Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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?AeWm Mornin CHAPTER XV. j HE drifting smoke was still so dense tbat not even the" floor of the valley could ne discerned. Jenks dared not leave Iris at ?ach a moment He called to Mir Jan: "Take off your turban and hold it Hoove your head if you think they can lee you from the warship." **It ls all right, sahib* came the cheering -answer. "One boat is close tashore. I think, from the uniforms; they are English sahibs, such as I faa ve seen at Garden Reach. The Dy Hks have ail gone." Nevertheless Jenks waited. There Was nothing to gain by being too pre? cipitate. A false step now might undo the achievements of many weeks. Mir Jan was dancing about beneath ta a state of wild excitement **They have seen the Dyaks running to their sampans, sahib," he yelled, *<and the second boat is being pulled in that direction! Yet another has just left the ship." A translation made Iris excited, ea? ger to go down and see these wonders. The boom of a cannon came from the sea. instinctively the girl ducked for safety, though her companion smiled Ht her fears, for the shell would have tong preceded the report had it trav? eled their way. **One of the remaining sampans has got under way," he explained, "and the Warship is firing at her." "Poor wretches !" murmured Iris. '"Cannot tte survivors be allowed to HScape?" ..Well, we are unable to interfere. Those caught on the island will proba? bly be taken to. the mainland and banged for their crimes, so the manner of their end is not of much conse? quence." To the girl's manifest relief, there Was no more firing, and Mir Jan an? nounced that a number of sailors were actually on shore. Then her thoughts turned to a matter of concern to the ?feminine mind even in the gravest mo? ments of existence. She laved her face With water and sought her discarded Hkirt Soon-the steady tramp of boot clad feet advancing at the double was heard on the shingle, and an officer's Voice, speaking the crude Hindoostanee of the engine room and forecastle, Shouted to Mir Jan: .HI, you black fellow! Are there Hay white people here?" Jenks sang out: "Yes, two of us! Perched on the tock over your heads. We are coming ?own." . He cast loose the rope ladder. Iris Was limp and trembling. "Steady, sweetheart," he whispered. *T>on't forget the slip between the cup Had the Hp. Hold tight but have no fair. I will be just beneath." It was well he took this precaution. She was now so unnerved that an un * guarded movement might have led to HU accident But the knowledge that lier lover was near, the touch of his hand guiding her feet on to the rungs, ?Of the ladder, sustained her. They had Hlxaost reached the level when a loud exclamation and the crash of a heavy blow caused Jenks to halt and look downward. ? Dyak, lying at the foot of one of fbe scaling ladders and severely wound? ed by a shell splinter, witnessed their descent In hisdef*hand he grasped a parang; his right arm was bandaged. Though unable to rise, the vengeful pirate mustered his remaining strength to crawl toward the swaying ladder. It Was Taung S'Ali, inspired with the bate and venom of the dying snake. Sven yet he hoped to deal a mortal Stroke at the man who had defied him Had all his cutthroat band. He might bave succeeded, as Jenks was so taken ' with Iris, were it not for. the watch ttol eyes of Mir Jan. The Mohammedan Hprang at him. with an oath, and gave bim such a murderous whack with the batt of a rifle that the Dyak chief col? lapsed and breathed out his fierce spirit fcn ? groan. -At *be first glance Jenks did not rec? ognize Taung S'Ali owing to his change Hf costume. Through the thinner smoke be could see several sailors running up. But with the passing of the chief, tbelr last peril had gone. The next in? stant they were standing on the firm ?round. and a British naval lieutenant Was saying eagerly: "We seem to have turned up in the Hick of time. Do you, by any chance, belong to the Sirdar?' ^We are the sole survivors," answer Hi the sailor. -You two only?" "les. -She struck on the northwest ireef of this island during n typhoon. ,Xhis lady. Miss Iris Deane, and I were Sung ashore" "Miss Deane! Can it be possible? 5>et me congratulate you most heart? ily. Sir Arthur Deane is on board the Orient at this moment." .The Orient!" Iris was dazed. It was all too won? derful to be quite understood yet. She turned to Robert: "Do you hear? They* say my father ls not far away. Take me to him." "No need for that, miss," interrupted H warrant officer. "Here he is coming Hshore. He wanted to come with us, but the captain would not permit it. Hg there seemed to be some trouble ? By LOUIS $&M? TRACY ^Mi Copyright 1903. by s;*??:" Edwtrd J. Clode ??< ahead..'