Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-01-07

cerned with the question OF how they
should penetrate the dense tangle of
thorny brush and creepers which
rose before them like a green wall.
Even Blake hesi;ated as he released
Vinthrope and looked at Miss Leslie's
costume Her white skirt was of
stout duck; but the flimsy material of
her waist was illsuted for rough
usage.
Better put the coat on unless You
want to come out on the other side In
full evening Dress" he said There's
no use kicking. but wish you'd hap
pened to have on some sort of q jacket
when we got spilled"
rs there no path through the thick
et?" inquired Winthrope.
Only the hippo trail. and It don't
so our way. We've got to run our
own line. Here's stick for your
game ankle"
Winthrope took the half.green
branch which Blake broke from tho
nearest tree and turned to assist Miss
Leslie with the coat The garment
was OF such coarse cloth that as Win
thrope drew the collar close about her
throat Miss Leslie could not forcgo
little grimace OF rrpugnancc. The
crease between Blaxe's eyes deepened.
and the girl hastenel to utter an OK
planatory exclamation: Not so
tight Mr. Winthrope. please! It
scratches my neck"
You'd find those thorns whole lot
worse" muttered Blake.
ITO be sure: and Miss neslie fully
appreciates your k,adaess." interposed
Winthrope.
Il do indeed, Mr. fake! I'm sure
never could so tsr.@ n here without
your ccat,'
"That's all right Got the handlser-
chief?''
4 put II in one Of IRE pockets"
'Itll do to tie M ycur hair"
Miss Leslie took the suggestion,
| knotting the big square OF linen over
her fluffy brown heir
Blake waited only for her to draw
cut the kerchief before he began to
| force way through the Jungle Now
and then he beat at the tangled vege..
| tation With us Club, Though he held
to the line by which he had left tho
! thicket, yet all his efforts failed to
open an easy passage for the others.
| Many of the thorny branches sprang
back into place behind him, and a.
| Miss Leslie, WHO was the first to fol-
low sought to Trust them aside tho
thorns pierced her delicate skin until
her hands weyc covered with blood.
Nor did Winthrore, stumbling and hob
bling behind her, fare any better.
Twice he tripred headlong into the
brush. scratching his arms and face
Blake took hls own punishment ~
matter Of course. though his tougher
and thicker skin made his injuries less
| painful. He advanced steadily along
the line OF bent and broken twigs that
marked his outward passage until tho
thicket opened on strip Of grassy
ground beneath n wild fig-tree.
by Jove!" exclaimed Winthrope,
- banyan!"
''Banyan? Well, II that's British for
daisy. you've hit it, responded
Blake. Just take squint up here.
How's that for roost?"
Winthrope and Miss Leslie stared up
dubiousiy at the edge of a bed OF
reeds gathered In the hollow of one Of
the huge fiattened branches at its
junction with the main trunk OF the
banyan. 20 feet above them.
"Will not the mosquitoes poster us
here among the trees?" objected Win
thrope.
storm must have blown 'em away.
haven't seen am yet"
There will be millions after sun
set
Maybe; but bet they keep below
our roost."
But how are we to get UP SO high?"
inquired Miss Leslie
Il can swarm this drop root, and
I've creeper ready for you two" ex-
planned Blake
Suiting action to words, he climbed
up the small trunk OF the air root and
swung over into the hollow where he
had piled the reeds. Across the
broad limb dangled rope-like creeper,
one end OF which he had fastened to
branch higher up. He flung down the
free end to Winthrope
Look lively, Pat" he called. THE
suns most gone, and twilight don't
last all night in these parts. Get the
line around Miss Leslie, and do what
you can on boost"
Il see; but. you know, the vine is
too stiff to tie"
Blake stifcd an oath and jerked the
end Of the creeper up into his hand.
When he threw it down again 1t was
Topped around and fastened in bow
line knot
Now, Miss Leslie, get aboard and
well have you up in tiny" he said.
Are you sure you can lift me?"
asked the girl, as Winthrope slipped
the loop over her shoulders.
Blake laughed down at them well,