Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-14

took deliberate aim at the kneelng marks
man who threatened to wipe him and his
band out Of existence. But his deliberation.
though sklful, was too profound. The
sailor fired first and was professionally
astonlshed 20 see the gaudily sttired indi-
vidual tossed violently backward for many
yards finally pitching headlong TO the
earth. Had he been charged by a bull In
full career he could not have been more
utterly discounted. The incident was sem
sationnl but inexpllcable.
Yet another member of the band was
Frustrated crCA the two as yet unscathed
thought ft TO beat retreat. This they
did with celerity. but they dragged their
chief with them. II was no part of Jenk's
program to allow them TO escape. lie
aimed again at the man nearest the tree.
There was sharp click ana nothing more.
The cartridge was misfire. He hastily
sought to eject II and the rife Jammed.
These little accidents will happen. even In
a good weapon like the Lea-Metford.
Sprlnging to his feet with a yell he ran
forward. The flying men caught glimpse
OF him and accelerated their movements.
Just as he reached Iris they vanished
among tho trees.
Singing the rife over his shoulder. he
picked up the girl in his arms. She was
conscious, but breathless
You are not hurt2" he gasped. hts eyes
blazing into her face with an Intensity that
she afterward remembered as appalling.
No" she whispered.
Listen" he continued In labored Jerks.
Try and obey me--exactly. l Will carry
you-to the cave. Stop there. Shoot any
one you see-till come"
She heard him wonderingly. Was he
going TO leave her. now that he had her
safely clasped TO his breast7 Impossible!
All, she understood. Those men must have
landed In boat He intended to attack
them again. He was going to fight them
al 10 III nd nA md dh
what happened to him until Il was all over.
Gradually her vitality returned. She almost
smiled at the fantastic conceit that she
would desert him.
jerks placed her on her feet at the en-
trance 10 the cave.
You understand" he cried, and without
waiting for answer ran to the house for
| another rifle. This time. to her amazemcnt,
| he darted back through Prospect Park to-
ward the south beach. The sailor knew
| that the Dyaks had landed at the sandy
| bay Iris had christened Smugglers' Cove.
| They were acquainted with the passage
| through the reef and came from the distant
| islands. Now they would endeavor to
| escape by the same channel They must be
prevented at all costs.
He was right. AS they came out into the
open he saw three men. not two, pushing of
| a large sampan One of them. mirabile
dictu, was the chief. Then jerks UNDER
stood that his bullet had hit the lock of the
Dyaks upllfted weapon, with the result
already described By a miracle he had
| escaped.
He coolly prepared to sloy the three of
them with the same calm purpose that dis
tingushed the opening phase Of this singu-
| larly one-sided conflict. The distance was
| much greater. perhaps 500 yards from the
| point where the boat came into view. He
| knelt and fred. He judged that the missile
| struck the craft between the trio.
| 'sI didn't allow for the sun tho Side
| of the foresight" he said. "or, perhaps, ]
am bit shaky after the run. In any event
| they can't go far"
A hurrying step on the coral behind him
caught his ear. Instantly he sprang UP and
| faced about-to see Iris.
| They are escaping" she said.
mo fear OF that" he replied, turning
| away from her.
Where are the others7"
'Do you mean that you killed nearly all
| those men?"
"Six of them. There were nine in all"
He knelt again, lifting the rifle. Iris
| threw herself on her knees by his side.
| There was something awful to her In this
chill and businesslike declaration of fixed
| purpose.
Mr.. Jenks," she said. clasplng her hands
| in an agony of entreaty, do not kill more
| men for my sake !"
For my own sake, then" he growled.
annoyed at the interruption. as the sampan
| was afloat.
Then I ask you for Gods sake not 10
| take another life. What you have already
| done was unavoidable. perhaps right. This
| is murderl''
| He lowered his weapon and looked at
her.
'If those men get away they will bring
| back a host to avenge their comrades--and
| secure you." he added.
"It may be tho will OF Providence for
| such a thing TO happen. Yet implore you
| to spare them"
He placed the rife on the sand and raised
] her tenderly for she had yielded to a par