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pBmHi I ? MeWm III Momii* gm & The most careful scrutiny did not-re- ' veal any arms of precision. They all ' carried muzzle loaders, either antlquut- j ed flintlocks or guns su'Hcieutly modern to be fltted with nipples for percussion caps. Each Dyuk, of course, sported a parang and dagger-like creese; a few bore spears, and about a dozen shouldered a long straight piece of bamboo. The nature of this implement the sailor could not determine at the moment. ^ In tli? .neighborhood of the fire nn nninu.t?^liscu3slou took place. Though it was easy to see that the chief was nil paramount, his fellow tribesmen exercised a democratic right of free speech and outspoken opinion. Flashing eyes and expressive hands were turned toward the cave and hut. Once when the debate grew warm the chief snatched up a burning branch and held it over the blackened embers of tlie fire extinguished by Jcuks. He eecmcd to draw some definite conclusion from an examination of the charcoal, and the argument thereforth proceeded with Jess emphasis. Whatever It was that he said evidently carried conviction. Iris, nestling close to the sailor, whispered: "Do you know what he has found out?" "I can only guess that he can tell by ' the appearance of the burned wood how long It Is since It was extingulshed. Clearly they agree with him." "Then they know we are still here?" "Either here or gone within a few hours. In any case they will make a thorough search of the island at daybreak." "Will it be dawn soon?" "Yes. Are vou tiredV" "A liltlo crumped?that is nil." "Don't think I nin foolish. Can you manage to sleep 7" "Sleep! With those men so near!" "Yes. We do not know how long they will remain. Wc must keep up our strength. Sleep, next to food and drink. Is a prime necessity." "If it will please you I will try," she Mid, with such sweet readiness to ?bey his slightest wish that the won?"cr is l:e did not kiss her then and there. Py previous instruction she know exactly what to do. She crept quietly back until well ensconced in the niche widened and hollowed for lier accommodation. There so secluded was she from the outer world of horror and peril that the coarse voices beneath only reached her In a murmur. Pulling one end of the tarpaulin over her, she stretched her weary limbs on a litter of twigs and leaves, comiuomU cd herself and the man she loved to God's keeping and, wonderful though it may seem, was soon slumbering peacefully. The statement may sound passing strange to civilized ears, accustomed only to the routine of daily life and not inured to danger and wild sur- | roumilngs. lsut tno soldier wlio has snatched a hasty doze in the trenches, the sailor who ha3 hoard a fierce gale buffeting the walls of his frail ark. can appreciate the reason why Iris, weary and surfeited with excitement, would have slept were she certain that the next sunrise would mark her last hour on earth. Jenks, too. composed himself for a ? brief rest. lie felt assured that there was not the remotest chance of their lofty perch being found out before daybreak, and the first faint streaks of dawn would awaken him. When the morning breeze swept over the ocean and the stars were beginning to pale before the pink glory filing broadcast through the sky by the yet invisible sun, the sailor was aroused by the quiet fluttering of a bird about to settle 011 the rock, but startled by the sight of him. Ills faculties were ut once on thealert, though he little realized the danger betokened by the bird's rapid dart iuto the void. Turning first to peer at Iris, he satisfied himself that she was still asleep. Her lips were slightly parted in a smile. She might he dreaming of -sununer and England. lie . noiselessly wormed his way to the ft verge of the rock and looked down through the grass roots. The Dyaks were already stirring. Some were replenishing the fire, others were drawing water, cooking, eating. smoking long tliiu stemmed pipes with absurdly small bowls or. oiling their limbs nnd weapons with impartial energy. The chief yet lay stretched on the sand, but when the first beams of the sun gilded the waters a man stooped over the prostrate form and said something that caused the sleeper to rise stifll.v, supporting himself on his uninjured arm. They at once went off together toward Eurcpa point. "They have found the boat," thought Jcnk8. "Well, they are welcome to all the information it affords." The chief gave some order, at which they all hung hack sheepishly. Cursing * ' them In choice Malay, the chief seized a thick faggot and strode In the direction of the cavo. Goaded into activity by his truculent demeanor, some fol^ lowed him, and Jenks, unable to see, ft hut listening anxiously, knew that they were tearing the cheval dc frlse from its supports. Nevertheless none of the working party entered the excavation. 