The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-16

vivor of the wreck of the Dreadnaught.
What would there be 10 guide these intrepid
searchcrs when once the extreme outer line
of hamlet and isolated ranch had been
passed aud nothing remained but the vague
indications obtained at Harry SheltOn's
death-bed? In her interview with the
Governor General Mrs. Allaire had been
called upon to answer this supposition, to
wit: How was it possible that Captain John.
during the nine long years that he had
been held a prisoner by these savageS.
had never found an opportunity to make
his escape? Mrs. Aliaire's answer had been
specific and to the point. According to the
testimony of Shelton, during all this long
term If years but one single opportunity of
escape had presented Itself 10 the captain
and his mate-an opportunity which Allaire
had not been able to take advantage Of As
TO the other argument that IL was not the
custom Of SGvageS 70 respect the lives of
their prisoners, the TACT remained that they
had done So as testified to by Harry Shell
ton, as his return alive irretutably proved.
Besides there was case exactly in point,
the case of the explorer and pathfinder
William CiasSen, who had now been miss
ing for thirty -hve years, aud who was still
believed to be held prisoner by one OF the
tribes Of Northern Australia. This was, in
truth, exactly the case of Captain John,
since, outside OF mere speculation, there was
the positive declaration of Harry Shelton.
Other explorers, too, had failed to make
their way back after once plunging inte the
depths Of these vast wilderneSses, but there
was no proof that they had been slain by
the savages.
The train dashed past the smaller stations,
leaving the bow-shaped Lake Torrens on its
left and coming in sight of the peaks of the
Flinders Range. The weather was warm
the same temperature that is met with dur
ing March IN countries of the Northern
Hemisphere traversed by the thirtieth paral-
lei, such as AlgierS, Mexico, or Cochin
China IEPTP a threat 0f thn
atmosphere, even of one of those violent
thunder-Storms which the expedition would
long for in vain when once it had en-
tered upon the plains OF the inte-
rior. Under such circumstances was it
| that the train bearing Mrs. Allaire
steamed into FariDa Town, the terminal
| station OF the road, at o'clock in the after
noon Zach French and his men were wait
| Ing, and as Molly stepped from her compart-
ment they lifted their caps into tie air aud
sent up hearty cheer. The shaggy brows
| OF the honest old sailor were knit together
upon first catching sight of Godfrey by
Molly's side. but when he saw the trans
formation which had taken place in the
sailor lad and noted his Intelligence and
gallant bearing as he swung his rifle across
his shoulder and aided Mrs. Allaire to
alght upon the platform, his heart shed
It's wrinkles and he graSped the lad Cor
daily by the hand, welcoming him as one of
the band of Searchers. But how great was
his joy at finding himself again in the pres
ence Of his loved mistress. For twelve days,
twelve long days, he had not seen Captain
| Johns wife. Such thing had not hap
| pened to him since the last return of the
| Molly's Hope to San Diego. Molly herself
| was delighted to meet her faithful friend
| and servtOr again, whose devotion to her
boTdered upon venerati0n, and she pressed
| his hand warmly and rewarded him by a
| smile as sweet as 1t was pronounced and
long continued. Zach could hardly believe
his 1t tho first SIOilp ha nod
seen on that beautiful face since she
! stepped on board the steam launch years
| ago! he was almost startled by it. Was it
| good or bad omen Had the captain s
wife slipped from that lofty standard of
| solemn and religious devotion TO the grea t
task of her life? And Immediately his
| thoughts reverted to the handsome lad
standing by her side, and his shaggy brows
| drew darkly together again and his brOnZed
| lace took on look of almost wrath. Was
not his noble mistress weakening under this
sailor boys influence? Would she not,
| after few hundred miles had been put be-
| hind them, become sOft-hearted, irritable
and Respondent, like any ordinary woman,
| and fret over and com plain of the hardships
| OIL Inc journey across these arid plains?
| He feared so. he greatly feared so, and
| turned away lest the captains wife might
read these misgivings in his countenance.
Tom Marks and Zach French had done
| their work well. Everything was in readi-
touched when, upon making personal ex-
animation of the long line of pack-wagons,
her eyes rested upon seaman's chest bear
ing upon one end the words: Captain John
Alalre. She turned with parted lips and
| fearful eyes n9uiringly toward Zach.
An outfit for Captain john" said Zach
| in a low to >e Of voice
Molly could make no reply, but she
| reached out and took the sailors hard.
| rough hand tenderly within hers.
| Mrs. Allaire," said Marks, $50 long as
| we follow the government roads the country
| VIII furnish US with all the forage we need
| Tor our cattle, but when we enter the wilder
| ness 1t Will be necessary to abandon our
| horses and oxen and replace them by
| pack and saddle csAels; these we have
| already sent on ahead The wells in these
| vast arid tracts are often days apart and it
| would be impossible for US to make our way
from one station to another except by the
use of camels"
L have complete confidence i'm your skill
ana experience as a pathfinder, Colonel
Marks, replied Molly. Il understand that
we are to exchange our horses and oxen for
camel train at Alice Springs Station"
=, frecisely. madam, answered Marks,
ana the moneot YOU have sufficiently re-
covered from the fatigue of your long rail
way ride, you may give us the signal to
break away, for everything is in readiness
even 10 the motto painted upon our pack
wagons. No Step Backward
a LIANT smile spread over M0lly's face as
she bent her shapely head in acknowledg.
ment oil this thoughtful bit Of sentiment
Move at once, then. Colonel Marks" she
cried ont caeeriiy; 'if too late to-day, let 1t
be at sunrise tom orrow"
arb hnt,, t.