Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-30
CHAPTER xIv-(Continued)

CHE caught his look.
~ we will beat them yet she cried
again, and she smiled not as woman
the fray is toward.
There was no time for further speech.
Three ladders were reared against the rock.
They were so poised and held below that
jerks could not force them backward A
fourth appeared. its coarse shafts looming
into sight like the horns of some gigantic
animal The four covered virtually the
whole front of the ledge save where Mir
Jan cleared a little space on the level
The sailor was standing now. with tho
crowbar clenched In both hands The firing
in the valley slackened and died away. A
Dyak face grinning like a Japanese demon,
appeared at the top of the ladder nearest
to Iris.
Don't hrer' shouted Jenls, and the iron
bar crushed downward. Two others pitched
themselves half on to the ledge. Now both
crowbar and revolver were needed Three
ladders were thus numbered somewhat for
those beneath. and jerks sprang toward
the fourth and most distant. Men were
crowding II like ants. Close to his feet
lay an empty water cask
It was a crude weapon, but effective when
well pitched. and the sailor had never made
a better shot for a goal in the midst of a
hard-fought scrimmage than he made with
that tub for the head OF the uppermosi
pirate.
Another volley came from the sands. A
bullet plowed through his hair and sent
his sou'wester flying. Again the besiegers
swarmed to the attack. One way or the
other, they must succeed. A man and q
woman-even such man and such q
woman-could not keep at bay an infuri
ated horde of fifty savages fighting at clost
quarters and under these gricvous condi.
| tions.
jerks knew what would happen. II,
would be shot in the head or breast Will,
| repelling the scaling party And Iris Deai
heart She was thinking Of him.
Keep back! They can never gain tn,
ledge !" she shrieked.
| And then, above the din of the fusillade
| the yells of the assailants and the bawlinl
| Of the wounded, there came through tn
| air a screaming, tearing, ripping SCUM
| which drowned all others. II Travelled wit
incredible speed, and before the sailor coul
meant-a shrapnel shell burst in front o
the ledge and drenched the valley wit
flying lead.
jerks was Just able TO drag Iris fa
against the rock ere the time fuse operate
| and the bullets few. He could form n
theory. hazard no conjecture. All he kne'
| was that a twelve-pounder shell had flow
toward them through space. scattering re
ruin among the amazed scoundrels beneatl
Instantly he rose again. lest perchance an
| Of the Dyaks should have gained a foothol
on the ledge.
The ladders were empty He could hea
good deal of groaning, the footsteps {
| running men, and some distant shouting
"Sahib !" yelled Mir Jan. drawn from HI
retreat by the commotlon without.
Yes" shouted jerks.
The native, in a voice cracked with es
citement, told him something. The sailc
asked a few rapid questions to make sur
that Mir Jan was not mistaken
Then he threw his arms round Iris, dre'
her close and whispered:
MY darling, we are saved A warshi
has anchored just beyond the south rec
and two boats filled with armed sailors ar
now pulling ashore"
And she answered proudly:
THE Dyaks could never have conquere
| us, Robert. We were manifestly unde
Gods protection Oh, my love, my love.
am SO happy and thankful"