The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-12-18
CHAPTER XIV.
MAKING THE BEST OF A BAD
MATTER

forgot the weary teeDlenesS
Of his limbs. Man, even II
he be at the last gasp. al
ways has one more fight left
in him. If there be but sufficient in
centive to call it forth
So Jim, oblivious now TO his aches
and his exhaustion, reused to instant
vigor. He sprang erect, his eyes flash
ing. his shoulders squared back. and
thrust himself into a posture Of defense
before the trembling girl
Il was an idle show in a way, for he
we'll knew that. single-handed and with
no weapon-not even a stick or a stone
he could not hope to cope against the
belligerent horde opposed TO him.
Nevertheless. il was the courageous
impulse of the moment. and, like all
worthy and unselfish actions. it bore
good fruit
Cmtching in desperate counsel at the
bosom Of his loose canvas shirt, ne felt
there the little bundle Of tableware
which he had sequestered the night be
fore from the reach Of the crack
Drained skipper.
His first idea was that At last he had
a weapon wherewith to meet his foes.
but instantly he recognized the futility
Of that suggestion. The two-tined forks
and blunt table knives of the Helene
were not exactly the arms 10 pit
against those sheIl-tipped lances and
razor-sharp creeses.
a better inspiration came to him.
My Old grandmother used to say"
he muttered. that civility for civility
is the rule the world over. And, al
though / haze ny doots' in this case.
It's about the only thing left for me to
try"
He cast his eve quickly over the mem
acing line Of spearsmen, now drawing
close. in search Of some distinguishing
mark which would betoken their chief
tain
There was little TO choose among them
ga the matter OF clOthing--this being
chiefly conspicuous on account Of its
absence-but he observed that one Of
them, a tall, 1.-THE specimen. perfectly
proportional as a bronze statue, wore
an ornate head-dress Of bird Of para
disc feathers. and he decided 20 take a
chance on him
The fellow had a face calculated 70
stop a clock Il was painted in Iurid
coloTs so as TO bring out the most
fondish and malevolent expression i'm
aEinable.
Undeterred oy this. however or by
the geuteman's seemingly manifest pur-
pose to spit him upon his spear, Jim
faced him with a conciliatory smile. and
then lifting his hands above his head,
extended the courtesy II a royal salaam.
Watching narrowly out Of the corner
Of his eye as he bowed to the earth.
be saw the line Of warriors hesitated
and advanced more slowly, perpIexedIy
glancing at their chief: while the latter
fell into less eager pace, and seemed
10 be considering.
Apparently even On the island Of Var
ira IL was not considered strictly good
form 10 puucture the anatomy of the
stranger who spoke You fair
Encouraged by these signs, therefore
Jim raised himself TO his fun height
and bringing forth the towel-wrapDed
bundle Of knives and forks, held II out
with the air Of NE who extends q
princely tribute.
Immediately the chief gave a cultural
order Of some kind, and two OF the
band sprang forward. shaking their
creeses. and whirling down upon the
castaways
Helene gave a little shrek Of terror,
but Jim muttered quickly: do any
thing except let them see Won are
afraid" and she controlled herself.
As for himself although he felt de-
cidedly dubious concerning the inten-
tons Of the approaching men. and did
not at all Ike the freedom with which
they handled those short, sinister-look-
ing swords. he knelt in an attitude of
proper homage. and. placing his bundle
IA front Of him, waited for results.
Happily they did not whack off his
head. as he had more than half ey-
pected, but. with a final flourish of then
weapons. seized upon the package and
bore it back to their master
And then Jim had another interval nj
suspense. Suppose the chief should
scorn his humble Offering, and, 1T tn,
blasting Of the expectations which IT,,
Strangers manner might have raised
burst into royal rage.
Surely IL would be all day then witt
both himself and Helene. After all
hadn't he perhaps been a bit too suar
with all this monkey business and stage
play?
Anxiously he waited. while fold afte1
fold Of the towel was unwrapped.
But he need have entertained no sucl
apprehensions. As the hidden treasur,
came to light the chief gave a shrfl
squeal of qualification comparable only
to the delighted cry of n child OF
Christmas morning. and all the res
gathered around, jabbering and excited
10 see and admire
Evidently the crown jewels OF Eng
land would not have made one-half 50
acceptable or valued a present
Dropping the air OF naughty aiOofness