Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-04-15
Grant County Herald Lancaster Wisconsin, April 15 1925

termined felo-de-se."
MAY | ask how many more wild
adventures you undertook without my
knowledge"
Zone other, of great magnitude. I
fell in love with you"
''Nonsense!" she retorted. 81 knew
that long before you admitted it to
yourself"
Date, please?"
well, to begin at the very begin
ming, you thought 1 was nice on board
the Sirdar. Now, didn't your"
And they were safely embarked on
a conversation of no interest to any
other person in the wide world, but
which provided them with the most
delightful topic imaginable.
Thus the time sped until the rising
moon silhouetted the cliff on the white
carpet of coral-strewn sand. The black
shadow-line travelled slowly closer to
the base of the cliff, and jerks, guided
also by the stars, told Iris that mid
night was at hand.
They knelt on the parapet of the
ledge, alert to catch any unusual
sound, and watching for any indica-
ton of human movement. But Rain
bow Island was now still as the grave.
The wounded Dyaks had seemingly
been removed from the hut and beach;
the dead lay where they had fallen.
The sea sang a lullaby to the reef.
and the fresh breeze whispered among
the palm fronds-that was all.
Perhaps they have gone!" MUIR
INJURED Iris.
The sailor put his arm round her
neck and gently pressed her lips to-
gether. Anything would serve as an
excuse for that sort of thing, but he
really did want absolute silence at
that moment. If the Mussulman kept
his compact, the hour was at hand.
An unloOkedfor intruder disturbed
the quietude of the scene. Their old
acquaintance, the singing beetle,
chOrtled his loud way across the park.
Iris was dying-as women say--to re-
mind jerks of their first meeting with
that blatant insect, but further talk
was impossible; there was too much
at stake-water they must have.
Then the light hiss of a snake rose
to them from the depths. That is a
sound never forgotten when once
heard. 1t is like unto no other. In
deed. the term hiss" is a misnomer
for the quick sibilant expulsion of the
breath by an alarmed or angered SER
pent.
Iris paid no heed to it, but jerks,
who knew there was not a reptile OF
the snake variety on the island, leaned
over the ledge and emitted a tolerably
good imitation. The native was be-
meath. Probably the flight of the
beetle had helped his noiseless APP
proach.
"Sahib!"
The girl started at the unexpected
call from the depths.
Eyes" said jerks quietly.
"a rope, sahib.'
The sailor lowered a rope. Some
thing was tided to it beneath. The
Mahommedan apparently had little
fear of being detected.
Pull, sahib."
Usually it is the sahib who says
pull but circumstances alter cases."
communed jerks. He hauled steadily
at heavy weight-a goatskin filled
with cold water. He emptied the hot
and sour wine out of the tin cup, and
was about to hand the thrice-welcome
draught to Iris when suspicious
thought caused him to withhold it.
Let me taste first, he said.
The Indian might have betrayed
them to the Dyaks. More unlikely
things had happened. What if the wa
ter were poisoned or drugged?
He placed the tin to his lips. The
liquid was musty, having been in the
skin nearly two days. Ootherwise it
seemed to be all right. With a sigh
of profound relief he gave Iris the
cup, and smiled at the most unlady
like haste with which she emptied it.
Drink yourself, and give me some
more" she said.
mo more for you at present, ma
dam. In few minutes, yes"
ooh, why not now?"
"Do not fret, dear one. You can have
all you want in a little while. But to
drink much now would make you very
ILL.,"
Iris waited until he could speak |
again.
"Why did you" she began.
But he bent over the parapet-
'Koi hail" Equivalent to Hello |
thereby
"Sahib!"
''You have not been followed?"
81 think not, Sahib. Do not talk too |
loud; they are foxes IN cunning. You |
have ladder, they say, sahib. Will |
not your honor descend? have much |
to relate"
Iris made no protest when jerks ex-
planned the mans request. She only !
stipulated that he should not leave |
the ladder, whilst she would remain
within easy earshot. The sailor, of !
course. carried his revolver. He also
picked up crowbar, most useful
and silent weapon. Then he went qui-
city downwards. Nearing the ground,
he saw the native, who salaamed deep
~ and was unarmed. The poor fellow
seemed to be very anxious to help |
them
what is your name?" demanded |
the sailor.
mir Jan, sahib, formerly naik |
(CorporaD in the Kumaon Rissala."
when did you leave the regiment?"
1.-TWO years ago, sahib. killed"