Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-29
CHAPTER XV.-Continued.

with what we have. Perhaps they may
not discover us and we can hide safely
until they depart. Come, let us CO.
There was sense in her remarks 1t
might be that after performing their
awful worship these most unwelcome
visitors would return as they came. And
by keeping closely hid we might escape
an encounter with them. AS ever in the
emergency, she gave the best counsel.
Nevertheless, 1 deplored more than 1 can
say that I could not get to the arms and
other things under the cliff on the beach
near the boat. They would certainly find
everything as soon as they crossed the
reef and landed But there was no help
for that now. We had to make the best
of bad situation.
We turned and ran down the path
across the wall. I had forethought to
gather number of cOcOanuts and some
other fruits as We passed. | filled my
own pockets. and then she made a bag
out of the skirt Of her dress and carried
the rest. Presently ! reflected that we
had no need for such haste. There would
be plenty of time for us to reach the cave
and conceal ourselves long before they
landed, SO We progressed more slowly. II
was almost dusk when we reached our
shelter. I uprooted small tree just as
which l used as q. lever to push down
the heap in every direction as we climbed
so that it would be impossible for any one
else to enter the cave without piling up
the stones again. We passed by the
stone altar and its skeletons, crept into
the inner room, flung ourselves painting
upon the sand and there We waited.
In that secret and secluded shelter
thought that we We're safe for the time
being. Especially was / sure that they
effort
as the place had anciently been some
sort of shrine. And in the morning
didnt think that they would chance upon
that particular cave out Of the many in
the coral walls without long search,
unless they had proposed coming just
there for other reasons than we gave
them. Even if they did stumble upon
our hiding place early in the hunt. which
as they discovered evidences of our pres
ence on the island in the shape of the
dinghy, or, at least, at daybreak, it would
take them some time to rebuild the rock
wall again: and when they did enter the
outer room they would find ii a matter
of extreme difficulty to get into the inner
chamber SO long as i was there. Unfor-
tunately we had brought no powder or
ball with us. We had no means of re-
loading our firearms once they had been
discharged. I resolved to reserve the
four pistols we had for the last emer
gency. For other weapons / had my ak
and sword. to say nothing of stones and
even Of the human skulls about the altar.
! have said. think. that the inner cave
was slightly damp. The dampness arose
from a.Sspring OF water which dubbed
away in Some dark corner which we had
not cared to explore. We had what pro-
visions we had brought with us left over
from our luncheon, which / had luckily
preserved, instead Of throwing it away,
and an armful of cocoanuts and other
fruit. These, however, would last us but
a short while. II they couldn't come at
us by force they could easily starve us
out. Also, they could. without too much
trouble or danger, make themselves mas
tiers Of the outer cave. Indeed, L scarce
~ thought it would be wise for me to at
tempt to prevent that. and in that case
they could wall up the entrance and leave
us there.
1t did not occur to us for single mo-
ment that they had any knowledge of
the treasure and that they could be after
that. Not for the thousandth part of
second did j dream that the savages were
led by Pimball, Glibby and most OF the
other seamen Of the Rose of Devon. l
did not know then that the Rose of Devon
had gone ashore in the terrific storm l
have described. there had been a battle
with the savages. who sought to plumber
the ship, but which was prevented at
frightful loss to the islanders, who were
unable to contend successfully against the
firearms with which the ship was album
dainty provided. A means of commune
cation between the ship and the shore had
been found subsequently through one Of
the seamen who had sailed the South
seas. The savageS had been told of the
treasure, Of which. indeed. they had some
dim traditions from days gone by: they
also held the cave as one of their most
sacred spots. scarcely less sacred than
the great altar on the hillock in the
center Of the island, for what reason
cannot tell. Some of this learned
afterward from our assailants and much
Of it OWNED on reflection on our voyage
homeward.
By some persuasion, I know not what,
Pimball and Glibby had won them over
Together they had organized an eXpedi-
ton to come and seize us and take the
treasure. The Rose Of Devon, / guessed
was not badly damaged and could easily
be made seaworthy. The savages natur-
ally cared little or nothing for the gold
or silver. and I OWNED that Pimbaii had
promised them myself for such purposes
as the reader can we'll imagine. After
tortures 1 should, of course. be killed and
eaten. My little mistress would certainly
be reserved for another fate even more
horrible.
1 did not figure this out then, of course
II / had guessed it then I believe
should have been so blindly furious that
/ should have sailed out and attacked
them at the giant stairs. Indeed. that
would have been no bad place for de-
should have defied them, but 1 had my
lady to look to, and l dared take no
chances.
We sat silent in the cave for a long
time. / had not lighted the lantern we
had left there at our last visit. and some
of the light of the dying day filtered
through from the outside cave. There
was nothing that We needed light for
We sat close together on the remains of
one of the chests to protect us from the
damp sand. l always carried with me a
flask Of spirits. Not that am drinking
man: l left and still leave that practice
to the gallants OF the day, but ! have
often found 1t useful in some dire emer-
gency, and as Mistress Lucy shivered in
the chill. damp ar l heartened her and
strengthened her with a dram.
AS it was summer and not far from
the line, I had not brought the boat cloak
with us. / had not even worn my sailor
jacket. but my waistroat was heavy and
/ took it off. and despite her protesta-
tions. slipped it on her. In girth it was
big enough to encircle her twice, which
was all the better for her comfort l
drew it around to cover her breast with
"A double fold, and with length of line
/ had in my pocket ! made it fast. We
sat close together and talked in low whis-
perS. and l thrilled at the contact of her
sweet presence in spite of our peril
How long we talked or how long we
waited / have no means OF telling 1t
grew dark in the cave very early, and
when I ventured into the outside room
after what seemed an interminable wait
l found night had fallen. felt pretty
sure that We need apprehend no attack
that night and yet 1t was necessary to
keep watch. SO proposed that one of US