The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-11-24

Elsie. He was almost genuinely angry
with her.
What are You doing here" he de-
handed.
She was learning not to fear his
brusque ways. He was no carpet
knight, and men who carry their lives
in their hands do not pick and choose
their words.
81 thought You were in danger, so
came to help she said calmly.
"You must go back to your cabin at
once"
why: OF what avail is the safety
of my cabin if you are killed?'
a woman's logic is apt to be ilritat-
ing when M expects IA flight of ar
the blackness a few feet away.
For goodness sake, stand here,
Them he cried, Selling her arm and
compelling her to shelter behind the
heavy molding which carried the
bridge. Then he quilted her for a
moment in order to dispatch a Chilean
sailor for a lantern and a long cord.
L "lSllt'l W lIINcSllSilt llc CdliluItu
canoe.
The lantern was brought. Courtenay
stood on the lowermost rail and care
fully paid out a rope to which the
light was slung. He was far too brave
a man to take undue risks. He was
ready to shoot instantly if need be,
and by his instructions Tollemache
and Walker kept watch as best they
could in case other canoes were lying
close to the ship.
Any doubt in this regard was dis
PEELED in a singular manner. The flick
ering rays of the lantern had barely
revealed the primitive craft lying
alongside when a voice came from the
depths, crying in broken Spanish:
Don't shoot, SENIORS. Spare me for
the love of heaven. | am Il white man
from Argcntina!"
Christobal and Elsie alone under
stood the exact significance of the
words. COurtenay of course knew
what language was being spoken, and
it vas easy to guess the nature of the
appeal. But the lantern showed that
the II was empty. In the center
lay the Fuegian fire, it's embers COW
cred with a small hide. The pole,
fastened to a crosspiece in the thwarts
was not a mast. but had evidently
been shipped in order to give speedy
access to the dock by climbing.
Then Courtenay caught sight of two
hands clinging to the stern of the ca
zoe He swung the lantern in that
direction, and an extraordinary and
even an affrighting object became Wis
iblc. \ caricature of q human head
was raised slightly above the level of
the water. 1t was crowned by a shock
of coarse black knotted hair tied
back from the brows by a fillet of
white feathers. An intensely black
face, crossed by two bars of red and
white pigment, reaching from ear to
ear and covering eyelids, nose and
lips. was upturned to the watchers
from the deck. The colors were vivid
enough Notwithstanding the sheets of
rain which blew in gusts against the
ships side. dimming the duh light Of
a storm proof lamp. to convey Il most
uncanny effect. Nor did Courtenay re-
move either his eyes or the revolver
while he said to Christobal:
"Ask him who he is and what he
wants."
The answer was ineligible enough:
II am a miner from Argentina. I
have been among these Indians five
years. When their attack failed I
thought there was a chance of escape.
For PHYS sake. senior, help me instant
ly or l shall die from the cold"
"Have the Indians gomez asked
C%hristobal.
Eyes. They thought to surprise you.
When they come again it will be by
daylight, as they are afraid of the
dark. But be quick, | implore you. My
hands are numb"
There was no resisting the mans APP
peal. a rope ladder was lowered, and
a Chilean sailor wen down in ODE
dience to the captains order, though
he dislikcd the Job and crossed HIM
self before descending. He passed a
rope under the fugitive's nrmpits and
with aid from the deck hoisted him
aboard. The unfortunate miner gave
proof of his wretched state by prompt
~ c%ollapsing in a faint, with a sigh of
''Madre de Dios.."
His only garments were a species of
Waistcoat and rough trousers of un-
tanned guanacO hide. The white skin
of his breast and legs, though darken-
ed by exposure, showed that he had
told the truth as to his descent. not
withstanding the amazing daubs on his
face. His hair. stitfencd with black
grease. stood out all around his head,
and the same oily composition had
been used to blacken his forehead.
neck and hands.
Some brandy and hot water. com
bined with the warmth of the saloon.
soOn revived him. He ate a Ountity
Of bread with the eagerness Of Il man
suffering from starvation.