Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-08

tied the place. As they CROPPED their WAY
toward il the lightning hldzed out and
they saw u great jagged flash strike ~"
tallest tree and shattcr il. causing som"
will beast that had sheltered there I"
rush past them snoring.
THAT doesn't look very safe. said
Richard. haltinS. hut come on. II ism
likely In hit the same spot twice.
Hadn't YOU better leave your gun.
She suggested for all this while that
weapon had been suns to his back. and
she knew that lightning has an affinity
for iron
Certainly not" he answered. 1T Is a
new one which my father gave me. ard
| won't he parted from IL.
Then they went on and reached the AT
tie cave just as the rain broke over them
in earnest As il CHANGED. the place was
dry. being so situated that all water ran
away from it, They crouched in il, SHY
ering, trying to cover themselves wiia
dead sticks and brushwood that had
lodged here in the Wet season, when the
whole island was under water.
ct would be nice enough If only we had
fire." said Rachel. her teeth chattorinS
as she spoke
The lad Richard thought while. Then
.he opened a leather case that hung On
his rifle sling and took from II n powder
flask and flint and steel and some finder
Pouring a little powder the damp
finder. he struck the flint until at length
a spark caught and fired the powder. The
tlnueT caught also, lHbuSIl TtlutbdHtlN.
and while Rachel blew on il. he felt
round for dead leaves and little sticks,
some of which were coaxed into flame.
After this things were easy since fuel
lay about i'll abundance, so that soon they
had splendid fire burning In the mouth
of the cave, whence the smoke escaped.
Now they were able to warm and dry
themselves and the heat entered into
their chilled bodies their spirits rose In
deed. the contrast between this snug hid
III .lvir, drift -.aftFl
and the roaring tempest without conduced
to cheerfunesS in young people who had
just narrowly escaped from drowning.
Il am so hungry said Rachel pres
emily.
Again Richard began to search and this
time produced from the pocket of his
coat "a long and thick strip OF sun-dried
meat.
Can you eat biltong?" he asked
''Of course" she answered eagerly.
Then you must cut ii up he said.
giving her the meat and his knife. My
arm hurts me, 7 can't.
oh" she exclaimed. how selfish
am. I forgot about that stick striking
you. Let me see the place.
He took off his coat and knet down
while she stood over him and examined
his wound by the light of the fire. to find
that the left upper arm was bruised. torn
and bleeding. As il will be remembered
that Rachel had no handkerchief. She
asked Richard for his, which she soaked
in pool of rain water just outside the
cave. Then. having washed the hurt
thoroughly. she bandaged his arm with
the handkerchief and babe him put on
his coat again. saying confidently that lie
would be well in few days.
You are clever he remarked with adj
miration. 'Who taught you to bandase
wounds"
MY father always doctors the Kaffirs
and l help him." Rachel answered, as.
having stretched out her hands for the
pouring rain to wash them, she took the
biltong and began to cut 1t in thin slices
These she made him eat before she
touched any herself. for she saw that tho
loss of blood had weakened him. Indeed.
her own meal was a light one. since half
the strip Of meat must, she declared. he
put aside in case they should not be able
to get off the island. Then he saw why
she had made him eat first and was very
angry with himself and her, but she only
laughed at him and answered that she
had learned from the Kaff1rs that men
must he fed before women. as they were
more important in the world.
You mean more selfish" he answered.
contemplating this wise little maid and
her tiny portion Of biltong, which she
swallowed very slowly. perhaps to pretend
that her appetite was already satisfied
with it's superabundance. Then he fell 10
imploring her to take the rest. saying that
he would be able to shoot some game in
the morning. but she only shook her little
head and set her lips ohstinately.
Are you q hunter" she asked, to
change the subject.
Yes he answered with pride. that
IS. almost. At any rate, ! have shot
Gland and elephant. but no lions yet.
I was following the spoor OF lion just
now. but it got up between the rocks and
bolted away before | could shoot. | think
that it must have been after you
Perhaps said Rachel. There are
some about here; | have heard them roar
ing at night.
Then" he went on. while | was star
ing at you running across this island
heard the sound of the water and saw II
rushing down the donga. and saw, too.
that you must he drowned and-you know
the rest
Yes. | know the rest she said. look
ing at him with shining eyes. You riske1
your life To save mine and therefore,.
she added with great conviction. lit be-
longs to you.
Ito be continued tomorrow