The Washington times., 1912-08-08

scraping energetically at the inner
i surfaces of a pair of raw hyena
skins.
so you've killed more same!' she ex-
claimed.
Came? No. hyenas Ihated to waste
good poison on the brutes, but nothing
else showed up, and 1 need new pair
Was 1T not .dangerous-great beasts
like these?',
Not even enough to make 1t inter-
@tb hays had some en fun though ths
moon came up, If he hadn't sneaked Off
into "a the i1sn;E: grass"
Yes. Didn't you hear the brute-for
hours before the moon rose, when 1t
was pitch-dark. 1t was mighty lone
some, with him yelling down by the
pool. Half chance and Id given him
something to yowl about. But 1t wasn't
any use firing off my arrows In the
dark. and, as I said. he sneaked off
"Tom-Mr. Blake! you must not risk
your life."
"Don't you worry about me. I've
learned how to look out for Tom Blake
And you can just hank on it, I'm going
to look out for Miss Jenny Leslie, too!
But say, after breakfast suppose we
take a run out on the cliff for eggs"
II do not wish any today, thank you"
He waited a little. studying her down.
bent face.
well, he muttered. you don't have
to come. / know 1 oughtn't to take d
moments time. did quite a bit last
night. but If you thihk"-
She glanced up, puzzled. Then his
meaning, flashed upon , her ,n and she she. rose
wered, and she fastened to prepare the
morning meal.
When they came to the tree-laddel
Which had been built up By Blake tc
facilitate the first part of the ascent
was now so high that she could no,
climb into the branches without diff.
Guilty; She surmised that Blake had
before he could ascend with his burden
They were at the foot of tn cheap
when. with sharp exclamation, Blakt
sprang up into the branches and scram
bled to the top in hot haste. Wonder
ing what this might mean. Miss Leslie
followed as fast as she could. Wher
she reached the top she saw him run
ming across toward an outjutting poin
on the north edge of the cliff.
She had hurried after him for molc
than hale the distance before she per
ceived the vultures that were gathered
in a solemn circle about a long anc
narrow heap of stones. on ledge
down on the sloping brink CT the cl!f
While at the foot of the tree Blake hat
ing to join the others. and, fearful o
what might be happening, had rushed
on ahead.
At his approach the croaking watch
and scared away, only to wheel an,
circle hack overhead. Miss Lesli
shrank down. shuddering. Blake CAM
back near her. and began to gathe
strewn about beneath the lodges OF
that part of the cliff.
%! know I piled up enough" he ex
planned in response to her look. "Al
fh4 co ma % mil a.
harm"
Then you are sure those awfu
birds have not
Yes; I'm sure"
He carried an armful of rocks to la,
on the mound. When he began t.
gather more she followed his example
They worked In silence, piling the rougl
stones gently one upon another. unit
the cairn had grown to twice its forme
size.
The air on the open cliff-top wa
fresher than in the cleft, and Miss Les
lie gave little heed to the absence o
der the burning sun without thought O
consequences. Blake, however, kney
the need of moderation.
There; that will do" he said. III
may have been-all he was; but we'y
no more than done our duty. Nov
we'n stroll out on the point
7 should prefer to return"
how TO So nestnF nt WHAT YOU sho
be left alone here? Besides, it looks t
me like the signal is tearing loose"
So she accompanied him out along tn
midst Of the bird colony, half deafene
by their harsh clamor. She had neve
ventured among them when alone
Even now she cried out, and woul
have retreated before the sharp bin
and beating wings had not Blak
walked ahead and kicked the squawkin
birds out of the path.
Having made certain that the bi
white nag was still secure on its stat
he led the way along the seaward brtn
OF the cliff, pointing out the differer
kinds of sea fowl, and shouting to Mis-
Leslie information about such of the
habits and qualities as were of concer
to hungry castaways;
He concluded the lesson by descend
ing a dizzy flight of Lodges, to rob tn
hardy feat at best, and douhly so
view of the thousands of eggs lyin
all around in the hollows OF the ell
top But from these Blake had recen
OF the frigate birds, and none of Il
other eggs equaled them in delicacy I
flavor.
drew himself up over the edge or q
cliff and handed the big, chalky-Whi
egg into her keeping.
II would rather go without than s.
you take such risks" she replied coldl
You would, eh?" he cried quite mi
understanding her. and angered
what seemed to him a snobbish rebu
"Well., I'd rather you'd say nothiI
than speak in that tone II you dor
want the egg, heaVe II over"
Unable 10 conceive any cause for h
sudden anger. she was alarmed al
drew back. watching him with sioelor
glances.
whats the natter" he demande
"Think I'm going to bite you?"
She shrank farther away and did n