The Washington times., 1908-12-19

~ either side, Harrison
and Helene were swept
rapidly through the
forest, the rest OF the
band whOoping and shriekins like an
aggregation C. steam calIiOpes in front
and rear.
The night had fully fallen by this
time, and in the dense shades Of the
trees it WAS black ds the inside Of a
pocket.
How the guides ever made their way
Jim could net for the Ife Of him tell.
As for himself. strain his eyes as he
would. he could not see an inch ahead
OF his face.
Presently. however. there came a
Elimmer OF light through the close
nlassed trunks, the tangled vegetation
thinned out. and they reached a clear
ing. blazing now in the light OF a dozen
fires.
A huddle OF palm-thatched huts oc-
cupied the center OF the open space,
and around its circumference ran q
rude stockade composed Of bamboo
poles, each topped with curious sort
aOf white ball
Coming still nearer. Jim recognized.
with a sudden sickening thrill Of ap-
prehension. that these were nothing
less than zrlnning. CHASTITY human
skulls
Indeed. skulls were apparently the
Savorite obje cts Of decoration in the
community. for he now perceived that
each Of the huts bore one or more upon
its peak. and many Of the door'vays
were outlined with the loatLsome
Ehiugs.
The character OF the people anuCugst
whom they had fallen was plain enough
40 him now This was evidently a
Elsn Of head hunters" and jim. could
not help wondering how long il would
be before his own CORY skypieca would
be crnamenting a pole.
Probably n scant shrift for both him
self and Helene. since a weird. monotO-
nous chanting and gIimpses OF a pro
lcession on the far side of the incIosure
Indicated that a ceremony Of some kind
was in progress-doubtless a welcome TO
The doughty warriors returning from the
chase. and due to end up in an artistic
sacrifice Of the victims.
In fact. Jim saw himself already as
good as a headless corpse, aud the
prospect did not especially add to his
RQuanimity.
Little time was given him. however.
10 analyze either his impressions CT
emotions. 50 rapidly was no hustled
across the hard. tramped earth Of the
clearing
Directly into the mob OF droning,
painted devOtees charged the escort with
himself and Helene, interrupting the
ritual and scattering those engaged upon
Il TO right and left.
Then they came to a halt before a hut
considerably larger than the others. and
$50 profusely embeIlished with skulls
that Harrison at once decided rightly
MAT it must lie the royal palace.
The chief, with a wave Of his hand
toward the low doorway. signified his
desire that they should enter: but
Helene. glancing at the grisIy array of
bones, shranlI back
Don't give way. II YOU love me. -
muttered Jim. gripping her imperativeIv
by the shoulder. II have an idea that
no harm may be intended to US, after
all: but everything depends on how we
oemean ourselves just at this moment.
Looking at it sensibly. indeed. why
should one he more afraid Of those
Things than Of the gravestones In a
cemetery
Thus encouraged. she conquered her
clutched tightly at Jim's hand. accom-
panied him unfalteringly across the
threshold.
4 motley crowd OF savages pressed
nuriously in behind them. and then by
the light Of the fiaring, uplifted torches
e became plain TO the Americans upon
what mission they had been brought
On the bed Of skins lay a fine looking
boy OF eight or nine years-evidentlv
The son Of the chief-and it needed but
one glance at the pain-o 'storted
features. the glazed, set eve. ard the
uUiveriDg, agoniZed frame to see that
he was suffering from one Of the fevers
common TO that latitude. and which are
SO often accompanied by violent
cramps.
"Oh. the poor babyi'' cried Helene.
forgetting all IN her womanIy pity.
as she flung herself down beside the
tiny form.
Here" as she turned to Jim, get
me one Of those thirty-second grain
morphine pills out Of my medicine case.
Quicl1I''
But this did not at all coincide with
Harrison's ideas OF discretion. He knew
The savage mind dotes upon ceremony.
therefore. he first drove the assem-
bled audience out of the hut, and then,
when he had handed Helene the simple
remedies she required, Frustrated him
self reverentially before the doorway. !
and bawled. Fee. a. 70. FUN" and
-Four and twenty blackbirris.T until his
Ahrost ached.