Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-08-18

breath enough to tell me why
" You came down the ladder!"
when l discovered you were gone
l became wild with fright. Don't you
See, l imagined you We're wounded
and had fallen from the ledge. What
else could l do but follow, either to
help you. or. if that We're not pos
sible"-
He found her hand and pressed 1t to
his lips.
Il humbly crave your pardon" he
said. THAT explanation is more than
ample. 1t was l who behaved I'M
reasonably. OF course I should have
warned you"
MAY ask how many more wild ad-
ventures you undertook without my
knowledge?"
Zone other, Of great magnitude. 1
fell in love with you"
NONSENSE she retorted. II knew
that long before you admitted it to
yourself"
''Date, please?"
''Well, to begin at the very begin
ming, you thought was nice on board
the Sirlar. Now, didn't your"
And they were safely embarked Oh q
conversation Of no interest to any 9th.
er person in the wide world, but which
provided them with the most delight
full topic imaginable.
Thus the time sped until the rising
moon silhouetted the cliff on the white
carpet Of coral strewn sand. The black
shadow line Travelled slowly closer to
the base Of the cliff, and jerks, guided
also by the stars, told Iris that mid.
night was at hand.
They knelt on the parapet Of the
ledge, alert to catch any unusual
sound and watching for any indication
Of human movement. But Rainbow is
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 q lullaby to the reef, and the
fresh breeze whispered among the
palm fronds-that was all.
If the Mussulman kept his compact
the hour was at hand. Then the light
hiss Of q snake rose to them from the
depths. That is a sound never forgot
ten when once heard. 1t Is like unto
no other. Indeed the term "hiss' Is q
misnomer for the quick sibilant expul-
sion of the breath by an alarmed or
angered serpent.
Iris paid no heed to it; but jerks,
who knew there was not a reptile Of
the snake variety on the island. leaned
over the ledge and emitted tolerably
good imitation. The native was be-
meath.
"Sahibl"
The girl started at the unexpected
call from the depths.
"Yes," said jerks quietly.
"A rope, sahib."
The sailor lowered a rope. Some
thing was tied to 1t beneath. The Me-
hammedan apparently had little fear
Of being detected.
"Pull, sahib."
Usually it is the sahib who says
pull, but circumstances alter cases"
communed jerks. He hauled steadily
ut q heavy weight, a goatskin filed
with cold water. He emptied the hot
and 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
skin nearly two days. Otherwise II
seemed to be all right. With q sigh of
profound relief he gave Iris the cup
and smiled at the most unladylike
haste with which she emptied 1t.
Drink yourself and give me some
more" she said.
mo more for you at present, madam.
In q 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 be bent over the parapet
"Hellov'
''Sahib!
you have not been fOllowedT
II think not, sahib Do not talk too
loud. They are foxes in cunning. You
have a ladder, they say, sahib. Will
not your honor descend? have much
10 relate"
Iris made no protest when jerks ex-
plained 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. lie also picked
up crowbar, n 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 nameT demanded the
sailor.
"Mir Jan, sahib, formerly corporal in
the Kumaon regiment"
when did you leave the regiment?"
'Two years ago, sahib. 1 killed.
what was the name of your colo
mel"
"Kurnal I-shpence-sahib, brave
man, but Of no account on O horse"