The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, March 16, 1906, Page 3, Image 3

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' l&Wing m% 9 Jjj Mornii\| " J.;'V.:!"U\t:?:; ?.* /.*: :?VV.V*-.\v/ "/V'.V'fj'i'VV.vV'Vv * :*ir:'ut: iftfj-^i : "No shoot it," lie roared. "Me English speak it." al "Don't you speak Hindoostntiec?" w shouted Jenks in Urdu of the higher ni proficiency. "Yes, sir!" was the joj-ful response, tl "Will your honor permit his servant to come and talk .With him?" "Yes. If you come unarmed." cr "And :*be chief, too, saliib?" '\\es. but listen! On the first sign of treachery I Will shoot both of you!'.' "We will-keep faith, suliib. May kites "plef jour bones if we fail!" Then there steoped into full view the renegade Mussuiuinu and his lender. ' They qnrried no guns; the chief wore his creese. *. "Tell -him to leave tlint dtfttfecr he , hind!" cried the sailor hnpcrjfmsly. As tlij& enemy demanded n parley he resolved "to adopt tlie conqueror's tone from the outset. The chief obeyed, with n scowl, and the two advanced to the foot of the rock. ' "Stand close to me," said Jenks to > Iris. "Let them see you plainly, but i pull your hat well down over jour )/ eyes." 4 f She silently followed his instructions. Novr that the very crisis of their fate had arrived she was nervous, shaken, conscious only of a desire to sink on her knees and pray. J The t?r halted some ten paces in front oi the cavern, and the belliger- , cuts surveyed each other. It was a fascinating spectacle, this drama in real life. The yellow faced Dyak, gaudily attired in a crimson jacket and sky blue pantaloons of Chinese silk, a man young and powerfully built, and the brown skinned, white clothed Mohammedan. bony, tall and gray with hardship. looked up at the occupants of the ledge. Iris, slim and boyish in hpr male . . . . i garments, was uwarrcu i>y tnc six loot is sailor, but her face was lilooil stained, I and Jonks wore a six weeks' stubble ol of board. Holding their riiies with I alert ease, witTT revolvers strapped to ni tjiejr shies, they presented a warlike et and imposing.tableau in their InacccssU Ii hie perch. In the path of the emissaries lay the bodie3 of the slain. Tbe d< leader scowled again as he pass- I od them. '. "T n Sahib," began the Indian, "my cbYof. |-c TautVg S'All. does not wish to have v< any more of his men killed in a foolish hi quarrel about a woman. Give her up. tp he says, and lie will either leave you here in peace or carry you safely to C( some place where you can find a ship n] manned by white men." w "A woman!" said Jenks scornfully. ,.( "ibnt. Is idle talk! What woman is Vl here?" u This question nonplused' the native. n. "The. woman whom the ,'ehicf saw j half a month back, sahib." . "Taung S'Ali was bewitched. I slew j his men so quickly that lie saw spirits." The chief caught hi:, name and broke j0 In with a question. A volley of talk U] between the two was enlivened with expressive gestures by Taung S'All. n who several times pointed to Iris, and fj, Jenks now anathematized ids thought- ni less folly In permitting the Dynk to approach so near. The Mohammedan, of 0, bourse, had never seen her and might have persuaded the other that in truth ^ - L - if- there were two men only on the rock. Bl Ills fears were only too well founded. p( The Mussulman salaamed respectfully nnd said: ln "Protector of the poor, I cannot gain Qj say your word, but Taung S'All says fc that the maid stands by your side and g. Is 110:10 the less the woman he seeks in that she wears a man's clothing." n "He has sharp eyes, but bis brain Is pj addled," retorted the sailor. "Why n] does he come here to seek a woman n] who is not of his race? Xot only has he brought death to his people and nnr- tc rowly escaped it himself, but be must v, # know that any violence offered to us tvill mean the extermination of bis ^ whole tribe by an English warship. \\} Tell biin to take away bis boats and never visit this isle again. Perhaps I y, will then forget bis treacherous at- p, tempt to murder us while we slept last Cj night." rl The chief glared defiantly, while the Mohammedan said: tl "Sahib, It is best not to anger him y\ ? too much. He says he means to have