San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-21

to, the island bearing then about ergnt
miles distant, a scarcely determinable
heap Of shadow in the windy dusk.
They furled the mainsail and the main
topgallant sail and left her to lie under
her topsails, the foresail hauled mp.
They showed no lights and kept an
eager lookout. 1t was just the sort Of
night when ship would show sudden
" plenty of stars streamed between the
clouds and sort Of fat dusk was upor
the sea.
The break Of day found the nine men
ON deck, William at the wheel, the
Dane on the forecastle head gazing at
the island. Shannon, who usually han
died the ship when the required maneu-
yer was at all complicated. swung the
main topsail and got way upon the YES
sci. When the sun rose, the morning
was one Of true Pacific splendor, q vast
breast of radiance weltering from sea
line to sea line. a sky spacious and high,
with pearllike cloud, marvelously net
ted and like white jewelry Of some sort,
infixed or let in to the blue dome. A
bright wind was blowing out OF the
west and the sea line rag to the island
as clear as the rim of tumbler. The
swell Of the night had drifted the spot
about 12 miles distant>over the bows
when the helm swung the ships head
fair for It, Every glass was leveled; not
feather tip broke the pure sweep OF
the flashing horizon.
Whats the good Of his going aloft,
with that scowling face Of hisl" said
Shannon to Hankey while they watch.
ed the somewhat ungainly shape Of
Dixie Caldwell shaking the fore shrouds
as he made his way to the top. There's
nothing to be seen by looking, and
there's nothing to hope for by waiting.
There's no Rival at that island, abaft or
before. She ought to be here, and her
not being here will mean birthstone by
and by, for, now it's come to it, there's
not a fiend of the lot Of Us who can
make up his mind"
Hankey drew out his whiskers and
watched the island without answer.
Onward drove the ship. The south
ern slopes of the island were now slow.
ly opening, and upon the little heights
of hummock or hill the soft vegetation
of those latitudes, tufted, plumed, spire.
like, was to be seen in the lenses trem.
bling in the rushing breeze-a lovely
sight against the morning sky Of the
east.
Round with those yardsl" shouted
Shannon. Down helmp'
The men swayed at the braces, with
yells Of disappointment.
Delay this-belay that-well ALL"
They had the breeze ON the quarter.
The bark had slowed her pace, the men
stood to port with lifted glasses. those
without them gripping the rail or grasp.
ing backstay. This side of the island
was as lifeless as t'other. Right amid.
ships Of it you noticed a snug. little,
natural harbor, and there the Rival IN
doubtedly would have found berth.
''That dog Saunders has betrayed us,
that's all, said Mr.. Weston, plunging
his fists into his breeches pockets and
kicking the deck with vehement swing
of one leg.
"She foundered in the gale," said
Hankey. $50 much the better, Troll
lope, amt it? It's only the tender man
of honor" he added. with an offensive
grin at Caldwell, would have that
sink of villainy, Mo. partake freely Of
the plumber we risk life and liberty for I"
Dixie Caldwell scowled at him.
What d'you mean to dor" said Peter
johnson to Trollope.
Captain Trollope was looking darkly
at the island. His face expressed deep
disappointment and perplexity.
81 had hoped to find her here" said
he. "She ought to have been here. She
was good sea boat, and Saunders as a
navigator was at least as capable a man
as I. There's the bald fact anyhow, +"
said he. with theatrical gesture of his
hand toward the island. "You know
my views.
Estate 'em clearly once again" said
Davenire, towering up close against
Trollope, with his fingers in his waist
coat pocket while he swayed with the
heave of the deck.
"This is what ! want to do" said
Trollope. And the eight men. the Dane
being at the wheel, gathered about Their
leader to listen, probably for the TWEEN
tieth time, to proposals which they had
surely long ago got by heart.