The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-02

the man was YouchSafed shred of
luck Before he could frame feeble
pretext for his too sanguine prediction
sampan appeared 500 yards from
Turtle beach, strenuously padded by
three men. The vague hallooing they
had heard was explained.
The Dyaks, though TO the manner
born, We're weary of sun scorched
rocks and salt water. The boat was
coming in response to their signals. and
the sight inspired jerks with fresh
hope. Like lightning fash came the
reflection that if he could keep them
away from the well and destroy the
sampan now Fastening 10 their assist
ance, perhaps conveying the bulk Of
their stores. they would soon tire of
shaking their thirst on the few pitcher
plants growing on the north shore.
Come quick," he shouted adjusting
the back sight of a rifle. Lie down and
aim at the front of that boat, a little
short if anything. 1t doesn't matter if
the bullets strike the sea first
He placed the weapon in readiness
for her and commenced operations him.
self before Iris could reach his side.
shots a minute at the sampan The re-
suit of their long range practice was
not long in doubt. The Dyaks danced
from seat to seat in state of wild ex-
element. One man was hurled over
board. Then the craft lurched sea-
ward III the strong current. and jerks
told Iris to leave the rest to him.
Before he could empty a second mag
aZine fortunate bullet ripped a plank
out and the sampan filled and went
down amid a shrill yell of execration
from the back of the cliff. The two
Dyaks yet living endeavored to swim
ashore, half mile through shark in
vested reefs. The sailor did not even
trouble about them. After a few fran
tic struggles each doomed wretch flung
up his arms and vanished. In the clear
atmosphere the onlookers could see
black fins cutting the pellucid sea.
They were quieting down-the thirst
fiend was again slowly sailing their
veins-when something of dirty white
color fiuttered into sight from behind
the base of the opposite cliff. 1t was
rapidly withdrawn, to reappear after
an interval. Now it was held more
steadily and brown arm became vfsi-
BILE. As jerks did not fire, turbaned
head popped into sight. 1t was the Mo-
lish speak it,
Don't you speak Hindoostanee?"
shouted jerks in Urdu of the higher
Yes, sir!'' was the joyful response. |
"Will your honor permit his servant to
come and talk with him?''
Yes, if you come unarmed."
"And the chief, too. sahib?"
Eyes, but listen. On the first sign of |
treachery will shoot both of your
1--WE will keep faith, sahib. May kites |
pick our bones if we fair
Then there stepped into full view the !,
Mussulman and his leader. |
They carried no guns; the chief wore |
his creese
Tell him to leave that dagger be-
hindr' cried the sailor imperiously. As
the enemy demanded a parley he re-
solved to adopt the conqueror's tone
from the outset. The chief obeyed, with
a scowl, and the two advanced to the |
foot of the rock.
STAND close to me-" said jerks to
Iris. Let them see you plainly, but
pull your hat well down over your
eyes
She silently followed his instructions.
Now that the very crisis of their fate
aad arrived she was nervous, shaken,
only of desire to sink on
ler knees and pray.
The two halted some ten PAGES in
front of the cavern, and the belliger-
ents surveyed each other. 1t was a fas-
,inating spectacle, this drama in real
ife. The yellow faced Dyak, gaudily
lttired in a crimson jacket and sky
blue pantaloons of Chinese silk, a man
7oung and powerfully built, and the
brown skinned, white clothed Moham-
nedan, bony, tall and gray with hard
hip, looked up at the occupants of the
edge. Iris, slim and boyish in her male
was dwarfed by the six foot
ailor but her face was blood stained,
ind jerks wore a six weeks stubble
If beard Holding their rifles with
lert ease, with revolvers strapped to
heir sides, they presented warlike
nd imposing tabIeau in their inaccessi-
lie perch In the path of the emissa-
lyak leader scowled again as he pass
d them.
..Sahib,'' began the Indian, my chief,
'aung Sail. does not wish to have
ny more of his men killed in a foolish
uarrel about a woman. Give her up,
e says, and he will either leave you
ere in peace or carry you safely to
ONE place where you can find ship
canned by white men,
a woman." said jerks scornfully.
That is idle talk. What woman is
ere:"
This question nonplused the native.
"The woman whom the chief saw
alf a month back, sahib.''
'-Taung s. Ali was bewitched. 1 slew
is men so quickly that he saw spirits
The chief caught his name and broke
i with a question A volley of talk
etween the two was enlivened with
oppressive gestures by Taung SAL.
no several times pointed TO Iris. and
enks now mathematical his thought
IS folly in permitting the Dyak TO ap-
roach so near The Mohammedan. of
purse. had never seen her and might
ave persuaded the other that in truth