The Washington times., 1912-07-21
THE TINES DAILY SERIAL STORY.
INTOTHE PRIMITIVE
ROBERT AMES BENNETT
Copyright. 1912. Frank A. Munsey Co..

What of them?' demanded Blake.
"Bows-arrows-and did you not agree
that they would make knives?'
,.nJn "umglh-we'll see. What is it, Miss
isn't that a hole in the big tree?'
Looks like it. These baobabs are
often hollow
Perhaps that is where the leopard
had his dem" added Winthrope.
shouldn't wonder. Well go and
see
But, Mr.. Blake" protested the girl,
there may be other leopards."
Might have been; but I'll bet they
1T out with the other. in that case,
the hole h We look afy and GFssn see e arGheg thea
left any soup bones lying around. First,
though here's your drink, Miss Jenny"
smoldering branches. and led the way
to where the spring trickled from the
rock into a shallow stone basin.
When all had drunk their fill of the
clear, cool water. Blake took UP his
CLUB, and walked straight across to the
oaobab. Less than twenty steps
brought him to the narrow opening in
the trunk of the huge tree.
At first he could make out .,thing
In the dimly lit interior; but the fetid,
'catty odor was enough to convince him
that he had found the leopard den.
Then he caught the vague outlines
Of long body, crouched Ave or six
yards away, on the far side of the
hollow.
He sprang back. his club brandished
to strike. But the expected attack did
not follow. Blake glanced about, as
though considering the advisibiuty of
a retreat.
Winthrope and Miss Leslie were star
ing at him, white faced. The sight of
their terror seemed to spur him to dare
devil bravado.
Get behind the bamboos!" he called,
and as they hurriedly obeyed. he caught
up stone, and flung 1t in at the
crouching beast.
He heard the missile strike with a soft
thud that told him he had not missed
his mark, and he swung up his club
in both hands
Given half a chance. he would srns sh
the skull of the female leopard as he
had crushed her blind mate.
One moment after another passed,
and he stood poised for the shock. tense
and scowling. Not so much as a snarl
came from within the tree. Then the
truth flashed upon him.
'Smothered" he yelled.
The others saw him dart in through
the hole. A moment later two limp,
| grayish bodies were flung out into the
open. Immediately after Blake reap
| peared, dragging the body of the mother
| leopard.
It's all right-they'r dead!" cried Win
thrope, as he ran forward to look at
| the bodies.
Miss Leslie followed. hardly less curl
GUS.
Are. Are they all dead. Mr.. Blake9" she
Wiped out-whole family. The old
| cat stayed by her kittens, and all
smothered together-lucky for us! Get
busy with those bamboos, Win. I'm
| going have these skins. and fha
| sooner we get the cub-meat hung up
and curing. the better for u.s.
Leopard meat again" rejoined
Spring leopard, young and tender!
What more could you ask? Get a move
Can I do anything. Mr., Blake?"
Hunt a shady spot"
I But I really mean it."
| Well, II that's straight. you might go
on along the gully, and see II there s
any chance to get to the top. You
could pick up sticks on the way back.
gate this tree hole before we adopt 1t
| as a residence.
win 1t be long before you finish
with your-with the bodies?"
| well, now, look here, Miss Jenny;
It's going to be a mess, and I wouldn't
mind hauling the carcasses clear down
the gully, out OF sight II this was to
be the only time. But it's not. and
| you We got 10 get uBeu TO IL, sooner or
| later So we'll start now"
II suppose, II I must. Mr.. Blake
Really, I wish to help!"
Good; that's something like! Think
you can learn to cook2"
See what did this morning"
! Blake took the cord OF cocoanut fiber
which she held out to him. and tested
it's strength.
"Well, I'll be-blessed!" he said
This Is something like! II you don't
look out, you'll make quite a camp mate
Miss Jenny. But now, trot along. This
Is hardly Arctic weather, and our abat-
toir doesn't include a cold-storage plant
The sooner these lambs are dressed the
better"
A Continuation of This story VIII
Re Found In TOmOrrOw's.