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Th t Blanced forward, and what they
saw Uhrilled them.
In the central square of the village King
Kala was seated on a rude, wooden throne,
und him were assembled his war-
rors, who formed a great circle, | leaving an
open space all around the thro’
eyond the warriors were “the women
and the childre:
As the whites and’ their native allies
eered from behind the abandoned hut,
<ing Kala arose from bis rude throne.
Dropping the royal mantle of red feath-
ers from his shoulders be waved his hand
ine an imperious gesture
This was intended to ‘enjoin silence,
But still there came a murmur of voices
from the outskirts of the throng.
ilence !" roared the savage king, in
voice of thunder, which made his | Servile
multitude.
And the king went on to say:
“Kala is great and all wise, and he has
decided that he will have the great wed-
ding feast made after the white woman is
sealed to | Be as a wife, instead of before
the cere
“Ha ve vexclaimed Jack; in a whisper,
“Now, it seems we are come too late to
save Niarer but if I lose my life in the
attempt to rescue her, yet shall it be made,”
hem is my Sentiments, too, Jad,” an-
swered old Ben, in like
Yes, we must save the “white girl.”
“So assented Gir:
. “But,” he added, a now we shall have to
change e our
replied d Jack.
“ Wht shall we do now? Certainly we
did not anticipate this change in the king’s
plans,” sai
“Listen !” ansivered Girard.
All were sii
whee French sailor went on speaking ina
eS
When’ he paused Jack said:
“Your new plan is a desperate one,
“True, but desperate situations deman
desperate action,” answered
‘That's so. I am for trying your new
plan,” said Ben
“So am I,” Jack assented.
“Then no time is to be lost, See, the
guards of the king are going to the house
of his wives,” answered
“No doubt they are aime to bring Mil-
dred forth to become the wife of Kala,”
said Jack, shuddering.
. “That's it. The king just ordered the
guards’ to > bring the white girl to him,” said
oba,
Jack suddenly leveled his revolver at
King Kal
‘The savage king had ascended to his
throne agai
It was elevated, so that Jack had a clear
aim at him over the heads of the snrround-
ing ista: anders,
*T believe I could send a bullet through |
Kala’s heart from here,” said th 1
fiercely.
Girard grasped his arn
“You must not do that,” saidhe. “We
havea deep game to play here. Kala must
live until he can be slain in the wager of
battle, The one who thus kills him after
leading the warriors to victory will
made king of the island. _ My friend, one
of us three whites must yet become king
of this island,” said Girard.
Thus he revealed a knowledge of the
customs of the strange people, such as
Roba and Moa had made known to Jack,
‘ol
Mean bile Girard had taken the pack
from his
Opening it, he took out the white robe
and the mask in which he bad appeared on
the Biountain as the great ghost.
moments the cunning sailor
was attired { in his long robe, and the white
mask covered his face.
At that moment old Ben exclaimed, in a C
low voice:
“ There she comes!”
All looked as he pointed,
hey saw Bix of the King's guards ap-
proach ing | the e great sqnar
served hat the warriors
were ‘marching Mildred Hotwees je
*N jet everyone do his duty when
the time for action comes, as it must now
oon come,” said Jack, in tones of intense
excitemen
on came the guards with Mildred.
he whites saw that re oor g girl looked
t!
halt dead with terror and
eo” k longed to rush upon her “dusky es-
erat he restrained the impulse,
And suddenly the white-robed figure of
Girard moved awa
Presently the warriors who escorted
itr’ brought her before the savage
They matched into the open space before
the throne,
At that momentas Kala arose, once more
an awful yell resounde
The succeeding instant the. white-robed
“ST HAP?Y
figure of the French sailor suddenly burst
into the open s
e had crepe up ‘beside a bamboo fence,
until he reached a break in the ranks of
the crowd of savag
Through this he Suddenly rushed,
“The great pho ghost of the fire mountain !”
screame:
They fell away, from him i in terror,
With a revolver: that was hidden under
his Jong, white robe, Girard instantly shot
down two of the warriors who held Mil-
"The rep reports sounded like thunder to the
awe
v The | pied ghost is angry, and he will
destroy your people and all your island!
‘The fire mountain shall send forth death
to all!” shouted Girard, as he reached the
side of Mildred.
then he ed:
*“ The great ghost claims the white maid-
en. Let bim take her to his home in the
center of the Hike mountain, O, Kala, an
he will spare you and your people, If you
try to stop him, dread is anger
for the moment the terror which the
sudden and, to them, mysterious death of
the warriors whom Girard had slain, and
the threatening words of the white man,
seemed to enthrall the savage king and his
dusky subjects, and aring sailor
started to lead Mildred away.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE FLIGHT OF THE RESCUE PARTY.
Bor the kingcould not bear the thought
of losing the beautiful white maiden upon
whom he had set hi8 hea’
uddenly he secined ‘to regain some
courage, and he sbo'
“Patra, war chief, of Bamapo, close in
with your warriors! Let not the great
ghost escape, unless he can prove that he
sa greater god than Kala and fly through
t
The war ghict addressed was really the
bravest of all warriors.
feared to disobey the mandate of his’ royal
master,
So he called to his chosen band of picked
men, and they began to close P to over-
power Girard and stay his flight.