ti the girl. He saw her beauty thnt day, 0j and she inflamed his heart. She has i, cost him many lives, hut she is worth ti sultan's ransom. He cares not for j,( Warships. They cannot reach his vll- C} lege in the liills. By the tomb of tl Nlzam-ttd-dfb, sahib, lie will not harm ni you if you give her up, but if you re- n fuse he will kill you both. And what r( is one woman more or less in the u world thnt she should cause strife and yj bloodletting?" H The sailor knew the eastern charnc- 0i ter too well not to understand the mau's amazement that ho should be so 0i solicitous about the fate of one of the it 1 weaker sex. It was'scemlugly useless w to offer terms, yet the native was clear- hi ly so anxious for" an amicable settle- ci ment thnt he ;auglit at a straw. ^ Jfr- "You come ftom Delhi?" be nsked. tl .-"Honored cae, you have great wis- a f dom." n "None but a Delhi man swears by lue tQUiU uii iuc ruuu iu iuu ivuiuu. bi You have escaped from the Anda- A tfe' mans?" ? fi "Sahib, 1 did but slay a man iu coif aj defense." tl L- iSdBtl ' *' :! : ',*. ' v .V.'. v'.'.y V . W'< H isefthejgl , By LOUIS ? TRACY ft Ccpyrl'lil. 1903. by P.dward J. Cloite VJV-'.-'L "Whatever the cause. you can never Drain see India. Nevertheless you ould give many years of your life to lis once more with I lie bazaar folk." The brown skin assumed a sallow nge. "That Is good speaking." lie gurgled. "Then kelp me and my friend to es?pe. Compel your chief to leave the The belligerents surveyed each other. land. Kill him! Plot against him! will promise you freedom and plenty ! rupees. Do this, and I swear to you will come in a ship and take you tvay. The miss sahib's father is pow ful. lie has great inllucnce with the aliau government." Taung S'Ali was evidently bewil ?red aim annoyed by this passionate [ipeal. which he did not understand. c demaudod fan explanation, and" the tndy wit ted native wa^ obliged to Inint some plausible excuse. Yet when 3 raised Ills face to Jonks there was le look of a hunted animal in his eyes. "Sahib," he said, endeavoring to conMil his agitation, "I am one among lany. A word from me, and they ould cut my throat. If I were with an there on the rock I would die with 311. for I was in the Kumaon regiment lien the trouble befell me. It is of no rail to bargain with a tiger, sahib, suppose you will not give up the liss sahib. Pretend to argue with me. will help iu any way possible." Jenks' heart bounded when this unoked for offer reached bis ears. The nfortunate Mohammedan was eviMitly eager to get away from the plitical gang into whose power he had illen. Put the chief was impatient, if ot suspicious, of these long speeches. Angrily holding forth a rille, the sail shouted: "Tell Taung S'Ali that I will slay in and all his men ere tomorrow's 111 rises. He knows something of my >wer, but not all. Tonight at the velfth hour you will find a rope liangig from the rock. Tie thereto a vessel ' water. Fail not in this. I will not >rgct your services. I am Anstruther aliib of the Relgnum regiment." The native translated his words into fierce defiance of Tanner S'Ali and his yaks. Tlio chief glanced at Jenkfi ad Iris with an ominous smile. lie inttered something. "Then, sahib, there Is nothing more ? l)e said. Beware of the trees on aur right. They can send silent death /en to the place where you stand, nd I will not fall you tonight, on my fe," cried the Interpreter. "I believe you. Go! But inform our chief that once you have dlsapoared round the rock whence you line I will talk to him only with a He." Taung S'AH seemed to comprehend le Englishman's emphatic motions, fairing his hand defiantly, the "Dyak lrned, and. with one parting glance f mute assurance, the Indian followed Itn. Iris touched his arm and he told or all that had taken place. Iris beime very downcast when she grasped le exact state of affairs. She was nllost certain when the Dyaks proposed parley that reasonable terms would ;surt. It horrified her beyond mensre to find that she was the rock on 'hick negotiations were wrecked, [ope died within her. The bitterness f death was In her breast. "What an unlucky Influence I havohad a your existence!" she exclaimed. "If w n r nut iui iiiit mis u uuuiu hi itNist 'oukl bo spa rod you. Because I am ore you are condemned. Again, bciusc I stopped you from shooting that 'retched chief and bis companions ley are now demanding your life as forfeit. It Is all my fault. I canot bear It." She was on the verge of tears. The train had become too great for her. : .fter Indulging In a wild dream of j reedom, to be told that they must I gain endure the Irksome confinement, ie active suffering, the slow horrors a.