The Mena weekly star., 1908-11-26

Thus assisted, and sheltered from the direct beat of the sun-rays, she tot tered along beside Blake, half-uncon- scious.
 Fortunately the remaining distance lay across stretch of bare dry ground, for even Blake had all but reached the limit of endurance Step by step he labored on. staggering un- der the weight of the Englishman and gasping with thirst which his ex. ertions rendered even greater than that of his companions. But through the trees and brush which stretched away inland in wall of verdure he had caught glimpses of broad stream i and the hope of fresh water called out every ounce of his reserve strength
 At last the nearest palm was only few paces distant Blake clutched Miss Leslie's arm and dragged her forward with rush in final outburst of energy. A moment later all three lay gasping in the shade. But the river was yet another 100 yards dis. tant. Blake waited only to regain his breath; then he staggered mp and went on. The others, unable to rise, gazed after him in silent misery.
 Soon Blake found himself rushing through the jungle along broad trail pitted with enormous footprints; but he was so near mad with thirst that he paid no heed to the spoor other than to curse the holes for the trouble they gave him. Suddenly the trail turned to the left and sloped down a low bank into the river. Blind to all else, Blake ran down the slope and dropping upon his knees plunged his head into the water.
 At first his throat was so dry that he could no more than rinse his mouth. With the first swallow his swollen tongue mocked him with the salt. bitter taste of sea-water. The tide was flowing, He rose. sputtering and choking and gasping He stared around. There was no question that he was on the bank of river and would be certain of fresh water with the ebb tide But could he endure the agony of his thirst all those hours?
 He thought of his companions.
 Good Godl" he groaned, they're goners, anyway"
 He stared duly up the river at the thousands of waterfowl which lined it's banks. Within close view were herons and black ibises. geese pelicans, fla mingoes, and dozen other species of birds of which he did not know the names. But he sat as though in stupor, and did not move even when one of the driftwood logs on a mud shoal few yards upstream opened an enormous mouth and displayed two rows of hooked fangs. It was other wise when the noontime stiffness was broken by violent splashing and loud snortings downstream. He glanced about and saw six or eight monstrous heads drifting towards him with the tide.
 What in Vince! whole herd Of hippos," he muttered. That's what the holes mean"
 The foremost hippopotamus was headed directly for him. He glared at the huge head with sullen resent ment. For all his stupor he perceived | land; and he sat in the middle of its accustomed path. His first impulse was to spring up and yell at the crea- ture. Then he remembered hearing that a white hunter had recently been killed by these beasts on one of the South African lakes. Instead of leap ing up he sank down almost fiat and crawled back around the turn in the path Once certain that he was hid | den from the beasts he rose to his | feet and hastened back through the l jungle.
 | He was almost in view of the spot where he had left Winthrope and Miss Leslie, when he stopped and stood l hesitating.
 q can't do it," he muttered; 'I can't | tell her-poor girl"
 He turned and pushed into the | thicket Forcing a way through the tangle of thorny shrubs and creepers until several yards from the path he began to edge towards the face of the jungle, that he might peer out at his companions unseen by them.
 There was more of the thicket be- fore him than he had thought. and he | was still fighting his way through it when he was brought to stand by a peculiar cry that might have been the bleat of young lamb: "Ba--ba."
 Whats that?" he croaked. He stood listening. and in moment he again heard the cry, this time more | distinctly: "Blak,-Blak,"
 There could be no mistake. It was | Winthrope calling for him, and call | Ing with a clearness of voice that would have been physically impossible half an hour since. Blake's sunken eyes lighted with hope He burst through the last screen of jungle and | stared towards the palm under which 1 he had left his companions. They were not there.
 Another call from Winthrope di- rected his gaze more seaward The two were seated beside a fallen palm, and Miss Leslie had large round ob- feet raised to her lips. Winthrop was waving to him.
 "Cocoanuts." he yelled. Come on'"
 Three of the palms had been over thrown by the hurricane, and when Blake came up he found the ground strewn with nuts He seized the first he came to: but Winthrope held out one already opened. He snatched it from him and placed the hole to his | cwoltan iine Mayer had champague