Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-19
|s|N|STER |SLAND|
|CHARlES WADSW0RTh CAMP
Copyright
Dodd. Mead & Company


the ruins. He was aware Of no shame.
Instead a steely triumph filled his
heart. He was for the moment a man
strange to himself.
He reached the edge Of the under
brush when she caught him and
grasped his arm. She was trembling.
mo. Even now you must not go
that way"
why"
Listen. The night is very still"
Eyes. Why have | done this: II is
love?"
Don't say that You must not go
this way. Come back
Il shall 60 this way"
Her voice rose.
Not tonight. The woods are not
safe tonight
mot safe?"
She whispered:
1.-THE threats OF the snakes---thelr
fangs are out"
"Wh.what do you mean?"
IL know" she cried. You shall not
30 this way tonight"
Suddenly he siiffened. A choked
and horrible cry arose from the path
ahead OF them the cry Of man in
agony. It seemed to break into thou.
sand sounds and fill the woods
She shrank back. Then she recover.
ed and tried TO catch at his arm. But
he realized. He threw off her hand
and plunged blindly down the path
He shoi ted:
Ton! -
He heard her family.
Come back Come back
But he stumbled on in the direction
of the cry. He could see nothing lie
kept to the path by instinct. running
thrusting aside the branches and
trends that reached out to hold him
back, At last he heard Tony's gasp
ing breath. The man was just ahead
He was running too, but slowly, heav
lily, as one who struggles from tbs
paralyzng bonds Of fear
TONY. 1t was you. What"
G The man staggered forward Miller
TOOK his arm and hurried him.
"Were you? Were yOu-?'
But he scarcely dared finish the
question Perhaps Jake at first I'D,
run, too Perhaps Tony, as he ran, wa
aware OF the pain Of two tiny pune
lures, OF the slow mounting of tn
poison, OF the imminence Of death OF
the Island he had feared. The weigh
Of his responsibility In urging the mai
here against his will crushed Miller
He forced the question out
"rony! Tony! Were you struck"
They swayed from the forest to The
beach. Far away the riding light OF
tho Dart burned steadily The peaceful
water mirrored the stars
Miller swung Tony around
"That place is full of snakes III
said thickly. TELL me-"
He shook the man.
Tell me. Tell me-"
Tony did not answer. Miller had
cold fear that he could not. He tight
.ned his grasp.
What happened? Pull yourself to
. gether mani"
il was long time before Tony
spoke When he did finally, the word
came with difficulty, disjointed, al
most unintelligible.
"Tbe avenue something moved. |
was acknowledgements the path
got off"
Eyes. Yes.'
Il don't know. don't know"
"What happened in the path"
&Dont know. couldn't 50 on
The mans voice rose to cry.
II couldn't move"
"Nothing touched you? Nothing hel'
you7'
"No. was alone, and c0u'dn'
nave couldn't see. But could hear
! heard the rattle.
He paused, gasping for breath.
~ heard It notwithstanding.
ratified twice"
"But you screamed. How"
~ don't know. 1t hurt, but shout
ed. / heard you coming. could move
ran"
Miller let him 40. He walked 70 IN
boat and lighted the lantern, trying =
tan hlmself II was stark fear that ha'
held. the man captive.
Tony pushed off, stepped in' an
took the oars. He rowed uneVenl'
The boat made slow progress.
Miller raised the lantern to exam
inc the natives face. But his eyes d
not reach the face. They were arres
ID BY the knoiiod hands on the OAR