, 1909-02-25

Again the adder struck at the bow
III more %viciously than before. With
the flash of the stroke, Blake's right
foot thrust forward, and his club
came down with all the drive of his
sinewy arm behind it. The blow fell
across the thickest part of the adder's
cutstretched body.
Told you SO! See him wiggle!"
shouted Blake. Broke his back. first
lick What's the matter, Miss Jen-
ny? He can't do anything now"
Miss Leslie did not answer. She
stood rigid, her face ashy-gray. her
d!lated eyes fixed upon the writing,
kissing adder.
Il think the snake struck her!"
gasped Winthrope, suddenly overcome
with horror.
God" cried Blake. He dropped his
club, and rushed to the girl. In a mo-
ment he had knelt before and flung
up her leopard k skirt. Her stock
fngs ripped to shreds in his frantic
grasp. There, a little below her right
knee, was a tiny, red wound. Blake
put his lips to 1t, and sucked with
fierce energy.
Then the girl found her voice.
go away-go away! How dare
you!" she cried, as her face flushed
scarlet.
Blake turned, spat, and burst out
with a loud demand of Winthrope:
Quick! the little knife-Tl have to
slash 1t! Ten times worse than a rat
tlesnake- Lord! you're slow-I1l use
mine,"
Let go of me-let go. What do you
mean, SIR" cried the girl, struggling
to free herself.
Hold still. you little fool" he
shouted. IT'S death-sure death. If
I don't get the poison from that bite!'
I'm not bitten Let go, I say! 1t
struck in the fold of my skirt"
For Gods sake, Jenny. don't lie,
It's certain death, I saw the mark"
THAT was a thorn. I drew it out
an hour ago"
Blake looked up into her hazel eyes.
They were blazing with indignant
scorn. He freed her. and rose with
clumsy slowness. Again he glanced
at her q%uivering, scarlet face, only to
look away with a sheepish expression.
81 guess you think I'm just a
damned ~meddlesome idiot" he num-
bled.
She. did not answer. He stood for
q little. rubbing a finger across his
sun-blistered lips. Suddenly he
stopped and looked at the finger. 1t
was streaked with blood.
"Whew!" he exclaimed. Didn't
stop to think of that! It's just as well
for me. Miss Jenny, that wasn't an ad-
der bite. A little poison on my sore
lip would have done for me. Ten to
one. we'd both have turned up our
toes at the same time. OF course
though, that'd be nothing to you"
Miss Leslie put her hands before
her face and burst into historical
weeping.
Blake looked around, far more
alarmed than when facing the adder.
Here. you blooming lud!" he shout
ed; take the lady away, and be quick
about 1t. She'll go dotty If she sees
any more snake stunts. Clear out with
her, while smash the wriggler."
Winthrope, who had been staring
ixedly at the beautiful coloring and
loathsome form of the writhing adder,
started at Blake's harsh command as
though struck.
"I-er-to be sure" he stammered.
and darting around to the historical
girl. he took her arm and hurried her
away up the glade.
They had gone several PAGES when
Blake came running up behind them.
Wtnthrope looked back with a glance
of inquiry. Blake shook his head.
Mot yet" he said. Give me your
cigarette case. I've thought OF some
thing Hold on: take out the cigar
sttes Smoke 'em. If you ike
Case in hand. Blake returned to the
wounded adder. and picked up his
club A second smashing blow would
have. ended the matter at once; u
RI.s. did not strike. Instead. he
,.,nt.d With HE club until he managed
n .so asvv ths venomous head. The
club lay across the monsters neck
and he held 1t fast with the pressure
CT his foot.
When, half an hour later, ne "ipeo
his knife on a wisp of grass n STOOD
up. the cigarette case contained over
a tablespoonful of a crystalline liquid
He peered in at it. his heavy ia"
thrust out, his eyes glowing with saw
age citation.
Talk about you meat trusts ahd
Winchesters!" he exulted; here's "A
whole carload of beef in this little o
enough dope to morgue a nerd OF
steers. Good God, though. that was d
close shave for her!"
His face sobered, and he stoou ~
several moments staring t%houghtluuy
into space. Then his z chahceu
to fall upon the great crimson BIO ON
which had SO nearly lured the girl 10
her death.