The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-04-12
CHAPTER XIV.

could be diScerned. jerks dared not
leave Iris at such moment. He feared
to bring her down the ladder lest an
other shell might be fired. But some
thing must be done to end their sus-
pense.
He called to Mir Jan:
Take off your turban and hold it
above your head, If you think they can
see you from the warship."
1T is all right, sahib,'' came the
cheering answer. ''One boat is close in
shore. think, from the uniforms, they
are English sahibs, such as / have seen
at Garden Reach. The Dyaks have all
gone"
Nevertheless jerks waited. There
was nothing to gain by being too pre-
cipitate. A false step now might undo
the achievements of many weeks.
Mir Jan was dancing about beneath
in a state of wild excitement.
They have seen the Dyaks running
10 their sampans, sahib," he yelled,
land the second boat is being pulled
in that direction. Yet another has Just
left the ship"
translation made Iris excited, eager
TO go down and see these wonders.
Better wait here, dearest" he said.
1.-THE enemy may be driven back in
this direction, and I cannot expose you
to further risk. The sailors viii soon
land, and you can then descend in per-
feet safety"
The boom OF a cannon came from the
sea. Instinctively the girl ducked for
safety, though her companion smiled at
her fears. for the she'll would have long
preceded the report, had it Travelled
their way.
zone of the remaining sampans has
got under way" he explained, land the
Warship is firing at her"
Two more guns were fired. The man
o'-war evidently meant business.
Poor wretchesT murmured Iris.
Cannot the survivors be allowed TO
escape?"
"WelI, we are unable to interfere.
Those caught on the island will proba-
bly, be taken to the mainland and
banged for their crimes, so the manner
of their end is not of much cOnse-
quence."
To the girls manifest relief there was
no more firing, and Mir Jan announced
that a number OF sailors were actually
on shore. Then her thoughts turned
to matter of concern to the feminine
mind even in the gravest moments of
existence. She laved her face with
water and sought her discarded skirt!
Soon the steady tramp of boot-cIad
feet advancing at the double was heard
on the shingle, and an officers voice,
speaking the crude Hindustani of the
engine room and forecastle, shouted to
Mir Jan:
Hi. you black fellow, Are there any
white people here?"
jerks sang out:
Yes, two of u.s. Perched on the rock
over your heads. We are coming
down"
He cast loose the rope ladder. Iris
was linn and trembling
Steady, sweetheart" he whispered.
Don't forget the slip between the cup
and the Zip. Hold tight! But have no
fear! I will be just beneath"
IT was well he took this precaution
She was now so unnerved that an un-
guarded movement might have led to
an accident But the knowledge that
her lover was near the touch of his
hand guiding her feet on TO the rungs
of the ladder, sustained her. They had
almost reached the level when a loud
exclamation and the crash Of a heavy
blow caused jerks to halt and look
downward
A Dyak, lying at the foot of one of
the scaling ladders, and severely
wounded by a shell splinter, witnessed
their descent. In his left hand he
grasped parang: his right arm was
bandaged. Though unable to rise. the
Vengeful pirate mustered his remain
ing strength to crawl toward the sway
ing ladder. 1t was Taung SAL, in
spired with the hate and venom of the
dying snake. Even yet he hoped TO deal
a mortal stroke at the man who had
deted him and all his cut-throat band
He might have succeeded, as jerks
was so taken up with Iris, were it not
for the watchful eyes of Mir Jan. The
MahOmmedan Sprang at him with an
oath and him Si1pI q
whack with the butt of a rife that the
Dyak chief collapsed and breathed out
his fierce spirit in a groan.
At the first glance jerks did not rec
ogniZe Taung SAIL, owing to his
change of costume. Through the thin
ner smoke he could see several sailors
running up.
Look out. there he cried "There
is a lady here. If any Dyak moves
knock him on the headv
But, with the passing OF the chief.
their last peril had gone. The next in
slant they were standing on the firm
ground. and a British naval lieutenant
was saying eagerly:
I'VE seem to have turned up in the
nick of time. Do you. by any chance
belong to the Sirdar?"
we are the sole survivors" an
swered the sailor.
you two only?"
Yes. She struck on the northwest
reef of this island during a typhoon
This lady, Miss Iris Deane. and l were
flung ashore"
Miss Deane! Can it be possible?
Let me congratulate you most heartily
Sir Arthur Deane is on board the ORR
ent at this moment"
The Orient?"
Iris was dazed. The uniforms. the
pleasant faces of the English sailors,
the strange sensation of hearing IA
miliar words in tones other than those
of the man she loved, bewildered her,
Yes" explained the officer, with a
sympathetic smile. That's our ship,
you know. in the Offing there"
1t was all too wonderful to be quite
understood yet. She turned to Robert
DO you hear? They say my father
is not far away. Take me to him."
mo need for that, miss" interrupted
warrant officer. Here ne is coming
ashore. He wanted TO come with us.
but the captain would not permit il, as
there seemed to be some trouble
ahead"
Sure enough, even the girls SWIM