Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-02-11
CHAPTER VIII
PREPARATIONS

PREPARATIONS
They looked long and steadfastly at
the retreating boat. Soon it diminished
TO mere speck on the smooth sea.
The even breeze kept its canvas taut,
and the sailor knew that no ruse was
intended Dyaks were flying from
the island in fear and rage. They
would return with a force sufficient
to insure the wreaking of their ven
geance.
That he would again encounter them
at no distant date jerks had no doubt
whatever. They would land in such
numbers as to render any resistance
difficult and prolonged defence nm
possible. Would help come first?-a
distracting question to which definite
answer could not be given. Inc sail
or's brow frowned in deep lines; MS
brain throbbed now with an anxiety
singularly at variance with MS cool
demeanor during the fight. lie was Ut
terlyl unconscious that his lett arm
encircled the shoulder of the girl uhcli
she gently disengaged herself ana salo
appealingly-
ssPlease. Mr.. jerks, do not be angry
with me. l could not help II. coulo
not bear to see you shoot them.
Then he abruptly awoke TO the re-
alities of the moment.
come" he said, his drawn features
relaxing into a wonderfully pleasing
smile. 1--WE will return to our castle'
We are safe for the remainder oil TINS
day, at any rate" y
Something must be said or done TO
rooeeure her. She was still grleVously
disturbed. and he naturally ascrloeo
her agitation to the horror OF her cap
tire. He dreaded a complete collapse
if anv further alarms threatened at
once Yet he was almost poSlIlVe-
though search aolne would set at rest
the last misgiving-that only one
eamnan had visited the isalnd. EVl-
IDENTIFY the Dyaks were unprepared as
he for the events of the preceding
haIf-bour. They were either visiting
the island to procure turtle and beche-
de-mer or had merely called there Ell
route to some other destnatloh' anu
the change in the wind had uneXpecI-
edly compelled them to put ashore
Beyond doubt they must have oeen
surprised by the warmth OF the re-
ception they encountered.
Probably, when he went to Summit
Rock that morning, the saVageS ndu
lowered their sail and were steadlly
naddling north against wind and cur
rent. The most careful scrutiny OF the
sea would fail to reveal them beyohu
a. distance of six or seven miles at the
utmost.
After landing in the hidden bay on
the south side, they crossed the island
| through the trees instead of taking the
more natural open way along the
| beach. Why? The fact that he and
Iris were then passing the SroWn-oYer
| tract leading to the Valley of Death
| instantly determined this point. The
! Dyaks knew of this affrighting hol-
low, and would not approach any near
/ er to it than was unavoidable. Could
/ he twist this circumstance to adVan-
| tags if Iris and he were still stranded
! there when the superstitiOuS Sea-roV-
ers next put in an appearance? lie
i'would see All depended on the girl, S
strength If she gave way noW-1f,
| instead of taking instant measures for
safety, he were called upon to nurse
Eher through a fever-the outlook be-
came not only desperate but hopeless.
| And, whilst he bent his brows in
worrying thought, the color was re-
turning to Iris's cheeks, and natural
| buoyancy to her step. 1t is the fault
of all men to underrate the marvellous
courage and constancy of woman IN
the face of difficulties and trials.
jerks was no exception to the rule.
''You do not ask me for any ac-
count of my adventures she said qul-
city, after watching his perpleXed eX-
preston in silence for some time.
Her tone almost startled him, its
unassumed cheerfulness was so un-
looked for.
mo- he answered. II thought you
were too overweight to talk of them
at present
"Overwrought! Not bit of it! 1 was
dead beat with the struggle and with
screaming for you, but please DOM
imagine that l am going to faint or
treat you to a display of hyster1a now
that all the excitement has ended. |
admit that | cried a little when you
pushed me aside on the beach and
raised your gun to fire at those poor
wretches flying for their lives. Yet
perhaps l was wrong to hinder you.
"You were wrong" he gravely in
terrupted.
"Then you should not have needed
me. No, I don't mean that. You al
ways consider me first, don't you? No
matter what I ask you to do you en-
deavor to please me, even when you
know all the time that 1 am acting
or speaking foolishly."
The unthinking naivette of her
words sent the blood coursing wildly
through his veins.
"Neter mind" she went on with
earnest simplicity. God has been very
good to US. I cannot believe that He
has preserved us from so many dan
gers to permit us to perish miserably
few hours, or days, before help
comes. And / do want to tell you eX-
act1y what happened"
Then you SHALL" he answered. But
first drink this" They had reached
their camping and he has
tened to procure a small quantity of
brandy.
She swallowed the spirit with pro-
testing moue. She really needed no
such adventurous support, she said.
''All right" commented jerks. IF
you don't want drink, | do"
81 can quite believe it" she retorted.
Your case is very different. I knew
the men would not hurt me-after the
first shock of their appearance had
passed, / meant also knew that you
would save me- But you. Mr.. jerks,
had to do the fighting You were called