Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-11-25
CHAPTER XIV
rr-r a-r.n-

Two letters had been received from
Capt. Willis since the sailing OF the
MoIly's Hope. The first reported their
fruitless search among the passages OF
the Torres strait and as far as the
outer edge of the Arafoora sea The
second made known the fact that Mel
vile and bathurst islands had yielded
up no trace of the Dreadnaught There
upon, Mrs. Allaire had been notified
that the steamer would follow the Tim
or sea and so reach the western coast
of Auatralia, where the search would
be continued among the different aruhi-
pelagoes adjacent to that coast. after
which the Molly's Hope would sail for
home, but not, however, until she had
ransacked the smaller islands and ex-
hausted every hope of finding some new
evidence of the life or death OF Capt
John and his companions.
BY the end Of February, however. Mr..
Hollister began 70 be Of the opinion that
the second expedition was being greatly
prolonged Every day people could be
seen on their way TO Island point In
hopes the steamer would make her ap-
pearance in the oflng. As far
as they could see her, with
out waiting for her To display her
number. the sailors Of San Diego would
recognize her by the cut of her jib, just
rs one can tell q Frenchman from
German, or even an American from an
Englishman- Finally, on March %,
the Molly's Hope hove in sight about
nine miles out, steaming along under
full headway before a fresh north
wester. Before one o'clock she had
entered the narrows and anchored just
inside the bay. The news had spread
rapidly through the city. and crowds OF
people had gathered at different points.
some on the wharfs, some off Island
point and some on Iona point Mrs
Allaire and Andrew Hollistcr, together
with several friends, in their haste To
communicate with the steamer, had
taken n tug and were already under
way a strange presentiment had come
upon the crowd. and as the tug steamed
by not a cry went up. They seemed 10
have concluded that II Capt. Willis had
succeeded upon this second expedition
the news OF his success would have
been known everywhere by this time
Twenty minutes later, the tug bear
ing Mrs. Allairc, Mr.. Hollister and their
friends came up along side the steamer.
In "A moment or so they had learned the
results Of the expedition. II was in the
western part of Timor sea on Browse
island that the Dreadnaught had gone
20 pieces There IL was that the sur
vivors OF the wreck had taken refuge
and there IL was that they had met
the death.
"AIl?" whispered Mrs. Allaire.
"Au," said Capt Willis
A terrible feeling of sorrow and de-
spair came upon the people as she
Molly's Pope, with her colors draped
with Grape, steamed slowly in nearer
the city During the few moments that
Mrs. AIlaire and Andrew Hollister re-
mained on board, Capt. Willis had brief
ly made known 70 them the facts ~ the
wreck Of the Dreadnaught on Browse
island. II was decided 20 delay a report
OF the expedition until later After
pressing Willis and Frenchs hands,
Molly had walked toward the stern Of
the steamer and sat down lost in
thought, but, in spite Of these incontrO-
vertiblc proofs, not giving herself over
20 despair. still unwilling 70 consider
herself the widow Of John Allairc.
When the Moliy's Hope had taken up
her position nearer the city Mrs.
AIlaire reappeared amidship and ap-
preaching Capt. Willis begged him and
Mr.. Hollistcr and also Zach French %
meet her at her home that same day, at
a later hour A little before three the
men made their appearance ne Prospect
cottage and were received b. Mrs
AIlaire in the parlor on the ground floor.
Capt Willis" said she. after they
had taken their places around n table
upon which was unrollcd a map u
northern Australia, "bc pleased 20
make a report Of the expedition
Mrs. AIIafrr listened with the deepest
interest, uttering no word q comment,
with her clear and hopeful eyes riveted
upon the speaker. As the captain in
his report entered upon the portion re
latiug % Browse island she insisted
upon the greatest particularly.
Capt. Willis, drawing from his pocket
a medallion tarnished by EiamPucss-
placed IL ia her outstretchefl hand 10
contained a portrait - Molly, a photo
graphic miniature now almost faded
out. She had given IL % John on the
sailing Of the Dreadnaught, and IL had
been found by Willis men Ia corner
of the cave upon a second examination
OF the place. II this silent witness tes-
tilted 10 the presence - Capt John
among the survivors, was not The con
ciusiou inevitable that he had pcrishcd
with the others from want and cx-
Posure?