The newspaper., 1909-07-23
rcontinued from page threel

fled her thirst at the spring. she took
one of the bamboo rods. with its haggled
blackening pieces of flesh, and re-
turned to the fire. After some little
experimenting, she contrived way to
support the rod beside the fire so that
all the meat would roast without burn
ing.
At first. keen as was her hunger.
she turned with disgust from the fab
by sun-seared flesh; but as it began to
roast. the odor restored her appetite
to full vigor. Her mouth fairly wa
tered. 1t seemed as though Winthrope
and Blake would never come. She
heard their voices, and took the bam-
boo spit from the fire for the meat to
cool. Still they failed to appear. and.
unable to wait longer. she began to
eat. The cub meat proved far more
tender than that of the old leopard.
She had helped herself to the second
piece before the two men appeared.
Hold on, Miss Jenny; fair play"
sang out Blake. You've set to with
out footing the dinner-horn. don't
blame you, though That smells mighty
good
Both men caught ct the hot meat
with eagerness. ana Winthrope
promptly forgot all else in the animal
pleasure OF satisfying his hunger.
Blake, though no less hungry. only
waited to fill his mouth before inyes-
tigating the condition of the prospec-
tive tree ladder. The result of the
attempt to burn the trunk did not
seem encouraging TO 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-eh7
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 at 1t 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 IL be
that the fire down the cleft has sprung
up again.
No; it's your fumisation. You had
plenty of brush on hand. 80 heaved
il into the hole and touched it OF.
While it's burning out you can put in
time gathering ring grass and leaves
Tor bed
Would you and Mr.. winthrope
mind breaking OF some bamboos for
me?"
What for?"
Miss Leslie colored and hcsitated
Il should like TO divide of corner
OF the place with wall or screen"
Winthrope tried to catch Blake's
eye; but the American was gazing at
Miss Leslie's embarrassed face with
puzzled look. Her meaning dawned
upon him, and he hastened to reply
"All right Miss Jenny. You can
build your wall to suit yourself. But
there1l be no hurry over H. Until the
rains begin. Win and I'll sleep out in
the open. Wen have to take turn about
On watch at night. anyway. II 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
oinity." added Winthrope
Miss Leslie said nothing until after
the last pieces OF meat had been
handed around and Blake sprang up
to resume work
Mr.. Blake" she called. in low
tone: "one moment. please. Would II
save much bother II door was made
aud you and Mr. Win;hrope should
tleep inside"
Well see about that later" replied
Blake. csrelcssly
The girl Bit her lip. and the tears
started TO her eyes. Even Winthrope
had started OF without expressing his
appreciation. Yet he at least should
have realized how much 1t had cost
her to make such an offer.
BY evening she had her tree-cave-
house. she preferred to name II to her
self-in a habitsble condition. When
the purifying fire had burnt 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 . 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