The Lamar register., 1913-11-26

- nat afternoon. I had thrust brace
q PISTOLS in my belt, and she herself,
b. my advice, always carried her two
small enes. and i had my sword and
n, but everything else was In the boat
on the beach For q moment l thought
Of running down there and getting
some Of our things. but a. half turn
me. divining my purpose.
mo. nor she urged, claspIng my
arm with both hands. I've must make
shift with what We have. Perhaps
they may not discover Us. and we can
hide safely until they depart Come!
Let N 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. They
would certainly and all our goods as
soon - they crossed the reef and land
Cd 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. l had forethought to
gather q number Of cocoanuts and
some other fruits a. we passed. !
filled my own pockets. and then she
made q bag out Of the skirt Of her
dress and carried the rest Presently
I reflected that we had no need for
such haste. There would be plenty Of
a. H. md
conceal ourselves long before they
landed, 20 we progressed more slowly.
Il was almost dusk when we reached
our shelter uprooted q small tree
Just a. we started to climb the pile
Of stones. which ! used as lever to
push down the heap in every direction
- We climbed. SO that II would be
impossible for any one else to enter
he cave without piiing up the stones
aealn. We passed BY the stone altar
and its skeletons. crept into the inner
room. 6ung ourselves painting upon the
san1, and there We waited
In that secret and secluded shelter
thought that We were safe for the
tlns being. Especially was I sure
1T tAsy would make no effort to ind
- ct night. a. tho place had an
deal1y been some sort Of shrine.
Al In the morning I did not think
that they would chance upon that
particular cave out Of the many In
the coral walls without . long search,
unless they had propose coming just
tAsee for other reasons than We gave
thsm. Even II they did stumble upon
our hiding place early In the hunt
whieA felt sure would be made for
- q soon a. they dlseoversl evidences
Of our presence ON the island in the
shape Of the dinghy, or at least at day
break, II would take them some t1me
b rebuild the rock wall again: and
WHEN they did entsf the outer room
they would ind It a matter Of extreme
dimeuity to get into the inner chamber
% long a. I was there. Unfortunately
We bad brought no powder or ball with
u. We had no means u reloading
our firearms. once they had been dis
charged. resolved to reserve the four
pistols we had for the last emergency.
For other weapons I had my Ak and
sword. to say nothing Of stones and
svea Of the human skulls about the a.
tar.
have said, think. that the inner
cave was slightly damp. The damp
ness arose from q spring Of water
which bubbled away in some dark cor
ner which we had not cared to explore
We had what provisions we had
brought with US left over from our
luncheon, which had luckily pre-
served instead Of throwing II away.
and an amful Of cocoanuts and other
fruit These. however, would last US
but q 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 masters Of the outer cave
Indeed. I scarcely thought It would be
wise for me to attempt to prevent that.
and In that case they could wall up the
entrance and leave us there.
CHAPTER XIV.
Wherein We Are Bslsasusrsd In the
Cave.
T did not occur to US for q single
moment that the savages had any