The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-20
CHAPTER XIV.
PROWST ISLAND.


<ea like mirror outside the line of
reefs, over which the swell broke in
long lines of snow white foam, as the
Molly's Hope stood out from Cape
Leyeoue and soon left the Australian
coast behind her, growing fainter and
fainter until it had faded 10 IA mere blue
line on the horizon. Everything PROM
ised favorable cruise across to Java
island. The fact Is the steamer was on
her way home except that there would
be some delays to enable Capt. Willis to
examine the smaller islands OF the
Sunda group.
Nothing of any Importance occurred
the first few days out. The greatest
vigilancc was exercised in signaling
che location of those reefs and shoals so
common in these waters, many of which
hardly reach to the surface of the water.
Towards nine o'clock on the morning
of February z, there was cry from the
lookout:
Reefs ahead on the port side!"
AS they were not visible TO anyone on
deck, Zach French sprang up into the
shrouds to take look at the lay OF the
>eefs himself. When in a position TO
verify the report Of the man at tho
masthead. French discovered that there
was low line of rocky formation
about six miles ahead on the port quar-
YER. II was strictly speaking neither q
rock nor shoal, but an islet with n
shelving ridge which had been sighted
70 the northwest Considering the dis
.tance, il was safe 10 assume that this
was an isle of some extent il the visi-
ole line was that of its width.
In few moments Zach French re-
turned and made his report to Capt.
Willis, who gave the order TO change
the steamers course SO as to bring her
nearer this island
Upon taking the midday observation,
Capt. Willis found the position Of his
vessel TO be IA degrees OF seconds
south latitude and 1873 degrees Is
seconds longitude east from Greenwich
which was duly entered In the log.
This point having been fixed upon tho
hips chart, IL was found to coincide
with the location of an island desig-
mated by modern geographers as Browse
ISLAND and situated about two hundred
md fifty miles from York sound ON the
Australian coast
AS this island lay very little out OF his
course, Capt Willis determined to coast
around it, but without any intention Of
making stop. An hour later the Mol
ly's Hope had run up to within q mile
of Browse island
There was rather a heavy sea run
ming and dashing noisily against the
northeast point of <he island, which 1t
kept enveloped in the mist of the break
ers. Nor was it possible TO form a close
estimate Of the size Of the island, as
Capt. Willis had not come full upon it,
but enough could be seen of its con-
formation to show il to be an undulat-
Ing plateau without any considerable
rise of ground But as he had no time
20 lose Capt Willis was about to give
the order TO go ahead again full speed,
which had been somewhat slackencd
Hown when Zach French called his at
tention to something on the point of the
island.
"Look, captain" said he, "isn't that
b mast standing on that point?"
The boatswain indicated the direc-
tion of the cape which jutted out to the
northwest and terminated in rocky
crest with a perpendicular face.
"A mast? No; it only seems to be the
trunk of tree" answered Willis, and
then reaching for his glass he took O
closer look at the object designated 10y
French.
You're right, Zach, il Is mast and
think can see scrap Of flag torn 10y
the wind. Yes, ii must be signal"
"In that case we would do well u
bear In with the point"
{ 81 think So too" replied Capt. Viii
ais, and he gave the order TO bear fo
the island at half speed. This was done
mt once and the Molly's Hope began Il
npproach the reefs, which encircled tn,
Island about three hundred feet out.
violent sea was beating against them
caused not only by the high win,
blowing but also by the force of tn
current which was driving the swell il
that direction.
The character of the coast soon be
rame plainly visible. II was wild, bar
rem and desolate, with no trace of yer
dure One this side of the island. how
ever, there were no signs Of pieces of
wrecked vessel, no shreds of rigging
mo fragments of the hull. The stat
erected on the extreme end of tn
promontory might be made of n piec
of bowsprit. AS to the shreds o
bunting which the wind was blowing
out, it was impossible to discern thei
color.
There are castaways therel" eric,
Zach French.
Or there have beenl" replied th
mate.
There is no doubt that some vesse
has run on this island" said Capt. vii
lis.
Yes, added the mate, land that tn
crew of some wrecked vessel have take
refuge there. as testified by that sigma
yonder. And IL may be they have nc
been able 10 get away, for it's rare tina
vessels bound for Australia or for th
Indies pass within sight of Browse Is
and"
II suppose you intend 20 go ashor