Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-02-15
CHAPTER XIV.

when l discovered you were gone
! became wild with fright. Don't you
see. l imagined you were wounded
and had fallen from the ledge. What
else could l do but follow, either 10
help you, or, if that were not pos
sible"--
He found her hand and pressed it to
his lips.
II humbly crave your pardon he
said. "That explanation Is more than
ample. 1t was | who behaved I'M
reasonably. or course ! should have
warned you"
"May / ask how many more wild ad
centuries you undertook without my
knowledgc?'
zone other. of great magnitude I
fell in love with you"
Nonsense" she retortcd II knew
that long before you admitted it to
yourself
Date, please
We'll. to begin at the very begin
ping. you thought I was nice on board
ahe Sirdar. New, didn't YOU
And they were safely embarked Oh n
conversation of no interest to any 9th
er person in the wide world, but which
provided them with the most delight
ful topic imaginable.
Thus the time sped unit! the rising
moon silhouetted the cliff on the white
carpet of coral strewn sand. The black
shadow line Travelled slowly closer TO
the base Of the cliff. and jerks, guided
hlso by the stars. told Iris that mid
might was at hand.
They knelt on the parapet of the
ledge, alert to catch any unusual
sound and watching for any indication
OF human movement. But Rainbow is
land was now still as the grave. The
wounded Dyaks had seemingly been
removed from hut and beach. The dead
lay where they had fallen. The sea
sang a lullaby TO the reef. and the
fresh breeze whispered among the
palm fronds that was all.
If the Mussulman kept his compact
the hour was at hand. Then the light
hiss of a snake rose to them from the
depths. That is n sound never forgot
ten when once heard 1t is like unto
no other Indeed the term hiss" is
misnOmer for the quick sibilant eXpul
sion of the breath by an alarmed or
angered serpent.
Iris paid no heed to il; but jerks.
who knew there was not n reptile Of
the snake variety on the island leaned
over the ledge and emitted toerably
good imitation. The native was be.
meath.
"Sahib.'
The girl started at the unexpected
call from the depths.
Yes" said jerks quietly.
"A rope. sahb."
The sailor lowered rope. Some
thing was tied TO it beneath. The Mo
Of being detected
Pull. sahb."
Usually 1t is the sahio who says
pull but circumstances alter cases"
communed jerks. He hauled steadily
Mt n heavy weight. a goatskin filed
with cold water. He cnptied the hot
and sour wine out of the tin cup and
was about TO hand the thrice vel
coined draft to Iris when n suspicious
Let me taste first" he said.
The Indian might have betrayc cd
them to the Dyaks. More unlikely
things had happened. What If the wa.
ter were poisoned or drugged?
he placed the tin to his lips. The
liquid was musty, having been in the
skin nearly two days. Otherwise it
seemed to he all right. With a sigh OF
profound relief he gave Iris the cup
and smiled at the most unladylike
haste with which she emptied it.
Drink yourself and give me some
more" she said
mo more for you at present, madam.
In few minutes, yes"
"Oh, why not now"
do not fret, dear one. You can
have NIL you want in little while
But to drink much now would make
vou very ILL.,"
Iris waited until he could speak
again
why did you she began.
But be bent over the parapet.
''Hello"'
"Sahib,"
"You have not been follower"
~ think not, sahib Do not talk toe
loud. They are foxes in cunning. You
have a ladder, they say, sahib. W
not your honor descend? | have much
30 relate"
Iris made no protest when jerks eX-
planned the mans request She only
stipulated that he should not leave the
ladder. while she would remain within
easy earshot. The sailor, of course,
carried his revolver. He also picked
mp q crowbar n most useful and silent
weapon. Then he went quietly down
ward. Nearing the ground. he saw
the native. who salaamed deeply and
was unarmed, The poor fellow SEEM
I'd to be very anxious TO help them.
what is your name" demanded the
sailor.
mir Jan. sahib, formerly corporal in
khe Kumaon regiment"
when did you leave the regimentW
1.-Two years ago, sahib. | killed.
"What was the name of your colo
hel?"
"Kurnal I-shpence-sahib, brave
man, but OF no account on n horse"
jerks well remembered Colonel