The Mena weekly star., 1908-12-24


 the open. We'll have to take turn about cn watch at night, anyway. If we don't keep up fire some other spotted kitty will be sure to come nosing up the gully"
 There must also be lions in the vi- cinity,' added Winthrope.
 Miss Leslie said nothing until after the last pieces of meat had been handed around and Blake sprang up to resume work.
 MT. Blake she called, in low tone; "one moment, please. Would it save much bother if door was made and you and MT. Winthrope should sleep inside?"
 We'll see about that later" replied Blake. carelessly.
 The girl bit her lip, and the tears started to her eyes. Even Winthrope had started off without expressing his appreciation. Yet he at least should have realized how much it had cost her to make such an offer.
 By evening she had her tree-cave- house, she preferred to name it to her self-in habitable condition. When the purifying fire had burnt itself out. leaving the place free from all odors other than the wholesome smell of wood smoke, she had asked Blake how she could rake out the ashes. His advice was to wet them down where they lay.
 rRfA Fortunately the spring was only a few yards distant, and after many trips. with her palm-leaf hat for bowl. the girl carried enough water to sprinkle all the powdery ashes Over them she strewed the leaves and grass which she had gathered while the fire was burning. The driest of the grass, ar. ranged in far corner. promised a more comfortable bed than had been her lot for the last three nights.
 During this work she had been care full not to forget the fire at the tree. Yet when, near sundown, she called the third meal of leopard meat, Blake grumbled at the tree for being what he termed such a confounded tough prop osition.
 Good thing there's lots of wood here, Win" he added. We'll keep this fire going till the blamed thing top ples over, if it takes year"
 "Oh. but you surely will not stay so far from the baobab tonight" ex- claimed Miss Leslie.
 Hold hard," soothed Blake. You've no license to get the jumps yet a while. We'll have another fire by the baobab. So you needn't worry"
 A few minutes later they went back to the baobab, and Winthrop began helping Miss Leslie to construct a bamboo screen in the narrow entrance of the tree-cave, while Blake built the second fire
 As Winthrope was unable to tell time by the stars. Blake took the first watch. At sunset, following the en gineer's advice. Winthrope lay down with his feet to the small watch-fire and was asleep before twilight had deepened into night. Tagged out by the mental and body stress of the day, he slept so soundly that 1t seemed to him he hardly lost consciousness when he was reused by rough hand on his forehead.
 What is it?" he mumbled.
 Bout one o'clock" said Blake Wake up! ran overtime, cause the morning watch is the toughest But can't keep wake any longer"
 T say, this is a beastly bore" re marked Winthrope, sitting up.
 "Um-m," grunted Blake. who was al ! ready on his back
 Winthrope rubbed his eyes, rose wearily, and drew blazing stick from the fire With this upraised as a torch he peered around into the darkness and advanced towards the spring.
 When, having satisfied his thirst, he returned somewhat hurriedly to the fire. he was startled by the sight of s pale face gazing at him from between the leaves of the bamboo screen.
 My dear Miss Genevieve. what is the matter?" he exclaimed
 Hush Is he asleep?'
 Like a top
 "Thank heaveni Goodnight"
 "Good-night-er--I say, Miss Gen evieve--"
 But the girl disappeared and Win thrope, after a glance at Blake's placid face. hurried along the cleft to stack the other fire. When he returned he noticed two bamboo rods which Blake had begun to shape into bow slaves He looked them over. with sheer al Blakes seemingly unskilltul workman ship. but he made no attempt to finish the bows.