Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-10-02

Leslie TO carry. WINTHROP 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
palm-leaf hats were now cracked and
broken. A little farther on a ruddy
antelope, with lyrate horns, leaped out
of the bush before them and dashed
Off toward the river before Blake
could string his bow. AS If in mock
cry Of his lack of readiness, troupe
Of large green monkeys set up wild
chattering in a tree above the party.
Il say, Miss Jenny. do you think you
can lug the pot, If we go slow? 1t isn't
far now.
Good for you, little woman! That'll
give me a chance to shoot quick"
They moved on again for hundred
yards or more; but though Blake kept
sharp lookout both above and below,
he saw no game other than a few
small birds and a pair of blue wood
pigeons. When he sought to creep up
on the latter, they flew into the next
tree. In following them, he came
| upon a conical 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 tiny object whirred up
and struck him in the face.
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 'em. Sting? Oh, no; he only
hypodermicked me with a red-hot
darning needle! Shy around here.
There's whole swarm of the little
devils, and they're hopping mad. Hear
'em 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 fire to tackle those buz.
zers. Guess it'll be as we'll to let them
cool off 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
a 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, VIM he said, as he neared
the bottom and sprang down, leave
the cooking to Miss Leslie, and husk
some of those nuts. You won't more'n
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
ooh; sure. Hold on, Miss Jenny
You'll dump it all"
He wrapped wisp of grass about
| the put, anu ulltu TIE IuItt COSOdhu'
bowls. The stew was boiling hot;
but they fished up the oysters with
the bamboo forks that Blake had
carved some days since. By the time
the oysters were eaten, the liquor in
the bowl was cool enough to drink
The process was repeated until the
pot haa been emptied of its contents
Say, bu. that was something like,
murinursd Blake. IF only we'd had
pretzels and beer to go with it! But
J these nuts won't be bad"
When they finished the cocoanuts
Winthrope asked for drink OF wa
ter.
"Wosld 1t not be best to keep it un
I'll ,atcr?" replied Miss Leslie.
Sure" put in Blake. We've had
enough liquid refreshments to do any
one. II l don't look out, you'll both be
drinking river water. Just bear in
mind the work I'd have to carve a