Meantime, Jack and his companions
had watched the exciting drama in sus-
ensi
“ Now we must act. You all know what
todo!” said Jack, as caus warriors be-
gan to close in about ge rare
Bang! Bang
At that criteal instant, when the fore-
most of Patra’s warriors were pretty near
him, Girard’s revolver exploded thrice in
swift succe
This time. he drew the weapon out from
under his long, white robe,
He shot down three warriors who barred
way.
The great ghost uses the thunder and
the lightning to strike his enemies
shouted. in the language of Bamapo,
ow a howling “mob was “nM round
ad, him ¢ and the girl he meant to save.
It seemed that the brave sailor was
doomed to be slain, and that Mildred must
meet the fate which Kala had decreed.
But at that juncture Jack ard his fol-
lowers: Saddeniy charged fo the rescue,
The brave lad and his sailor comrade
be | poured a perfect fusillade of f pistol shots in-
to the ranks of the island savages,
wie d Roba and the other three natives
moment, despite the fact that Patrastrove
to make them stand their gro’ .
Girard was quick to take advantage of
the chance which the volley from the
weapons of his friends gave
Ile dashed toward ¢
Mildred ran at his
Terror lent her pea and strength,
With Girard she reached Jack’ and his
companions.
The next moment she sank half fainting
n the arms of the brave
* Quic Now for the mountain !"eried
rard,
A moment more and the rescuers were
s peed ing away.
nd ‘Ben carried Mildred between
them for a little distance,
was the islanders saw the great
t and his comrades running away
from ‘chem they se t upexultant shouts,
And King Kala called o
ag e, the great ghost hoes | He is no
god! Tie is onlyaman! Pursue him, my
children | Follow him to the mountain
“Rally, warriors | Follow Patra !” felted
he war ¢
Spo oke, he brandished his! long
spear and dashed after the tleeing ones,
The warriors oined in the pursuit.
A running fight ensued
From time to time the escaping ones
paused long enough to shoot down the
foremost of their pursuers,
At length the foot of the mountain was
almost reaches
en an alarming discovery was made.
Our friends suddenly saw a large band
the native warriors between them and
of
the retreat for which they were P making.
DAYS 7
nasbey, at once understood that this band
had made a detour from the village, with
tite urpose of cutting off their retreat.
shiver my toplights, shipmates, but
we're in a tight place now !" exclaimed old
Ben, as he saw the enemy at the foot of
the mountal
* Yes, With foes in the front of us as
well as jin the rear,’ our situation is desper-
ate indeed, ” said .
“Tru , but there i is only one course for
us now, ‘The mountain is the goal we
must wit,” cried Jack,
“Yes, yes !” exclaimed Girard,
se Forward !” shoute
ane brave little band “ad not hesitate
lon
Porward they charged, and the three
whites, who had just reloaded the re-
volvers, began to fire "e the enemy that
barred their way to the fire mountain.
ut a shower of arrows was discharged
at them by the foe, and Girard was slight-
ly wounded in the left hand,
e savages could not stand before the
deadly ¥: volley of bullets, however.
the band, led by Sack, charged
¢| straight. at them, the savages broke and
ed. -
A moment later the whites had won tne
way to the pathway of black lava.
Aringing et cheer burst from their throats.
Jack Ben assisted Mildred, and up
the steep mountain side they went.
Girard and the iriendly natives held the
rear and followed t!
Patra and his ‘varclors halted at the foot
oft the mountain under some overhanging
Ow
“e en got, the rascals just where I want |.
them now, ” Girard called out to Jack,
Andas he spoke he left the. path way
which he wes ascen ting.
ooking back, Jac and Ben saw Girard
glide behind the Jack and Be bowlders,
next moment he set his broad shoul-
ers against one of the great rocks,
It was nicely balanced on the very edge
of the ledge.
Suddenly Girard put forth all his sur-
prising Girenst th and down crashed the
great ro
re fel’ among Patra’s m
ral were crushed to death under it.
The others fled pell-mell,
“So will the great ghost serve all who
ry to aseend his mountain, The rocks
shall descend upon them and fire shall pour
forth upon them!” cried Girard in the
language of the islanders,as he appeared
upon the ledge from which he had dis-
lodged the bow Ider,
The savages saw
And to their eyes "he must have pre-
sented an imposing and awe-inspiring
8
Tre stood there still robed in white, his
form outlined against the black rocks, and
indeed he looked like some weird priest
calling down an invocati
While Girard followed with the friendly
natives, Hack and Ben continued upward
with Mildre
n y Soon arrived at the sheltered
pievean before the cave of the hermit cast-
&
“The latter and the four natives soon
joined Jack and his companion on the
ateau,
Then a conversation ensued between
them, and Mildred was driefly made ac-
quainted with the remarkable story of
elix Girard.
