The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-01-14

N-eotAN-A4e AAiC NOAuAtlDA VI lUE Do BEG-
tive tree ladder. The result OF the
attempt TO burn the trunk did not
seem encouraging 10 the others. and
Miss Leslie looked away. that her face
might not betray her, should he have
an inkling Of her neglect. She was
relieved by the cheerfulness Of his
tone.
Slow work this fire business-eh?
Guess though, it'll go faster this after
noon. The green wood is killed and is
getting dried out Anyway. we've got
to keep al it till the tree goes over.
This spring leopard won't last long at
the present rate Of consumption. and
well need the eggs to keep us going
till we get the hang of our bows"
What is that smoke back there?"
interrupted Miss Leslie. Can it be
mat the fire down the cleft has sprung
up again."
NO; its your fumigation. You had
plenty of brush on hand, so / heavcd
it INFO the hole and touched it of.
While it's burning out you can put in
time gathering ring grass and leaves
tor a bed"
Would you and Mr.. Winthrope
mind breaking off some bamboos for
me-"
What for?"
Miss Leslie colored and hesitated
Il should like to divide off a corner
Of the place with wall or screen"
Winihrope tried to catch Blake's
eve; but the American was gazing at
Miss Leslie's embarrassed face with
puzzled look Her meaning dawned
upon him, and he fastened to reply.
"All right Miss Jenny You can
build your wall to suit yourself. But
thereIl be no hurry over it. Until the
rains begin, Win and I'll sleep out in
the open. Well have to take turn about
On watch at night, anyway. If we don't
keep up a fire some other spotted kitty
will be sure to come nosing up the
gully"
There must also be lions in the vi
cinity" added Winthrope
Miss Leslie said nothing until after
the last pieces of meat had been
handed around and Blake sprang up
10 resume work.
Mr. Blake" she called. in a low
tone; "one moment, please Would it
save much bother if a door was made
and you and Mr. Winthrope should
sleep inside"
Wen see about that later" replied
Blake, carelessly.
The girl bit her lip, and the tears
started to her eyes Even Winthr0pe
had started off without expressing his
appreciation. Yet he at least should
have realized how much it had cost
her to make such an offer
BY evening she had her tree-caye-
house, she preferred to name it to her
self-in a habitable condition. When
the purifying fire had Durnt itself out
leaving the place free from all odors
other than the wholesome smell Of
wood smoke, she had asked Blake how
she could rake out the ashes. His
advice was to wet them down where
they lay.
This was easier said than done.
Fortunately the spring was only a few
yards distant, and after many trips.
with her palm-leaf hat for bowl. the
girl carried enough water to sprinkle
all the powdery ashes. Over them
she strewed the leaves and grass which
! she had gathered while the fire was
| burning. The driest Of the grass. ar
ranged in q far corner promi ed a
more comfortable bed than had been
her lot for the last three nights
During this work she had been care
full not 10 forget the fire at the tree.
Yet when, near shutdown, she called
| the third meal of leopard meat. Blake
| grumbled at the tree for bein5 what he
termed such a COMPOUNDED tough prop
| osition.
Good thing there's lots of wood
| here, VIM he added. Wen keep this
fire going till the blamed thing top
pies over. if it takes year"
ooh, but you surely will not stay
so far from the baobab tonight" ex-
claimed Miss Leslie.
Hold hard!" soothed Blake You've
no license to get the jumps yet a
| NililN' W < IL nave tiuONliCl III Z ny lIC
baobab. So you needn't worry"
few minutes later they went back
to the baobab, and Winthrop began
helping Miss Leslie to construct a
| bamboo screen in the narrow entrance
Of the tree-cave, while Blake built
the second fire.
AS Winthrope was unable to tell
time by the stars, Blake took the first
watch. At sunset, following the en-
gineer's advice, WINTHROP lay down
with his feet to the small watch-fire
and was asleep before twilight had
deepened into night. Tagged out by
the mental and bodily stress of the
day, he slept so soundly that it seemed
to him he hardly lost consciousness
when he was reused by a rough hand
on his forehead.
What is it, he mumbled
Bout one o'clock" said Blake
Wake up! l ran overtime, cause
the morning watch is the toughest
But cant keep wake any longer"
Il say, this is a beastly bore" re-
marked Winthrope, sitting up.
"Um-m,' grunted Blake, who was al
ready on his back.