The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-09-08
60 Nak6&1ssSS!


must he savage beasts in the jungle"
That's my business. growled Blake.
He paused q momen.. AID added, rath-
er less ungraciousl,: Well, il you
care, it's this way-I'm going to keep
on looking for ore. Give me a little
iron ore. and we'll mighty soon have
a lot Of steel knives and arrow-neads
that'Il amount to something. How're
we going to bag anything worth while
with bamboo tips on our arrows?
Those boar tusks are hzzle"
so you will continue to risx your
life for us: think that is very brave
and generous. Mr.. Blake"
''How's that?" demanded Blake. not
a little puzzled. He was fully con-
sciOus of the risk; but this was the
first intimation he had received Oy
conceived that his motives were 9th.
er than selfish-"Um-m, So that's the
ticket. Getting generous, en-"
Not ge:tins-yOu are generous!
When I think Of all YOU have done
for us! Had it not been for you. | am
sure we should have died that first
day ashore r.,
We'll, don't blame RE. | couldn't
have let a dog die that way; and
then, Il fellow needs Man Friday for
this sort Of thing. AS for you. ]
haven't always had the luck TO be
favored with ladies company"
Thank YOU, Mr.. Blake. | quite ap-
preciate the compliment. 8ut now. /
must put on supper"
Blake followed her graceful move
menis with al intentness which, in
turn, drew Winthrope's attention to
himself. The Enslishman smiled in a
diS&greeablc manner. and resumed his
work on the bows. with the look of
one mentally ireoccupicd. After sup
per he found occasion to spend some
little lime an0nG the bamboos.
When at sunset Miss Leslie with.
drew into the baobab. Winthrope
somewhat CfficiCusly insisted upon
helping her set up her screen in the
entrance. AS he did SO. ne took the
opportunity TO hand her bamboo
knife. and to draw her attention to
several double pointed bamboo stakes
which he had hidden under the litter
What is it, she asked, troubled by
his furtive glance back at Blake.
Merely precaution, you know" he
whispered. The ground in there is
fancy. 10 put up the stakes. with their
points inclined toward the entrance"
But Why"
Not so loud, Miss Genoyieve. 1t
struck me that if any one should seek
to enter IN the night. he would find
these stakes deuceGly unpleasant Be
careful how YOU handle then. A. you
see, the sharper points, which arc &c
be set nppernlosi. run OF into razor
edge. Put them up now, before il
grows too dark. You know how nine,
pins are set-that shape. Cood-a:ght.
You see. with these TO guard the en-
trance. YOU need not be afraid 10 20 &c
sleep Fl once.'
Thank ia" she whispered, ard
began TO thrust the stakes into the
ground as lie had directed.
He had net been mistaken. The
vague doubts and fears wnich she al
ready entertained would have kept her
awake throughout The night, but
thanks to the sense OF security az
folded by the sword bayonets Of her
silent little se2trics. the girl was
soon able to calm herself, and was
fast asleep long before. Blake Wa.,ened
Winthrope.
Immediately after breakfast. Blake
who had spent his watch in grind
ing the edges from stone and eX.
perimentins with split and bent
twigs-put Winthrope's keys in the
fire. and began an attempt to shape
hem into q knife blade To heat the
steel to the required temperature. he
used a bamboo biowpipe. with his
lungs for bellows
Wintbrope turned away win al in
different bearing: but Miss Leslie
found herself compelled TO stop ana
admire his dexterous Use OF his rude
tools.
ITO BE CONTINUED