The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-10-16

NV to the back Of the outer
cave Indeed, that was the
only safe place for us, for
constant succession of weapons was
thrown through the opening We need
ed no further warning to keep out OF
reach Master Pimball was showing
himself something of a general. He
was keeping us away from the en-
trance. and with the great host OF men
at his command he was building up
the broken down heap Of stones which
would presently enable them to come
tous
| considered what was to be done.
had four loaded pistols and. therefore.
four lives IN my hand No man could
show his head in that entrance with
out receiving a shot After that |
could account for a few more. perhaps
with sword. AK or naked fist. but in
the end they would inevitably master
me. Unfortunately. the entrance was
broad enough for three or four. or even
more. t. enter abreast
Should l open the battle there or re-
tseat into the inner cave and wait:
was the Iest:on that had to be de
cided.
Perhaps the latter would he the
safer plan but | had strange unwill-
ingness to adopt it. 1t would be like
burying ourselves. for once within we
should never get out alive, except as
prisoners so long as they had the out
er cave. Aud could never dislodgp
them from it There was not much
more chance of getting out alive from
the outer cave. for that matter. but
still it seemed so. We could at least
see the sky and the sunlight. Should
We stay there or go further into the
wall?
decided upon the former course
l explained to my mistress that
would keep the outer cave as long
as | could begging her to retreat
to the inner chamber She demurred
at first. but when ! spoke to her per
emptorily at last-God forgive me-She
acceded to my request humbly enough.
thrust the best pistol into her hand
and told her to reserve it for herself
in case her capture was inevita BILE. but
not to pull the trigger until the last
moment: and | promised her faithfully
that | would not fooliShly or uSeleSSly
jeopardiZe myself. but that after had
made what fight | could | would join
her. if it were in any way possible.
She hung in the wind awhile. seem
ing loath to go when all had been said
between us. Finally she approached
me. laid her hand on my arm. and
looked up at me
Master Hampton" she said softly
here we be. lone man and woman
among these savages and murderers
with but little chance for our lives.
take 1t. | am sorry that struck you
on the ship. and-you may-kiss me
goodby.'
With that she proffered me her lips
/ could face a thousand savages. 8
hundred Pimballs. without CULVER OF
the nerves. but at these words and
that proffer my knees fairly smote to
gether before this small woman.
stood staring down at her.
You were overeager once to TAX,
from me what | now offer you will
ingly." she said. half turning away.
With that | caught her to me ant
once again | drank the sweetness O.
her lips. | forgot the savages outside
the spears. the arrows strea min;
through the entrance. | held her il
my arms and without resistance.
could have held her there forever. quit,
willing to die in such sweet embrace
She pushed me from her at last and
could swear that my kisses had beer
returned. and then with a whispered
blessing she dropped to her knees an'
crawled within the cave.
could have fought the world there
after. for her kisses intoxicated N,
like wine Yet even then did not de
tude myself. | knew that. on her par
at least. il was a farewell kiss. Suci
as two friends might give each othe
in the face of death TO her the pres
sure of my lips had only been as thu
salute of an ancient gladiator abou
TO die WAS to the Caesar who watche,
the struggle Well. | blessed her ever
for that condeScenSion
With Il pistol in each hand aud IN
third upon Il rock close ut hand | wait
ed | had not long to wait. There wa
sudden tiercer rain of arrows ant
spears. some of which struck at III,
feet or by my side | gathered up
sheaf of them and laid them with tn,
pistol on the rock
The next instant two tremendOu
savaCes and a white man appeared il