The Mena weekly star., 1909-01-14
CHAPTER XVI.
The Savage Manifest.

4 A self to and from the head land without a collapse, the following morning, as soon as the dew was dry. Blake called out all hands for the ex- petition. He was in the best of hu- mors, and showed unexpected consid- eration by presenting Winthrope with a cane, which he had cut and trimmed during the night.
 Having sent Miss Leslie to fill the whisky flask with spring water. he dropped three cocoanut-sh bowls, a piece of meat and lump of salt into one of the earthenware pots, and slung all over his shoulder in the ante lope skin. With his bow hung over the other shoulder. knife and arrows 5 in his belt, and his big club in his hand, he looked ready for any contin- gency.
 We'll hit first for the mouth of the river,n he said. I'm going on ahead. ] If I'm not in sight when you come up. pick tree where the ground is dry, and wait"
 But say. Blake replied Win thrope, q see animals over in the cop pices. and you should know that I am physically unable
 Nothing but antelope" interrupted Blake. I've seen them enough now to know them twice as far off And you can bet on it they'd not be there If any dangerous beast was in smell ing distance"
 t41.f,~. oIa of ,C,s fr < Blake" remarked Miss Leslie.
 Simple enough when you happen to think of it." responded Blake. Yes: the only thing you've got to look out for's the ticks in the grass. They'll keep you interested. They bit me up in great shape"
 He scowled at the recollection, nodded by way of emphasis. and was off like a shot The edge of the plain beneath the cliff was strewn' with rocks, among which, even with Miss Leslie's help. Winthrope could pick his way but slowly. Before they were clear of the rough ground, they saw Blake disappear among the man groves.
 The ticks proved less annoying than they had apprehended after Blake's warning. But when they approached the mouth of the river, they were alarmed to hear. above the roar of the surf loud snorting, such as could only be made by large animals. Fearfal lest Blake had reused and aneered some forest beast, they veered to the right and ran to hide behind a clump of thorns Winthrope sank down ex- hausted the moment they reached cover; but Miss Leslie crept to the far end of the thicket and peercd around
 "Oh. look herel" she cried Its a whole herd of elephants trying to cross the river mouth where we did, and they're being drowned, poor things'
 "Elephants?' panted Winthrope. and ! he dragged himself forward beside her Why. so there are; quite a drove of the beasts. Yet, l must say, they appear smaller-ah, yes, see their heads. They must be the hippos Blake saw"
 Those ugly creatures? I once saw some at the zoo. Just the same, they will be drowned some are right in the surfl"
 q cant say, Pm sure. Miss Gene vieve, but I have an idea that the beasts are quite at home in the wa ter. fancy they enjoy surf bathing as keenly as ourselves"
 T do believe you are right There is one going in from the quiet water But look at those funny little ones on the backs of the otherslr
 Must be the baby hippos," replied Winihrope, indifferently 'If you please. I'll take pull at the flask. am very dry"
 When he had half emptied the flask, he stretched out in the shade to doze. But Miss Leslie continued to watch the movements of the snorting hippos amused by the ponderous antics of the grown ones in the surf, and the comic appearance of the barrel-like Infants as they mounted the backs of their hbtSe HloAueFS
 Presently Blake came out from among the mangroves, and walked across to the beach, a few yards away from the huge bathers To all ap pearances, they paid as little attention to him as he 10 them Miss Leslie glanced about at Winthrope He was fast asleep She waited a lew mo ments to see if the hippopotami would attack Blake They continued to ig nore him, and gaiuing courage from their indifference, she stepped out from behind the thicket. and advanced 10 where Blake was crouched on the beach. When she came up. she saw beside him a heap of oysters which he was opening in rapid succession.
 "Helloi You're just In time to help he called Where's Win?"
 Asleep behind those bushes"
 Worst thing he could do. But lend hand, and we'll shuck these oysters before rousting him out You can rinse those I've opened Fill the pol with water. and put them In to soak.