The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-08-12

if any further alarms threatened at
once. Yet he was almost positive
though search alone would set at rest
the last misgivinG- that only one sam
pan had visited the island. Evidently
the Dyaks were unpropared as he for
the events ~ the preceding half hOnr
Iney were 91tn"r visiting the island to
procure turtle and beche-de-ucr or had
merely called there Ell route TO some
OTHER destination, and the change in
the wind had unexpectedly compelled
them to put ashore. Beyond all doubt
they must have been surprised by the
warmth of the reception they encOun-
tered.
Probably when he went to Summit
rock that morning the sava@es had
lowered their sail and We're steadily
padding north against wind and cur
rent. The most careful scrutiny of the
sea would fail to reveal them beyond
Il distance of six or seven miles at the
utmost
After landing in the hidden bay on
the south side they crossed the island
through the trees instead of taking the
more natural open way along the
Iris were then passing the grown over
tract leading to the valley OF death
instantly determined this point. The
DyakS knew of this affrightinE hollow
and would not approach amy nearer to
it than was unavoidable. Could lie
twist this circumstance to advantage
If Iris and he We're still stranded there
when the SUperStitiOus sea roverS next
put i'll an appearance: He would see
All depended Oh the girls strength. If
She gave way HOW; if, instead of tax
ing instant measures for safety. he
were called upon to nurse her through
Il 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 checks and natural
huOyanCy to her step. 1t is the fault
of all men to undcrrate the marvellous
courage and cOnstancy of woman in
the face of difficulties and trials
jerks was no exception to the rule.
You do not ask me for any account
of my adventures" she said quietly,
after watching his perplexed express
Her tone almost startled him. it's I'M
assumed cheerfulness was so unlocked
for.
NO" he answered. Il thought YOU
were too OverWrought to talk of them
at present"
"OverWrOught Not q bit of it! |
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 a display of hysteria
now that all the excitement has ended.
! admit that | cried a little when you
pushed me aside on the beach and pais-
ed your gun to fire at those poor
wretchcs flying for their lives. Yet
perhaps 1 was wrong to hinder you"
You were wrong" he gravely inter
rupted.
Then you should not have needed
me. No, | 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 l am acting or
speaking foOlishly.'
The unthinking naivete of her words
his veins.
"Never mind" she went on, with
earnest simplicity God has been
very good to us. l cannot believe that
he has preserved us from so many
dangers to permit us to perish mis-
erably Il few hours or days before help
comes. And | do want to tell you eX-
actly what happened"
Then you SHALL" he answered. But
first drink this" They had reached
their camping ground, and he fastened
to procure a small quantity of brandy.
She swallowed the spirit, although
she really needed no such adventitious
support. she said.
All right commented jerks. IF
you don't want q drink l do
Il can quite believe it." she retorted.
Your case is very different. | knew
the men would not hurt me-after the
first shock of their appearance had
passed, l mean. | also knew that you
would save me. But YOU. Mr.. jerks,
had to do the fighting. You We're called
upon to rescue precious me. Good gra-
ciOus. No wonder YOU We're excited
The sailor mentally expressed his in
ability to grasp the complexities of
feminine nature. but Iris ratified on:
Il carried my tin of water to the
pitcher plant and was listening to the
greedy roots gurgling away for dear
life when suddenly four men sprang
out from among the trees and seized
my arms before l could reach my re
volver.
THANK heaven YOU failed"
You think that if l had fired at them
they would have retaliated. Yes. eSpe-
ciully if had hit the chief. But it was
he who instantly gave some order, and
l suppose it meant that they were not
TO hurt me. AS a matter of fact. they
seemed TO be quite as much aStonished
as l was alarmed. But if they could
hold my hands they could not stop my
voice so readily. oh, didn't l yell:"
You did"
Il suppose you could not hear me
distinctly"
quite distinctly"
Every word:'
Yes"
She bent to pick some leaves and bits
Of dry grass from her dress Well