Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-01-13
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thorn clump, leaving the skin, togeth-
er with the meat and the salt, for Miss
Leslie to carry Winthrope was
Wakened by 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, 1eaped out
of the bush before them and dashed
on toward the river before Blake
could string his bow. AS IL in mock
cry of his lack of readiness, a troupe
of large green monkeys set up wild
chattering in 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'n
give me 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 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 kick
Instantly tiny object whirred up
and struck him In the face.
"Whee" he exclaimed, springing
back and striking out "a hornet! No;
it's a bee!"
did it sting your" cried Miss Les.
lie.
sitting? Keep back; there's a lot
more of 'em. Sting? oh, no; he only
hypodermicked me with a redhot
darning needle! Shy around here.
There's a 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 buzz
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 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.
Nov, VIM" he said, as he neared
the bottom and sprang down, leave
the cooking to Miss Leslie, and Fusk
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 Winth. ape's fingers trembled
with weakness, he worked with 3 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.
whats that?" demanded Blake.
ooh; 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;
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 had been emptied of its contents.
Say, but that was something like"
murmured Blake. "If only we'd had
pretzels and beer to go with it! But
these nuts won't be bad"
When they finished the cocoanuts,
Winthrope asked for drink of wa
ter.
would it not be best to keep it un-
til later?" replied Miss Leslie.
Sure" put in Blake. We've had