www.freeclassicebooks.com

invention; but lately the prey had become wary, and even the fish seemed less

plentiful. After two days of fruit diet, Byrne announced his intention of

undertaking a hunting trip upon the mainland.

A mess of venison wouldn't taste half bad," he remarked.

Yes," cried the girl, "I'm nearly famished for meat--it seems as though I could

almost eat it raw."

"I know that I could," stated Billy. "Lord help the deer that gets within range of

this old gat of Theriere's, and you may not get even a mouthful--I'm that hungry

I'll probably eat it all, hoof, hide, and horns, before ever I get any of it back here

to you."

"You'd better not," laughed the girl. "Good-bye and good luck; but please don't go

very far--I shall be terribly lonely and frightened while you are away."

Maybe you'd better come along," suggested Billy.

No, I should be in the way--you can't hunt deer with a gallery, and get any."

Well, I'll stay within hailing distance, and you can look for me back any time

between now and sundown. Good-bye," and he picked his way down the bank

into the river, while from behind a bush upon the mainland two wicked, black

eyes watched his movements and those of the girl on the shore behind him while

a long, sinewy, brown hand closed more tightly upon a heavy war spear, and steel

muscles tensed for the savage spring and the swift throw.

The girl watched Billy Byrne forging his way through the swift rapids. What a

mighty engine of strength and endurance he was! What a man! Yes, brute! And

strange to relate Barbara Harding found herself admiring the very brutality that

once had been repellent to her. She saw him leap lightly to the opposite bank,

and then she saw a quick movement in a bush close at his side. She did not

know what manner of thing had caused it, but her intuition warned her that

behind that concealing screen lay mortal danger to the unconscious man.

Billy!" she cried, the unaccustomed name bursting from her lips involuntarily.

In the bush at your left--look out!"

At the note of warning in her voice Byrne had turned at her first word--it was all

that saved his life. He saw the half-naked savage and the out-shooting spear arm,

and as he would, instinctively, have ducked a right-for-the-head in the squared

circle of his other days, he ducked now, side stepping to the right, and the heavy

weapon sped harmlessly over his shoulder.

116

The Mucker