The Red Cloud chief., 1905-09-01

"Now you have eleven mems lives in
your hands" he said. TRY not to miss
IL you must shoot"
In the dim light he could not see the
spasm Of pain that clouded her face.
No Dyak would reach her while he
lived. If he fell, there was another use
for one Of those cartridges.
The sailor had cleared the main floor
Of the rock and was placing his four
rifles and other implements within easy
reach when a hiss came from beneath.
mir JAM exclaimed Iris.
"What now?' demanded jerks over
the side.
"Sahib, they come"
IL am prepared. Let that snake
get back to his hole In the rock. lest a
mongoose seize him by the head"
Mir Jan. engaged In a scouting expe-
dition on his own account, understood
that the officer sahib's orders must be
obeyed. He vanished. Soon they heard
a great cracking among the bushes on
the right. but jerks knew eve before
he looked that the Dyaks had correctly
estimated the extent Of his fire zone
and would keep out of 1t.
The first physical intimation of the
enemy's design they received was a
pungent but pleasant smell of burning
pine, borne to them by the northerly
breeze AMI filling the air with its aro-
ma. The Dyaks kindled a huge fire.
The heat was perceptible even on the
ledge, but the minutes passed and the
dawn broadened into day without any
other result being achieved.
Iris, a little drawn and pale with sus-
pense, said, with a timid giggle:
This does not seem to be so very
serious. 1t reminds me Of my efforts
to cook"
"Therc is more to follow, l fear, dear
one. But the Dyaks are fools. They
should have waited until night fell
again after wearing III out by constant
vigilance all day. If they intend to EN-
ploy smoke it would be far worse for
us at night"
Phew. A volume Of murky vapor
arose that nearly suffocated them by
the first Whit OF its noisome fumes. 1t
curled like a black pail over the face OF
the rock and blotted out sea me sky.
They coughed necessarily and nearly
choked. for the Dynks had thrown wet
seaweed on top Of the burning pile OF
dry wood. Mir Jan, born in interior In
dia, knew little about the sea or Its
products, and when the savages talked
Of seaweed he thought they meant
green wood. Fortunately for him, the
ascending clouds Of smoke missed the
cave or infallibly he must have been
stihed.
Lie fiat on the rock!' gasped jerks.
Careless of waste, he poured water
Over a coat and made Iris bury her
mouth and nose in the wet cloth. This
gave her immediate relief. and she
showed her woman's wit by tying the
sleeves Of the garment behind her neck.
jerks nodded comprehension and fol-
lowed her example. for by this means
their hands were left free.
The black cloud grew more dense
each few seconds. Nevertheless, owing
to the slope Of the ledge and the tend
ency Of the smoke to rise, the south
side was far more tenable than the
north. Quick to note this favorable cir
AIN III uVuutV u u
ther fact from II. A barrier erected on
the extreme right Of the ledge would
be u material gain. He sprang up,
dragged the huge tarpaulin from its
former location and propped it on the
handle Of the pickax, driven by one
mighty stroke deep into a crevice Of
the rock.
1t was no mean feat Of strength that
he performed. He swung the heavy
and cumbrous canvas into position as
II 1t were u dust cloth. He emerged
from the gloom of the driven cloud red
eyed, but triumphant. Instantly the
vapOr On the ledge lessened, and they
could breathe. even talk. Overhead
and in front the smoke swept In ever
increasing density, but once again the
sailor had Outwitted the Dyaks' ma
neuvers.
I'VE have won the first rubber" he
whispered to Iris.