The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-02
CHAPTER XIV--CoNTIyUED.

ShVouds TO take n look at the lay of the reefs
himself. When in n position to verify the
report of the man at the masthead French
discovered that there was a low line OF
rocky formation about six miles ahead on
the port quarter. 1t was, strictly speaking
neither a rock nor a shoa, hut an islet, with
a shelving ridge, which had been sighted to
the northwest. Considering the distance it
was safe to assume that this was an isle of
some extent if the visible line was that of
its width.
In few moments Zach French returned
and made his report to Captain Willis, who
gave orders to change the steamers course
so as TO bring her nearer this island.
Upon taking the midday observation
Captain Willis found the position of his YES
sci 140 Z south latitude and 1882 IS longi-
tude east from Greenwich, which was duly
entered in the log. This point having been
fixed upon the ships chart, it was found TO
coincide with the location of an island deS-
ienated by modern geOgraphers as Browse
Island, and situated about 80 miles from
York Sound on the Australian coast.
AS this island lay but very little out OF his
course. Captain Willis determined to coast
around II, but without any intention of
making stop. An hour later the M0ly's
Hope had run mp 10 within mile of Browse
Island.
There was rather heavy sea running and
dashing noisiy against the northeast point
of the island. which il kept enveloped in the
mist of the breakers. Nor was it possible
to form a close estimate of the size of the
island, as Captain Willis had not come full
upon 1t, but enough could be seen OF its con-
formation 10 show it 10 be an unduating
plateau without any considerable TiSe of
ground. But as he had no time to lose, Cap
tain Willis was about to give the order to
- ahead again, full speed, which had been
somewhat slackened down, when Zach
French called his attention to something on
the point of the island.
Look, captain" said he, isn't that
mast standing on that point?"
The boatswain indicated the direction of
the cape which jutted out to the northeast
and terminated in rocky crest with a per-
pendicuar face.
g i mast. no; it only seems to me TO be
tie trunk Of tree" answered Willis, and
then reaching for his glass he took a closer
look at the object designated by French.
ou'r re right, Zach, it is mast and l
think ! can see scrap of flag torn By the
wind. Yes, it must be signal
- In that case we would do we'll to bear in
with the point"
i think so. too" replied Captain Willis,
and tie gave the order to bear for the island
Al half speed. This was done at once, and
the Molly's Hope began to approach the
reefs, which encircled the island about 800
p feet out. a violent sea was beating against
them, caused not only by the high wind
blowing. but also by the force of the current
which was driving the swell in that direc-
ton.
The character of the coast soon became
plainly visible. II was wild, barren and
desolate, with no traces of veTdure. On this
side of the island, however. there were no
signs Of pieces OF a wrecked vessel. no
ShredS OF rigging, no fragments of the hull.
Ihe StaH erected on the extreme end of the
promUntory might be made of piece of
. bowSprit AS to the shreds of bunting
which the wind was blowing out, it was i'm
possible to discern their color.
There are castaways there!' cried Zach
French.
''Or there have been! replied the mate.
There Is no doubt that some vessel has
run on this iSland,' said Captain Willis.
Yes, added the mate, land that the
crew Of some wrecked vessel have taken
refuge there, as testified by that signal yon-
der, and it may be they have not been able
~ get away. for it's rare that vessels bound
TOT 4 ustralla OF for the Indies pass within
sight of Browse Island"
L suppose you intend to go ashore cap
tain, asked Zach French.
Certainly, Zach, replied Willis, "but up
to this moment | haven't observed any point
where landing would be possible. Let us
coast around before we decide. If the ISL
and contains any castaways they will be
sure TO see us and hoist signal"
And if you don't see any one," asked
Zach, what will you DO then?"
I'VE snail attempt to make landing as
soon as po5olUIt, IepileO w HIS, even II
II turns out to be a desert island vet we
nav find some evidence of a wreck. and that
is n very important matter for u.s.
And who knows but" began Zach
you mean, Zach, that it is possible that
the Dreadnaught may have run upon this
island. quite OF the route which she was to
81 fnl0w?"
"Why not. captain?"
while it's extremely improbable" an
swered Captain Willis, that's no reason
vht- oh trx - L.
and get at the truth of the matter"
Browse Island Is about six or seven miles
in circumference, as was shown when the
Mnlly's Hope made the tour of it, but at 10
point on its shores was there anything like
a harbor or even an inlet in which the
steamer could take shelter for a few hours
1t was soon discovered that it would be
necessary TO lower away some of the steam
er's boats, and even then they had not as
yet come upon any safe landing place.
While searching the beach with his glass
Captain Willis finally discovered a break in
this precipit0uS shore line-a sort of cut
followed out OF the main body of the
island, through which a creek reached the
sea. After taking look at the place him
self Zach French ventured the opinion tina.
lie could make landing there. The coast
seemed to be less precipitous and its outline
was broken at rather sharp angle. There
was also narrow opening in the line of
reefs. evidenced by the absence of breakers
In short half hour the steam-launch was
lowered away. Captain Willis himself being
in command of it. With him were Zach
French aud others necessary to man the
launch Out of caution two rifles, two
hatchets and several revolvers were taken
along. During the captains absence the
mate was to keep the Molly's Hope in posi-
ton in the open roadstead and reply to any
signals which might be made.
At half-past / the s.eam-launeh put off
and headed for the shore, distant about a
mile. as she entered the narrow passage,
countless seafowls filled the air with shrili
cries. In few minutes the launch struck
gently on a sandy beach, pierced here and
there with pointed rocks. Captain Willis
with Zach and the two seamen landed at
once, leaving the boat in charge of the en-
Eineer and fireman with orders to keen
steam up. Passing through the gorge dow n
which the stream reached the sea, the four
men soon found themselves upon the island
ledge. Some hundred or more yards away
there was rocky elevation commanding a
view of the beach.
Willis and his men at once set out for this
point, and having scaled it with some diff
Guilty were enabled thus to get a complete
view of the island. In conformation it re-
semoled the shell Of huge tortoise. the
luttlng point representing the animals tail
In spots there were slight layers of sol
covering this body of the island. From the
top Of this high point Captain Willis and his
men bent their gaze in every direction. Nc
smoke went curling upward; no human
being showed himself The conclusion was
that If Browse Island had been inhabited,
and there could be no doubt of that, it was
very unlikely that 1t continued to be so.
" This Is a sorry place for castaways."
remarked Willis, 'if they were forced to
stay here for any length of time the mystery
is what they lived on"
Yes" answered French, sits nothing
but a bare table rock, with small clumI
OF trees here and there, and only a thin
layer of soil in places. But after all cast.
aways have no right to be hard to please A
bit of ground under your feet is better thar
a hole in the deep sea-
- At the. start, yes" replied Willis, "but
later on"
" Besides" added Zach, tits possible thai
the castaways who sought refuge on this
island were promptly taken off by some
passing vessel"
AS it is also quite possible that they all
peTlslp1 from hunper nd