Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

TEE CEILD CBUSOES 55 turned away, hand in hand, to face what life on the island had for them. The ensuing days dragged wearily by. The little castaways cautiously explored the island from end to end. Within its small area there was not a living soul beside themselves. They ran across some rabbits and sea-birds, and, in a narrow but deep stream that flowed from a spring in the woods, Jack discovered fish. "Oh, look!" he cried, excitedly. "See those fish! If I only had a hook!" But the lack of a hook did not long remain an obstacle. Hadn't he read of people who speared fish ? Straightway he made himself a spear, and many a meal it brought to the rude table in the woods. There were several banana and cocoanut palms in the jungle, so one big fear was disposed of — there was no danger of their starving to death. During the months that slipped by these little dwellers in the woods managed to put up a leafy bower, modeled after Robinson Crusoe's. And they went about their several daily tasks with the seriousness and thoroness of grown-ups. Jack fished and trapped and hunted. His was the responsibility of the provider. And the little girl's attitude was that of the staid helpmeet, whose duty it was to keep the hut tidy and prepare the meals. Tho their existence had settled into a routine, they never allowed a day to pass without searching the horizon for a sail. Six months had gone by without their vigilance bringing them any message from the outside world. " I 'm going over to the beach, ' ' announced Jack one morning. "Do you want to come along?" "No, I think I'll stay home this time and fix that rabbit you got yesterday. ' ' ' ' All right. I '11 be back soon. ' ' Taking his gun, he started on his inspection tour. Emerging from the woods upon the beach, he was astounded to see embers of a recent fire. But his astonishment gave way to fear when he picked up a spearhead. With a terrified glance about him, he tore back to the hut. "May!" he gasped, dragging her from the fire, where she was urging the kettle to boil, "we are not alone on the island! Look! I found this on the beach, and they had made a fire — and they must be prowling around — and thev may be cannibals!" As he stopped for breath, May asked piteously, ' ' What shall we do ? " "We must get out of here and hide in the woods ! ' ' Putting out the fire and running from the hut took but a moment. They were soon in the thick underbrush. They heard the tread of feet and the sound of bodies forcing a way thru the bushes; then a band of savages swept by their hiding-place. The panic-gripped children clung to each other. When the branches had closed behind the band, Jack whispered : "Now we'll sneak out of here and get over there on the hillside, among the rocks and bushes. They'll never find us there." "All right," she whispered back; "let's hurry!" They were creeping out from among the clump of bushes, when the branches in front of them parted, and they found themselves face to face with an evil-looking savage. They stood stockstill, petrified with fear. The spell was broken when the hideous creature raised his spear threateningly. Before he could hurl it, Jack had pulled the trigger of his gun. The act had been involuntary, instinctive, and, as the savage crashed to the earth with a gaping wound in his chest, the boy stared transfixed, aghast at what he had done. A shriek from May jerked his thoughts from the dead man. "They are coming back!" she screamed. Grasping the girl's hand. Jack dragged her thru the bushes. Falling on hands and knees, they crept thru spaces where the savages could not follow. On and on they went, keeping ahead of the pursuers, tearing