* Sure enough, even the girl's swim? ming eyes could distinguish the gray bearded civilian seated beside an offi? cer in the stern sheets of a small gig now threading a path through the bro? ken reef beyond Turtle beach. In five minutes father and daughter would meet. Meanwhile the officer, intent on duty, addressed Jenks again. "May I ask who you are?" "My name is Anstruther-Robert An struther." Iris, clinging to his arm, heard the reply. Sb he had abandoned all pretense. He was ready to face the world at her side. She stole a loving glance at him as she cried: "Yes; Captain Anstruther of the In? dian staff corps. If he will not tell you all that he has done, how he has saved my life twenty times, how he has fought single handed against eighty men, ask me!" "Captain Anstruther does not appear to have left much for us to do, Miss Deane," the officer said. "Indeed," turning to Robert, "is there any way in which my men will be useful?" "I would recommend that they drag the green stuff off that fire and stop the smoke. Then a detachment should go round the north side of the island and drive the remaining Dyaks into the hands of the party you have landed, as I understand, at the farther end. of the south beach. Mir Jan, the Moham? medan here, who has been a most faith? ful ally during part of our siege, will, act.ss guide." The other man cast "a comprehensive glance over the rock, with its scaling ladders and dangling rope ladder, the cave, the little groups of dead or un? conscious pirates-for every wounded man who could move a limb had crawled away *af ter the first shell burst -and drew a deep breath. "How long were you up there?" he asked. "Over thirty hours." "It was a great fight!" "Somewhat worse than it looks," said Anstruther. "This is only the end of it Altogether we have accounted for nearly twoscore of the poor devils." Robert looked toward the approach1 ing boat. She would not land yet for a couple of minutes. "By the way," he said, "will you tell me your name?" "Playdon - Lieutenant Philip H. Playdon." "Do you know to what nation this island belongs?" ."It Is no man's land, I think. It is marked Uninhabited' on the chart." "Then," said Anstruther, "I call upon you, Lieutenant Playdon, and all others here present to witness that I, Robert Anstruther, late of the Indian army, acting on behalf* of myself and Miss Iris Deane, declare tl?at we have taken possession of this island in the name of his Britannic majesty the king of England, that we are the joint occu? piers and owners thereof and claim all property rights vested therein." These formal phrases, coming at such a moment, amazed his hearers. Iris alone had an inkling of the underlying motive. "I don't suppose any one will dispute your title," said the naval officer grave? ly. He unquestionably imagined that suffering and exposure had slightly dis? turbed the other man's senses. "Thank you," replied Robert with equal composure, though he felt in? clined to laugh at Playdon's mystifica? tion. "I only wished to secure a suffi? cient number of witnesses for a verbal declaration. When I have a few min? utes to spare I will affix a legal notice on the wall in front of our cave." Playdon bowed silently. There was something in the speaker's manner that puzzled him. He detailed a small guard to accompany Robert and Iris, who now walked toward the beach, and asked Mir Jan to pilot him as suggest? ed by Anstruther. The boat was yet many yards from ?^lore when Iris ran forward and wretched out her arms to the man who xas staring at her with wistful de spa-r. .'Father! Father!" she cried. "Don': yon know me?" Sir Arthur Deane was looking at the two strange figures on the sands, and each moment his heart sank lower. This island held his final hope. During many weary weeks, since the day when a kindly admiral placed the cruiser Orient at his disposal, he had scoured the China sea, the coasts of Borneo and reva for some tidings of the ill fated Sirdar. To examine every sand patch and tree covered shoal in the China sea was an impossible t;isk. All ihn Orient could do was to visit the principal is? lands and institute inquiries among the fishermen and small traders. At last, the previous night, a Malay, tempted j Ly hope <?f reward, hoarded the vessel when lying at anchor off the iarse is I land away to the south and told the i captain a wondrous tale ol' a devil haunted place inhabited hy two white spirits, a male and a female, whither a local pirate named Taung S'Ali had gone by chance with his men and suf? fered great loss. But Taung S'Ali was bewitched byjhe female spirit and had returned there with a great force, swearing to capture her or perish. The ! spirits,, the Malay said, had djyeltjtmoii the island for many years. His father and grandfather knew the place and feared it Tanng S'Ali would never be seen again. This queer yarn was the first indica? tion they received of the whereabouts of any persons who might possibly be shipwrecked