Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-15

small heed to his petulance; aroused from
sound slumber by the alarm of an Indian
attack - thrilled by the horror OF the
thought that she might fall into the
clutches of the callous man-apes which
infest the islands of southwest America
she was in no mood to diSentangle SUBJ
tleties of speech.
DO you think they have left us?" she
murmured. shrinking nearer to the iron
shield which COurtenay seemed TO think
would protect her.
Personally, 1 have seen no reason
whatever for such a hubbub," was the
fippant answer.
1t was evident that DR.. Christobal was
annoyed. Notwithstanding his conven-
tional polish he was not a man to con-
ceal his feelings when deeply stirred.
Yet Elsie failed to catch his intent. other
than that he was adopting his usual nom
chalant tone.
But something must have caused Capt
Courtenay and Mr.. Toiemache to fire
their revolvers so frequently. And if
they were mistaken, the dog would not
have shared their error. Besides. one Of
the canoes did not get away. See! Its
mast is fastened there
"Ah. l had forgotten Tollemache. He
was selected to join the captains watch,
of course"
Yes. I was present when the watches
were formed: Have you seen Mr.. Tohe-
mache? Is he safe?''
He is among those making the round
of the ship. 1 hope you will forgive me-"
Forgive you! What have you done
that calls for forgiveness?"
There are errors of speech which equal
those Of conduct, Miss MAXWELL
'Oh, what nonsense - at one in the
mornins--when we are threatened by
savages!'
Christobal was relieved that she took
this view of his abrupt utterances. He
thought the incident was ended. He was
mistaken; Elsie was able to recall each
word subsequently. At the moment she
was recording impressions with uncom-
pretending accuracy, but her mind was
quite incapable Of analysing them; that
would come later.
The lantern was brought. Ceurtenay
stood on the lowermost rail, and carefully
paid out rope to which the light was
slung. He was far too brave a man to
take undue risks. He was ready to shoot
instantly if need be, and by his instruc-
tons. Tollemache and Walker kept watch
as best they could in case other canoes
were lying close to the ship.
Any doubt in this regard was dispelled
in singular manner. The Pickering rays
of the lantern had barely revealed the
primitive craft lying alongside when a
voice came from the depths, crying in
broken Spanish:
Don't shoot, senors-spare me, for the
love of heaven! l am a white man from
Argentina.
Christobal and Elsie alone understood
the exact significance of the words.
Courtenay. of course, knew what Ian
guage was being spoken, and it was easy
to guess the nature of the appeal. But
the lantern showed that the canoe was
empty. In the center lay the Fuegian
fire. it's embers covered with a small hide
The pole, fastened to a crosspiece in the
thwarts, was not a mast, but had evil
IDENTIFY been shipped in order to give
speedy access to the deck by climbing.
Then Courtenay caught sight o. two
hands clinging to the stern of the canoe
He swung the lanter in that direction,
and extraordinary, and even an af-
frighting, object became viSi Die. A carl
cature of a human head was raised slight
ly above the level Of the water. 1t was
crowned by a shock Of coarse, black
knotted hair. tied back from the brows
by fillet of white feathers. An intense
ly black face, crossed by two bars of red
and white pigment, reaching from ear to
car and covering eyelids, nose and lips,
was upturned to the watchers from the
deck. The colors were vivid enough, not
withstanding the sheets of rain which
blew in gusts against the ships side,
dimming the dull light of a storm-proot
lamp. to convey a most uncanny effect;
nor did Courtenay remove either his eyes
or the revolver while he said to Christie
bal:
ASK him who he is and what he
wants"
The answer was Ineligible enough
Il am miner from Argentina. l have
been among these Indians five years.
When their attack failed, 1 thought there
was chance of escape. For PHYS sake,
senior, help me instantly, or l shall die
from the cold
Have the Indians gomez asked Chris
tobal.
Yes. They thought to surprise you.
When they come again it will be by day
light, as they are afraid of the dark But
be quick, l implore you. My hands are
numb"
There was no resisting the mans ap-
peal. A rope ladder was lowered, and a
Chilean sailor went down in obedience to
the captains order, though he dislike d
the job, and crossed himself before de-
scending. He passed a rope under the
fugitive's armpits and, with aid f, ON the
deck, hoisted him aboard. The unfor-
tunate miner gave proof of his wretched
state by promptly eollapsing in a faint,
with sigh of "Madre de Dios."
His only garments were a species of
waistcoat and rough trousers of I'M
tanned guanaco hide. The white skin
of his hraast and loOc fhon1b