The Washington times., 1912-07-21
CHAPTER TX (Continuedl .

I'M sure Mr.. Blake would have
- preferred to shoot the creature,
had he a gun. Having nothing
else than fire, I think 1t vas all
very brave of him. Now we are sure OF
water and food. Hadn't we best be 60
ing?'
"It was to fetch you that came"
Winthrope spoke with preceptible
stiffness. He was chagrined. not only
by her commentator Of Blake. but by
the Indifference with which she had
met his agitation.
They started at once, Miss Leslie in
the lead. AS they rounded the point,
rising from the cleft.
A little later she noticed the vultures
which were streaming down out of the
sky from all quarters other than sea-
ward. Their focal point seemed to be
the trees at the foot of the cleft. a
nearer view showed that they were
alighting in the thorn bushes on the
south border of the wood.
seen until Miss Leslie. still in the lead,
pushed In among the trees. There they
found him crouched beside a small fire,
near the edge of the pool.
He did not look up. His eyes were
riveted In hungry stare upon several
pieces of flesh. suspended over the
flames on spits of green twigs.
Hello" he sang out, as he heard
their footsteps. Just IN umc, Miss
Jenny. Your broiled steak'Il be ready
''oh. build up the fire! I'm simply
ravenous!" she exclaimed, between I'M
patience and delight.
Winthrope was hardly less keen; yet
his hunger did not altogether blunt his
curiosity.
,"I say. Blake" he inquired. where
did you get the meat?"
Stow 1t, Win. my boy. This amt a
packinghouse. The stuff may be tough.
but it's not-er-the other thing. Here
stick"
Though Winthrope had his suspicious,
he took the piece of half burnt flesh
which Blake handed him in turn, and
As Blake had surmised. the roast
proved far other than tender. Hunger
however. lent 1t most appetiz,ng
flavor. The repast ended when there
was nothing left to devour.
Diake threw away the empty spits,
ad and rose to stretch. He waited for
fui and then began to chuckle.
whats the joker asked Winthrope.
Blaked looked at him soIemnly.
We'll, now, that was downright mean
OF me. he drawled, after lobbing
them, to laugh at it,"
Robbing who?"
The buzzards."
IL
its disgusting
Miss Jenny2"
Miss Leslie did not know whether to
laugh or to give way to a feeling of
nausea. She did neither"
Can we not find the spring of which
you spokeF she asked. II am thirsty"
We'll, guess the fire is about burned
out assented Blake. Come on: well
see.'
T,ha oIAs. 49,, -,
pect from what 1t had presented on
their first visit.
The largNM of the trees, ahonsh
scorched about the base, still stood with
unwtthered foliage. little harmed by the
nre. But many of their smaller COM
etroyed by the heat and flames from
the burning brush, IN places the fire
was yet smoldering.
Blake picked a path along the edge OF
the rill where the moist vegetation,
though scorched, had refused to burn,
After the first abrupt ledge, up which
Blake had to drag his companions. ths
ascent was easy.
But as they climbed around an out
tuttng corner of the steep right wall ot
the cleft, Blake muttered a curse ri
disappointment He could now see thai
the cleft did not run 10 the top of the
clif, but through y, like tiny box
canyon. The sides rose sheer and
smooth as walls.
Midway. at the highest point OF the
cleft, the baohab lowered high above
the ridge crest. its gigantic trunk NIL
ing third Of the breadth of the little
gorge. Unfortunately, 1t stood close t
the left wall.
Here's luck for your growled Blake
"Why couldn't the blamed old tree hav,
grown on the other side7 We nigh
have found a way to climb II. Guess
Wen have to smoke out another leopard
We're no nearer those birds nests thar
we were yesterday"
by Jove, look here!" exclaimed Win
thrope. This Is our chance for ante
lope, here by the spring-bamboos-r
bamboos, and only half the thicks
burned"