Europeans, though not survivors from the Sirdar. Anyhow, the tiny dot lay in the vessel's north? ward track, so a course was set to ar? rive off the island soon after dawn. Events on shore, as seen by the offi? cer on watch, told their own tale. Wherever Dyaks are fighting there is mischief on foot so the Orient took a hand in the proceedings. But Sir Arthur Deane, after an ago? nized scrutiny of the weird looking persons escorted by the sailors to the water's edge, sadly acknowledged that neither of these could be the daughter whom he sought. He bowed his head in humble resignation, and he thought he was the victim of a cruel hallucina? tion when Iris' tremulous accents reached his ears: "Father, father! Don't you know mer He stood up, amazed and trembling. "Yes, father, dear, it is I, your own little girl given back to you." They had some difficulty to keep him in the boat and the man pulling strok6 smashed a stout oar with the nexi wrench. And so they mot at last, and the sail? ors left them alone to crowd round Anstruther and ply him with a hun? dred questions. Although he fell in with their humor and gradually pieced to? gether the stirring story which was supplemented each instant by the ar? rival of disconsolate Dyaks and the comments of the men who returned from cave and beach, his soul was filled with the sight of Iris and her father and the happy, inconsequent demands with which each sought to ascertain and relieve the extent of the other's anxiety. Then Iris called to him: "Robert, 1 want you." The use of his Christian name creat? ed something akin to a sensation. Sir Arthur Deane was startled, even in his immeasurable delight at finding his child uninjured, the picture of rude health and happiness. Anstruther advanced. 'This is my father," she cried, shrill with joy. "And, father darling, this And so they met at last. is Captain Robert Anstruther, to whom alone, under God'3 will, I owe my life many, many times since the moment the Sirdar was lost" It was no time for questioning. Sir Arthur Deane took off his hat and held out his hand. "Captain Anstruther," he said, "as I owe you my daughter's life I owe you that which I can never repay. And I owe you my own life, too, for I could not have survived the knowledge that she was dead." Robert took the proffered hand. "I think. Sir Arthur, that of the two I am the more deeply indebted. There are some privileges whose value can? not be measured, and among them the privilege of restoring your daughter to your arms takes the highest place." Then he turned to Iris. "I think," he said, "that your father should take you on board the Orient Iris. There you may perhaps find some suitable clothing, eat something and recover from the exciting events of the morning. Afterward you must bring Sir Arthur ashore agaip and we will guide him over the island. I am sure you will find much to tell him meanwhile." The baronet could not fail to note the manner in which these two ad? dressed each other, the fearless love which leaped from eye to eye, the calm acceptance of a relationship not to be questioned or gainsaid. Robert and Iris, without spoken word on the sub? ject had tacitly agreed to avoid the slightest semblance of subterfuge as unworthy alike of their achievements and their love. "Your suggestion is admirable," cried Sir Arthur. "The ship's stores may provide Iris with some sort of rig-out, and an old friend of hers is on board at this moment, little expecting her pres? ence. Lord Ventnor has accompanied me in my search. Ile will, of course, be delighted** Anstruther Unshed a deep bronze, but Iris broke in: "Father, why did he come with you?*' Sir Arthur, driven into this sudden i squall of explanation, became digni- ! lied. "Well, you see, my dear, under the circumstances he felt an anxiety al? most commensurate with my own." "But why. why'.-" Iris was quite calm. With Robert ! near, she was courageous. Even the . perturbed baronet experienced a new sensation as his troubled glance fell bc fore her searching eyes. His dau had left him a joyous, heedless He found her a woman, strong, se liant, purposeful. Yet he kepi choosing the most straightfor means as the only honorable Wi clearing a course so beset with u pected obstacles. "It is only reasonable, Iris, that affianced husband should suffer a ony of apr.ehension on. your ac( and do all that was possible to < your rescue." "My-affianced-husband?" "Well, my dear girl, perhaps th hardly the correct phrase from point of view. Yet you cannot fa remember that Lord Ventnor" "Father, dear," said Iris soler but in a voice free Ivom all uncer ty, "my affianced husband stands 1 We plighted our troth at the very of death. It was ratified in the ] ence of God and has been blesse him. I have mace no compact Lord Ventnor. He is a base and worthy man. Did you but know truth concerning him you would mention his name