The newspaper., 1909-08-13

like a great shield. and drew it in
after her until the ends Of the cross
bars were wedged fast against the
sides of the opening. Though it seemed
so firm, she clung to it with con-
vulsive grasp as she felt the pack
leaders fling themselves against the
outer side.
But Blake had lashed the bamboos
securely together, and none of the
beasts was heavy enough to snap the
supple bars. Finding that they could
not break down the barrier. they be
gan to scratch and tear at the thatch
which covered the frame. Soon a pair
of lean jaws thrust in and snapped
at the girls skirt. She sprang back,
with a cry: Help! Quick. Mr.. Win
thropei They're breaking through"
Winthrope made no response. She
stopped. and found him lying inert
where he had fallen. She had only
herself to depend upon A screen of
sharp sticks which she had made for
the entrance was leaning against the
inner wall, within easy reach. To
grasp II and thrust II against the other
framework was the work OF an in
slant.
Still she trembled, for the eager
beasts had ripped the thatch from the
canopy, and their inthrust jaws made
short work of the few leaves on her
screen. Unaware that even a lion or a
tiger is quickly discouraged by the
knife-l like splinters of broken bamboo,
she expected every moment that the
hafr 0h
her frail barrier.
She remembered the sharpened
stakes of her screen, hidden under the
leaves and grass Of her bed. She
CROPPED her way across the hollow.
and uncovered one of the stakes. In
her haste she cut her hand on its
razor-like edge. All unheeding. she
sprang back towards the entrance. She
was none too soon. One OF the smaller
jackals had forced Its head and one
leg between the bars. and was strug-
Cling to enlarge the opening.
Fearful that the whole pack was
about to burst in upon her, the girl
grasped the bamboo stake in both
hands. and began stabbing and lung
ing at the beast with all her strength.
The jackaI squirmed and snarled and
snapped viciously But the girl was
now frantic She pressed nearer. and
though the white teeth grazed her
wrist. she drove home a thrust that
changed the beasts snarls into q howl
OF pain. Before she could strike
again. IL had struggled back out OF
the hole. beyond reach.
Tense and painting with excitement.
she leaned forward. ready to stab AZ
the next beast None appeared. and
presently she became aware that the
pack had been daunted by the eI-
perfence OF their unlucky fellow. Their
snaris and yells had subsided to
whines, which seemed TO be coming
| from greater distance Still she
waited. with the bamboo stake up
raised ready to strike. every nerve
and muscle OF her body tense with the
strain.
So great was the stress OF her fear
and excitement that she had not heed
/ ed the first gray lessening OF the
night. But now the glorious tropical
dawn came streaming out OF the east
in all its red efulgence Above and
!
/ light such as might have come from
a great fire on the cl,I top. Still
tense and immovable. the girl stared
out up the cleft. There was not .
I iackal in sight She leaned forward
and peered around. unable to believe
such good fortune. But the night
providers had skunk of in the first
/ gray dawn.
The girl drew in a deep. shudder-
I ing sigh. and sank back Her hand
| struck against Winthrope's foot. She
| turned about quickly and looked At
him. He was lying upon his face. She
fastened to turn him upon his side.
and to feel his forehead. II was cool
and moist. He was fast asleep and
drenched with sweat The great
shock of his pain and fear and ex-
citement had broken his fever.
With the relief and JOY of this dis
covery. the girl completely relaxed.
Not observing Winthropes wounds.
which had bled little, she sought TO
force a way out through the entrance.