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

nNHEY looked long and steadfastly at the
lretreating boat Soon Il diminished TO
a mere speck on the smooth sea. The even
breeze kept its canvas taut, and the sailor
knew that no ruse was intended-the Dyaks
were flying from the island in fear and
rage. They would return With force suf-
icient to insure the wrealSlng OF their
vengeance.
That he would again encounter them at
no distant date jerks had no doubt what
ever. They would land In such numbers
as to render any resistance difficult and
prolonged defense impossible. Would help
come flrst1-a distracting question to which
definite answer could not be given. The
sailors brow frowned In deep lines; his
brain throbbed now with an anxiety singu-
larly at variance with his cool demeanor
during the fight. He was utterly uncon-
scious that his left arm enclrcled the
shoulder of the girl until she gently disen-
gagged herself and said appealingly;
Please, Mr. jerks. do not be angry with
me. l could not help It. I could not bear
TO see you shoot them"
Then he abruptly awoke to the realities
of the moment.
Come" he said. his drawn features re-
laxing into wonderfully pleasing SMILE
we will return to our castle. We are safe
for the remainder OF this day, at any rate"
Something must be said or done TO reas-
sure her. She was still grievously dis
turbed, and he naturally ascribed her agi-
tation TO the horror Of her capture. He
dreaded a complete collapse II any further
alarms threatened at once. Yet he was al
most positive-though search alone would
set at rest the last misgivings-that only
one sampan had visited the island. Evil
IDENTIFY the Dyaks were unprepared as he
for the events OF the preceding half hour.
sHa R-lar M 90
cure turtle and beohe-de-mer or had merely
called there en- route to some other destina-
tion. and the change in the wind had unex-
pectedly compelled them to put ashore. Be-
yond all doubt they must have been sur
prised by the warmth OF the reception they
encountered.
Probably, when he went to Summit Rock
that morning. the savages had lowered their
sail and were steadily padding north
against wind and current The most careful
scrutiny of the sea would fail to reveal
them beyond a distance OF six or seven
miles at the utmost.
| After landing In the hidden bay on the
| south side, they crossed the island through
| the trees instead OF taking the more natural
| open way along the beach Why? The fact
| that he and Iris were then passing the
| grown-over tract leading to the Valley of
| Death Instantly determined this point. The
Dyaks knew of this affrighting hollow and
I
| was unavoidable
Could he twist this circumstance to ad-
vantage II Iris and he were still stranded
there when the superstitlous searovers next
| put in an appearance? He would see. All
| depended on the girls strength. II she
gave way now--if instead of taking in
| stant measures for safety. he we're called
| upon to nurse her through a fever-the
| outlook became not only desperate but
| hopeless.
And, while he bent his brows in wor-
rying thought, the color was returning to
| Iris's cheeks, and natural buoyancy to
her step. II is the fault OF all men to
underrate- the marvellous courage and con.
stancy of woman in the face of difficulties
and trials. Jenks was no exception to the
rule.
You do not ask me for any account
Of my adventures" she said quietly, after
watching his perplexed expression in silence
for some time
Her tone almost startled him. its un-
assumed cheerfulness was unlocked for.
mo" he answ cred. II thought you were
too overwrought to talk OF them at pres
ent."
"overwrought! Not a bit of It! I was
dead beat with the struggle and with
screaming for you, bat please don't ina gine
that am going to faint treat you to
a display of hysteria now that all the
excitement has ended. admit that
cried a little when you pushed me aside
on the beach and raised your gun to fire