The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-04-19
Gales of the Sra.
THE ISLAND MYSTERY.
ny ARTHUR L. MEsERvE.

The United States sloOp of war, Victory,
Capt Granger commanding, was moving
slowly along beneath the influence of a
light breeze, in the far Indian ocean,
The Victory had been stationed there
but short time, and the novelty Of their
position had not yet worn off, either to Of.
fcers or men.
Thus far they experienced nothing but
the delights Of the station, with none of its
drawbacks.
The sea had been as calm and delightful
as an inland lake, and the islands which
ever and anon they visited, were to them
like so many miniature Paradises.
No sickness as yet had come among
them, and the fierce typhoon had not
threatened to send the gallant sloop to the
bottom.
From the captain down to the smallest
midshipman, all were contented, and looked
forward to good deal Of pleasure in the
endless summer which stretched out before
them. To only one on board the sloop
did their position bring gloomy thoughts
This was none other that Captain Granger
himself
A few years before, the treacherous seas
which now lay so smiling about them, had
robbed him of all he held the most dear in
the world
His wife and child had been on their
return home in mcrchantman, from
where he had left them, and the vessel
had foundered and gone down beneath the
treacherous waves.
Only half-dozen from the whole crew
had escaped to tell the tale of their mishap
The rest had met watery grave.
In small boat they had been dashed
about ut the mercy of the waves for many
hours, and then more dead than alive they
bad been thrown upon small island, from
which they had been rescued by passing
vessel several months afterwards.
This had chanced three years before,
and now as Captain Granger found his
vessel plowing the same waters, the
thought of his loved ones was ever upper
most in his mind, and often he found him
self imagining that he was sailing above
the coral grave in which they were resting
These constant thoughts gave a sad cast
to his countcnance and il was apparent to
both officers and men that thoughts of the
past were ever uppermost in his mind.
They had heard the story of his loss,
and time and again II was repeated through
the ship.
On the particular day in which our sto'
ry opens, the Captain CHANGED to be in the
cabin, while on deck was his first officer
in charge.
As We have said, the sea was almost
unrufiied for only slight breeze was
blowing, while the sun was shining bright.
ly in the heavens above.
With his sword drawn in his hand, the
first officer, Lieut.. Carter, paced up and
down the deck, dividing his thoughts be-
tween his duty, and those dear to him,
whom he had left at home,
From this occupation he was startled by
n cry from a young midshipman, who was
standing near
What do you mean by this putcryY'
demanded the officer, stepping up to him
The youth pointed away towards small
island which uprose from the water some
half league distant. 1t appeared to be
nothing but high mass of barren rocks
which had been upheaved by some great
conyulsion Of nature.
There is some one on the rock yonder,
sir, he said, touching his hat to his suPe-
rior officer,-'and they are making signs
to attract our attention.
"In which direction? | do not see
them
'Yonder, high on the highest edge OF
the cliff. When | saw them first, thought
they were huge birds resting there but
now | can see that they are human be-
ings."
1You are right" said the officer. Il
see them now, and they are making Signals
20 us. Go to the cabin and summon the
captain. This matter must be attended
to. It may be that there are some poor
ship-wrcckcd beings there.
Waltar rscyw;na for this was the youth