The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-01

NAL along the beach, rounded a cor
ner, and espied sail.
Her heart leaped into her throat.
Upon her person she carried sure
fire automatic; she examined it and
! found it in excellent condition. Then
she turned her glance once more up
on the sail.
And then Annette's heart stood still
again For within the boat there was
a human figure Annette shrank be-
hind a rock and watched. And sud
denly she knew
The figure was Inez. She was alone,
and seemed to be making frantic eff
forts to sail the boat Annette watched
her with interest. And while she
watched a stiff breeze sprang up and
nearly swamped the boat
'Inez-Inez," she cried, do as I say
-Inez-"
Inez heard her, and Immediately for
sock the tiller and the rope and held
out her hands beseechingly over the
gunwale of the boat 1t was the best
course she could have pursued The
little boat, left to itself, swung about
and plunged full tilt toward the
shore.
AS it struck Annette was there to
meet it. She dashed into the surf and
dragged Inez in safely to dry land.
Inez was frantic with fear.
Where, asked Annette, lis the
Portuguese, Hernandez"
Inez waved her hand wildly in
shore "Somewhere-in-the
the beasts" she cried. Don't ask
me. l don't know. IL ran away
from him."
THE beasts?" faltered Annette.
Worse than that" returned Inez.
you're woman. I'm woman. I've
been hiding from them-even from
him-for three days. He-he doesn't
know where l annie hasn't found
me. OH"
She sank upon the sand-her form
shook with agitation.
Annette, wondering, knelt by her
side. "Why have you run from him.
she queried.
Il can't blame him." cried Inez,
suddenly facing Annette. He's mad
crazy for wealth, Hernandez. So am
l. And wealth is here-you don't
know He told me all about it-be-
fore began to suspect"
"Suspect-what?" asked Annette
All" went on Inez, checking her
agitation, for the presence of An
nette gave her courage, you should
see-he told me-there are millions
of dollars worth Of quicksilver-all
ready for the market-stored away.
Millions Of dollars worth And the
mines-they're not half worked. And
/ these beasts are working them"
"Beasts?" said Annette again.
utthroats-men-all of them,
men," groaned Inez, "and they've been
here years and years-and they've
been alone. They're wildeyed enough
to kill each other. And they offered
Hernandez all the quicksilver that
they've got if he'll find some way to
bring them women. All, for hour aft
| "a hooA iO hti PCu oll ludl-lo LAC.
Hour after hour he repeated it-talked
about it in his sleep. And finally un-
derstood-"
You're safe" said Annette, at least
SO far as Hernandez and these
beasts are concerned. There's a bat
tleship riding in the bay around the
bend. Nothing can harm you now"
Inez gasped with relief. Nothing
can" she began. Thea she uttered
wild yell. "Ugh-arg- g-gh-look.
Annette looked-almost too late.
Out of the brush behind them bound
ed two frightful figures-half-clad
with matted hair and beard. With
hoarse cries they darted toward the
women. Inez turned frantically and
fled up the beach One of the cut
threats darted after her Annette
| swiftly drew her pistol, aimed and
fired. The pursuer of Inez dropped in
his tracks. But in another instant
Annette was seized in pair of strong
arms and tossed over the shoulders of
giant and carried swiftly inland
Suddenly their path was blocked.
A figure shot out before them and
stood with folded arms. This figure
was Hernandez-and Annette almost
| hailed him as friend
So said Hernandez, 81 have kept
my promise. The woman is yours
the treasure is mine. 1t is bargain. :"
Then he uttered sudden exclamation.
1t is not Inez," he cried, lit is you
you little wildcat of an Ilington. So
you have arrived. 1t is better So
| better So"
1t is barter, eh?" he queried. you
the woman. the jars of quicksilver. ;"
The chief regarded him fiercely.
You lie in your throat, stranger" he
exclaimed in cultural tones. Il cap
| tured the woman-you kept her from
me. l took her by force-and | have
waited long" He laughed loud-a de-
| risiye laugh. i took her by force. /
have her. Yes, and you have our
treasure-after you, too, have waited
long after you have taken it by force.
Ho, ho.'
! Hernandez understood
lie sprang at the pirate chief, strik-
ing at him frantically, and clutchfng
at Annette, trying TO tear her from
him.
In a moment a multitude of beasts
swarmed through the underbrush-
entered the arena of events.