Part 44 (1/2)

Civilization places the teh the o for four or five days without anything to eat and see what happens The organ is vulgar, but its voice is loud I need not na two more of the creatures at his heels In half an hour there were a dozen of thee of the water

”That's all,” he announced, panting heavily from his exertions ”The rest have taken to the woods, which, I iht to see our friend--the one who couldn't make his eyes behave They've eaten hi beast He didn't have a bone in him--all crumpled up like an accordion Utterly spineless”

”And who, in the na to eat all that?” I derinned

”I don't knoas so excited at the very idea of a square ers for a fire and some salt Just a nickel's worth of salt Now, you lie down and sleep while I cut these things up, and then I'll take a turn at it ht ently as possible that I ainst

I akened by Harry's hand tugging atI had slept

”Six or seven hours,” said Harry ”I waited as long as I could Keep a lookout”

Desiree stirred uneasily, but see my eyes The heap of bodies had disappeared; no wonder Harry was tired! I reproached ed himself a bed that was really coreat stuff,” I heard him murmur wearily; then all was still

I sat motionless, stiff and nu Desiree

Presently she stirred again, and, bending over her, I saw her eyes slowly open They aze--she was still half asleep

”Is that you, Paul?” she lad I seem to feel--what is it?”

”I don't know, Desiree What do you ood--to have you hold me like this”

”Yes?” I smiled

”But, yes Where is Harry?”

”Asleep Are you hungry?”

”Yes--no Not now I don't knohy I want to talk What has happened?”

I told her of everything that had occurred since she had swooned; she shuddered as ot herself in my attempt at a humorous description of Harry's valor as a hunter of food

”You don't need to turn up your nose,” I retorted to her expressive grimace; ”you ate some of the stuff yourself”

There was a silence; then suddenly Desiree's voice came:

”Paul--” She hesitated and stopped