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

Asi<s~.-,
PimbaII Had White Neck Cloth Tied
to the MuzzIe of His Gun.
trusted me apparently as little as
trusted him. stood the wretch, Pimball.
Back Of him, beneath the trees, I dis
tinguished Glibby and a number of
the crew, nearly all of them, l should
Judge, and back of these were massed
the savages. Pimball had a white
neck cloth tied to the muzzle of his
gun.
Say what you have to say and bs
quick about it, said, but he looked
past me and took off his hat with a
profound sweep.
Good morning, Mistress Wilber-
force" he cried.
I turned in a hurry and found that
she had stepped out by my side. The
two of US presented a fair mark for
any weapon. One might have escaped,
but hardly two.
Get back" cried harshly.
81 stay where you are" she answered
firmly. See, l too am armed" Her
little hand lifted heavy pistol.
Il can talk with the two of you Just
as we'll as with one" said Pimball.
Talk on and be brief" returned.
seeing that there was no use arguing
with my little mistress.
You have found the treasure" he
began; there is no use denying it. We
have it from our savage friends that
the things are there. In years gone by
they sacrificed here and on the cone
yonder; but for generations the island
has been taboo The white msn has
broken the ban and we are here to take
the treasure"
Indeed" said sarcastically, where
at he turned pale with anger but still;
mastered himself.
I'VE offer you" he continued, safe
ty. We cannot take you with US, but
we will leave you here on the island
after we have taken the treasure. and, :"
his eyes turned from me to my COM
panion, IF you are willing to give up
the woman will enroll you with our
following and we will all get away
together on the Rose of Devon"
NudL "a Tue snip :! i asked.
1t was a hard thing TO control my
temper, but wanted the information.
"She was badly stove up but not en-
tirely wrecked. We fought the saw
ages. conquered them, made them our
friends. We can get away in her and
you can navigate her or we can do
without you for that matter and make
shift to get back TO the South Amer
fcan coast at least"
so you offer me free passage and
my share of the treasure II will give
up Mistress Wherefore, do you?"
That is IT." answered Pimball, "Eh,
mates?" whereat deep chorus of ap-
proval caIne from Glibby and the men
And this is my answer 1 said
furiously, leveling my pistol at him.
Get back. you villain. or you will have
looked your last on life.'
But the flag of truce?" he cried,
dropping his weapon.
1T is not meant TO cover such propo-
sitions as yours. As for the treasure
you shall have 1t when you can get it"
AS 1 spoke he sprang behind the tree
and motioned TO his men to fire, but
was too quick for him, and we were
safely within the cave when the sound
Of the reports came TO US.
Now what Is to be done!" said my
little mistress.
The next move" answered, SIS
with them"
shall We go further back into the
caver"
mo-" replied. I'VE will stay here
for the present"
We were not long left in suspense.
for could hear them breaking through
the woods and rushing toward the
opening. Missiles In the way of weap-
ons there were none in the cave, but I
picked up a skull that lay on the floor
and hurled it out OF the opening into
the unseen crowd below. A shrek told
me that had hit some one. but l saw
at once that the game was one I
could not Play. The white men had
some skill at warfare They had post
ed covering parties to protect the
workmen- crept cautiously toward
the entrance, where / could see them
working hard, piling up the stones to
enable them TO get at us, while back
Of them stood others with drawn bows
and presented weapons.
i didn't come OF unscathed, for as
sprang back after having thrown an
other skull and taken my look an ar
row hit me in the heshy part of the
arm. Ny mistress noticed it instantly.
The stone head had broken of. and it
was the work Of an instant 10 draw
out the slender wood shaft 1t was not
bad wound, but II was painful The
next thing she did amazed me beyond
measure. for before could prevent IT
she had put her lips TO the wound.
What mean you:" ] cried. when
could recover myself