The Columbus journal., 1909-09-22
CHAPTER xIII.-continued.


forts to kill anteiopes failed.
CHAPTER XIlI.-continued
The one difficulty was to reach the
lower branches. She could hardly
touch them with her finger-tips. But
her barbaric costume must have in.
spired her. She listened for a mo.
ment. and hearing no sound to indicate
the return of the men. clasped the
upper side of the trunk with her
hands and knees. and made an en-
ergetic attempt to climb. The posture
was far from dignified. but the girls
eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she
found herself slowly mounting.
When. flushed and breathless, she
gained a foothold among the branches.
she looked down at the ground, and
permitted herself merry little giggle
such as she had not INDUCED in since
leaving boarding-school. She had
actually climbed tree! She would
show Mr.. Blake that she was not 50
helpless as he fancied.
At the thought, she clambered on
up. finding that the branches made
convenient steps. She did not look
back. and the screen of treetops be-
meath saved her from any sense of
siddiness. AS her head came above
the level Of the cliff. she peered
through the foliage, and saw the sig
nalhag far over near the end of the
headland. The big piece of white
duck stood out bravely against the
blue sky. all the more conspicuous for
the flccks of frightened seafowl which
wheeled above and around it.
Surprised that she did not see the
men, Miss Leslie started to draw her.
self up over the cliff edge. She
heard Winthrope's voice a few yards
away TO her left. 4 sudden realization
that the Englishrlan might consider
her exploit ili-bred caused her to sink
back out OF sight.
She was hesitating whether to de-
scend or TO climb on up, when Win
throres peevish whine was cut short
by loud and angry retort from Blake.
Every word came to the girls ears
with the force OF blow.
You do. do you? Well. Id like to
know where in hell you come in She's
moi your sister. nor your mother. nor
your aunt. and if she's your sweet
heart, you've both been damned close
mouthed over it,
There was an irritable, rasping
murmur from Winthrope, and again
came Blake's loud retort Look here.
young man, don't you forget you called
me a cad once before. l can stand a
good deal from a sick man: but Ill
give it to YOU straight. you'd better cut
if ,hatll let off your steam; but. un-
derstanG. I'm none Of your English
kinds
Again Winthrope spoke. this time
in a fretful whine
Blake replied with less anger:
That's so; and I'm going to show you
that I'm the real thing when it comes
TO being sport. Give you my word,
I'll make no move till .ou're through
The fever and on your legs again.
What I'll 90 then depends on my own
sweet will. and don't you forget IT. I'm
not after her fortune. It's the lady
herself that takes my fancy. Remem-
Der what said TO you when you called
me a cad the other time You had
your turn aboard ship. Now l can do
as please: and that's what I'm going
to do. il have to kick you over the
cliff end first, to shut of your pesky
interference"
The girl crouched back into the
wiihered foliage. dazed with terror.
Again she heard Blake speak. He had
dropped into a bitter sneer.
mo chance? It's no nerve, you
mean. You could brain me, easy
enough, any night-tust walk up with
a club when I'm asleep. Trouble is,
you're like most other under dogs
'fraid that if you licked your boss.
thered be no soup bones. So I guess
I'm slated to stay boss of this colony
Poo Bah and Mikado, all in
one. Understand? You mind Your
own business, and don't 60 10 inter
fering with me any more! /
Now, II you've stared enough at the
lady's skirt"
The threat of discovery stung the
girl 20 instant action. With almost
frantic haste, she scrambled down to |
the lower branches. and sprang to the
- n,
q leap even in childhood. She struck |
lightly but without proper balance,
and pitched over sideways. Her hands |
to alight upon the remnants |
Of leopard skin. Great as was her |
fear, she stopped to gather all to-
gether in the edge of her skirt before !
darting up the cleft.
At the baobab she turned and gazed |
back along the cliff edge. Before she |