The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-07

/ flying supper. A circle OF hres was then
built about our camping place, and we
nung ourselves down In the long grass to
sleep two at least OF the party being as
can vouch. thoroughly done up.
We managed to get perhaps a couple OF
hours OF sleep, and then our rest was
| completely destroyed for the remainder
of the night by a well-sustained attack
on the part OF countless ticks, ants. and
other inauisitive insects. which persisted
In perambulating our bodies and busiiy
taking sample bites out OF our Skins, IN
an evident effort TO ascertain the LOCALITY
OF the tenderest portions OF our anatomy.
Next morning 1 discovered with the
greatest concern that Smellie was down
| right III. so much so that II soon became
evident IL would be quite Impossible Tor
us TO prosecute our Journey. for that DAY
at least.
Daphne's distress at this unfortunate
state OF affairs was very keen, but sne
was a pre-eminenrly sensible little BODY
seeing almost at a glance what was want
ed: and promptly diverting her sympa-
thies into a practical channel, she at once
set of in search of a more suitable apld-
ing place than the one we had occupied
through the night This she at lengta
lUun. ln an open glade at no great dis
tance: and thither we promptly removed
our patient, the rapidly increasing Sc
/, robustness OF his symptoms admonishing
Us that there was little room for delay
Our new camping place was lovely
spot, being an open amphitheatre or ABOUT
A acres in extent. surrounded on all sides
by the forest. and having tiny rivuie,
OF pure sparkling fresh water nowln8
through II. Daphne. OF course, AT once
took the lead in the arrangements neces-
sary for what threatened TO he some
what protrncted sojourn; and by her di-
rections 1T was singular now rapidly we
were earning to MAKE ourselves mutually
uhderstood) / proceeded I'm the nrst IN
stance 10 clear away the grass. 20 far as
possible, from a circular space some 10
feet In diameter, within few yards or
the hank OF the stream.
r~0hne. meanwhile having borrowed
Smellie's knife. went of Into the forest,
,fo... onlsn sne soon afterwards returned
with heavy load OF long, tough, plant
wands. Flnging these upon the ground.
she next busted herself In lighting a
fire on the partially cleared space, en-
ploying me to procure for her the neces-
sary materials; and when large enough
bonfire had been constructed and the en-
bers we're all red hot, she spread them
carefully over the whole of the space
upon which had been working, and thus
effectually destroyed what grass l had
been unable TO remove. This done our
next task was to cut all the wands or
wattles TO uniform length OF about q
feet and point them at both ends; after
which. by driving the ends into the soil
on opposite sides OF our cleared circle OF
ground. we soon had complete the frame
work OF a hemispherical beehive like
structure. second load OF wattles was,
however, necessary to strengthen this
framework to Daphne's liking. and leav-
ing poor Smellle. for the nonce, to take
care OF himself, the pair OF us set out TO
procure them.
Daphne led me TO a dense brake where
In immense numbers OF these wattles
were TO be found. and leaving me to cut
as many as could carry, proceeded fur
ther afeld in quest OF building material
of another sort. l had completed my task
and was back in camp preparing my load
fo- use when Daphne returned; and this
time she came staggering In under q tre
mendous load of palm-leaves, which
rightly guessed were to be used for
thatch So we toiled on during the whole
OF that day, which. like the preceding,
was intensely hot. and by dusk our hut
was so far complete as to be capable Of
affordng us shelter during the succeeding
night
by midday OF the following day II was
quite finished: and an efficient shelter
having thus been provided for Smellie
from the scorching rays OF the sun. we
we're then i'm position TO give him our
undivided attention, OF which he. by that
time. stood in most urgent need.
The ensuing fortnight was one OF cease
less anxiety TO Daphne and myself, poor
Smellie being prostrated with raging fever
and utterly helpless during the whole OF
that time. Fugitlves as we were, and In a
savage country. II was quite out OF our
power 10 procure assistance, medical or
otherwise. We were thrown completely
upon our own resources, and we had
nothing whatever 10 gui,.e Us IN our In
experience. Daphne. TO my surprise. APP
peared to possess no knowledge what
ever OF the healing art: and thus the
treatment OF our patient devolved solely
uIson me- And what could dor
] had no drugs: and had l had access
TO the best appointed apothecary's shop
should still have lacked the knowledge re-
qusite for n right use OF It's contents.
SO we were obliged no doubt fortunately
for the patient, 20 allow Nature to take
her course merely adopting such simple
precautionary measures as would suggest
themselves to any one possessed OF av-
erage common sense. We provided for
our patient comfortable, fragrant.
springy bed of species OF heather:
cleansed and dressed his wounds ms often
as seemed necessary; kept him as cool az
possible. and fed him entirely upon fruits
OF mild and agreeable acid flavor
During that fortnight smellie was un-
doubtedly lowering on the borderland be-
tween life and death. and but for the tire
less and tender solicltude OF Daphne /
am convinced he would have passed across
the dividing line and entered the land
Of shadows.
(To BE Continued Monday)