-*. ***. '"V.. . it ' ' '< C. A' 8 By a Recoi fl.. You are bankintr * ???r ***.. i miii?? of n siege In that rocky prison, almost distracted her. Jcnks was very stern ami curt In bis reply. "We must make the best of a bad business," be saiil. "If we are In a tight place tlie Dyaks are not mucb better off, and eighteen of their number are dead or wounded. You forget, too, that Providence lias sent us a most useful ally in the Mohammedan. When all is said and done, things might he far worse than they are." Never before had ids tone been so cold, his manner so abrupt, not even in the old days when lie purposely endeavored to make ber dislike hint. She walked along the ledge and timidly bent .over him. "forgive me!" she whispered. "I did forget for the moment not only the goodness of Providence, but also your self sacrificing devotion. I am only a woman, and I don't want to die yet, but I will not live unless you, too, are saved." Once already tlmt day she bad expressed tltis thought in other words. Was souie shadowy design filtting through lier brain? Suppose they were faced with tlie alternatives of dying from thirst or yielding to the Dyaks. j Was there another way out? Jenks . shivered, though tlie rock was \ mm. TTtrrnnsr" divert her mind from this dreadful brooding. "The fact Is," lie said, with a feeble, attempt at cheerfulness, "we are both hungry and consequently grumpy. Now, suppose you prepare lunch. Wo ! will fool ever so much better after wo j have eaten." "'lie girl clioke.l back her emotion ! and sadly essayed tlie task of provid- j iug a meal which was hateful to her. A few tears fell now and made little furrows down her soiled cheeks. Fiat they were helpful tears, tears of reals- . nation, not of despair. Although the j "destruction that wastetii at noonday" was trying her sorely, she again felt strong and sustained. She even smiled on detecting an involuntary effort to clear her staincl face. She was about to carry a biscuit and some tinned meat to the sailor when a sharp exclamation from him caused lier to hasten to his side. Tlie Dyaks had broken cover. Run- j ning in scattered sections across the sands, tlicy were risking such loss as tlie defenders might lie aide to indict upon them during a brief race to the shelter and food to lie obtained in tlie other part of tlie island. Jenks did not fire at tlie scurrying gang. Me was waiting for one man, Taung S'Ali. But that redoubtable person, bavin? probably suggested this dash for liberty, had fully realized tlie enviable share of attention lie would attract during the passage. He therefore discarded his vivid attire and by borrowing odd garments made himself suiiieienuy iiko unto tne remainder or his crew to deceive the sailor until the rush of men was over. Among them ran the Mohammedan, who did not look up the valley, but waved his baud. When all had quieted down again Jcnks understood how he had been fooled, lie laughed so heartily that Iris, not Rowing either the cause of his merriment or the reason of his uulooked for clemency to the llying foe. feared the sun had ^lTocted him. lie at once quttt the post occupied during so protracted a vigil. "Xow," he cried, "we can eat in peace. I have stripped the chief of his finery. Ills men can twit him on being forced to shed his gorgeous plumage in order to save his life. Anyhow, they will leave us in peace until night falls, so we must make the best of a hot afternoon." But lie was mistaken. A greater danger than any yet experienced now threatened tliem, for Taung S'Ali, furious and unrelenting, resolved Hint if lie could not obtain the girl ho would slay the pair of them, and he had terrible weapons in his possession. CITArTER XIII. 1ESTPEXTS in tropical countries Kknow that the heat is greatest, I