The morning call., 1891-07-26

Barker had not noticed any Of these ac-
counts? They must also know that Mrs.
Allaire had been enriched by the death of
her uncle. Edward Manson, and that she
was now in position TO help them. And
yet neither one of them had maze any at
tempt to open correspondence with Molly,
although their situation could not be other
wise than precariOuS.
January, February, March had gone by,
and 1t began to look as if 1882 would slip
away without bringing about any change in
the situation, when something happened
which really seemed likely to throw light
upon the mysterious disappearance of the
clipper ship. On March 9th the steamer
Golden Gate, on which Zach French had
shipped as cUmWuu seaman, entered the bay
of San Francisco after a cruise OF several
years in European waters. The moment
Mrs. Alaire heard of this arrival she wrote
TO Zach French, who had been promoted to
bOatswain, requesting him to call upon her
at San Diego As French was c0ntem-
plating trip to his native town for the pur-
pose of enjoying few months rest, lie re-
piled that he would start for San Diego as
soon as he could procure leave, and would
upon reaching that city at once present him
self at Prospect Cottage. 1t would possibly
be matter OF several days.
In the meantime rumor became current,
which, should it meet with confirmation,
was qualified to create sensation through
out the length and breadth of the land. 1t
was alleged that the Golden Gate had
picked up bit OF wreck which in all lkeli-
hood belonged 10 the Inflated Dreadnaught.
A San Francisco paper reported that the
Golden Gate mad come upon this fragment
to the north of Australia, in latitudes lying
between the Timor Sea and the Sea of
Arafoura. off the Island of Melville, to the
west of Torres Strait.
The moment this news had been received
at San Diego, Mr.. HOLSTER and Captain
Willis, whom it had reached by Telegraph,
hastened to Prospect Cottage. At the first
mention of the subject Mrs. AIlaire turned
very pale, but she recovered herself in a
moment.
Now that we have come upon this
trace" she cried out in tone of absolute
conviction, 1--WE shall fluid the Dreadnaught
and after the ship has been found We shall
find John and his com panions."
The truth is the finding OF this bit OF the
wreck was matter Of great Importance. 1t
was the first time that fragment of the lost
vessel had come to light. Now. when Mrs.
Allaire betook herself 30 the region in which
the disaster had been located, she would
have in her possession a ring Of that chain
which held the past bound to the present.
a map of Oceanica was at once sent for.
and Mr.. HOLSTER and Captain Willis were
requested to enter upon the consideration of
a new route, to be followed by the Molly's
Hope on her next cruise.
Then you incline TO think, Captain"
said Mr.. Hollister, that the Dreadnaught
did not endeavor to reach Singapore by
| crossing the Philippines and MALAYSIA"
81 dc" replied Willis; :" to my mind it's
improbable; yes, impossible"
But, assuming that she did take that
route" pursued HOLSTER, "how comes it
that this piece of the wreck should have
been found in the Arafoura Sea to the north
of Melville Island?"
81 can't understand it. can't explain
it," ed Willis. "All that I can say
is that the Dreadnaught was seen off the
southwest coast Of Celebes Island, after she
had passed the Strait of Macassar. Now,
if she entered this strait she did so from the
north, and not from the east, and hence
could not have come in through Torres
Strait"
This question was discussed at consider
able length, and il ended in the acceptance
Of Captain Wills views.
Mrs. Alaire had listened in silence to
this discussion, but her knitted brows ind-
Gated with what tenacity, what persistency
she clung to her belief that John and his
companions were still among the living
No; she was determined to stand steadfast
until actual proofs Of the death should be
furnished her.
Il agree with you, my dear Willis" cried
Andrew HOLSTER, shat the Dreadnaught
on her way to Singapore crossed the Java
Sea-"
Part of the way, at least. Mr.. Hollister,
for 1t was between Singapore and Celebes
That's so, but still how was it possible
for this piece Of the wreck to drift as far as
the Australian coast if the Dreadnaught
went to pieces on some reef in the Java
Sea?"
There is only one way to explain it," re-
piled Captain Willis, land that Is by assum-
ing that this fragment of the chip was drawn
through Lombock or some other one of the
straits which connect the waters north of
these islands with the Timor and Arafoura
seas"
"Do the currents set in that way?"
Yes, Mr.. HOLSTER, and | would 20 so
far as to say that the Dreadnaught, after
having been dismantled in tornado, NAV
have been sucked into one Of these straits
and finally been cast on some reef north of
the Australian coast"
You're right, my dear Willis" cried An
drew HOLSTER, tits the only reasonable
hypothesis, and the conclusion is irresistible
that If fragment of the wreck has been
picked up to the north of Melville Island
six years after the disaster, it must have
been recently detached from the reefs on
which the clipper ship went to pieces"
This explanation was qualified to carry
conviction to the mind of any intelligent
seaman.
Since 1t is more than likely" added Mrs.
Allaire, whose gaze still remained riyeted
upon the map unrolled before her, THAT the
Dreadnaught was driven ashore on the coast
OF Australia, and since none of the ship
wrecked crew have made their appearance
here or elsewhere, it follows that they are
held prisoners"