The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-10-16
Bv CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY
Coovriaht, 1917. By Cyrm Townssa1 Brady

broke open cocoanut with niy Ak.
had become expert at 1t, and we had
food and drink in plenty and for va
riety some of the hard bread which
still remained which l had brought
with us and other fruit. lighted the
lantern for q moment and went toward
the sound of the falling water. Tho
cocoanut shell made an excellent cup,
and l brought her enough clear. cool,
sweet water to lave her face and
hands. Save for the stiffness of the
constrained position and some slight
pain caused by the damp we were both
fit for any adventure.
Well, we should have need Of our
strength. When we finished our meal
and our refreshing additions. she look
ed at me inquiringly.
"Well, what next?"
''The next thing" said l. lis to see
what is toward"
"You won't leave the cave" she said,
catching me by the shoulder =
81 should find it difficult We're l 80
minded" l answered, smiling and
thrilling to her touch again, as always.
Indeed l have never got used to 1t
even after all these years. AS l look
back at it now l do not think l have
ever had happier moments in my life
than those in which she chung to me
and was dependent upon me.
why not?" she asked.
"You forget that we broke down the
way last night"
"But you are a sailor; you might
make shift"
Eyes; but not you," answered.
without me?"
without you 60 nowhere
She looked at me with shining eyes.
Come" said l, "let US go into the
outer room. We may find out some
thing" "'a-
had wound my watch in the dark
and looked at it now as we came into
the light It was three bells In the
morning watch, or about half after
8. We went past the altar with its
grim, bony circle Of attendants and
stared through the entrance There was
an open space in front of the cliff forty
or fifty yards wide perhaps. After look
ing some time and seeing nothing
foolishly-and yet it would have made
no difference in the end-stepped out
upon the shelf which made a sort OF
platform in front Of the cave, and
Mistress Lucy fearlessly came with me.
We had scarcely appeared in view
when to our astounded surprise we
head the report of frearm and
heavy bullet struck the coral wall just
over our heads. I had just time to
mark the spot whence it came by the
betraying smoke as leaped back into
the shelter, carrying my precious
charge before me. l was puzzled be-
yond measure. was certain that the
savages in these parts of the south
seas knew nothing about firearms. and
l could not account for it. The shower
of arrows and spears that came
through the opening and fell harm
lessly on the sand could easily ac-
count for, but not that shot.
"That," said solemnly, was mar
row escape"
''Do these islanders have firearmsT'
she said, the same thought in her mind
IT never heard Of it. cannot &C.
count for it."
II can, though" she said. Just be-
fore the discharge of that gun caught
the sight Of man in clothes such as
YOU wear. Could it be possible that 1t
was some one from the ship?'
I nodded my head.
1T is quite likely" answered.
!. At this moment conversation was In
terrupted by a hail. heard In that
lonely island my own named called
Master Hampton" the cry came to
us. will you respect flag Of truce?
If SO show yourself at the opening, and
shall do the same"
"Don't co." cried my little mistress,
hearing all; they are utterly without
honor and
II think it will be best for me to
co. said. Stand clear SO that it
any treacherous movement be made
shall have space to leap backward,
and meanwhile, look to your weapons
/ examined my pistols and then call
ing out that would faithfully observe
the Dag Of truce stepped out into the
! open. ThOre below me on the edge Of
the glade. convenient to; tree behind
49, - 49, al