in the same br with mine. Would he. Robert?" "Be advised by me, Sir Arthur, you, too, Iris," he said. "This ?s hour for explanations. Leave rn? deal with Lord Ventnor. I am con to trust the ultimate verdict to you Arthur. You will leam iu due co all that has happened. Go on bo Iris. Meet Lord Ventnor as you w meet any other friend. Y'ou will marry him, I know. I can trust y "I am very much obliged to y murmured the baronet, who, notw standing his worry, was far too ext enced a man of the world not to knowledge the good sense of this vice, no matter how ruffianly miglr the guise of the strange person 1 gave it. "That is settled, then," said Rot laughing good naturedly, for he i knew what a weird spectacle he n present to the bewildered old ger man. Even Sir Arthur Deane was fasch ed by the ragged and hairy giant ^ carried himself so masterfully ? helped everybody over the stile at right moment. He tried to develop change in the conversation. "By the way," he said, "how ca you to be on the Sirdar? I have a of all the passengers and crew, J your name does not appear therein.' "Oh, that is easily accounted for. shipped as a steward in the name Robert Jenks." "Robert Jenks! A steward!" "Yes. That forms some part of i promised explanation." Iris rapidly gathered the drift of ) lover's wishes. "Come, father," she cried merri "I am aching to see what the shi atores, which you and Robert pin y( faith to, can do for me in the shape garments. I have the utmost belief the British navy, and even a skep should be convinced of its infallibil if H. M. S. Orient is able to provide lady's outfit." Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed hi self of the proffered compromise, j assisted Iris into the boat, though tt active young person was far beti able to support him, and a word to t officer in command sent the gig fly! back to the ship. Anstruther during momentary delay made a small requt on his own account Lieutenant Pla don, nearly as big a man as Robe; dispatched a note to his servant, ai the-gig speedily"reT?r?ed with" ?~c?i p?ete assortment of clothing and line The man also brought a dressing eas with the result ihat a dip in the ba1 and ten minutes in the hands of an e pert valet made Anstruther a new ma Acting under his advice, the bodii of the dead were thrown into the 1 goon, the wounded were collected i the hut to be attended to by the ship surgeon, and the prisoners were parai ed in front of Mir Jan, who identifie every man and found by countin heads that none was missing. . Robert did not forget to write out formal notice and fasten it to the roc! This proceeding further mystified tb officers of the Orient, who had gradna ly formed a connected idea of the gres fight made by the shipwrecked pai; though Anstruther squirmed inwardl when he thought of the manner i which Iris would picture the seem As it was, he had the first innings, an he did not fail to use the opportunity In the few terse words which the mil; tant Briton best understands he de scribed the girl's fortitude, her unflag ging cheerfulness, her vAcomplaininj readiness, to do and dare. When he ended, the first Meutenant who commanded the boats sent in pur suit of the flying Dyaks-the Orien sank both sampans as soon as the} were launched-summed up the gener al verdict: "Y'ou do not need our admiration Captain Anstruther. Each man of us envies you from the bottom of his soul." "There is an error about my rank," he said. "I did once hold a commission in the Indian army, but I was court martialed and cashiered in Hongkong six months ago. I was unjustly con? victed on a grave charge, and I hope some day to clear myself. Meanwhile I am a mere civilian. It was only Miss Deane's generous sympathy which led her to mention my former rank, Mr. riaydon." fTO BE CONTINUED.] !?la*rnct rovrer. The lifting of massive iron and steel plates weighing four, six and twelve tons by magnetism is now done every workday in a number of large steel works. The magnets are suspended by chains from cranes and pick up the plates hy simple contact and without the loss of time consequent to the ad? justment of chain and hooks lu the older method. It is also found that the metal plates can be lifted by tho mag? nets while still so hot that it would be Impossible for !he men to handle them. A magnet weighing SOO pounds will lift nearly five tous. CASTOR IA For Infants and Children. Rie Kind You Have Always Bought Bears the Slj? jUff?Z^T Signature of L*Laf7Z7&??4?