Then Jack related how he had found out
the awful meaning o: e native word
krong, and Girard told Mildred that the
slanders were the most -Dloodthirsty can-
nibals of the South Sea:
“We must escape trom the island !” said
the young girl. ‘Surely, you brave men,
who so heroically rescued me from over-
whelming numbers of the enemy can find
a way! to take our boat or a canoe from
a ‘The thing shall be tried,” said Jack.
“But we know all the native canoes
and our boat are in a sort of harbor up the
stream, near which we landed, and thata
and force of natives guard the craft day
hight, ” Old Ben remarke
Dela: ays are dangerous. Let is try to
pete a boat as soon as possible,” said Jack,
without heeding Ben.
“ We cannot put to sea without a good
supply of food and water. Even if we se-
cure a boat, we must in advance make
preparations for provisioning it,” said
“ That is true,” assented Jack. “AndI
propose that we send our native allies to
gather provisions, and conceal them where
we can get them on the bank of the
stream in which our boat and the canoes
are kep
“ hark !" exclaimed Girard just then,
All listened eagerly.
x
>
, CHAPTER XV.
THE COMING OF THE INVADERS.
PRESENTLY all -the listeners on the pla-
teau of the fire mountain heard a distant
tumult of sounds from the direction of the
native village.
Going through the narrow pass which
led to the observation ledge beyond it, all
looked eagerly and anxiously in the direc-
tion of King Kala’ 's strongho
They were unable to discover the cause
of, the tumult i in fhe village, however,
“* But Girard said:
“Tt is no ordinary cause that has occa-
sioned the present excitement in the native
town, Iam su
“Ah! there “oes the tom-toms!” ex-
clamed Jack.
As he spoke the war drums began to
sound in the village.
“Oh, white master!” cried Roba, ad-
dressing. Tacks, “*it is the alarm of the ene-
py! It must’ be that the lookout men
have again sighted the war canoes of the
ai a men—the enemies of Bamapo
‘ll wager that Roba-is right.” said
2,
“Good! Ifthe Maqua men come they _
may unwittingly ogcasion a diversion in
our favor,” replie c
* Yes, if the enemies of King Kala make
a landing and a battle ensues, all the war-
riors will be called, to help repulse the
foe,” assented Gir
“Then will be our "chance to secure our
oat,” cried o
Bat Girard looked at Jack, and said:
8
island—the possession of which by you as
kin will insure our safety ?”
ready for anything that promises,
0 save "Miss Mildred.”
“Good! Then ‘we will be guided by
events, and if fortune favors us we may
st the throne from King
Mildred had listened to a this in sur-
not compre-
hend |) how you can hope to depose King
“T willexplain,” Jack made reply,
He explained what Roba had to! ne bim in
regard to the manner in wbich an old king
could be superseded by a ne
“And so if one of us could. lead the men
of Bamapo to victory, when Kala has
shirked the duty of leading his warriors in
Becoms , you see the successful leader might
eeome king if he could slay Kalain single
‘the wager of battle,’ as it is
termed, ” the lad continued,
le the castaways remained on the
observation ledge the dawn of anew day
Wien the sun shone upon the sea the:
swept the shining waste of waters wit
eager, searching eyes,
And very soon a great fleet of war
canoes, a crowded pith warriors who
very nearly resembled the Bamapo men,
was Seen of to the south of the island.
t fleet of King Kala's hereditary
foes from ‘the island of Maqua had come at
ast.
a probably they had been near the island —
for some time, and no doubt they would
now attempt to land.
At s_time, in “the chief village of
Bamapo, King Kala had all his warriors
under a
The King's lookout men had brought the
news of the coming of the
the preceding night, ata
castaways on the fire mountain heard the
sounds of distant tumult in the village,
King Kala was much surprised.
That the enemy should have reappeared
again so soon after the passage of the cy-
clone, which he supposed must have de-
stroyed the Magua flotilla or driven it
back, amazed IX _ hh
ny truth was, the ce: clone had ni
struck the fleet of the Maqua men cauane
ly, They had only encountered,the outer
edge of the storm,
Though they were driven back toward
their own land, few of their cannon were
st .
soon as the cyclone had passe
the ‘Maqua fleet proceeded toward Paneeds
See resent expedition was the strongest
one that the Maqua king had ever organ-
ized for the invasion of Bama po, and he
counted almost certainly upon defeating —
his ancient enemies,
But to return to our white friends,
As they continued to watch the canoes
of the enemies of Bamapo, the latter were
seen to Advance.
usky men in each canoe bent t
their paddles, and sent the gr
on toward the island, great war craft
ndas the fleet advanced, the M:
men made the air echo, and re-echo witha ha
strange war chant, which was sounded by
rete of voic
‘They are Inaking for the largest open-
ng in the coral wall beyond the lagoon
that surrounds the island,” said Girard,
erat saw that this was true,
And while they continued to observe the”
movement, ; ingular scene, which they
could not w tness, was in
native villag ge progress in the
ng gesembled bis fghti:
King Kala had n his war ne tore
and placed himseitat the head of ieee
riors,
tse
Sa Aree ge