Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-01-25
CHAPTER VIII,


sailor knew that no ruse was intended.
The Dyeks we're flying from the island
IN fear and rage They would return
with force sufficient to insure the
wreaking Of their vengeance
That he would again encounter them
at no distant date jerks had no doubt
whatever. They would land in such
numbers as to render any resistance
dlnicult and a prolonged defense i'm
possible Would help come drst?-a
distracting question to which definite
answer could not be given. The sail
or's brow frowned In deep lines; his
brain throbbed now with an anxiety
singularly at variance with his cool de-
meanor during the fight. He was ut
terly unconscious that his left arm Ell
crcled the shoulder of the girl until
she gently disengaRed herself and said
appeal!ngly:
Please Mr.. jerks, DO not be angry
with me. ! could not help it. I could
not bear to see you shoot them"
Then he abruptly awoke to the real
tiles Of the moment.
Come" he said. his drawn features
relaxing into wonderfully pleasing
smile. I'VE will return to our castle.
We are safe for the remainder OF this
bay, at any rate
Something must be said or done 20
eeaBsure her She was still grevously
disturbed, and he naturally ascribed
her agitation to the horror of her cap
ture. He dreaded a complete collapse
il any further alarms threatened at
once. Yet he was almost positive
though search alone would set at rest
the last rn'sgiving-that only one sam
pan had visited the island. Evidently
the Dysks were unprepared as he for
the events Of the preceding half hour.
They were either visiting the island to
procure turtle and beche-de- mer or had
merely called there en- route to some
other destination. and the change in
the wind had Unexpectedly compelled
them 10 Put ashore. Beyond all doubt
warmth of the reception they encoun-
tered.
Probably when he went to Summit
rock that morning the savages had
lowered their sail and were steadily
padding north against wind and cur
rent. The most careful scrutiny of the
sea would fail to reveal them beyond
a distance Of six or sever miles at tho
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
beach. Why? The fact that lie and
Iris We're then passing the grown over
tract leading to the valley of death
instantly determined this point. The
Dyaks knew Of this Gflrighting hollow
and would not approach any nearer to
!. than was unavoidable. Could he
twist this circumstance to advantage
II Iris and he were still stranded there
when the s,Gerstitlous sea rovers next
put in I'm appearance? He would see.
All depended Oh The girls strength. If
she gave way now; IT, instead of talk
Ing instant measures FOR safety, he
were called upon - nurse her through
fever, the outlook became not only
desperate, but hopeless.
And, while he bent his brows in
worrying thought, the color was re-
turning t. iris' checks and natural
buoyancy 10 her step. 1t is the fault
OF all men to unGewate the marvellous
courage and constancy Of woman in
the face Of difficulties and trials.
tn
You do not ask me for any account
Of my adventures" she said quietly,
after watching his perplcxcd express
sion in silence for some time.
Her tone almost startled him, its I'M
assumed cheerfuiness was so unlocked
for.
NO." he answered. II thought you
were too overwrought to talk Of them
at present"
"Overwrought! Not 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
j admit that cried little when you
Puou00 Liz 6HiNe Oh Tue DeHCH ana FHlS-
ed your gun to fire at those poor
wrstches flying for their lives. Yet
perhaps was wrong to hinder you"
you We're wrong" ho gravely inter
rupted.
Then You should not have needed
me. No. l don't mean that. You al
ways consider me first, don't you? No
matter what ask you to do you en-
deavor to please me, even when you
know all the time that am acting or
speaking foolishly"
The unthinking naivete of her words
sent the blood coursing wildly through
his veins.
'Neycr mind" she went on, with
earnest simplicity. God has been
very good to us. / cannot believe that
he has preserved us from so many
dangers to permit us to perish mis-
erably a few hours or days before help
comes. And do want to tell you ex-
acuy 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 adventurous
support, she said.
"Ali right" commented jerks. III
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