or certainly least bearable, betwecn 2 anil 4 o'clock In the afternoon. At the conclusion of a not very luscious repast Jenks suggested that they should rig up the tarpaulin in such wise as to gain protection from the sun and yet enable him to cast a 1 watchful eye over the valley. Iris helped to raise the great canvas sheet on the supports he had prepared. Once shut off from the devouring rays, the hot breeze then springing into fitful existence cooled their blistered but perspiring skin and made life somewhat tolerable. Still adhering to his policy of combatting the first enervating attacks of thirst, the sailor sanctioned the consumption of the remaining water. As ' a last desperate expedient to be re- j sorted to only in case of sheer necessity, he uncorked a bottle of champagne and filled the tin cup. The sparkling wliv> with tta rnlnmn of ornnmv fnnm looked so tempting Hint Iris would then nnd there lmve risked Its potency were she not promptly withheld. Jenks explained to her that when the ;wlno became quite flat nnd Insipid they might use it to moisten their parched Hps. Even so, In their present superheated state, the liquor was unquestionably dangerous, but he hoped It would not harm them If taken In minute quantities. Accustomed now to implicitly accept his advice, she fought nnd steadily conquered the craving within her. Oddly enough, the "thawing" of their scorched bodies beneath the tarpaulin brought a certain degreo of relief. They were supremel7 uncomfortable, but that was as naught compared with the relaxation from the torments previously borne. Eor a long time?the best part of an< hour, perhaps?they remained silent. The sailor was reviewing the pros j?2 other fertilizer is so \v< I Fish and Animal mat for.growing cotton.. 1 i ^L I y//190^??13C 9 F. S. ROYSTE Eg Columbia, S. C. i. It would, of course. lie a matter <>f suireinc Importance wore t!xo Indian to L>e faithful to his promise. Jlore the orospect was decidedly hopeful. The uiah was a a old soldier, and the exit! tec r of native cavalry knew how onluring was the attachment of this poor xmvict hV home and military service. Probably at tlmt moment the Mohammedan .-vr-as praying to the prophet and Ids two nephews to aid him in rescuing the. sali.ib and the woman whom the iahib held so dear, for the all wise and ill powerful Indian government is very inerciftil ,t'P offending natives who thus J0nilon6 their former crimes. But, howsoever willing he might be, What cdnld due man do among ::o many ? The Byaks were hostile to him in race lihd <Jroed,' and assuredly infuriated against the foreign devil who liad killed.or wounded in round numbers oue-ftftlr of their total force. Very likely tl^e hapless Mussulman would lose his Iit^o that ulght in attempting to bring'water to the foot of the rock. Even iPthe man succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his present associates, where was the water to come from? There w\is none on the island save that in the well. In all likelihood the Dynks had a store In the remaining sampans^ but the native ally of the beleaguered pair would have a task of exceeding" difficulty in, obtaining one of tlie jaks or skins containing it. Again, granting all things went well that night, what would he the final outcome of the struggle? IIow long 1 could Iris withstand the exposure, the' strain, tlie heartbreaking misery of the rock? lie shook restlessly, not aware that the girl's- sorrowful glance, luminous ' with love and pain, was fixed upon him. Summarily dismissing these grisly phantoms of the mind, lie asked . himself what the Mohammedan exact- i ly meant by' wanting him against the trees on the right and the "silent death" that might come from them. lie was about to crawl forth to the lip of the rock and Investigate matters in that locality when Iris, who also was busy with her thoughts, restrained him. : "Walt i? Utile while," she said. "None of the Djufcs will venture into the open Until night falls; f~ ttnfr? 