The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-31

ASdty, tWO-l0OL ~udChluS Cduc hA1vCS in their hands, she became suddenly aware of the rashness of her act. If only she had her revolver or a rife, all would have been well. But she had careiessiy ventured out unarmed.
 ITO much talk along you fella boy" she said severely. 'Too much talk, too little work SavveeT'
 Gogoomy made no reply, but, ap- parently shifting weight, he slid one foot forward. The other boys, spread fanwise about her, were also sliding forward, the cruel cane knives in their hands advertising their intention.
 "You cut m grass" she commanded imperativeiy.
 But Gogoomy slid his other foot forward. She measured the distance with her eye. It would be impossible to whirl her horse around and get away. She would be chopped down from behind
 She lifted her riding whip threaten fngly, and at the same moment drove in both spurs with her heels, rushing the startled sorse straight at Gogoomy. He swerved aside to avoid the horse. at the same time swinging his cane knife in slicing blow that would have cut her in twain. She leaned forward under the flying steel, which cut through her riding skirt, through the edge of the saddle through the saddle cloth, and even slightly into the horse itself. Her right hand, still raised, came down, the thin whip whishing ! through the air. She saw the white, crooked mark of the veal clear across the sullenf handsome face, and still s what was practically in the same in stant she saw another member of the band, over ridden. go down before her, and she heard his snarling and Srimacing chatter-for all the world like an angry monkey. Then she was free and away. heading the horse at top speed for the house.
 Outsof her sea training she was able to appreciate Sheldon's executiv eness when she burst in on him with her news. SpringiDg from the steamer chair in which he had been loungfng while waiting for breakfast, he clapped his hands for the house boys; and, while listening to her. he was buckling on his cartridge, belt and running the mechanism of his automatic pistol
 "Ornfri,' he snapped out his orders. 'syou fella ring big fella bell strong fella plenty. You finish 'm bell. you put m saddle on horse viaburi, you go quick house belong Seelee he stop, tell m plenty black fella run away ten fella two fella black fella boy.'' He scrubbed a note and handed it to Lalaperu. "Lalaperu. you go quick house belong white feIla narster Boucher.
 'That will head them back from the coast on both sides" he explained to Joan. And old Seelee will turn his whole village loose on their track as we'll"
 In response to the summons of the big bell .Joan's Tahitians were the first to arrive, by their glistening bodies and panting chests showing that they had run all the way.
 Sheldon proceeded to arm loans sail ors and deal out ammunition and handcuffs. Adamu Adam. with loaded rifle, he placed on guard ever the whaleboats. Noa Noah, aided by Matapuu. was instructed to take charge of the working gangs as fast as they came in. to keep them amused, and to guard against their being stam- peded into making a break for them selves. The five other Tahitians were to follow Joan and Sheldon on foot.
 I'm glad we unearthed that arsenal the other day" Sheldon remarked as they rode out of the compound gate.
 A hundred yards away they encoun- tered one of the clearing gangs coming in. 1t was Kwaque's gang, but Shel- don looked fn vain for him.
 What name that feIla Kwaque he no stop along you?' he demanded.
 "Here, you fella Babatani, you talk m mouth belong you."
 Babatani stepped forward ill all the pride of one singled out from among his fellows.
 "Gogoomy he finish along KwaQue altogether" was Babatanfs explana- tion. "He take m head 'b'long him run like h."
 Tn brief words and with paucity of imagination he described the murder, and Sheldon and Joan rode on
 A mile farther on, where the run aways'' trail led straight toward the bush, they encountered the body of Kwaque. The head had been hacked c6 and was missing, and Sheldon took it on faith that the body was Kwaque's. He had evidently put up a fight, for a bloody trail led away from the body.
 CHAPTER XIX.
 A MESSAGE FROM THE BUSH.
 ~ NCE they were we'll into the
 thick bush, the horses had to
 be abandoned Papehara was
 left in charge, while Joan and Sheldon and the remaining Tahitians pushed ahead on foot. An hour later, following along wild pig trail. Shel- don suddenly halted. The bloody tracks had ceased The Tahltians cast out in the bush on either side, and a cry from Utami appraised them of a find. Joan waited till Sheldon came back
 "It's Mauko," he said. "Kwaque did