The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-10-09

found room for them in the capacious
side pockets of my coat. and then we
turned back to the outer room. Pass
ing by the hideous altar, we gained the
light. 1t was now late in the after
noon. we found to our surprise.
We had spent hours over the treas
ure and we had just time to retrace
our steps and get back to the boat on
the beach and partake of our evening
meal when night fell AS we sat by
the fire that night l made little bags
out Of piece Of canvas taken from
a bread bag and we put the jewels into
them. dividing them into equal parts.
One bag she wore constantly thereaf.
ter on her person and the other She
insisted that the rough and ready divi-
sion we had made was permanent;
that the bag l carried belonged to me
and the bag she carried belonged to
her But, refused to have it SO in
spite of her argument. and there we
left it.
During the next two or three days
we leisurely explored the island. There
was nothing else on it to see which
merits any particular description. We
did not again visit the central hill, nor
did we enter any other cave. We did
not even go near the treasure cave
again. On the contrary. we kept to
the open. We chose to live near the
sea on the beach, which was high
above all tides and which was remov-
ed from the charnel spots which made
a mockery of the sylvan groves With
in the walls. The island was we'll pro-
vided with tropical fruits. many being
good for food. as ! knew. We caught
fish in the lagoon and turtle on the
sand. We lacked nothing to make US
comfortable, even happy. except the
means Of escape.
We spent our days in trying to de-
wise some means Of getting across the
reef and back home again-that Is,
when was not idly lying at the feet
or following the footsteps Of the wo-
man l loved. didn't want to get
away. so far as l was concerned.
didn't care whether we ever got away.
l had wit enough not to let her see.
not to let her suspect that for mo-
ment. however, and l tried to convince
her by my conduct toward her that my
kissing her on the ship had been but
momentary madness, but learned lat
er that failed iamentably. She says
now that baby could see that was
dying for her. and | suppose it is true,
but at least didn't say anything. Aft
err that outbreak in the cave kept ST.
lence.
Late one afternoon we stood ut the
head OF the stairs looking seward.
We had come from long ramble
throughout the cup Of the island. and
as we stood on the top our gaze as
usual instinctively turned toward the
sea. perhaps seeking for the sail OF
some rescuing ship. The water was
black with great savage war canoes.
Great God" | cried: "Iook yonder"
II see, | see! she cried in turn.
who can they hey"
Jewellers from the other islands to
the westward" answered.
They could not see us yet. fortunate
~; but, after all. that mattered little.
My little lady did not seem to be near
ly as disturbed as l.
1.-THE reef will protect u.s." she said
at last, looking at me confidently.
! Not for moment" l answered.
"They will ride that reef in those light
canoes more easily than we did"
! "And you Think she instantly be-
gan.
"Our lives are in Gods hands. II l
know anything these will be ferocious,
bloodthirsty savages. See! They are
armed"
l pointed to one tall brown man,
who stood up in the bow Of the nearest
canoe, fourishing broad bladed spear.
1--WE must hide" she said.
But where? They will search the
island"
, In the treasure cave" she answered.
And indeed that was the most likely
spot We had brought but little with
us that afternoon. had thrust brace
of pistols in my belt, and she herself,
by my advice. always carried her two
small ones. and had my sword and
ak, but everything else was in the boat
on the beach. For a moment thought
Of running down there and getting
some of our things, but as l half turn
ed to descend the stairs she detained
me, divining my purpose.
! mo, no." 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 us CO.,
i 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 find all our goods as
soon as they crossed the reef and land
led. But there was no help for that
now. We had to make the best of a
bad situation.