1 tiling to say to you." There was n quiet solemnity in her voice that Jeuks had never heard before. It chilled him. Ills heart acknowledged a quick sense of evil omen, lie raised himself slightly and turned toward her. Her face, beautiful and serene beneath its disfigurements, wore an expression of settled purpose. For | tlie life of him he dared not question ; her. "That man, the interpreter," she said, "told you that if I were given up to the chief lie and his followers would go j away and molest you 110 more." His forehead seamed with sudden anger. ' , "A mere bait," he protested. "In any | event it hardly worth discussion." And tlie answer came, clear and resolute: I "I think I will agree to those terms." At first he regarded her with undis- ] guised and wordless amazement. Then j the appalling thought darted through | his brain that she contemplated this ] supreme sacrifice in order to save him. A clammy sweat bedewed his brow, j but by sheer will power he contrived , to Ray: ,, "You must be mad to even dream of | such a thing. Don't you understand . what it means to you?and to me? It ( is a ruse to trap us. They are ungoverned savages. Once they had you in , their power they would laugh qt a , promiso made to me." ? I "You may be mistaken. They must ., have some sense of fair dealing. Even assuming that such was their intention, they may depart front it. They i led the Best Ferfils d of Twenty Years 3ii experience when you fertilize with ill balanced in the plant food supplied i substitute. Farmers' Bone has no e< 5 fertilizer of the South. irks Freely In Any Dri i by over twenty-one years of success ter is superior to any other known Tanners' Bone is the fertilizer MADE WITH FISH V BECAUSE -250 TONS v* ?w?wn ,50O TONS N^CROI'S !,0OO TONS >. 1,4-55 TONS \ Imvo already lost a groat many men. Their chief, having gained his main , object.- might not be able to persuade j, them to take further risks. L will make v it a part of the bargain that they first (I supply you with plenty of water. Then you, unaided, could keep them at bay ,, for many days. Wo lose nothing; we ^ can gain a great deal by endeavoring ., to pacify them." "Iris," ho gasped, "what are you saying ?" h The unexpected sound of her name on his lips almost unnerved her. But . no martyr ever went to the stake with more settled purpose than this pure woman, resolved to immolate herself ; for the sake of the man she loved. lie had dared all for her, faced death in inauy shapes. Now it was her turn. j Iter eyes were lit with a seraphic fire, . her sweet face resigned as that of an angel. }', "I have thought it out," she murmured, gazing at him steadily, yet , scarce seeing mm. "it is worth try- . :; ing as a last expedient. We are abandotted l>y all save the Lord, and it does . not appear to bo bis boly w ill to help us 011 earth. We can struggle on here \ until we die. t Is that right when one of us may live''" ITcr very candor had betrayed her. ,, She would go away with these monstrous captors, endure them, even (latter them, until she and they wore far removed from the island, and then? . she would kill herself. In her innocence she imagined that self destruction under such circumstances was a ^ pardonable offense. She only gave a life to save a life, and greater love than this Is not known to Cod or man. The sailor, in a tempest of wrath and 1 wild emotion, had It in his mind to compel her into reason?to shake her as " one shakes a wayward child. lie rose to his knees with this half formed notion in his fevered brain; ' then he looked at her, and a mist ' seemed to shut her out from his sight. Was she lost to him already? Was all tnnt had gone before an idle dream of 11 Joy and grief, a wizard's glimpse of !< mirrored happiness and vague perils? Was Iris, the crystal soulod, thrown '' to him by ijie storm lashed wave, to " Iac suglehcd uway by j?utuu ii-JWiMliblu and malign influence? " In the mere physical effort to assure himself tlmt she was still near to him he gathered her up In his strong luiucls. 1,1 Yes, she was there, breathing, wonder- 1,1 bur, palpitating. lie folded her closely 1,1 to his breast and, yielding to the passionate longings of his tired heart, whispered to her: \v "My darling, do yon think I can sur- j vivo your loss? You arc life itscif to me. If we have to die, sweet one, let ^ us die together." Then Iris Hung her anus arouml his neck. m "I am quite, quite happy now," she sobbed brokenly. "I didn't?Imagine? ao it would come?this way, but?I am thankful?It has come." l-'or a little while they yielded to the glamour of the divine knowledge that amid tlie cliaos of eternity each soul had found its mate. There was no need for words. Love, treiuendoTi* In its I I*.. ........ uiiiaiuviiuiuiu in nn 111^ nivi.y, had cast Its spoil over tliem. They t)] were gar 1)0(1 in light, throned in a pal- j nee built by fairy bands. On all sides ^ squatted the ghouls of privation, mispry, danger, even grim death; but they hooded not the inferno; they had ere- 0 nted a paradise In nn earthly hell. <>x Then Iris withdrew herself from the man's embrace. She was delightfully l* shy and timid now. "So you really do love me?" she whis- '* percd, crimson faced, with*shining eyes and parted lins. lie fondled her hair and gently rub- il bed her cheek witlf his rough Angers. XUe sudden, leose ot owijersUlp ot tuu !! ! ! !! will | M-J?^ zev ^ ^ j Farmers' lione. Xo w from sowing time to sj |ual for any kind of _fj jm.. ;ir v. o: an was entrancing. It almost owildorod liini to tied Iris nestling lose. t-lili ill:; to him ill lit tor contionco ami trust. "Ilut I know, 1 knew." al e murmurI. "Vmi betrayed yourself so many linos. You wrote your sterol to mo, ml tliti you iliil not toll mo, 1 juml your tloar words on tl:c sands ml liavo treasured tliom next my eurt." What girlish romance was this? lie chl her away gingerly, just so far lint he could look Into hot* eves. "Oh. it'is true. o,ui;o true." she orieil, rawing the locket from her neck. Ilon't you reeogrdxe your own handriling. or wore you not certain, just lien, that you really did love me?" Dear, tloar! How often would she rcoat that wondrous phrase! Together oy bent over the tiny slips of paper, 'here it was again. "1 love you." twice lnxnned in magic symbols. With lushing c.tgerm she told him how, y more accident, of course, she caught Iglit of lier own name. It was ii ?t cry wrong. v.. s ii. to pick lip that n.v scrap or time others, which she mill not help seeing and which u:i>!t!od their simple taie so truthfully? Vrnng! It was so dcligiilfuliy right lat he must kiss her again to ompliai: o his convictions. They grew rainier, more sedate. It as so undeniably true they loved one n"(her that the fact was becoming cucrable with aye. Iris was perlnris lie first to recognize its quiet coital ? r. "As I cannot get you to talk reasonsi:c protcslctl, "1 must appeal > votir sympathy, I an? hungry, and, h, so thirsty." The girl had hardly eaten a morsel :>r her midday meal. Then she was espondent, utterly broken hearted, low she was tilled with new hope, here was a fresh motive in existence. Whether destiucd to live an hour or all" a century she would never, never uvo him. nor. of course, could he.evcr, ver leave her. Some things we're uite inipossihle?for example, that !iey should part. * Jenhs bromrht her a biscuit. n tin nf icat" and that most doleful cup of lutnipagnc. "It Is not exactly frappe," he said, amling her the Insipid beverage, "but, ndcr other conditions. It Is n wine allost worthy to toast you in." She fancied she had never before nored what a charming smile lie had. " 'Toast,' is a peculiarly suitable ord," she cried. "1 am simply frizing. In these warm elotlies"? She stopped. For the tirst time since nit prehistoric period when she was diss Deane" and lie "Mr. .lenks" she nieiiiuereil tlio manner of lior garClllS. "It is not tlie warm clothing you feel > much as the want of air." explained ie sailor readily. "This tarpaulin has ado the place very stuffy, but we list put up with it until sundown. r>y e way. what is that?" A light tap on the tarred canvas dictly over liis head had caught his ir. Iris, glad of the diversion, told m she had heard the noise three or air times, but fancied it was caused i the occasional rustling of the sheet 1 the uprights. Jenks had not allowed his attention wander altogether from external cuts. Since the Dynks' last esenp.. le lero was no sign of them in the v >iy or on either beach. Not for trivial inse would they come again within mge of Jeuks' rifle. They waited and listened silently, nother tap sounded on the tarpaulin i a different place, nnd they both cdn(SontinvjK*!