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

II - ~ m WI
CAPT. WILLIS GAVE THEN A DETAILED
ACCOUNT OF THE EXPEDITION.
Maps Of Polynesia and Malaysia were
unrolled upon the table and he was thus
enabled to trace out step by step, from
island 10 island and port 10 port, the
route followed by the steamer.
Permit me. Mrs. Allaire," said VII
lis, ITO draw your attention 10 this
point The Dreadnaught was seen for
the last time of the southerly end OF
Celebes island on May 8. 1878, that il
about seven weeks after leaving San
Diego. Since then wo have had no
tidings OF her Therefore, rs she never
reached Singapore, we are forced 10 the
conclusion that she was lost in the Java
sea. How2 There are two theories;
The first Is that sho went down In a
gale or after collision, leaving no
trace OF her existence; the second Ia
that she went ashore on the reefs and
WINS completely destroyed by the pirates
TO cover up their crime. And yet, In
either OF these last two cases II Is Inn
possible that there should not have
been some debris, some flotsam, some
bit Of scrap Of her cargo TO survive her;
but In spite OF our efforts we have not
been able to find any actual proof Of
her destruction"
Hence Capt. Willis inclined 20 the
opinion that the Dreadnaught had been
struck and destroyed by one of those
tornadoes 80 often let loose in irrcsist-
ible fury upon those waters, for, as re-
CARDS the theory of collision. IL was
very rare that both vessels go down.
one survives TO tell the story.
Capt Willis conclusion was, although
no didn't express II, that all hope must
be abandoned.
So thought Andrew Hollister, too
the inquiring look which Molly 6xed
upon him.
mol MOI she exclaimed, 1.-THE Dread
naught did not 90 10 the bottom John
and his men have not pcrishcd'"
And Molly continued 10 question Wil.
lis concerning tho minutcst details OF
the search, encouraging, discussing
combating II was not until after a
session OF three hours that she rose u
take her leave.
"Shall ! proceed TO put the Molly'i
Hope out Of commission2" asked Willis
by no means, captain" was the an
swer 81 have no intention 10 dischar q
you or your crew Who can say thai
another cruise will be as barren of re
suits as this has beenp VIII you rctair
command Of the steamer2'
II would do so willingly, Mrs Al
lnire, but belong TO the llolliStcr con
eerni possibly they may need my serv
ices"
Don't let that ssand In your way, m,
dear Willis" said MIR llollister 4 au
only too happy to place you under Mn
Allaire's orders"
"Bc IL so then, Mr.. HOLSTER. NJ
crew and ! win stick to the Molly
Hope"
, And, Capt Willis" said Molly, "hol
. yourself in readiness TO sail at any m,
. menL"
, In giving his consent the shippin
/ merchant had had no other though
than to defer TO Molly's wishes.
Roth he and Capt Willis had imagine
that she would give up all ideas of
second expedition after the absolut
5 failure OF the first II time was new,
/. TO weaken her remembrance OF h,
I husband, at least II would In the er
4 destroy every shred OF hope OF ever Sc
4 ing him again. In accordance wit
Il Mollys wishes the steamer was not la
It up Capt Willis and his crew remain,
In charge OF her and their pay went {
: just the same. But there were eXte
n sive repairs TO be made. She must
r. into dry dock, her rigging must
Il overhauled, new boilers put into h
h and her engines looked after. After d
p this had been accomplished, tho Molly
n Hope was thoroughly provisioned al
D. coaled.
W Mrs Allaire's life at Prospect Gotta
,r had long since taken on its old-tir
methods, but, with the exception
A, Andrew fnllistcr and Capt, Willis,
Il one was admitted 10 her intimacy. s
rs lived entirely in the atmosphere of I
d past, save as her unfailing hope te
nj pered It's awful darkness. The de
" was always with her the lost foreN
nj beside her Little Walt would ha
I'd been seven years old now, an age VIII
d. tho young and impressionable mi
feels the quickening touch of reasC
H. but Walt was gone foreverl Moll
Ga thoughts would often revert TO h
ed who had been so devoted to her, TO Il
no sailor. Zach French by name, whom :
be was so anxious TO know personally, |
Y; who had not yet returned from
mt cruise II could not last much long
On however, for the shipping reports h
Id on several occasions made mention
ne the Golden Gate, and, no doubt,
DO would be back home before 1881 !
passed. The moment he arrived Mo
Id was resolved to send for Zach Frer
a and make good 10 him her indebtedn
70 by providing for hin, In the future,
N In the meantime, Mrs. Allaire did
OF cease to look after the families who
m been affected by the loss Of the Dire
NJ s~AshA u was solAlp Ter ths naEp