The Mena weekly star., 1908-12-31
CHAPTER XII.
The Mark of the Beast.

fallen asleep at his post and permitted the fire to die out Shortly before dawn, Blake was reused by pack of iackals, snarling and quarreling over the halfdried seafowl. To charge upon the thieves and put them to flight with a few blows of his club took but a moment Yet daylight showed more than half the drying frames empty.
 Blake was staring glumly at them, with his broad back to Winthrope, when Miss Leslie appeared. The sud. den cessation of Winthrope's com plaints brought his companion around on the instant. The girl stood before him, clad from neck to foot in her leopard-skin dress.
 Well, I'll be-dashed!" he ex- claimed, and he stood staring at her open-mouthed.
 T fear it will be warm. Do you think it becoming?" she asked. flush. ing, and turning as though to show the fit of the costume.
 Do I?' he echoed. Miss Jenny, you re peacn
 Thank you" she said. And here is the skirt have ripped 1t open You see, it will make a fine flag"
 If it's put up. Seems pity. though, to do that, when we're getting on so fine. What do you say to leav- ing it down, and starting . little colony of our own?"
 Miss Leslie raised the skirt in her outstretched hands. Behind 1t her face became white as the cloth.
 'Well?" demanded Blake soberly. though his eyes were twinkling.
 You forget the fever" she retorted mockingly, and Blake failed to catch the quaver beneath the light remark.
 Say, you've got me therei" he ad mitted. Just pass over your flag, and scrape up some grub I'll be breaking out big bamboo. There are plenty of holes and loose stones on the cliff. We'll have the signal up before noon" :"
 Miss Leslie murmured her thanks, and immediately set about the prep. aration of breakfast
 When Blake had the bamboo ready, with one edge of the broad piece of white duck lashed to it with catgut as high up as the tapering stan would bear, he called upon Winthrope to ac. company him.
 You can go. too, Miss Jenny" he ! added. You haven't been on the cliff yet, and you ought to celebrate the oc- casion"
 No. thank you" replied the girl. I'm still unprepared 10 climb preci- pices, even though my costume is that of savage.
 Savage? Great Scott, that leopard dress would win out against any set of Russian furs a-going, and I've heard they're considered all kinds of dog. Come on. can swing you into the branches, and it's easy from there up."
 You will excuse me, please"
 Yes, you can go alone. interposed Winthrope. T am indisposed this morning, and. what is more. I have had enough of your dictation.'
 You have. have you?" growled Blake. his patience suddenly come to ] an end. Well, let me tell you, Miss Leslie is lady. and if she don't want 10 go. that settles it. But as for you youll go. if have to kick you every step"
 | Winthrope eringed back, and broke into a childish whine. "Don't-don't do it, Blake Oh, I say. Miss Gene vieve. how can you stand by and see him abuse me like this?"
 Blake was grinning as he turned tc Miss Leslie. Her face was flushed and downcast with humiliation for hei friend It seemed incredible that s man of his breeding should betray such weakness. A quick change camt over Blakes face.
 Look here" he muttered. T gues' I'm enough of sport to know some thing about fair play. Wins coming down with the fever and's no more |, blame for doing the baby act thar he'll be when he gets the delirium and gables"
 T will thank you to attend to you own affairs, said Winthrope,
 You're entirely welcome. It's wha I'm doing Do you understand, Mis- Jenny?"
 Indeed, yes; and I wish to thanl you have noticed how patient yo' have been--'
 Pardon me Miss Leslie' raspe' Wnthrope. Can you not see that fo fellow of this class to talk of fat play and patience is the height o impertinence? In England, now, sucl insufferable impudence-
 "Thatll do, broke in Blake. "lt' time for us to trot along"
 But. Mir Blake, if he is ill.,"
 Just the reason why he should kee moving. No more of your gab, Win Give your jaw lay-off, and try wig gling your legs instead Winthrope turned away, crimso , with indignation Blake paused onl , for parting word with Miss Leslie "lf you want something to do, Ms , Jenny. try making yourself pair c moccasins out of the scraps Of sklE You cant stay in this gully all tn , time. You've got to tramp aroun , some and those slippers must be aboC q done for
 , They are still seryiceable. feI 1 you think"
 2 eYouu need good tough moccasir soou enough. Singe on the hair en