The Falls City tribune., 1908-12-25
P v.
The Re.4scent of Man.

IA fAiNt' 'A' '
Il L. beginning to feel anxious
when at last Blake pushed out from
among the close thickets. AS he APP
preached he swung an unshapely club
Of green wood, pausing every few
PAGES to test its weight and balance
on a bush or knob of dirt.
BY Jove," called Winthrope; that's
not half bad You look as if you could
bowl over an on
Blake showed that he was f1attered.
oh. | don't know" he responded;
the things blamed unhandy. Just the
same, | guess We'll be ready for callers
tonight"
"How's that"
Show you later, Pat, me by. Now
trot out some nuts. Well feed before
We move camp"
Miss Leslie is still sleeping"
Time, then, to roust her out. Hey,
Miss Jenny, turn out! Time to chew"
Miss Leslie sat up and gazed around
In bewilderment.
It's all right, Miss Genevieve," re-
assured Winthrope. Blake has found
a safe place for the night, and he
wishes us to eat before we leave here"
Save Juggling the grub" added
Blake. Get busy, Pat"
AS Winthrope caught up a nut the
sirl began to arrange her d~isordered
hair and dress with the deft and grace
ful movements of a woman thoroughly
trained in the art of self-adornment.
There was admiration in Blake's deep
eyes as he watched her dainty preen-
ing. She was not a beautiful girl-at
present she could hardly be termed
pretty; yet even in her draggled, mud
dy dress she retained all the subtle
charms of culture which appeal SO
strongly to a man. Blake was sub
so far as an attempt at formal polite
ness when they had finished their
meal.
Now, Miss Leslie" he began, "it's
little more than half an hour to sun
down; so, if you please, If you're ready,
we'd best be starting"
p" Is it far?'
Not so very. But we've got to
chase through the jungle. Are you
sure you're quite ready?"
Quite, thank you. Blu how about
Mr.. Winthrope's ankle?'
He'll ride as far as the trees. !
can't squeeze through with him.
though"
Il shall walk all the way" put in
Winthrope.
NO. you wont. Climb aboard" re
pied Blake. and catching up his club
he stopped for Winthrope to mount his
back. As he rose with his burden
Miss Leslie caught sight of his coat
which still lay in a roll beside the
palm trunk.
How about your coat, Mr.. Blake?'
she asked. SHOULD you not put
il on"
No; I'm loaded now. Have to ask
you to look after It. You may neec
Il before morning, anyway. If the
aews here are like those in Contra
America they are d-darned liable tc
bring on malarial fever"
Nothing more was said until they
had crossed the open space between
the palms and the belt of jungle
along the river. At other times Win
tbrope and Miss Leslie might have
been interested in the towering screw
palms, f~estooned to the top witt
climbers, and in the huge ferns which
they could see beneath the mangrove:
in the swampy ground on their left
Now, however, they were far too con
cerned with the question Of how they
should penetrate the dense tangle o
thorny brush and creepers which
rose before them like a green wall
Even Blake hesitated as he released
Winthrope and looked at Miss Leslie:
costume. Her white skirt was o
stout duck; but the fiimsy material o
her waist was illsuited for rough
usage.
Better put the coat on unless you
want to come out on the other side II
full evening Dress" he said. There
no use kicking, but l wish you'd hap
pened to have on some sort Of a JACKIE
when we got spilled"
is there no path through the thick
et?" inquired Winthrope.
only the hippo trail. and 1t dom