Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/23

 proach from the interior; the only road over which the enemy could come. This ran dead against a big white cliff, and then swung sharp to the west and made a bee-line to the beach. Tib deployed the native troops far out beyond the cliff, with instructions to hike back to the hotel if they scented the foe. In a casual way he led them to believe that they wouldn't have to do much fighting. Just take prisoners after the new President had shaken a little parlor-magic out of his cuff. This pleased them immensely, and they said we were their saviors, Jupiter Stators, and all that kind of stuff. But we were in a very disagreeable situation. The warm climate didn't make the 'Gazelle' rags so bad for the girls, and we men knew we could get used to our make-up after a while. But only a narrow strip of beach separated us from the sharks, and Tib and his picture-game from the dusky triflers in front. However, it was grin and bear it, and we were there to tote the machine and fixings up to a point near the white cliff.

"No one troubled us that night, but on the next a horrible screeching aroused us from uneasy slumbers, and when the pirate and I got down into the open we could just catch a glimpse of Tib's armor twinkling in the moonlight far ahead.

"'Bring your shepherd's horn, Rupert,' cried