Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-18

for, and Mr.. HOLSTER and Capt. Willis
were requested 10 enter upon the con-
sideration Of n 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 Dread
naught did not endeavor TO reach Singa-
pore by crossing the Philippines and
Malaysia"
81 do" replied Willis; ito my mind,
it's improbable; yes, impossible"
But assuming that she did take that
route" pursued Iollister, chow comes
II that this piece Of the wreck should
have been found in the Arafoora sea TO
the north of Melville island?"
81 can't understand It, can't ex-
plain IT," answered Willis. Gan that
can say Is that the Dreadnaught was
seen off the southwest coast of Celebes
island, after she had passed the strait
OF Macassar. Now, II 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 con-
siderable length, and II ended In the ac-
ceptance Of Capt. Willis views.
Mrs. Allairc had listened in silence to
| this discussion; but her knitted brows
| indicated with what tcnacity, what
| persistency She chung Ia her belief that
John and his companions were still
among the living. No; she was deter
mined TO stand steadfast until actual
| proofs Of their death should be fur
| nished her.
II agree with you, my dear WILLIS"
cried Andrew llollister, that the
Dreadnaught on her way to Singapore
crossed the Java sea"
part OF the way at least, Mr.. Hollis
ter, for II was between Singapore and
Celebes island that the vessel was
wrecked"
"That's so, but still how was II posi-
bic for this piece of the wreck TO drift
as far rs the Australian coast II the
Dreadnaught went 10 pieces on some
reef In the Java sea?"
"There is only one way TO explain It,"
replied Capt. Willis, land that is by as
Stunning that this fragment of the ship
was drawn through Lombok or some
other one Of the straits which connect
the waters north of these islands with
the Timor and Arafoora seas"
"Do the currents set In that way?"
"Ycs, Mr.. Hollister, and would 60
so far as to say that the Dreadnaught
after having been dismantled in tor
nado may 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
Andrew HOLSTER, tits the only reason
able hypothesis, and the conclusion is
irresistible that II II fragment Of the
wreck has been picked up to the north
of Melville island six years after the
disaster IL must have been recently de
tachcd from the reefs on which the clip
per ship went to pieces"
This explanation was qualified to CARR
conviction to the mind Of any intelli
gent seaman.
"Since II Is more than likely" addet
Mr. Alluirc, whose gaze still remained
iivc,cd upon the map unrolled before
her, that the Drcadnaught was driver
ashore On the coast Of Australia, an,
since mono Of the shipwrecked crev
have made their appearance here %
elsewhere, IL follows that they are hell
prisoners"
THAT is not impossible, Molly" in
terrupted Mr.. HOLSTER
Mrs. Allaire was on the point of pre-
! testing vigorously against the implico
,, ton contained in this answer, whe
! Capt. Willis broke In with:
: 1--WE have yet TO determine that thi
! fragment of wreck picked up by tn
= Golden Gate really belonged to Capt
Johns ship"
"Ilave you any doubt Of it2" inquire
! Molly.
: 1--WE shall soon be able to solve this
y question" cried the merchant, "for
y have ordered the fragment to be TO
y wardcd to U.S."
|" "And have given orders" added Mr.
, Allaire, that the Molly's Hope be keI
a IN readiness 10 sail at any moment"
ITO ne CONTINUED
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