pockets OF the first officer
and doctor he secured two revolvcrs
and n supply of cartridges. evidently
intended to settle any dispute which
might have arisen between the ships
officers and the native members OF the
crew. He hoped the cartridges were
uninjured. but he could not test them
at the moment for fear Of alarming
Miss Dcane.
Both officers carried pocketbooks and
pencils. In n of these, containing
dry leaves, the sailor made n careful
inventory Of the money and other val
liable effects he found upon the dead.
besides noting names and documents
where possible. CurlOusly enough, the
capitalist of this island morgue was n
Lascar, who In a belt around his waist
boarded more than a hundred pounds
in gold. The sailor tied In n handker.
chief all the money ne collected and
ranged pocketbooks, letters and jew.
elry In separate little heaps. Then he
stripped the men Of their boots and
outer clothing. He could not tell how
long the girl and he might be detained
on the island before help came, and
fresh garments were essential. II
would be foolish s~entimentality ia
trust to stores thrown ashore from the
ship.
Nevertheless when it became neces
sary to search and disrobe the womeI
he almost broke down. For an instant
he softcned. Gulping back his emo
tons with a savage imprecatiOn, III
doggedly persevered. At last he paus
ed to consider what should be done
with the bodies. His first intent was t
scoop a large hole In the sand with
piece of timber. but when 10 took int
consideration the magnitude Of the Ia
Dor involved. requiring many hours o
hard work and n waste Of precious
time which might be Of infinite valu'
to his helpless companion and himself
he was forced to abandon the project
1t was not only impracticable. but dan
gerOus.
Again he had to set his teeth witt
grim resolution. One by one the bod
les were shot into the lagoon from tn
little quay Of rock. He knew the.
would not be seen again.
He arose and shook himself like
dog. There was much to be done. Fl
gathered the clothes and other article
into a heap and placed portions OF sha'
tered packing cases near to mislea
Iris. While thus engaged he kicke
ND out Of the sand a rusty creese. @
Malay sword. The presence Of this Ia
plement startled him. He examine
1t slowly and thrust II out OF sight.
Then he went back to her. after dol
ming his stockings and boots, now tho
Oughly dry.
, "Are you ready now, Miss Deane'
he sang out cheerlly.
Ready? have been waiting fl
; you"
. jerks chuckled quietly. 81 mu
guard my tongue. 1t betrays me-
said to himself.
! Iris Joined him. BY some mysterio'
|, means she had effected great imprOv
! ment In her appearance. Yet the
!, !, were manifest gaps.
"If only | had a needle and thread
Q she began.
III that is ALL" said the sailor, fuI
bling In his pockets. He produced
Z shabby little hussif containing a thll
BILE, scissors, needles and some skei
. Of unbleached thread. Case and co