, 1909-03-18

She had hurried after him for more
thar half the distance before she per
ceiyed the vultures that were gain
cred In a solemn circle about a long
and narrow heap of stones on a dse
down on the sloping brink or the clih'
While at the foot of the tree BlaNe
had seer one of the grewsome HOOK
descending to join the other, ana
fearful of what might be happening,
had rushed on ahead.
At his approach, the croaking watch
ers hoped awkwardly from the iedges
and scared away; only TO wheel ana
circle back overhead. Miss Leslie
shrank down, shuddering. Blake came
back near her. and began to gather
up the pieces of loose rock which
were strewn about beneath the
lodges on that part of the cliff.
81 know l piled up enough" he eX-
planned. in response TO her look. All
the same, a few more will do no
HARM
Then you are sure those awful
birds have not
Yes, I'm sure"
He carried an armful OF rocks to
lay on the mound. When he began
10 gather more she followed his en-
ample. They worked in silence. piling
the rough stones gently one upon an
other. until the cairn had grown to
twice it's former size. The air on the
open cliff top was fresher h in the
cleft, and Miss Leslie gave little heed
to the absence of shade. She would
have worked on under the burning sun
without thought of consequences.
But Blake knew the need of modera-
ton.
"There; that'll do" he said. He
may have been-all he was; but we've
no more than done our duty. Now,
well stroll out on the point"
81 should prefer to return"
mo doubt. But it's time you
learned how to 60 nesting. What if
O should be left alone here? Be
| sides, 1t looks to me like the signal is
tearing loose"
She accompanied him out along the
cliff crest until they stood in the midst
Of the bird colony. half deafened by
their harsh clamor. She had never
ventured into their %concourse when
alone. Even now she cried out, and
would nave retreated before the charp
bills and beating wings had not Blake
walked ahead and kicked the squawk-
ing birds out of the path. Having
made certain that the big white flag
was still secure on its staff he led the
way along the seaward brink of the
cliff. pointing out the different kinds
OF seafowl and shouting information
about such of their habits and quail
ties as were of concern to hungry cast
Always.
He concluded the lesson by descend
ing a dizzy fight of lodges to rob the
nest of a frigate bird. 1t was a fool
hardy feat at best, and doubly so in
view of the thousands of eggs lying
all around in the hollows of the cliff
top. But from these Blake had re-
Gently culled out all the fresh settings
OF the frigate birds and none of the
other eggs equaled them in delicacy
o! flavor.
"How's that" he demanded, as he
drew himself up over the edge OF the
cliff and handed the big chalky-white
egg into her keeping.
Il would rather go without than
see you take such risks" she replied,
coldly.
You would, eh?" he cried, quite
misunderstanding her. and angered by
what seemed to him a gratuitous re.
UNI. We'll, I'd rather you'd say
nothing than speak in that tone. If
you don't want the egg heave it over"
Unable to conceive II cause for
his sudden anger, she was alarmed
and drew back, watching him with
sidelong glances.
Whats the matter?" he demanded.
Think I'm going to bite you?"
She shrank farther away, and did
not answer. He stared at her, his
eyes hard and br! hit. Suddenly he
burst into a harsh laugh and strobe
away towards the cliff. ~sayagely
kicking aside the birds that came in
his path.
When, an hour later, the girl crept
back along the CLEFT to the baobab
she saw him hard at work building
a little hut several yards down to-
wards the barricade. The moment
she perceived what he was about her
bearing became less guarded. and she
took up her own work with a shirt
and energy which she had not shown
since the adventure with the puff
adder.
At her call TO the noon meal Blake