Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-15

ness the steep rock was as smooth as if it had been
cut with TOOLS and it sloped away at sharp angle
like the sides of a funnel
Baraka went up toward the right, and the bottom
shelved, so that presently the water down to
her waist, and then she stood still and pointed to
dark hollow just bove the little beach. The rubes
are there, she said thousands upon thousands of
them. Fill the sack quickly; but do not take more
than you can carry, for they are very heavy"
The traveller waded out the beach. He put
down his revolver IN dry place. and both his hands
felt for the precious stones in the shadowy hollow,
loosening small fragments of sort of brittle crust
in which they seemed to be clustered. He tore out
the crusts of crystals like mailman. His hands
were bleeding; for though he philosopher the
thirst for wealth had come upon him when he felt
the riches of empires in his grasp, and the time was
Short and though he knew that he might some day
come back with armed to protect him. and
workmen to help him, he knew also that to do this
he must share the secret with the overload of that
wild country, and that his share might be the loss
of his head. So he tore at the ruby crust with
all his might, and as he very strong he broke
out great pieces at once.
We cannot carry more than that, both of us to-
gether," said Baraka though she judged more by
the sound of his work than by what she could
He lifted the sack, and knew by its weight that
Come" Baraka said; Il will go back first
She moved down into the deeper water again, till
it was up to her neck; and feeling the way with
her hands she went in once more under the rock
The traveller followed her cautiously, carrying the
up his revolver with the other, to keep it dry.
Il begin to see the starlight the water Baraka
said just as before, when they had been going in.
WHEN she had spoken, she heard heavy splash
w not far Off and the water in the subterranea
channel rose suddenly and ran past her in short
waves three of which covered her mouth in quick
succession and reached to her eyes, and almost to
the top of her head, but sank again instantly; and
they passed her companion IN the same way, wett1ng
go back!" Baraka said, when she could speak
The rock is falling
The traveller turned quickly he could and
she after him. He felt his damp hair rising
with fear, for he believed that, after all, she had
brought him into trap; They reached the open
ing and came out into the pool again
You brought me here to del! he said
Your father and your brothers have shut up the
entrance with great stones, and they will go up the
mountain and let themselves down from above with
ropes and shoot me like wolf in pitfall But you
shall die first, because you have betrayed me-"
he cooked his revolver and set the mn mu1ze
slender throat with his other hand for they were
in shallow water and he had dropped the sack in
the pool.
Baraka did not struggle cry out. Il would
rather die by your hand than be alive in another
mans arms" she said quietly.
He let her go, merely because she very
brave; for he did not love her at all. She knew it
but that made difference to her, since no other
woman was near. If they could get out alive with
the rubies, she that he would love her for
the sake of the great wealth she had brought him.
If they to starve death at the bottom of the
great rock wall in the mountains she would prob
ably die first, because he strong; and then
nothing would matter. 1t all very simple.
THE traveller fshed up the sack and waded ont
upon the tiny beach. He looked up rather
anxiousy though he could not have head
looking down from above if there had been anyone
there was not light enough. He understood also
that if the going to shoot at him from the
height, they would wait till daylight Baraka stood
still in the water which up to her waist and he
paid attention to her but sat down to think what
he should do. The night warm, and his clothes