Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-07
CHAPTER Iv-ContInued

L The man was attacked, and defended
himself here. Not expecting the arrival OF
enemies he provided no store of food or
water He was killed while trying 70 reach
the we'll, probably at night"
lie wildly pictured the scene-a brave
hardy European keeping at bay n boatload
OF Dyak savages, enduring mahfully tho
ngonies or hunger, thirst, perhaps wounds
Then the siege. followed by wild effort
TO gain the llfe-glving we'll the hiss of a
Malay parang welded by lurking foe.
and The last despairlng struggle before
death came.
He might be mistaken. Perchance there
was less dramatic explanation. But he
could not shake Off his first impressions
They were garnered from dumb evidence
and developed by some occult but over
whelming sense Of certainty.
What was the poor devil doing here?"
he asked why did he bury himself in
this rock with mining utensils and few
rough stores? He could not be a castaway.
There is the indication OF purpose. of prep
aration, OF method combined with ignor-
ance. for none who knew the ways OF Dyaks
and Chinese pirates would venture to live
here alone, IL he could help II, and II he
really were alone" The thing was n mys-
terry would probably remain a mystery for
ever.
BE II steel or be II lead,
Anyhow the man Is dead"
There was relief In hearing his own voice.
He could hum and think and act Arming
himself with the AK he attacked the bushes
and branches Of trees In front of the cave
He cut fresh approach to the well. and
threw the litter over the skeleton. At first
he was inclined to bury II where II lay.
but he dlsliked the idea of Iris walking
unconsclously over the place. No time could
be wasted that day He would seize an
early opportunity to act as grave-dlgger.
After an absence of little more than an
hour he rejoined the girl She saw him
from afar, and wondered whence he OBJ
tanned the AK he shouldered.
You are a successful explorer" she cried
when he drew near.
Yes Miss Deane I have found water,
implements, shelter. even light"
What sort of light-spirItual or ma
terial2"
"Oil."
"Ohw
Iris could not remain serious for many
consecutive minutes. but she gathered that
he was in no mood for frivolity.
And the shelter-is II a house7" she
continued.
mo. a cave II you are sufficiently rested
you might come and take possession"
Her eyes danced with excitement He
told her what he had seen. with reserva-
tions arT she ran on before him 10 witness
these marvels.
why did you make a new path to the
well2' she inquired after a rapid survey.
"A new path" The pertinent question
staggered him.
"Yes. the people who lived here must
have had some sort of free passage"
He lied easily. "I have only cleared
away recent growth" he said.
And why did they dig a cave? II surely
would be much more simple to build house
from all these trees"
There you puzzle me-" he said frankly.
They had entered the cavern but a little
way and now came out.
These empty cartridges are funny They
suggest a fort, a battle" Woman.like. her
words were carelessy chosen. but they were
crammed with inductive force.
Embarked on the toboggan slope OF un-
truth. the sailor slid smoothly downward.
Events have colored your imagination,
preserve such things for future use. They
can be reloaded"
Yes / have seen keepers do that. This
is different There is an air Of"
There is a lot to be done" broke in Jack
emphaticaly. I'VE must climb the hill and
before the sun goes down. ] want to prop
canvas sheet In front Of the cave and try
to devise a lamp"
Must sleep inside?" demanded Iris.
Yes. Where else?"
There was a pause, mere whit of awk-
wardness
II will mount guard outside" went on
jerks. He was trying to improve the edge
Of the ak by grinding II on a soft stone.
The girl, went into the cave again. She
was inquisitive, uneasy.
THAT arrangement-" she began, but
ended In a sharp cry OF terror. The dis
possessed birds had returned during the
sailors absence.
II will kill them" he shouted In anger
please don't. There has been enough OF
death in this place already"
The words Jared on his ears. Then he
felt that she could only allude TO the VIC
Tins OF the wreck
II was going to say" she explained, that
we must devise a partition. There is no,
help for It until you construct a sort OF
house canddly. / do not like this hole in
the rock. II Is a vault, a tomb"
You told me that was In command, yet
you dispute my orders" He strove hard tt
appear brusquely good-humored. Indifferent,
though for one OF his mold he was alb
surdy irritable. The cause was over
strain. but that explanation escaped him.
quite true, But IL sleeping In the cold
In dew or rain is bad for me, Il must be
equally bad for you. And without you am
helpless, you know"
His arms twitched TO give her a reassur-
Ing hug. In some respects she was so child
like her big blue eyes were so ingenious.
lie laughed sardonically, and the harsh
note ciashed with her frank candor. Here,
at least she was utterly deceived His
changeful moods were incomprehenslble.
Il will serve you 10 the best OF my ability,
Miss Deane." he exclaimed. I'VE must hope
for a speedy rescue. and / am Injured TO
exposure. II is otherwise with you. Are
you ready for the climb7
Mechanically. she picked up a stick at
her feet. II was the sailors wand OF in
He snatched It from her hands
and threw II away among the trees.
That is q dangerous alpenstock," he |
said THE wood IL unreliable. II might |
break. ] win cut you a better one," and |
he swung the AK against a tall sapling
Iris mentally described him as funny"
She followed him In the upward curve OF |
the ascent. for the grade was not dlficult |
and the ground smooth cough. the storms |
Of years having pulyerissa the rock and |
.riyen sand into It's clefts The persistent |
Inroads OF the trees had done the rests Be- |
yond the flight OF birds and the scampering |
Df some tiny monkeys overhead, they did |
not disturb living creature.
The crest OF the hill was tree covered |
and they could see nothing beyond their i'm |
uediate locality until the sailor found 4 |
point higher than the re<t WHARF I rugged |
Of hard h&selt end tns up1>oiins