'Xlicy foiyred the parolwd bouos tbet j$-:y *;? ,'? 1 :'.' ,.\?.''.uV'V i! SVt>t'<i* V .'.'.'.".''.'VV;;? '!g gscfthef! , By LOUIS fell! O TRACY & Copyright. 1903, by z\-? ^ Ldward J. C'odo BEt^4Sbs^S7vay q shone by n'gbt. As lie hml not been able to complete the communicating shaft it was not rf ^ /V~ ^ V. ^ rf ~ The monstrous object crouching In luminous horror. now of vital importance should the Dyoks penetrate to the interior. Yet ho thanked the good luck that had showered such a heap of rubbish over the spot containing his chief stores and covering the vein of gold. Wild as these fellows were, tlioy -mill k$crw the value of the precious metal, and if by chance they lighted upon such a well defined lode they might not quit the island for weeks. At last on a command from the chief the Dyaks scattered in various dime tlons. Some turned toward Europa point, but the majority went to the east along Turtle beacli or by way of the lagoon. Prospect park was deserted. They were scouring both sections of the island in full force. TliiTjcjniet Watcher 011 the ledge took no needless risks. Though it was impossible to believe any stratagem had been planned for bis special benelit, an accident might betray him. With the utmost circumspection lie rose 011 all fours and, with comprehensive glance, examined trees, plateau and both strips of beach for signs of a lurking foe. lie need have no fear. Of all places in the island the Dynks least imagined that their quarry had lain all night within earshot of their encampment. Jenks slid back down the ledge and /.cntly wakened Iris. She sat up instantly and gazed at him with wondering eyes. Fearful lest she should forget her surroundings, lie placed a warning finger 011 his lips. "Oh," she said in a whisper, "are they still hero?" lie told her what had happened and suggested that tlicy should have something to eat while the coast was clear beneath. She needed 110 second bidding, for the long vigil of the previous night had made her very hungry, and the two breakfasted right royally on biscuit, cold fowl, liani and good water. Iu this, the inner section of their ref uqc, iuuj cjum ut* ftt'cu uuiy uy u iiirn or by a man standing on the distant rocky shelf that formed the southern extremity of tlie opposite cliff, and the sailor kept a close lookout in that direction. Iris was about to throw the remains of the feast into an empty oil tin provided for refuse when Jenks restrained her. "No." he said smilingly. "Scraps should be th(> first course next time. We must not waste an atom of food." "How thoughtless of me!" fflie exclaimed. "Please tell me you think they will go away today." llut the sailor flung himself fiat on the ledge and grasped a rifle. "He still, on your life!" he said. "Squeeze into your corner. There is a Dyak on the opposite cliff." True enough, a man had climbed to that unhappily placed rocky table and was shouting something to a confrere high on the cliff over their heads. ah yet 110 bad not soon tlieni nor even noticed the place where they were concealed. The sailor imagined from the Dyak's gestures that lie was communicating the uselessness of further search on the western part of the island. When the conversation ceased he hoped the loud voiced savage would descend. But 110! The scout looked Into the valley, at the well, the house, the cave. Still he did not see the ledge. At that unlucky moment three birds, driven from the trees 011 the crest by the passage of tho Dyaks,, flew down the face of the cliff and began a circling quest for some safe perch on which to alight. Jenks swore with an emphasis not tho less earnest because it was mute and took steady aim at the Dyak's left breast. The birds fluttered ftbout iu e.v? swaJlcc sirens, Tl)cu gue of tl^ern L...., .. v.,, ??5??BL Sf* . dropped easily on to the lip of tho ' I reek. Instantly his bright eyes encountered those of the man. and he darted off with a scream that brought his mates after liim. | The Dynk evidently noted the beliav- j lor of the birds?his only lore was the reading of such signs?and gazed intently at the ledge. Jenks ho could not distinguish behind tho screen of grass. lie might perhaps see some portion of the tarpaulin covering tho stores, but at the distance it must resemble a weather beaten segment of the cliff. Vet something puzzled liim. After a steady scrutiny he turned and yelled to others on the beach. The crucial moment had arrived. Jenks pressed the trigger, and the Dynk hurtled through the air, falling headlong out of sight. The sound of this, tiie first shot of real warfare, awoke Ilniubow island into tremendous activity. The winged ! life of