The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-03-11

esting. I'd have had some fun.
though, with that COMPOUNDED Ion
when the moon came up if he hadn't
sneaked off into the grass"
"A lion?"
Yes. Didn't you hear him? The
slulking brute prowled around for
hours before the moon rose. when it
was pitch dark II was mighty lone
some, with him. yowling down by the
pool. Half chance and I'd given him
something to yowl about. But it
wasn't any use firing off my arrows in
the dark. and, as | said, he sneaked
off before"
"Tom-Mr Blake!-you must not
risk your life"
Don't you worry about me. I've
learned how to look out for Tom
Blake. And you can just bank on it
I'm going to look out for Miss Jenny
Leslie, too But say, after breakfast.
suppose we take run out on the cliff
for eggs"
Il do not wish any to-day, thank
you"
He waited little, studying her
down-bent face.
Well" he muttered; you don't
have to come l know l oughtnt TO
take a moments time. | did quite a
bit last night; but II you think"
She glanced up, puzzled. His mean
ing flashed upon her, and she rose.
oh, not that, | will come" she
answered and FASTENED to prepare
the morning meal.
When they came to the tree-ladder
she found that the heap of stones
built up by Blake to facilitate the first
part of the ascent was now 50 high
that she could climb into the branches
without difficulty She surmised that
Blake had found it necessary to build
up the pile before he could ascend
with his burden.
They We're at the foot of the heap.
when. with a sharp exclamation, Blake
sprang up into the branches and
scrambled to the top In hot haste.
Wondering what this might mean,
Miss Leslie followed as fast as she
saw him running across towards an
out -jutting point on the north edge Of
the cliff
She had hurried after him for more
than half the distance before she per-
ceived the vultures that We're gath
cred in a solemn circle about a long
and narrow heap OF stones on ledge
down on the sloping brink OF the cliff.
While az the foot OF the tree Blake
had seen one Of the grewsome flock
descending to join the other, and
fearful Of what might be happening.
had rushed on ahead,
A his approach. the croaking watch
ers hoped awkwardly from the lodges
and scared away; only to wheel and
circle back overhead. Miss Leslie
shrank down. shuddering Blake came
back near her. and began to gather
UP the pieces of loose rock which
We're strewn about beneath the
Lodges on that part of the cliff
Il know ! piled up enough, he ex-
planned. in response to her look. An
the same, few more will do no
harm"
Then you are sure those awful
birds have not"
Yes I'm sure
He carried an armfu OF rocks 10
lay on the mound. When he began
TO gather more she followed his ex-
ample They worked in silence. piling
the rough stones gently one upon an
other until the cairn had grown TO
twice its former size The air on the
open cliff top was fresher than in the
cleft. and Miss Leslie gave little heed
to the absence of shade She would
have worked on under the burning sun
without thought OF consequences.
But Blake knew the need OF modera.
ton
There; that1l do" ne said He
may have Deen-all he was but we've
no more than done our duty. Now,
wen stroll out on the point"
Il should prefer to return"
NO doubt But it's time you
learned how to go nesting What il
you should be left alone here Be
sides. it looks to me like the signal is
tearing loose"
She accompanied him out along the
cliff crest until they stood in the midst
OF the bird colony, half deafened by
their harsh clamor She had never
ventured into their concourse when
alone Even now she cried out. and
would have retreated before the charp
bills and beating wings had not Blake
walked ahead and kicked the squawk-
ing birds out of the path. Having
made certain that the big white flag
was still secure on its staff he led the
way along the seward brink OF the
cliff, pointing out the different kinds
Of seafowl and shouting information
about such of their habits and quail
ties as were OF concern to hungry cast
aways.
He concluded the lesson by descend
ing dizzy flight of lodges to rob the
nest of a frigate bird It was a fool
hardy feat at best, and doubly so in
view of the thousands Of eggs lying
all around in the hollows of the cliff
top But from these Blake had re-
Gently culled out all the fresh settings
of the frigate birds and none Of the
other eggs cqualed them in delicacy
~ havor