The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-01-26

That was the poor devil doing
here?'' he asked why did he bury
himself in this rock, with mining uten~
sis and a few rough stores? He could
not be a castaway. There is the lndl-
cation of purpose, of preparationfi of
method combined with ignorance, for
none who knew the ways of Dyaks and
Chinese pirates would venture to live
here alone, if he could help it, and If he
really were alone" The thing was
mystery, would probably remain mys-
terry forever.
BE it steel or be it lead,
ANYHOW the man is dead"
There was relief in hearing his own
voice He could hum, and think, and
act. Aiming himself with the ak he
attacked the bushes and bEanches OF
trees in front of the cave. He cut a.
fresh approach to the well, and threw
the litter over the skeleton. Al nrst
he was inclined to bury it where it lay,
but he disliked the idea of Iris walk
ing unconscioUsly over the place. No
time could be wasted that day. He
would seize an early opportunity to
act as gravedigger.
After an absence of little more than
an hour he rejoined the girl She saw
him from afar, and wondered whence
he obtained the ak ne shOuldered.
"You are a successful explorer" she
cried when he drew near.
Yes, Miss Deane. l have foundsUa-
ter, implements, a shelter, even iighcsS
what sort of light-spiritual or ma
terial?'
coil"
"OhI"
Iris could not remain serious for
many consecutive minutes, but she
gathered that he was il no mood for
frivolity.
And the Shelters it a house?" she
continued.
mo. cave. If you are sufficiently
rested you might come and take pos
session"
He told her what he had seen, with
reservations, and she ran on before
him to witness these marvels.
''Why did you make new path to
the well?" she inquired after a rapid
survey.
"A new PATH" The pertinent ques-
ton staggered him.
Eyes, the people who lived here
must have had some sort of free pas
sage"
He lied easily. 81 have only cleared
away recent growth" he said.
And why did they dig a cave? 1t
build 2 house from all these trees
There you puzzle me" he said
frankly
They had entered the cavern but a
little way and now came out
These empty cartridges are funny
They suggest fort, BATTLE" Wo-
man-like, her words were carelessly
chosen, but they were crammed with
inductive' force.
Embarked on the toboggan slope of
untruth the sailor slid smoothly down
wards.
Events have colored your magma
ton, Miss Deane. Even in England
men often preserve such things for
future use. They can be reloaded
Yes, l have seen keepers do that
This is different. There is an air Of"
There is a lot to be DONE" broke in
jerks emphatically. I'VE must climb
the hill and get back here in time to
light another fire before the sun goes
down. I want to prop a canvas sheet
in front of the cave, and try to devise
a lamp"
Must I sleep inside?" demanded
Iris
Yes. Where else?"
There was a pause. mere Whit of
awkwardness.
Il will mount guard outside" went
on jerks. He was trying to improve
the edge of the AK by grinding it on
soft stone.
The girl went into the cave again.
She was inquisitive, uneasy.
THAT arrangement" she began.
but ended in a sharp cry of terror. The
dispossesed birds had returned during
the sailors absence.
Il will kill them" he shouted in an
ger.
please don't. There has been
enough of death i'm this place already"
The words Jared on his ears Then
he felt that she could only allude to
the victims of the wreck.
I was going 70 say" she explained.
that we must devise partition.
There is no help for it until you con-
struct sort of house. Candidly. 1 do
not like this hole In the rock. 1t is a
vault, a tomb"
You told me that l was in com
mand, yet you dispute my orders" He
strove hard to appear brusaueIy good
humored. Indifferent, though for one
OF his mould he was absurdly irrita-
Die. The cause was overstrain, but
that explanation escaped him.
quite true. But If sleeping i'm the
colo, IN dew or rain, is bad for me. if
must be equally bad for you. And
without you / am helpless, you know"
His arms twitched to give her a re-
assuring hug. In several respects
she was so childlike; her big blue ewes
We're so ingenious. He laughed sar-
aonlcaily, and the harsh note clashed
with her frank candor Here, at least.
she was utterly deceived. His change
ful moods were incomprehensfble.
i will serve you to the best of nv
ability, Miss Deane," ne exclaimed.
we must hope for a speedy rescue
and 1 am Injured TO exposure. 1t is
otherwise with you. Are you ready
for the climb?'
Mechanically she picked up a stick
at her feet 1t was the sailors wand of
investigation. He snatched it from
her hands and threw it away among
the trees.
That is dangerous alpenstock. he
said. The wood is unreliable. IT
might break. 1 will cut you a better
one" and he swung the AK against
tall sapling.
Iris mentally described him as finn
ny. She followed him in the upward
curve of the ascent. for the grade was
not difficult and the ground smooth
enough, the storms of years having
pulverized the rock and driven sand.
INTO its cteftS The perSiSfent ;rroa5.