The Mena weekly star., 1912-02-15

IA AhCAt btuWttAh& A1ScS nAa nutt1 TINS
heavy, two-foot hacking cane knives
in their hands, she became suddenly
aware of the rashness OF her act II
only she had her revolver or a ride. all
would have been well But she had
earelessly ventured out unarmed.
TO much talk along you fella boy"
she said severely "Too much talk.
too little work. Savvee?"
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 N grassr' she commanded
imperarively.
But Gogoomy slid his other foot
forward. She measured the distance
with her eye, 1t would be impossible
TO whirl her horse around and get
away She would he chopped down
from behind
She lifted her riding whip threaten
ingly. and at the same moment drove
~ DOtH spurs VIII UCI uttlS. tucniU4
the startled horse straight at Gogoomy
81 swerved aside to avoid the horse.
at the same time swinging his cane
knife in a slicing blow that would have
cut Der in twain. She leaned forward
undAr the flying steel, which cut
through her riding skirt. through tbs
edge of the saddle. through the saddle
cloth, and wen 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 acros
the sullen. handsome face, and sti
what was practically in the same In
slant she saw another member OF
the band. over ridden. go down before
her. and she heard his snaring and
grimacing chatter-for all the world
like an angry monkey Then she was
free and away, heading the horse at
top speed for the house.
Out of her sea training she was able
to appreciate Sheldon's executiveness
when she burst in on him with her
news. SpringiDg from the steamer
chair in which he had been lounging
while waiting for breakfast. be clapped
his hands for the house boys; and,
while listening to her, he was buckiing
on his cartridge belt and running the
mechanism of his automatic pistol.
"Ornfiri." he snapped out his orders.
you fella ring big fella bell strong
fella plenty. You finish IN bell. you
put IN saddle on horse. viaburi, you
go quick house belong Seelee he stop.
tell m plenty black fella run away
ten fella two fella black feIla boy"
He scrubbed note and handed 1t to
Lalaperu. "Lalaperu. you go quick
house belong white fella marster
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 painting chests showing that they
had run all the way.
Sheldon proceeded to arm Joan's sail
ors and deal out ammunition and
handcuffs. Adamu Adam. with loaded
rife. he placed on guard over 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 STAN
peded into making break for them
selves The i've 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 Shell
don looked in vain for him.
What name that fella Kwaque he
no stop along your he demanded.
Here. you fella Babatani. you talk
% mouth belong you"
Babatani stepped forward In all the
pride of one singled out from among
bis fellows
"Gogoomy he finish along Kwaque
altogether was Babatanrs explana.
ton. "He take IN head 'b'long him run
like h."
In brief words and with paucity Of
imagination be described the murder.
and sheldon and Joan rode on.
n,fin fot.thar IN xvhara fho ratn.
aways' trail led straight toward the