The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-04-04
A Story Of Seattle and
The South Seas
BY FRED V. WILLIAMS
Drawings BY clyde Ludwicl


tho grove now with the remnant q
their army" chat,ering and shak.
ms behind them
The coooanuts had ceased % fall.
Tho womcn's forms. Eiinting. swim.
ming IN swift shadows behind trees.
had disappeared.
well" said Smith. looking
AnNiously over his shoulder, ''in
a big cave. az the FAR end Of tia
island. thcro Is a monster Of some
sort, held captive behind a great
stone.
For years this thing has been
kept there and fed by the women and
only released when their enemies Of
nelghborinE ,rlbo--men by the way
have Invaded their territory.
The women let this thing loose
and hide on the mountain top. IN the
crater Of an extinct volcano. while
Il roams az large. destroying every
living being and then when Il 70.
turns % It's cave 70 sleep they roll
the stone back and make u captive
again.
The shelter they scck Is too
steep q trail for the monster TO
take and Il goes hack 10 Its
home.
The monster call q a monster
Tor want Of a better nhme-is seldom
used and only released In oase Of dire
necessity. what's the matterr-
Clark was laughing heartily.
you don't expect me 20 believe a
yarn like that. do your no asked
Man. the day OF monsters Is passed.
They are creatures Of tho imagina.
ton"
"All right" said Smith. with
aspority. Laugh at me. then.
hut l tell you there h mon.
stT on this island tho like Of
which tho civilized world Il en-
tirely unaware"
"BahF' scoffed Clark. -This Is an
island Of superstition. Have you
ever seen this monster"
mo-" admitted Smith. ''But the
Lord knows I've heard enough about
H. And Two heard u roar"
Heard II roarT"
Smith nodded.
Fairy tales" chided Clark.
This Island was no fairy tale"
smith retorted.
no"
Then this monster Is not
either. Before night thi. thing
VIII roam tho island. The women
win be In hiding. And W. will be
Mt It's mercy"
Clark was impressed With IN.
seriousness % this fellow. He
looked sharply AZ him. Was u pos.
sible that smith. living 10 long
among these strange people. had los;
his rensoni
Tell the natives win protec,
them" no said.
Smith shook his head.
They win only believe you can
DO that against the monster II you
are Superhuman." he replied.
TEL them. then. that am SUI
prhuinan. that I win siay the
monster" commanded Clark. lie
was surprised ut himself. In
America no had never command.
cd. He had been OF tho many
keeping step TO tho tune Of drums
pounded by others.
Smith addressed the men. They
looked wonderingiy az Clark and
chat,ed among themselves.
I, was now daylight. The sun
flung tho first torrld ware OF It's
heat on tho island.
ITO tho thronel commanded
Clark. Smith interpreted the com.
mand.
Reluctantly the men ob.yed.
Clark led them out OF the grove
across tho sands. 10 the spot where,
the night before. he had rebuffed and
then struck tho queen.
II was deserted. AZ the foot OF
the throne was the snake dress
worn b. tho queen tho night before.
Put II on" suggested Smith.
1T Is worn by the ruler Of this
island in place Of crown"
Clark shuddered. The sight Of Il
repulsed him.
Burn Il up he commanded.
Smith would not.
1T Is a CHARM no said. .Ths
men would desert us II they saw US
do That. For generations tho rulers
OF this Island havs worn this thing
In state. II you put II on now even
some OF tho women may return and
do you homage"
Clark revolted at the touch of tn.
Il can't" he protested.
skin.
Then make bluff at H." begged
Smith.
The natives were watching
Clark. He masked his emotions
and picked up the snake skin,
then wound II slowly about him.
An exclamation escaped tho men,
They checred.
Seer" said Smith triumphantiy.
They take that as n sign you have