The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-02-11
eat this mess raw

and the river is running mighty clear
Just the same it's nothing more than
liquid malaria. Wen not eat these
oysters till they've been pasteurized."
IF the water is so dangerous. I 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 WINTHROP"
He was very thirsty. Could we not
boil potful of the river water?"
Yes, when the ebb gets strong. if
We run too dry. First. though, well
make try for cocoanuts. Let's hit
out for the nearest grove now. The
main thing is TO keep moving"
As he spoke. Blake caught IN the
pot and his club and started for the
thorn clump, leaving the skin, togeth-
er with the meat and the salt. for Miss
Leslie to carry. Winthrope was
wakened by a touch of Blake's foot,
and all three were soon walking away
from the seashore, just within the
shady border Of the mangrove wood.
At the first fan-palm Blake stopped
TO gather number of leaves. for their
palmleaf hats were now cracked and
broken. A little farther on a rudy
antelope, with lyrate horns. leaped out
Of the bush before them and dashed
of toward the river before Blake
could string his bow. As II in mock
cry OF his lack of readiness. troupe
of large green monkeys set up wild
chattsring in a tree above the party.
q saw, Miss Jenny, do you think you
can lug the pot, if we go slow? It isn't
far now.
Good for you, little woman, Thatu
give me a chance to shoot quick"
They moved on again for a hundred
yards or more; but though Blake kept
a sharp lookout both above and below.
he saw no same other than few
small birds and a pair Of blue wood
pigeons. When he sought to creep up
on the latter, they few into the next
tree. In following them. he came
upon conicsl mound of hard clay,
nearly four feet high
Hello; this must be one Of those
white ant-hills," he said, and he gave
the mound a kick
Instantly a tiny object whirred I'D
and struck him in the face.
Wheel" he exclaimed, springing
back and striking out A hornet! No;
it's a bee!"
Did it sting you?" cried Miss Les
lie
Sting? Keep back; there's a lot
more Of EN-. Sting, Oh, no. he only
hypodermicAed me with a red-hot
darning needle! Shy around here.
There's a whole swarm of the little
devils, and they're hopping mad. Hear
EN- buzz"
But where is their hive?" asked
Winthrope as all three drew back be-
hind the nearest bushes.
Guess they've borrowed that ant
hill" replied Blake, gingerly lingering
the white lump which marked the spot
where the bee had struck him.
Wouldn't it be delightful if we had
some honey?" exclaimed Miss Leslie.
by Jove, that really wouldn't be
half bad" chimed in Winthrope
Maybe we can, Miss Jenny; only
we'll need a fire to tackle those buz-
zers Guess it'll be as well to let them
cool of bit also. The cocoanuts are
only little way ahead now. Here;
give me the pot
They soon came to a small grove Of
cocoanut palms. where Blake threw
down his club and bow and handed
his burning-glass to Miss Leslie
Here, he said; you and Win start
fire It's early yet, but I'm think
ing We'll all be ready enough for
oyster stew"
How about the meat?" asked Miss
Leslie.
Keep that till later Here goes for
our dessert"
Selecting one of the smaller palms,
Blake spat on his hands, and began
to climb the slender trunk Aided by
previous experiences, he mounted
steadily to the top. The descent was
made with even more care and steadi-
ness. for he did not wish to tear the
skin from his hands again
Now, Win" he said. as he neared
the bottom and s0rang down, leave
the cooking to Miss Leslie, and husk
some of those nuts You won't moren
have time to do it before the stew
is ready"
Winthrope's response was to draw
out his penknife. Blake stretched
himself at ease in the shade, but kept
critical eye on his companions Al
though Winthrope's fingers trembled
with weakness, he worked with a pre-
cision and rapidity that drew grunt
of approval from Blake. Presently
Miss Leslie, who had been stirring the
stew with a twig, threw in a little
salt, and drew the pot from the FIRE
En- avant gentlemen! Dinner is
served she called gayly.
What's that" demanded Blake.
Oh; sure. Hold on, Miss Jenny.
You'll dump it all"
He wrapped a wisp of grass about
the pot, and filled the three cocoanut
bowls. The stew was boiling hot;
hut they fished up the oysters with
the bamboo forks that Blake had
carved some days since. BY the time