The Kendrick gazette., 1919-10-03

OF his men and saw them running to-
ward the gate.
And then from around the corner of
his tent loomed huge bulk, and Tan
tor, the great iusKer, lowered above
him.
Malbihn's boy, feeling neither affec.
tion nor loyalty for his master, broke
and ran at the first glimpse of the
beast, and Malbihn was left alone and
helpless. The elephant stopped a
couple Of PAGES from the wounded
mans hammock. Malbihn covered,
moaning. He was too weak to escape.
He could only lie there with staring
eyes, gazing in horror into the blood
trimmed, angry little orbs fixed upon
him, and await his death.
Then, to his astonishment, a man
slid to the ground from the elephants
back. Almost at once Malbihn recog-
nized the strange figure as that of the
creature who consorted with apes and
baboons-the white warrior of the jun
gle. Malbihn covered still lower.
It was from Malbihn's dying lips
that Korak learned Of the Swede's en-
counter with Baynes and how Meriem
was again in the camp Of the sheik.
Korak lost no time in seeking her.
When speed was required Korak de-
pended upon no other muscles than his
own, and SO 1t was that the moment
Tantor had landed him safely upon
the same side of the river as lay the
village of the sheik the ape man de-
serted his bulky comrade and took to
the trees in a rapid race toward the
south and the spot where the Swede
had told him Meriem might be.
1t was dark when he came to the
palisade, strengthened considerably
since the day that he had rescued
Meriem from her pitiful life within its
cruel confines. No longer did the giant
tree spread its branches above the
wooden rampant, but ordinary man
made defenses were scarce considered
obstacles by Korak.
Loosening the rope at his waist, he
tossed the moose over one Of the sharp
ened posts that composed the palisade.
! A moment later his eyes were above
the level of the obstacles, taking in all
within their range beyond. There was
no one in sight close by, and Korak
drew himself to the top and dropped
lightly to the ground within the in.
closure.
Then he commenced his stealthy
search of the village. First toward the
Arab tents he made his way, shifting
and listening. He passed behind them
searching for some sign Of Meriem
Not even the wild Arab ours heard his
passage, so silently he went-a shadow
passing through shadows.
Naked but for his leopard skin and
his loin cloth, Korak the Killer slunh
into the shadows at the back of the
tent, where his keen scent told hin
Meriem was. His sharp knife slit 6
six foot opening in the tent wall, ant
Korak, tall and mighty, sprant
through upon the astonished visions O.
the inmates.
MerieIn saw and recognized him th'
instant that he entered the apartment
Her heart leaped in pride and JOY a
the sight of the noble figure for whicl
it had hungered SO long.
"Koyak" she cried.
"Meriem!" He uttered the singh
word as he hurled himself upon tn
inmates of the tent. Three negresse
leaped from their sleeping mats
screaming. Meriem tried to proven
them from escaping, but before sh
could succeed the terrified blacks ha
darted through the hole in the ten
wall made by Korak's knife and wer
gone screaming through the village.
Korak turned toward Meriem, an
{ at the same moment bloody an
: disheveled apparition leaped into th
: apartment.
J, "Morisonw cried the girl.
4 For it was Baynes, who, despite hi
r wounds, had made his way to th
sheik's village.
|, Korak turned and looked at the new
8 conner. He had been about to tax
h Meriem in his arms forgetful of a
J, that might have transpired since iaf
i he had seen her. Then the comm
of the young Englishman recalled th
scene he had witnessed in the littl
clearing. and a wave of misery sweI
over the ape man.
Already from without came th
9 sounds Of the alarm that the thre
;, negresses had started. Men were rul
ming toward the tent. There was y
y time to be lost.
q "QuickW cried Korsk, turning t
q ward Baynes, who had scarce yet rea
d lied whether he was facing 'frien
q or foe. "Take her to the palisade, fo
n lowing the rear of the tents. Here
n my rope. With it you can scale Il
:. wall and make your escape"
o "But you, Korak?" cried Meriem.
s II will remain" replied the ape ma