Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-03-11

ASLEEP behind those bushes"
Worst thing he could do. But lend
q hand, and well shuck these oysters
before rousting him out. You can
rinse those I've opened FIJI the pot
with water, and put them In to soak"
They look very tempting. How did
you chance to find them"
Saw em on the mangrove roots at
low tide, first time | nosed around
here. Tide was well up today; but
/ managed TO get these all right with
little diving Only trouble, the
skeets most ate me alive"
Miss Leslie glanced at her compan-
ions dry clothing and came back to
the oysters themselves. "These look
very tempting. Do you like them
raw"
Cant say l like them much any
way, as rule. But if l did, | wouldn't
eat this mess raw
'Yes?'
This must be the dry season here,
and the river is running mighty clear.
Just the same it's nothing more than
liquid malaria Well not eat these
oysters till they've been pasteurized"
IF the water is 50 dangerous, | fear
we will suffer before we can return"
replied Miss Leslie, and she held up
the flask
What" exclaimed Blake Half
gone already? That was Winthrope."
He was very thirsty. Could we not
boil potful of the river water?"
Yes, when the ebb gets strong, II
we run too dry. First, though. we'll
make try for cocoanuts Let's hit
out for the nearest grove now. The
main thing is to keep moving"
AS he spoke, Blake caught up the
pot and his club and started for the
thorn clump, leaving the skin, togeth-
er with the meat and the salt for Miss
Leslie to carry. Winthrope was
Weakened 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 a number of leaves, for their
palm-leaf hats were now cracked and
broken. A little farther on 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, a troupe
of large green monkeys set up a wild
chattering in a tree above the party.
g! 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'li
give me chance to shoot quick"
They moved on again for a 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 pair of blue wood
pigeons. When he sought to creep I'D
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 a tiny object whirred up
and struck him in the face.
Wheel" he exclaimed, springing
back and striking out "A hornet, No;
it's a beef"
Did it sting your" cried Miss Les
NE.
Sting? Keep back; there's a lot
more of EN-. Sting? Oh, no; he only
hypodermicked me with a red-hot
darning needle! Shy around here.
There's a whole swarm of the little
devils, and they're hopping mad. Hear
'em buzzi"
But where is their hive?" asked
Winthrope, as all three drew back be-
hind the nearest bushes.
Guess they've borrowed that ant
nil" 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
well need fire to tackle those buzz
zers. Guess it'I be as we'll to let them
cool off a bit also. The cocoanuts are
only a little way ahead now. Here;
give me the pct"
They soon came to a small grove OF
eocoanut palms, where Blake threw
gown 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 wen all be ready enough for
oyster stew
How about the meat?" asked Miss
Leslie.
Keep that till later. Here goes for
gur dessert"
Selecting one Of the smaller palms,
Blake spat on his hands. and began
70 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