The Falls City tribune., 1909-02-19

thlnk OF II, responded Bidhe. leSt
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
Tie scowlcf a The recollection,
nodded by way of emphasis. and d
off like a shot. The edse OF the plain
beneath the cliff was strewn with
rocks, among which. eveu with Miss
Leslie's help, Ninfhrope could pick
his way but slowly Hefore they were
clear of the rough ground. they saw
Blake disappear among the j
groves.
The ticks proved less annoying than
they had a%pprehended 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. Fearful
lest Blake had reused and angered
some forest beast, they yeered to the
right and ran 10 hide behind a clump
of thorns. Winthrop sank down ex-
hausted the moment they reached
cover; but Miss Leslie erept to the
far end of the thieket and peered
around.
"Oh, look here she cried. IT'S a
whole herd OF elephants trying to
cross the river mouth where we did.
and they're being drowned, poor
things,"
"Elephants22' painted Ninthrope, aud
he dragged himself forward beside
her. "Why 50 there are; quite n
drove Of the beasts. Yet, | must say.
they appear smaller-ah, yes; see
their heads They must be The hippos
Blake saw"
Those ugly creatures? | once saw
some at the zoo. Just the same, they
will be drowned. Some are right N
the surf"
u can't say. I'm sure. Miss Gene
We've. but | have an idea that the
beasts are quite at home In the wa
ter. | fancy they enjoy surf bathing
as keenly as ourselves
Il 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 others"
Must be the baby hlppos." replied
Winthrope. indlfferently. IF you
please, III take a pull at the flask. l
am very dry
When he had half emptled the flask,
he stretched out in the shade to doze.
But Miss Leslie continued to watch
the movements of the snorting hippoB,
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
obese mothers.
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 few mo-
ments to see II the h%ippopotami would
attack Blake. They continued to is-
more him. and gaining courage from
their Indifference. she stepped out
from behind the thieket. and advanced
TO 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.
"Iiello! You're just in time tn
help" he called. Where's VIM"
asleep behind those bushes"
Worst thing he could do. But lend
a hand, and We'll shuek these oysters
before rousting him out You can
rinse those I've opened. Fill the pot
with water. and put them in to soak"
They look very tempting. How did
you chance to find them99
Saw 'em on the mangroye roots at
low tide, first time | nosed around
here, Tide was well up today; but
managed 10 get these all right with
a little diving. Only trouble, the
skeets most ate me alive
Miss Leslie glanced at her compan-
ions dry clothing. and came back to
the oysters themselves. These look
very tempting. Do YOU like them
raw?'
Cant say I like them much auy
way, as a rule. But if | did, | wouldn't
eat this mess raw
"Yes?'
This must be the dry season here.
and the river is running mighty clear.
Just the same its nothing more than
liquid malaria. Well not eat these
oysters till they've been pasteurized."
IF the water is SO dangerous. | fear
we will suffer before We can return
replied Miss Leslie. and she held up
the flask.
What exclaimed Blake. Half
gone already? That was Winthrope."
'IIe was very thirsty. Could we not
boil a potful OF the river water?'
Yes, when the ebb gets strong, If
We run too dry. First, though, Wen
make a try for eocoanuts. Let's hit
out for the nearest grove now. The
main thing is TO keep moving"
As he spoke. Blake caught up the
not and his club and started for the