The newspaper., 1909-09-24
that it might be a sheer waste of his

that it might be sheer waste of his
precious poison.
A little later herd of large ami
mails appeared on the border of the
grass jungle, but wheeled and dashed
back into cover so quickly that Blake
barely had time TO make cut that they
were buffaloes-the first he had seen
on this coast, but easily recognized by
their resemblance to the Cape va
riety. Their flight gave him small
concern; for the time being he was
more interested in topography than
game
The southern headland now lay
close before them, its seaward face
rearing up sheer and lofty, but the
approach behind running down in
broken terraces. Mid-morning found
the explorers at the foot of the ridge.
strewn slopes and the crannies of the
broken lodges.
Likely place for snakes, Miss Jen-
NY" he remarked. Guess I'd better
lead"
Eager as she was to look over into
the country beyond, the girl dropped
into second place and made no COM
plant about the wary slowness of
her companions advance. She found
the most difficult parts OF the ascent
quite easy after her training on the
tree-ladder. Blake could have taken
lodges and all at a run, but as he
mounted each terrace he halted to spy
out the ground before him. Like Miss
Leslie. he was looking for snakes,
though for an exactly opposite reason.
He wished to add TO the contents OF
the cigarette case.
Greatly to his disappointment and
the girls relief neither snake nor sign
of snake was to be seen all the way
up the ridge. As they neared the
crest Blake turned to offer her his
hand up the last ledges, and in the
instant they gained the top.
The wind, now freshening TO a gale.
struck the girl with such force that
she would have been blown back
down the ledges had not Blake
clutched her wrist. Needless alike OF
the painful grip which held her and
OF the gusts which tore at her skirt.
the girl stood gazing out across the
desolate swamps which stretched
away 10 the southwest as far as the
eye could see. She did not speak
until Blake led her down behind the
shelter OF the crest ledEes.
What's the mattere" he demanded.
Didn't / warn you9"
She looked away TO hide the tears
which sprang into her eyes.
I can't explain-only. it makes me
feel 500 lonely"
"Oh. come now. little woman; don't
take on so." he urged. 1T might be
a lot worse. you know. We've gotten
along pretty well. considering"
Tou have been very kind. .is
Blake and as YOU saF matters might
have been worse. / do not forget
how far more terrible was our s.tua-
tion the morning after the stor1, Yet
you must realize how disappointing II
is to lose even the slightest hope OF
escape"
We'll. | don't know. II II wasn't for
the fever that's bound to come with
the rain ]. for one. would just as
leave stick 10 this camp right along.
providing the company don't change "
She turned upon him with flashing
eyes, all thought OF caution lost in her
anger How dare you say such a
thing You are contemplate de
spise YOU"
My. Miss Jenny. but you are pret-
ty when you get mad" he exclaimed.
The answer took her completely
aback He was neither angry nor
laughing at her. but met her defiant
glance with candid. sober admiration
There was something more than ad-
nIiration in his glowing eyes. Vet She
could not but see that her alarm had
been baselcss. His manner had never
been more respectful suddenly she
found that she could no longer meet
his gaze. She looked away and
stammered lamely: 'You-you should
MT say such things. you know
why not7 Hasn't everything been
running smooth the last few days.
Haven't We been good chummy com
ED.I eE 1~,@T' tss4.1