the place filled the air with rau- ! cons cries, while shouting Dynks scur- ; ried in all directions. Several came in- ! to the valley. Those nearest the fallen man picked him up and carried liim to the well. lie was quite dead. and. although amid his other injuries they soon found the bullet wound, they evidently did not know whence the shot came, for those to whom lie shouted had no inkling of his motive, and the slight haze from the rifle was instantly i swept a way by the breeze. Iris could hoar the turmoil beneath, and she tremulously asked: "Are they going to attack us?" "Not yet," was the reassuring answer. "I killed the fellow who saw us \ before he could tell the others." It was a bold risk, and he had taken ' it. though now the Dyaks knew for certain their prey had not escaped there was no prospect of their speedy departure. Nevertheless the position j was not utterly hopeless. None of the i enemy could toll how or by whom their | companion had been shot. Many j among the excited horde jabbering be- j neath actually looked at the clilT over and over again, yet failed to note the potentialities of the ledge, with Its few tufts of grass growing where seeds had apparently been blown by the wind or dropped by passing birds. .Tenks understood, of course, that the real danger would arise when they v.sIted the scene of their comrade's disaster. Even then the wavering balance of chance might cast the issue in his favor. He could only wait, with ready ritie, with the light of battle lowering in his eyes. Of one thing at least lie was certain?before they conquered him be would levy a terrible toll. He glanced back at Iris. Iler face was pale beneath Its mask of sun brown. The ehlef was listening intently to the story of the Dyak who saw the dead man totter and fall. He gave some quick order. Followed by a score or more of bis men, he walked rapidly to the foot of the eliff whore they found the lifeless body. .Tenks stole one more hasty glance at Iris. The chief and the greater number of his followers were out of sight behind the rocks. Some of them must now bo clinching to that fatal ledge. Was this the end? Iris bent forward suillciently in her sheltering niche to permit l'or to gaze with wistful tenderness upon Jeuks. She knew ho would dare all for her sake. She could only pray and hope. Suddenly a clamor of discordant yells fell upon her ears. Jenks rose to his knees. The Dyaks had discovered their refuge and were about to open lire. He offered them a target lest perchance Iris were not thoroughly screened. "ICccn close." lie snWl "Tliov l?n\-e 1 found us. Lead will be flying around soon." She flinched back Into tbe crevice; the sailor fell prone. Four bullets spat into the ledge, of which three pierced the tarpaulin and one flattened itself against the rock. Thci^Jenks took up the tale. So curiously constituted was this man that, K 11 1 The Duuli hurtled through the air. although ho ruthlessly shot the savngo who first spied out their retreat, ho was swayeu oniy uy me uictates or stern necessity. There was a l'eeble chance that further bloodshed might he averted. That chance had passed. Very well. The enemy must start the dreadful game about to be played. They had thrown the gage, and he unswered them. Four times did Jenks' rifle carry death, unseen, almost unfelt, aeross the valley. Ere tho fourth Dyak collapsed limply Where be .wej# tfesre, * ^ ?. .*""1 * #? M TRADE MARK REGISTERED ir? a r wt^i our compelitoi Eggy original Fish ( &asB buyers should PSf This is the on I FsiPi Bj& Ji. 11 . I 33 SB Norfolk, Va. hHl Columbia, S.C. ( firing ;it the little pun' of smoke above the grass. They got in a few shots, most of which sprayed at various i angles off the face of the cliff. Hut they waited for no more. When the j lever of the Lee-Met ford was shoved i home for the fifth time the opposing j erort was hare of all opponents save . 1 two, and they lay motionless. 1 The fate of the flanking detachment j 1 was either unperceivcd or unheeded by | the Dyaks left in the vicinity of the j I house and well. Astounded by the fir- I i ing that hurst forth in midair, Jenks ' I had cleared the dangerous rock before i they realized that here, above their heads, were the white man and the maid whom they sought. i .With stupid zeal they blazed away furiously, only succeeding in showering fragments of splintered stone into the eagle's nest. And the sailor smiled. He quietly picked up an old coat, rolled it into a hall and pushed it into sight amidst the grass. Then he squirmed round on his stomach and took up a position ten feet away. Of course those wllrt ct ill - .11?1 ed tliem at tlic bundle of rags, whereupon Jenks thrust his rifle beyond the edge of the rock and leaned over. Three Dyaks fell before