The Washington times., 1908-12-22

- mouse. that his victims were
completely in his power, the
chief priest made no immediate
move to follow them.
Instead, he stood waiting on the shore
until the wash Of the incoming tide
should bear them to his feet, occupying
his time meanwhile by hurting mOchnE
taunts at them. and returning thanks
TO his deities for thus delivering the
wicked into his haTds.
Not a dozen feet now separated the
canoe from the shore, and every splash
Of the harbOr wav lets was driving
them nearer
Helene covering in the bow had plac-
ed her hands before her eyes to shut
out the wolf-IIke figure Illuminating at
them from the strand; but Jim. ceas-
ing his desperate efforts TO navigate
with the useless paddle, watched him
with a wary eye, preparing to spring
out and engage him the Instant their
craft should touch shore
"Oh. IL I only had A revolver" he
groaned, noting the target offered by
that bare brown breast, and at the
thought his hand involuntarily swung
around to his hip-picket-swung around
ana cIutched the sling-shot which he
]
morning.
Before his minds eye fitted. as there
win come at such times. vision of
himself. a little boy at his mothers
knee one Sunday evening. listening
open-mouthed TO the story Of the ruddy
sbepherd lad who with pebbles picked
from the brook had gone forth TO meet
and conquer the mighty champion or
the Philisunes.
Tt was no time for doue-s or ques-
ffoninas- A feeling of perfect conf
dence possessed Harrison as he fitted
tEa stone in his pocket 10 its pouch,
and rose TO his feet
The chief priest, seeing his prey al
most within reach, flung at him a iresh
volley Of insults and boasting.
with that Jim made his cast and saw
the stone fash through the air
Missed! No question about 1T. Tan
and erect. the old man still stood there
with his Ieer Of mocling triumph
Then his expression changed, his lower
limbs wavered slightly. as tree treIn-
bles at it's base before the fan. he
STAGGERED, regalned his footing, then
threw up his hands and plunged lace
downward TO the sands
At the same instant the boat ground
ed on the shore, and out Of the iog
rolled a reverberatng report like the
sound OF nearby thunder.
Jim was actually 50 excited that ne
did not near IL, but the ears OF the
villagers were less deaf
yyide-eved. startled. they came tear
iu., to the beach. only to meet another
surprise upon their arrival. for there
Law the chief priest stark and lheless.
while the white stranger stood over
him. creese in hand, ready to admins
ter the coup de grace upon the nrsL
sian OF any returning consciousness
Aha. what did i tell your cried
with ready Interpretation, the fisher
man who had spoken with Jim and
Helene that afternoon THE god or
thunder has properly punished the old
fool for his impiety."
NIaIanaga, however, seemed shade
skeptical OF supernatural Intervention.
rs he dead2'' ne questioned. leaning
over the body.
II think so,'' uncertainty returned
Jim, adding darkly as he took hrmer
grip upon the handle Of his sword; If
not, he'd better be"'
yes" The chief nodded his head
after a brief examination. He IS with
the gods
Then his quick eye noted the little
indentation rapidly turning blue, just
above the right temple. He stopped TO
/ the sand and picked up the pebble
where Il had fallen, holding it out to-
ward Harrison With a swift glance OF
inquiry.
YES confessed Jim in rapid signals,
'It was ne or l. I had to do it"
lie attempted to express some regret
that necessity should nave forced him
TO remove the others chief subject. and
closest official associate; but Malanaga
seemed touched by no abiding sorrow
"Oh, that is all right his Indifferent
response could easily be translated. 1T
! is about time that we were having a
new chief priest anyway, and besides.
have long been wanting his head for
the ridse-pole OF my palace
Jim could not quite restrain shudder
at this caIloUs proposal; yet he himself
did not scorn a certain souvenir OF the
grim incident Recovering from the
chief the stone which had preserved
his life. he put it carefully away in
his pocket wit. the sIingshot to keep
as a mementC-
Nor might the popUlace have taken so
TRANQUILITY the death OF their dignitary
| il they had known that the American