Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-06-03

Being in good condition, he soon re-
covered his physical powers He was
outwardly little the worse for the en-
counter with the devilhsh The skin
around his mouth was sore His waist
and legs were bruised. One sweep OF
the ak had cut clean through the buig-
ing leather OF his left boot without
touching the flesh. In word. he was
practically uninjured.
lie had the doglike habit OF shaking
himself at the close Of a fray lie did
so now when he stood up. Iris showed
clearer signs OF the ordeal. Her face
was drawn and haggaud, the pupils Of
her eyes dilated. She was gazing Into
depths illimitable, unexplored Com
passion awoke at sight OF her
Come" said jerks gently. LET us
get back 10 the island"
He quietly resumed predominance.
helping her over the rough pathway Of
the reef. almost lifting her when the
difficulties were great.
He did not ask her how il happened
that she came so speedily 20 his assist
snce. Enough that she had zone il.
daring all FOR his sake. She was weak
and trembling.
Reaching the firm sand, she could
walk alone
'Did-the thing-grip your" she
nervously inquired
'All over at once. it felt like. The
beast attacked me with five arms"
She shuddered. Il don't know how
you could fight it." she said. How
strong, how brave, you must be-
This amused him. The veriest cow
ard will try TO save his own life" he an
swered. If YOU use such adiectives 10
me- what words can l find 10 do jus
tce 10 YOU. who dared to come close
70 such vile looking creature and
XIII it. l must thank my stars that you
carried the revolver"
"Ah"' she said THAT reminds me-
You do not practice what you preach
found your pistol lying on the stone
In the cave. That is one reason why
/ followed YOU"
II was quite true lie laid the
weapon aside when delving az the rock
and forgot TO replace il in his belt
1T was stupid Of me-" he admitted.
but I am not sorry"
"Whyg"
Because. as It Is. owe you my
life"
You owe me nothing" she snapped.
1T is very thoughtlcss OF you To run
such risks. What will become Of me
II anything happens 10 you? Ny point
OF view is purely selfish you see"
quite so. Purely selfish" He smn-
Cd sadly. selfish people OF your type
are somewhat rare Miss Deanc."
cried:
Walt one minute. want to get
couple OF crowhars"
What forf"
81 must so back there" lie ierkcl
his head I'm the direction of Tie reef.
she uttered "a little sob OF dismay.
81 VIII incur no danger this time" he
explained. Il found rifles there We
must have them; they may mean sal
walton"
When Iris was determined about
anything her chin d!mplcd II puck
cred delightfully."- now.
Il Will come with YOU" she announc-
ed
VERY we'll / viii wait for YOU The
tide win sercs for another hour"
He knew ne had decided rightly. She
could not bear 10 be alone-yet Soon
the crowbars were secured. and they
returned 10 the reef Scramblng now
with difficulty over the rough and dan
gerous track, Iris was secretly amazed
10y the remembrance Of the daring ac-
tivity she displayed during her earlier
passage along the same precarious
roadway
Then she darted from rock 10 rock
with the fearless certainty Of n cha
mois. Her only stumble was caused.
she recOllected, by an absurd effort 10
avoid wetting her dress. She laughed
nervously when they reached the place.
This time jerks lifted her across the
intervening channel
They were standing on the landward
side of the shallow water in which ne
fought the octopus.
Already the dark fluid emitted by his
assailant in its final discontinue was
passing away owing To the slight move
ment Of the tide
Now that you have brought me here
with so much difficulty, what are YOU
going 10 dot" she said 1t will be
madness for you TO attempt to ford
that passage again. Where there is
one of those horrible things there are
others i suppose"
THAT is one reason why / brought
the crowbars," I've explained IF you
will sit down for a little while I will
have everything properly fixed"
He delved with one Of the bars until
At lodged in a crevice of the coral.
Then a few powerful blows with the
back OF the AK wedged it firmly enough
20 bear any ordinary strain. The rope
ends reeved through the pulley on the
tree were lying where they fell from
the girls hand at the close OF the
struggle. He deftly knotted them to the
rigid bar, and a few rapid turns OF a
piece Of wreckage passed between the |
two lines strung them into a tautness
that could not be attained by any |
amount of pulling.
Iris watched the operation in silence |
The sailor always looked at his best |
when hard at work. The half sullen. |!