the remainder made up their minds to run. Ouee eonvini cd. however, that running was good , for their heallh, they moved with much ' celerity. The remaining cartridges In ' the magazine slackened the pace of two , of their number. Jenks dropped the j empty weapon and seized another. lie ; stood up now and sent a quick remind- ' or after the rearmost pirate. The others had disappeared toward the locality where their leader and his diminished troop were gathered, not during to again come within range of the whistling dumdums. The sailor, holding his rifle as though pheasant shooting, bent forward and sought a belated opponent, but in vain. There was no sound save the wailing of birds, the soft sough of the sea and the yelling of the three wounded men in the house, who knew not what terrors threatened and vainly bawled for succor. Acrnfn nonld * y..t? tt.? ?4DUiti umu\o V-WIIIU IUUU ill ill^. ilt'r face was bleeding. The sight maddened him. ' My God!" he groaned. "Are yon wounded?" She smiled bravely at him. "It is nothing," she said ?"a mere splash from the roek which cut my forehead." lie dared not go to her. lie could only hope that it was no worse, so ho turned to examine tlie valley once moro for vestige of a living foe. I CHAPTER XII. I H-?*! 1IOUGII ids eyes, like live coals, | | I glowered with sullen tire at the JL I s^r'l) san<l nnil the rocks in 1 I front, his troubled brain paid perfunctory heed to his task. The stern sense of duty, the ingrained force of long years of military discipline and soldierly thought, compelled him to keep j watch and ward over his fortress, but lie could not help asking himself what would happen if Iris wore seriously wounded. There was one enemy more potent than these skulking Dynks, a foe more utcsisuuio in nis niigui, more pitiless | In Lis strengtli, whoso assaults would ( tax to the utmost their powers of re- I sistance. In another hour the sun would be high In the heavens, pouring his ardent rays upon them and drying the blood In their veins. Hitherto the active life of the island, the shade of trees, hut or cave, tlie power of unrestricted movement and the possession of water in any desired quantity robbed the tropical heat of ' the day of its chief terrors. Now all was changed. Instead of i working j T.??l \ ] pp Jr ^ im il 7 - is Ineeresf F he unprecedented popul RS' BONE fertilizer he *s to advertise Fish Gua as good." FARMER Guano, and, to prevent b be sure that our trade-m* ly guarantee that you are * svjaacdes with h is , s, rsysier guano tn the brown rock, which soon won glow with radiated energy and gi off scorching gusts like unto the ope ing of a furnace door. This he had foreseen all along. T tarpaulin would yield them some <1 gree of uneasy protection, and lh< both were in perfect physical com liou. Itut?if Iris were wounded! the extra strain brought fever in i wake! That way he saw nothing l> blank despair, to be ended for her I delirium and merciful death, for hi by a Berserk rush among the I)ya and one last mad fight against ov? whelming numbers. Then the girl's voice reached hii self reliant, almost cheerful: "You will be glad to hear that t cut has stopped bleeding. It is on a scratch." So a kindly Providence had spar them yet a little while. The do passed from his mind, the gather! mist from his eyes. In that instant thought he detected a slight rustli among the trees where the dill she ed up from the house. Standing as was on the edge of the rock, tins waf point he could not guard against. Whnil lio.. Il-nlnnnm ed his scattered senses lie stepp back to speak to her, and in the nai instant a couple of bullets crash against the rock overhead. Iris h unwittingly saved him from a serioi perhaps fatal, wound. He sprang to the extreme right the ledge and boldly looked into 1 trees beneath. Two Dyaks were the belated wanderers cut off from t main body. They dived headlong h the undergrowth for safety, hut o of them was too late. .Tenks' ri reached him, and its reverberating et eussion, tossed back and forth by t echoing rocks, drowned his parti scream. In the plenitude of restored vigor t sailor waited for no counter denu stration. He turned and crouching: approached the southern end of 1 parapet. Through his screen of grr lie could discern the long black la and yellow face of a man who lay the sand and twisted his head arou the base of the farther cliff. The d tnnce, oft measured, was ninety yan the target practically a six inch bill eye. Jenks took careful aim, tired, a a wliilT of sand flew up. rerhaps be bad used too fine a siji and plowed a furrow beneath the I nk's ear. He only heard a faint y< but the enterprising head vanished, a tliero were no more volunteers for tii particular service. lie was still peering at the pla when