The Mena weekly star., 1908-12-03


 1 A beginning to feel anxious when at last Blake pushed out from among the close thickets. As he ap- preached he swung an unshapely club of green wood, pauslng every few paces to test it's weight and balance on a bush or knob of dirt.
 By Jove." called Winthrope; that's not half bad, You look as If you could bowl over an OK"
 Blake showed that he was flattered. "Oh. I don't know" he responded; "the things blamed unhandy. Just the same, guess we'll be ready for callers tonight"
 "How's that?"
 Show you later, Pat, me by. Now trot out some nuts. Wen feed before we move camp"
 Miss Leslie Is still sleeping"
 Time. then, to roust her out. Hey, Miss Jenny. turn outi Time to chew" Miss Leslie sat up and gazed around in bewilderment.
 Its all right, Miss Genevieve," re assured Winthrope. Blake has found a safe place for the night, and he wishes us to eat before we leave here. 7 Save Juggling the grub added Blake. Get busy. Pat"
 As Winthrope caught up nut the girl began to arrange her disordered hair and dress with the delft and grace ful movements of a woman thoroughly trained in the art of self-adornment. There was admiration in Blake's deep eyes as he watched her dainty preen- ing She was not beautiful girl-at present she could hardly be termed pretty; yet even in her draggled, mud dy dress she retained all the subtle charms of culture which appeal so strongly to a man. Blake was sub dued. His feelings even carried him so far as an attempt at formal polite ness when they had finished their meal.
 Now, Miss Leslie" he began. Its little more than half an hour to sun down; so. if you please. If you're ready, we'd best be starting"
 Is 1t far?'
 Not SO very But we've got to chase through the jungle. Are you sure you're quite ready?'
 Quite. thank you. But how about Mir Wlnthrope's ankle?"
 Hell ride as far as the trees. l can't squeeze through with him. though"
 q shall walk all the way" put in Winthrope.
 No. you won't. Climb aboard re piled Blake. and catching up his club he stopped for Winthrope to mount his back. As he rose with his burden Miss Leslie caught sight of his coat which still lay in roll beside the palm trunk.
 How about your coat, Mir. BlakeF she asked. Should you not pu' it on?"
 No; I'm loaded now. Have to ask you to look after 1t. You may need t before morning, anyway II the dews here are like those in Central America they are d-darned liable to bring on malarial fever"
 Nothing more was said until they had crossed the open space between the palms and the belt of jungle along the river. At other times Win ihrope and Miss Leslie might nave hoen interested in the towering screw palms, festooned 10 the top witn climbers. and in the huge ferns whlcl thcy cord see beneath the manGro'es , the swampy ground on their ieit N V. however. they were far too con cerned with the question Of how 'hes should penetrate the dense tangie ol thorny brush and creepers whlcn rose before them like a green Waii Even Blake hesitatcd as he released Winthrope and looked at Miss Lesle costume. Her white skirt was o stout duck; but the fimsy materiai o her waist was ill-suited for rousi usage.
 Better put the coat on unless yo' want to come out on the other sloe v full evening dress" he said Ihere no use kicking, but l wish you nay pened to have on some sort oi a J~0A'' when we got spilled.
 'Is there no path through the tnicA et?" inquired Wlnthrope'
 Only the hippo trail, and it uon go our way. We've got to run ou, own line. Here's a stick for you game ankle"
 Winthrope took the halt-greei .s branch which Blake broke from " " nearest tree and turned to assist M's Leslie with the coat The safinun s,,,.. was of such coarse cloth that as WYE