Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-01-21

Der. He said to cook some meat"
She did not answer Having salts
fed her thirst at the spring, she took
one OF the bamboo rods. withits haggled
blackening pieces OF flesh, and re-
turned to the fire. After some little
experimenting, she contrived way to
support the rod beside the fire so that
all the meat would roast without burn
ing.
At first. keen as was her hunger,
she turned with disgust from the fab
by sun-seared flesh; but as it began to
roast, the odor restored her appetite
to full vigor. Her mouth fairly wa
tered. It seemed as though Winthrope
and Blake would never come. She
heard their voices, and took the bam-
boo spit from the fire for the meat to
cool. Still they failed to appear, and,
unable to wait longer, she began to
eat The cub meat proved far more
tender than that of the old leopard.
She had helped herself to the second
piece before the two men appeared
Hold on, Miss Jenny; fair play!"
sang out Blake. You've set to with
out footing the dinner-horn. l don't
blame you, though. That smells mighty
good"
Both men caught at the hot meat
with cuserness, and Winthropo
promptly forgot all else in the animal
pleasure OF satisfying his hunger.
Blake, though no less hungry, only
waited to fill his mouth before inves-
tigating the condition of the prospec-
tive tree ladder. The result of the
attempt to burn the trunk did not
seem encouraging to the others, and
Miss Leslie looked away, that her face
might not betray her. should he have
an inkling of her neglect, She was
relieved by the cheerfulness of his
tone.
SLOW work, this fire business--eh?
Guess, though, it'll go faster this after
noon. The green wood is killed and is
getting dried out. Anyway, we've got
to keep at it till the tree goes over.
This spring leopard won't last long at
the present rate of consumption, and
We'll need the eggs to keep us going
till we get the hang of our bows"
What is that smoke back there?"
interrupted Miss Leslie. Can it be
that the fire down the cleft has sprung
up again?"
No; it's your fumigation. You had
plenty of brush on hand, so | heaved
it into the hole and touched it off.
While it's burning out you can put in
time gathering ring grass and leaves
for bed
Would you and Mr.. Winthrope
mind breaking off some bamboos for
me?"
What for?"
Miss Leslie colored and hesitated
II should like to divide off a corner
of the place with wall or screen"
Winthrope tried to catch Blake's
eye; but the American was gazing at
Miss Leslie's embarrassed face with
puzzled look. Her meaning dawned
upon him, and he fastened to reply.
"All right, Miss Jenny. You can
build your wall to suit yourself But
there'll be no hurry over it. Until the
the open. Well have to take turn about
on watch at night, anyway. If we don't
keep up fire some other spotted kitty
will be sure to come nosing up the
gully"
There must also be lions in the vi
cinity," added Winthrope
Miss Leslie said nothing until after
the last pieces of meat had been
handed around and Blake sprang up
to resume work
Mr.. Blake" she called, in low
tone; "one moment, please Would it
save much bother if door was made
and you and Mr.. Winthrope should
sleep inside?"
Wen see about that later" replied
Blake carelessly.
The girl bit her lip, and the tears
started to her eyes Even Winthrope
had started OFF without expressing his
appreciation. Yet he at least should
have realized how much it had cost
| her to make such an offer
| BY evening she had her tree-cave-
house, she preferred to name it to her
| self-in a hahitable condition. When
| the purifying fire had bUrnt itself out
leaving the place free from all odors
other than the wholesome smell of
wood smoke, she had asked Blake how
| she could rake out the ashes. His
| advice was to wet them down where
they lay.
This was easier said than done
Fortunately the spring was only few
| yards distant. and after many trips
with her palm-leaf hat for bowl, the
girl carried enough water to sprinkle
all the powdery ashes. Over them
she strewed the leaves and grass which
She had gathered while the fire was
burning. The driest of the grass. ar
ranged in a far corner, promised a
more comfortable bed than had beer
her Tot for the last three nights.
During this work she had been care
| ful NOT n foroet tho 6ro tl,o .uao