Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-01-18
the broken coral that had tripped

quarry with the murderous ease Of
|errier in q rat pit. Something like a
in a violent hurry hummed past
ear, snd a rock near his right foot
s struck a tremendous blow by an
seen agency. He liked this. II would
a battle, not a battus.
rhe fifth Dyak crumpled into the
btortion Of death, and then their
lder took deliberate aim at the kneel-
marksman who threatened to wipc
IN and his band out Of existence.
bit his deiiberation, though skillful,
he too profound. Tho sailor fred first
ia was professionally astonished to
the gaudily attired individual
ssed violently backward for many
rds, finally pitching hendlong to the
rth. Had he been charged by a bull
full career he could not have been
ore utterly discounted. The incident
rs sensational, but inexplicable.
Yet another member Of the band was
ostrated ere the two as yet unscath-
thought At to beat a retreat. This
ey now did with CELEBRITY, but they
Jagged their chief with them. 1t was
} part Of jerks programme to allow
EN- to escape. He aimed again ut
man nearest the trees. There was
sharp click and nothing more. The
,rtridge was n misfire. He hastily
ught to eject II, and the rife TANNED
Spring1ng to his feet, with yell, he
n forward. The flying men caught a
impse Of him and accelerated their
Sovements. Just as he reached Iris
hey vanished among the trees.
Singing the rifle over his shoulder.
i.icked UP the girl in his arms. She
los conscious, but breathless.
you are not hurt?" he gasped, his
yes blazing into her face with an in
misty that she afterward remembered
appalling.
NO" she whispered.
Listen he continued In labored
trks. Try and obey me-exactly. I
Fill carry you-to the cave. Stop there.
Ihoot any one you see-till I come"
She heard him wOnderingly. Was he
|oing to leave her, now that he had
err safely clasped to his breast? I'm
ossibe. All. she understood. Those
hen must have landed in n boat, He
Intended to attack them again. He
Fas going to fight them single handed,
| nd she would not know what happen
d to him until it was all over. Grad
Tally her vitality returned. She almost
miled at the fantastic conceit that she
you'd desert him.
jerks placed her on her feet at the
Entrance to the cave.
you understand" he cried, and with
put waiting for an answer ran to the
her amazement, he darted back through
Prospect park toward the south beach.
The sailor knew that the Dyaks had
landed at the sandy bay Iris had chris
ened Smugglers' co"e. They were ac-
|luainted with the passage through the
reef and came from the distant islands.
Now they would endeavor to escape
by the same channel. They must be
prevented at all costs.
He was right. AS they came out into
he open he saw three men, not two.
pushing Off a large sampan. One Of
hem was the chief. Then jerks I'M
lerstood that his bullet had hit tho
ock Of the Dyak's uplifted weapon,
with the result already described. By
b miracle he had escaped.
He coolly prepared to slay the three
bf them with the same calm purpose
khat distinguished the opening phase
pf this singularly one sided conflict
kThe distance was much greater, per.
haps 800 yards from the point where
|the boat came into view. He knelt and
fired. He Judged that the missile struck
the craft between the trio.
II didn't allow for the sun on the
side Of the fore sight" he said, "or per
haps I am bit shaky after the run. In
any event they can't 60 far"
A hurrying step on the coral behind
him caught his ear Instantly hi
sprang UP and faced about-to see Iris
"They are escaping" she said.
mo fear Of that" he replied, turning
away from her.
Where are the othersf"
Dead"
do You mean that you killed nearly
all those menu"
six of them. There were nine II
ALL"
He knelt again, lifting the rife. Iril
threw herself on her knees by his side
There was something awful to her il
this chill and businesslike declaration
of fixed purpose.
"Mr. jerks" she said, clasping he
hands in an agony Of entreaty, do no
kill more men for my sake."
For my own sake then" he growl
ed, annoyed at the interruption, as tn
sampan was afoat.
Then l ask you for Gods sake no
to take another life. What you have al
ready done was unavoidable. perhaps
right. This is MURDER"
He lowered his weapon and looked a
her.
III those men get away they will
bring back host to avenge their com
rades-and secure you" he added.
1T may be the will Of Providence 70
such a thing to happen. Yet / implor
you to spare them"
He placed the rife on the sand an,
raised her tsndsrly, for she had yield
ed to q paroxysm OF tears. Not anothe
word did either Of them speak In tina
hour The large triangular sail OF tn
sampan was now bellying out in tn
south wind. A figure stood up in tn
rka.n Of thu hoa& nd ahnoE q rnonnni, Il,