Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-09

Meriein in his arms ~forgetful of all
that might have transpired since last
he had seen ner. Then the coming
Of the young Englisnman recalled the
cen he had vitnessed in the little
clearing, and Il wave of misery swept
over the ape man.
Already from without. came the
sounds of The alarm that the three
negresscs had started. Men were run
ming toward the tent. There was no
time To he lost.
Quick" cried Korak. turning to-
ward Baynes, who had scarce yet real.
ICED whether he was facipg u frien0
on foe. H.rakc her to the palisade, fol-
lowing The rear Of the tents. Here is
my ropes Will II gon can scale the
wall ana make your escape
hut you, Korakt" cried Meriem.
Il viii remain" replied the ape man.
II have business with the sheik."
Meriem would have dcmurred. but
the Killer seized them both by the
shoulders and hustled them through
the slit wall aud out into the shadows
beyond.
Now r,Al for it, he admonished
and turned TO meet and hold those who
were pouring into the tent from the
front.
The ape man fought well. fought as
he had never fought before, but the
odds We're too great for victory, though
he Won that which he most cruved-
time for the Englishmnn to escape
with Meriem. Then he was over.
whclmed by numbers, and Il few min
utes later. bound and guarded. he was
carried to the sheik's tent.
The old man eyed him in silence for
a long liale. He was trying to fix in
his uwn mind some form of torture
that would crafty his rage and hatred
toward this creature who twice had
been the means of his losing posses
sion Of Meriem.
And ts he sat. there looking upon
Korak the silence was broken by the
trumpeting of an elephant in the jungle
beyond the palisade. A half smile
touched Korak's lips. He turned his
head Il triie in the direction from
which the sound had come, and then
thore broke from his lips Il low, weird
call.
one of the blacks guarding him
struck him across the mouth with the
haft of his spear, but none there knew
the significance of his cry.
In the jungle Tantor cooked his ears
as the sound of korak's voice fell upon
them. He approached the palisade
and, lifting his trunk above it, shifted.
Then he placed his head against the
wooden logs and pushed, but the pail
SADIE was strong and gave only Il little
to the pressure.
In the shelk's tent the sheik rose at
last and, pointing toward the bound
captive, turned to oIe of his lieu
tenants.
Burn him. he commanded. "at
once. The stake Is set"
Meriem. dazed by the unexpected
sight of KOruk. whom she had long
given up rs dead, permitted herself to
be led away by Baynes. Among the
tents he guided her safely to the pail
SADIE, and there, following Korak's in
struetions, the E%nglishman pitched a
moose over the top of one of the up
right logs that formed the barrier.
With difficulty he reached the top and
then lowered his hand to assist Mer.
lem to his side.
Come he whispered. I'VE must
hurry"
And then, MS though she had awak.
ened frVm Il sleep, Mcriela came to
herself. Back there, fighting her enc.
mics alone, was Korak--her Kornk !!
lie place was by his side, fighting
with him and for him.
She glanced up at Baynes.
"Ho.' she called. Make your way
hack to Bwana and bring help. My
place Is here. Ioi can do no good re-
manning. Get awny while you can and
bring the big Bwuna back with YOU"
Silently the Hon Morrison Bnynes
slid to the ground inside the palisnde
to Mericm's side.
u. was only for you that | left him."