a cry of unmitigated angui came from Iris: "Oh, come quick! Our water! T casks have burst!" It was not until Jenks bad torn l tarpaulin from off their stores and was wildly striving with both bands scoop up some precious drops collect In the small hollows of tlie lodge tli lie realized the full magnitude of t disaster which laid liofnllpii ilictn During tlio lirst rapid exchange fire before the enemy vacated tlie cl several bullets had pierced the tarpn lin. I'.y a stroke of exceeding bad f< tune two of them had struck each the water barrels and started t staves. The contents quietly ebb away beneath the broad sheet ar flowing inward by reason of the sha slope of the ledge, percolated throu; the fault. Iris and he, notwithstamli their frenzied efforts, were not able save more than a pint of gritty disc ored fluid. The rest, Infinitely nit valuable to them than all the diamon of De r.cors, was now oozing throu the natural channel cut by centuries storm, dripping upon the headless sk oWu ia tUo tjuvo, .jmwUUmj 4uwu to 4 tatton 1 lattery" I arity of Royster's EB 1 -f lO U1UULCU ?>UU1C UI 9SB no, claiming theirs 9g IS' BONE is the Kj eing imposed upon, jK irk is on every bag. gag getting the genuine 9H 3h 9 a fjjtffc Tarboro, N.C. BflB 9 tSJWi Macon, Ca. _ _ ' very heart of their buried treasure. xo j .Teaks was so paralyzed by Ibis ea11 tastropho that Iris became alarmed. I ( As yet she did not grasp its awful significanee. That he. her hero, so brave, ' | so confi lent in the face of many danl? gers. should betray such sense of irrojj. dccmablc loss frightened her much more than the incident itself. 1 | Iler lips whitened. Iler words bc. came incoherent. "Tell me." she whispered. ' I can j.s bear anything but silence. Toll me, 1 ^ | implore yon. Is it so bad7" | The sight of her distress sobered 1(1 ' him. He ground his teeth together as I a man docs who submits to a painful l10 I operation and resolves not to flinch holy j noalh the knife. "It is very bad," be said; "not quite p,l tlso end, but near it." ll(l "Tito end," she bravely answered, "is n? loath! We are living and uninjured. j,~ Von must light on. If the Lord wills it U}r ve shall not die." I*,. lie looked in her blue eyes and saw lie .here the light of heaven. Iler glance s a 'id not droop before his. In such moments heart speaks to heart without ill- onccalment. ed "Wo slill have a little water," she no I cried. "Fortunately we are not thirsty. rwl I V/v?t 1? * " ' ** J' ' " urn unit: mil iijrguuen our supply or ad champagne and brandy?" is. 11?* could only fall in with her unrcf.ective mood anil leave (Ik* dreadful j truth to its own evil time. In their lit tie nook the power of the sun had not l,e y?'t made itself felt. Hy ordinary com* llo putatioii it was about 1) o'clock. Long K0 before noon they would be grilling. <j0 Throughout the next few hours they m must suffer the torture of Dives with j)C one meager pint of water to share ben<, tween them. Of course the wine and " spirit must be slumued like a pestij)0 lenee. To toueh either under such condilions would be courting beat, apo,jy l'l 'xy and death. And next day! lie tightened his Jaws before he an. ' swered: ISN ir "We will console ourselvo; with a botQ tie of champagne for dinner. MeanU)j while 1 hear our friends shouting to lln.oa 1 : -* * * js iui/.-iv ii-ii. VII nun mui- Ill nil* 1.-1HHU. 1 V must take an active interest in l'?<y ls' conversation." u j lie grasped a rifle and lay down on the ledge, already gratefully warm, .jjj. There was a good deal of sustained shouting going on. denies thought ho ,jl recognized the chief's voice giving in' j structions to those who had come rl( from Smugglers' cove and were now standing .on the beach near the quarry. c? "I wonder if he is hungry." he . ' thought. "If so, 1 will interfere with the commissariat." Iris peeped fort It at him. "Mr. Jenlcs!" ! "Yes," without turning his head. He j know it was an ordinary question. I "May 1 come too':" ( 1 I "What. e.\|)ose yourself on the ledge!" "Yes, even that. 1 am so tired of at .... , , ,, . sitting here alone, lie I I "Well, there is no danger at present. . But they might chance to see you, and fl. you remember what I"? ' , "Yes, 1 remember quite well. If that ^ is all"? There was a rustle of gar oj, iiii'ius. i nin very mannish in appear. ^ a nee. If yon premise not to look at mo u> 1 will join you." j "I promise." u ' Iris stepped forlli. She was flushed yj* a little, and, to cover her contusion, " ' maybe, she picked up a riile. 'to "Now tliere are two puns," she 8:.Id as she stood near him. ?" lie could see through the tail of his da ?*e l'in* n *)Ut olegantly pro( 3 portioned young gentleman of the sea" * faring profession had suddenly uppearel he OU G, i - v i _ ^, jm&ti