Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-06
CONTINUED FROM PAGE FouR

saw You'd better bolt, old chap. He
sure to ask what you're up to, ana te
to one he'll spot me ii he sees you
took timely heed to this advice, an
striking straight line away from theh ire
still screened by its trunk, l reacnea. :.
friendly shelter of the laurel hedge. Behin
the shrubs was safe concealment. wherel
/ could watch the issues of this doubtf'
business
Slowly and sedately, as beftted a man
years and wisdom, the doctor proceeded
the pier, where, in leisurely fashion, ne en-
barked in the punt.
He had brought with him cushions ana
rug. which he arranged comfortably IN III
stern Then, taking the oars, he skimme
the placid waters, thrice circumnavlgatin
the island and examising with interest IN
flowers and shrubs which beautihed
shores.
Meanwhile, Harry Dawson lay snug aioa
mighty branch of the beech tree, an
watched from his eyrie the aquatic manoet
vres of his preceptor. The foliage deiende
him from probable detection; but 1t wa
necessary for him to remain still, especial
when the punt passed under the umbrageou
branches of the beech.
If the doctor had happened at such time
to look upwards, Harry would have bee'
spotted to certainty. Happily for hlm, TN
doctor was preoccupied with the floral beau
ties of the Observation-Disclosures IN profu
sion of bloom, giant moon-daisies and but
terc,,ps. Likewise, he had on a broad-brim
med. white straw hat, which would have rem
dered it irksome to look up.
Harry took courage and remained still
teleqraphing to me signals, comical and unln
telligible, save that they expressed amuse
ment. not unmingled with alarm.
Now, as 1 stood, like Cyrus before the bat.
tie of Cunaxa, looking from friend to foe, !
observed a change come over the attitude
and behavior of both.
The doctor gradually stopped rowing and
shipped the oars He then settled himself
comfortably upon the cushions in the stern of
the punt, and only maintained its progress
by an occasional stroke Of canoe-paddle,
which formed part of the furniture OF the
craft Then the paddle was laid aside and
the broad-brimmed hat descended lower and
lower, till it entirely concealed his face.
The eminent pillar of scholastic admins
tration had evidently fallen asleep, and the
punt had ceased to move. No ripple or
breeze was abroad to disturb its. rest, as. it
lay becalmed in the shade under the dropping
branches of the giant beech tree. So much
for the foe Seeing that all danger Of discov.
ery was arrested for the moment, | turned
my attention towards Harry Dawson.
His behavior caused. me some surprise He
was standing on main branch close to the
main trunk, holding by one hand to a ser
viceable twig; but he seemed concerned for
something in the region of his feet. de took
out his handkerchief and tapped at the
branch on which he was standing: He looked
up and tapped at the trunk of the tree. he
stopped down and violently pulled the left
leg of his trousers and rubbed his leg vigor-
ously. He shifted his position, kneeling on
the bough and looking down the trunk.
Something was seriously wrong;
emerged from behind the laurel hedge,
and taking care to keep the beech tree be.
tween me and the punt, came near, and
sgned by grns and gestures surossy 70
behavior.
Crouching like a monkey on limb of the
tree he spelt on his fingers "a-n-t-s
| looked at the trunk. There was con-
tinuous stream of large red ants travelling
upwardAnot by single line, but all around
the girth of the tree,
innumerable army, forming dark, irregular
band from one to two feet broad. There
were squadrons and battalions massed in
battle array, with light horsemen passing
between -aides-de- camp, no doubt, carrying
instructions from the commanding officers
Beyond this main army, which was con-
tinually being reinforced by those coming up
from below, were skirmishers in advance,
making reconnaissance up the higher por-
tions Of the tree.
II was these slxirmishers which had already
commenced an attack upon Harry's leg.
Others had passed him and gone higher
while he was trying to reach the wood
pecker's nest.
large hole and put his arm in up to the
shoulder, but could not touch the opposite
side of the cavern nor fathom its depths.
lie supposed the tree was entirely hollow.
But he was meanwhile in most dis
agreeable predicament,, blockaded by a
aiwavs in mortal dread Of insects armed with