Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-11


upon the sleeping figure lying upon my
breast. 1t was she who awakened
when the dim light began to sift
through the narrow opening into the
little cave where we sat.
Master Hampton" she said. bend
ing over me, having arisen without
disturbing me, lit is morning"
l sprang to my feet instantly, as
she shook me gently and grssped my
sword as I did so. whereat she
laughed.
"Why did you not awaken me:" she
asked reprovingly.
81 don't know. must have
began in great confusion.
You must have gone to sleep your
self" she laughed.
81 am ashamed" I replied, "that
should have failed in my duty to keep
good watch. didn't awake you when
might because you needed sleep your
self. and then, like a big animal,
went TO sleep myself"
II am glad" she said, smiling at me,
and could iust>see her lovely face
family in the dark twilight of the cave,
that you did and nothing happened"
ut is just as we'll then" said, smil-
ing in turn, I'VE have both slept.
feel greatly refreshed"
And l."
'Thank Godr' I said fervently.
What is TO be done now?" she
asked.
First. breakfast"
broke open a cocoanut with my ak.
had become expert at it, and we had
food and drink in plenty and for va
riety some Of the hard bread which
still remained which 1 had brought
with US and other fruit. I lighted the
lantern for a moment and went toward
the sound Of the falling water. The
cocoanut shell made an excellent cup,
and / brought her enough clear, cool.
sweet water to lave her face and
hands. Save for the stiffness Of tn.
constrained position and some slight
pain caused by the damp we were both
f1t for any adventure.
Well, we should have need of our
strength. When we finished our meal
NAN cAA ACAANSh4IE dblullOuS, sue lOOh-
ed at me inquiringly.
We'll, what next"
'The next thing" said I, lis to Sc.
what is toward"
You won't leave the cave" she said,
catching me by the shoulder.
Il should find 1t difficult were / SO
minded" / answered. smiling and
thrilling TO her touch again. as always.
Indeed, have never got used TO it
even after all these years. As look
back at It now / do not think 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"
Yes; but not you" answered.
without me?"
without you l go nowhere"
She looked at me with shining eyes.
Come" said l, "let US go into the
outer room. We may find out some
thing"
I had wound my watch in the dark
and looked at it now as we came into
the light. 1t was three bells in the
morning watch, or about half after
Q. 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 I
| 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 10 our astounded surprise we
head the report Of a fresrm and a
heavy bullet struck the coral wall Just
over our heads. had just time 20
mark the spot whence Il came by the
betraying smoke as / leaped back into
the shelter. carrying my precious
charge before me. 1 was puzzled be-
yond measure. / was certain that the
savages in these parts OF the south
seas knew nothing about firearms. and
i could not account for It The shower
OF arrows and spears that came
through the opening and fell harm
lessly on the sand i could easily ac-
count for, but not that shot.
That" said solemnly, "was a mar
row escape"
do these islanders have frearmsr'
she said. the same thought in her mind.
Il never heard OF it cannot ac-
count for It"
Il can. though" she said. lust be
fore the discharge OF that gun I caught
the sight of a man in clothes such as
you wear. Could It be possible that It
was some one from the shipT'
nodded my head.
1T is quite likely" I answered.
At this moment conversation was in
terrupted by a hail. heard in that
lonely island ny own named called
Master Hampton" the cry came TO
Us, will you respect a flag OF truce?
II SO show yourself at the opening, and
] shall do the same"
Don't 60" cried my little mistress.
hearing all; they are utterly without
honor and