Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-03

with the volley Byrne went down He
had been the principal target for the SAM
urai, and three Of the heavy shafts had
pierced his body. Two we're buried in his
chest and one in his abdomen.
Anthony Harding was horrihed Both his
companions were down, and the savages
were pressing closely on toward their hid
ing-place.
Mallory sat upon the ground, trying TO
tear the spear from his leg. Finally he
was successful.
Byrne. stll conscious, called to Harding
to pull the three shafts from him.
What are we to do?" or 4 tho 'lfer
man, They will get us again as sure
as fate ~
"They haven't got us yet" said Billy.
watt got a scheme. Can you walk,
Mallory?"
Mallory staggered to his feet.
"Gll see," he said; and then: yes, can
make 1t all right"
Good - exclaimed Byrne Now listen
Almost due north across this range of hills
behind u.s. is a valley. In the center OF the
valley Is river. 1t is good l6-houn
march for n well man--it will take Mallory
and you longer.
FOLLOWING down the river till you come
to a little sland-it should be the first one
from where you strike the river On that
island you will find Miss Harding, Norris
ana roster. NOW hurry y
But you, man?' exclaimed Mallory. we
can't leave you!"
"Never!" said Anthony Harding.
You'll have to, though" replied Billy
That's part of the scheme It won't work
any other way" He raised his revolver and
fired single shot in the direction of the
hesitatlng savages That's to let EN- know
we're still here" he said "1ll keep that
up off and on, as long as l can It'll fool
EN- into thinking that we're all here and
cover your escape-see?"
II won't do it," said Mallory.
Yes. you will" replied the mucker. TITS
not any Of us that counts--its Miss Hard
ing As many as can have got to get bacls
to her just as quick as the Lord'll let us.
| can't, so you two'll have to- I'm done
fora blind man could see that. 1t wouldn't
do bit of good for you two to hang
around here and get killed, waitln' for me
to die; but II would do a lot Of harm.
for 1t might mean that Miss Harding would
be lost, too"
you say my daughter is on this island
Is she quite safe and well?" asked Harding
Perfectly" said Byrne "and now beat 1t
you're wasting a lot of precious time"
For Barbara's sake It looks like the
only way" said Anthony Harding; but
1t seems wicked and cowardly to desert a
noble fellow like you. sir"
"It is wicked" said Billy Mallory. There
must be some other way BY the way old
man, VINO are you, anyhow. and how did
you happen to be here?"
Byrne turned his face upward so that
the full moon lighted his features clearly
There Is DO other way, Mallory" he
said. Now take n good look at NEEDN'T
you recognize me?'
Mallory gazed intently at the strong face
looking into his. He shook his head.
There Is something familiar about your
face" he said, but l cannot place you
Nor does 1t make any difference who you
are-you have risked your life to save ours,
and shall not leave you Let Mr. Harding
got is not necessary for both to stay"
You will both 60" insisted Byrne and
you will find that 1t does make a difference
who 1 am. l hadn't intended telling you,
but l see there is no other way. I'm the
mucker that nearly killed you on board
the Lotus. Mallory. I'm the fellow that
manhandled Miss Harding until even that
beast of Simms made me quit and Miss
Harding has been alone with me on this
island for weeks. Now, go"
He turned away so that they could no
longer see his face, with the mental anguish
that he knew must be writ large upon It,
and commenced firing toward the natives
once more,
|. Anthony Harding stood with white face
and clenched hands during Byrne's recital
of his identity. At it's close he took a
threatening step toward the PROSTATE man,
raising his longsword with muffied oath.
Billy Mallory sprang before him. catch
llB ms upralSed arm.
DON'T" he whispered. Think what we
owe him now Come :" and the two men
turned north into the jungle. while Billy
Byrne lay upon his face in the tall grass,
firing from time to time In the direction
from which fictered an occasional spear
Anthony Harding and Billy Mallory kept
on in silence along their dismal way. The
crack of the muckers revolver. growing
fainter and fainter as they drew away
from the scene Of conflict, apprised the
men that their rescuer still lived
After a time the distant reports ceased.
The two walked on in silence for a few
minutes.
He's gone" whispered Mallory
Anthony Harding made no response. They
did not hear any further firing behind them.
on and on they trudged Night turned TO
day. Day rolled slowly on into night once
more. And still they staggered on. foot
sore and weary.
Mallory suffered excruclating agony from
his wound, There were times when 1t
seemed that it would be impossible for him
TO continue another yard but then the
thought that Barbara Harding was some-
where ahead Of them, and that in a short