The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-12-18

asked hOpelessly.
through their superstition" he re-
phed promptly. "Once make them ba-
iieVe we deal with the supernatural
or possess magical powers. and tbev
VIII make us tabu. The dread of deoth
~ uisease from violating tabu will
cause them to shun US like lepers."
barbara, inexperienced in natives
ways. was only half convinced. She
iistened incredulously to the scheme
ne propounded, her knowledge of elec.
tricity being limited.
Il Will get some sticks" he conclud.
er' rising; "and place everything in
readiness: then I shall turn in for a
DIT. This afternoon we'Il strengthen
tne walls OF the hut; and I'll put up
partition. Then we shall each have
n room until we can build another hut
fienty of work before us. If rescue
doesn't come soon,r
Silently, she helped to collect sticks
an extraordinary numbness peryading
her mind. Croft's spirits rose. He
had faced and eluded death too often
to fear 1t. His confidence in this SIM
PIE ruse puzzled her.
collecting the rubber shock absorb
er belonging to the wireless outfit, he
broke the sticks into short stakes
showing Barbara how to cover them
rms done, he proceeded to fix them
firmly in the ground round the hut
then attached the aerial to the top Of
each: thus forming wire circle few
inches above the ground as far from
the hut as the amount of aerial per-
mitted The two ends were carried
through the entrance and connected
to the transmitter within.
Now" he exclaimed, when
wave, press the key on the transmit
ter here. and watch the result"
He went out to the wire; and, kneel-
ing down, placed one hand about half
an inch above 1t. Raising the other.
he gave the signal.
She pressed the key as directed. I'm
mediately, series Of bright blue
sparks flashed. like firefies, from the
wire to his hand, which he repeatedly
1erked away; then, delighted with Its
success, he returned to her.
"You see,' he explained, "the vol
ume of current is always large with
wireless, therefore takes effect by
sparkling at the moment of contact.
The human body is, of course, a con-
ductor. Our visitors will get the shock
Of their lives-especially as they usu-
ally approach any object of attack by
waddling along on their stomachs!"
He chuckled with the anticipatory
enjoyment Of schooboy over
practical joke; then suggested having
some food.
Mechanically she fetched Aunt Dol
ly's box and drew out tins of beef and
coffee, heroically trying to share in his
confidence.
He talked on. compelling her to at
tend, diverting her thoughts until the
meal ended, cOvertly watching her ev-
cry expression. Then he drew her
within the hut, to rest.
Mechanically again, she entered, go
ing to the little window and looking
out, drearily, toward the palms. He
fixed up the door, then came over to
her
"You don't feel at all nervous?" he
asked nonclalantly.
She turned. with a forced smile.
"Oh, no! Dear me, no!
OF course not" she answered,
with terrific emphasis.
THAT'S all right You're a plucky
soul for girl!'
She flashed an Indignant look at him,
which, in spite of herself. faded as she
met the unexpected laughter In his
eyes.
"You wanted adventurel" he re-
minded her. you wanted to feel
life to learn the meaning of things,
to sound the deep chords Well
You have your hearts desire-at the
very bedrock of nature! Seize 1t,
Barbara Drink to the very dregs!
Then tell me If you have discovered
what's missing"
Surprised, she listened silently. He
turned away, laid one of their coats
just inside the door. and threw him
self down upon it. Within a few
minutes he was sleeping the sleep of
sheer exhaustion.
But the girl sat for long under the
little window. lost in thought, won
derng over his words. And ever her
mind reverted to one sentence. A
few words of praise from one whose
opinion you have unconsciously
learned to respect, and what a world
of courage do they bring In their
trainl
There are no pleasant hours Of twi-
light in the tropics. The sun sets.
and soon the world is wrapped in
darkness. It had disappeared behind
the west hill, and already few stars
were showing in the swiftly darken-
ing sky, when Croft came out Of the
hut to where Barbara was collecting
the remains of their supper. He car
red something in his hands.