The Columbus journal., 1909-08-04
HYou Beastly cad!"

a sailor. he was wide awake the mo.
ment he opened his eyes. He stood
up and peered around through the half
leafless branches.
| Over the water thousands of gulls
and terms, boobies and cormorants
| were skimming and diving, while
above them number of graceful frigate
birds-thOse swart, scarletthroated pi-
! rates of the air-hung poised, ready to
swOOp down and rob the weaker birds
and the surrounding water was life
in fullest action. Even from where
he stood Blake could hear the
harsh clamor of the seafowL
In marked contrast to this scene tie
plain was apparently lifeless. When
Blake rose. small brown lizard
dartcd away across the sand. Other
wise there was neither sight nor
sound of a living creaturc. Blake pom
dered this as he gathered his clothes
into the shade and began to dress.
Looks like the siesta is the all
round style in this Gol-forsaken hole"
he grumbled. Haven't seen so much
as rabbit. nor even one land bird.
May be a drougtt-no: must be the
dry season Whee. these things are
hot! I'm thirsty as a shark. Now,
where's that softly and her ladyship?
'Fraid she's in for a tough time:"
He drew on his shoes with a jerk,
Srowled at their stiffness. and. club
in hand. stepped clear of the brush to
look for his companions The first
glance along the foot of the cliff
showed him Winthrope lying under the
shade of the Overhanging lodges, a few
yards beyond the sand beach. OF
Miss Leslie there was no sign. Half
alarmed by this, Blake started for the
beach with his swinging stride. Win
thrope was awake. and on Blake's ap-
proach. sat up to greet him.
Hello" he called. Where have
you been all this time?"
"'Sleep. Where's Miss Leslie?"
She's around the point"
Blake grinned mockingly. Indeed.
But fawncy she won't be for long"
He would have passed on, but Win. /:
trope stepped before him.
Don't 60 out there, Blake" he pro-
tested. ''I-ah-think it would be bet
ter II ! went"
Why" demanded Blake.
Winthrope hesitated; hut an impa-
tfent movement by Blake forced an
answer: We'll. you remember. this
morning. telling us to dry our clothes"
Yes: remember" said Blake IS"
you want to serve as lady's valet?"
Wfnthrope's plump face turned a
sickly yellow.
"I-ah-valet? What do you mean. !
Sir? l protest. do not understand
YOU" he stammered But in the midst,
catching sight of Blake's bewildered
stare. he suddenly flushed crimson.
and burst out in unrestrained anger:
'Iou-you bounder-you beastly cad!
Any man with an ounce of decency-"
Blake uttered a jeering laugh
Wow! Hark, how the British lion
r-r-ro-ars when his tails twisted"
You beastly cad" repeated the
now purple with rage.
Blake's unpleasant pleasantly gave
place to a scowl. His jaw thrust out
like bulldogs. and he bent towards
with a menacing look. For
1 moment the Englishman faced him,
sustained by his anger. But there was
steely H.: in Blake's eyes that he
could no: Withstand. Winthrope's de-
liant stare wavered and fell. He
shrank b:'k. the color fast ebbing
rom his cheeks.
Ugh" growled Blake. Guess you
won't 6lat any more about cads! You ,
lamned hypocrite! Maybe I'm not
N to Low you've been hangin- around
Hiss Leslie just because les an {
'eiress. Anything is fair cough for ,
'ou swells. But let fe,io.. so much