/Z? THE FIRST DOLLAR SAVED IS .THE BEST. The Sumter Banking and Mercan? tile Company, of Sumter, S. C.. will open a saving department and receive deposits o? one dollar and uver on wliich 5 per cent, per annum will be allowed, payable quarterly. The way to have a bank account is to start, and you will find it easy enough to keep it gr o whig. Save your pennies and nickles and you will SOOD have dollars. Call and get particulars as to in erest, deposits, etc. Deposits, subject to cheek solicited. SUMTER BANKING AND MERCAN TILE COMPANY, Sumter, S. C. Mar 21-tf It should be borne in mind that every cold weakens the lung9, low? ers the vitality and prepare! the system .for the more serious dis? eases, among which are the two greatest destroyers of human life, pneumonia and consumption. Chamberlain's Cough Remedy has won its great popularity by ita prompt cares of this most common ailment. It aids expectoration, re? lieves the lungs and opens the secretions, effecting a speedy ?nd permanent cure. It counteracts any tendency toward pneumonia. ^Price 25c Lirge Sh% 50c^ PATENTS Promptly obtained or no fee. Write for our CONFIDENTIAL LETTER before applying for patent: it is worth money. We o&ain PATENTS THAT f>AY. and help inventors to success. Send model, photo or sketch, and we send IMMEDIATE FREE REPORT ON PAT? ENTABILITY. 2Qyeaxslpractice. Regis? tered Patent Lawyers. Write or come to ns at 605-507, 7tli St. WASHINGTON, 0. C. D-SWIFM 50 YEARS' EXPERIENCE PATENTS ^Hyj^fflW* DESIGNS "FTTV COPYRIGHTS AC Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention 13 probably patentable. Communica? tions strictly conndentt&l. Handbook on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific American. A handsomely illustrated weekly, r.nrzest cir? culation of any soient ide Journal. Terms. $3 a vear: four months, iL Sold by all newsdealers ^??NN &Co.3e,B??*^- New Tori' - ?> FV> F St.. Wasbtnsr.-.n. Ti C Uk Largest aili 1st Complete Estalstaeit South Geo. S. Hacker & Son -MANUFACTURERS OF DOORS, SASH3 BLINDS, Moulding & Building Material. >?ce and Warerooms, KiDg, opposite Ca non Street, CHARLESTON, S. C, Pnrc??idi- our make, which we guarant* superior to any sold South, and thereby save money. Window and Paney Glass a Specialty O-lober 16 -o THE HEGE LOG BEAM SAW MILt WITH HEACOCK-KING FEED WONKS EN<;ISES AND BOILERS. WOODWORKING MACHINERY, Corros GINNING, BKICK MAKINO AND SHINGLE AND LATH MACHINERT. COKS MILL?. ETC.. ETC. GIBBES MACHINERY CO.. Columbia, S. C. THE GIBBES SHINGLE MACHINE DeLORHE'S PHARMACY, 23 South Main St. Open ? om 7 a. m. to 1G p. m. ; Sunday. 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. ? Having consolidated my two stores, I will be pleased to see all my customers at the above stand, where I am better pre? pared than ever to serve them. Your prescriptions will be called for and delivered. Phone 45. Full line of Drugs, Garden Seed and Cigars. Your patronage solicited. ? Call bell for night work. MONEY ; PICKED UP ! ! BY Writing Life Insurance In Tue Penn Mutual Insurance Co. I 1BERAL contracts to live agents in unoccupied territory. ADDRESS PERRY MOSES, JR. General Agent, Sumter, S. G. $100,000.00 Capital. THE FIRST NATIONAL RAI of Sumter, S. O. THE Comptroller of the Currency hav? ing approved the increase of the Capital of this Bank to $100,000.00, depositors, now have as security for their deposits : Capital, - - $100,000 00 Stockholders' Individual Lia? bility, - - - '.00,000 OG Surplus and Undivided Prof? its, - % - - 25,000 00 ! Total Security for Depositors, $225,000 00 ONLY NAT!ON LA BANK Ih CITY OF SUMTER. Largest Capital of any Bank in this section of South Carolina. Strongest Bank in Eastern part of this 'State. Interest allowed on deposits to a limited amount. BO ABD OF DIRECTORS. A. J. CHINA, President. NEILL O'DONNELL, Vice President. H. D. BARNETT, R. D. LEE, G. A. LEMMON, JOHN REID, E. P. BICKER. R. L. Er MUNDS, Cashier. R. D. LEE, Solicitor. BOOKKEEPERS. J. L. McCaJlum, D. J. Winn, Jr. Oliver L. Yates. . THE BANK OF SUMTER, SUMTER, S. C. City and County Depository. Capital stock paid in, $"',000 00 Undivided surplus, 16.000 00 Individual liability of stockhold? ers in excess of their stock, 75,000 00 Transacts a general banking business; also has ?? Saving Bank Department. De? posits of fl and upward received. Inter 2st allowed ac the rate of 4 per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually. W. F. B. HAYNSWORTH, President. R. I. MANNING, W. F. RHAMZ, Vice-president. Cashier. Jan. 31._' THE SUMTER SAVINGS BANK. HORACE HARBY. President. I. C. STRAUSS. vice-President, GEO. L. RICFJER, Cashier. Capital Stock, $25,000 Liabilitv of Stockholders, 2^,000 Every Facility For the transaction of business is afford? ed those who deposit their money with The Sumter Savings Bank, In> port-ant papers can be drawn up and signed in a private room set a*ide for use of our clients and any information de? sired will be cheerfully furnished by the management. ' Savings deposited here drr.w interest at the rate of 4 per cent p^r annum. Si.00 will open an account and secure a bank book. f w> promptly obtain U. S. and Foreign > (Send mode!,sketch or photo ci invention forf f free report -rn patcntabiiitv. lor free bock, f |^^^^^^ jil x Opposite U. S. Patent Office I WASHINGTON D.C.