Arizona republican., 1899-04-03
JUST TOO LATE. An Experience on an Island in the South
 Pacific.
 By Herbert II. Brace.
By Herbert II. Brace.

Tb Y Fl F. storm MdS DNC1' l 1lC [ dCllIG had calmcd again. The waves rolled in and broke on the sandy shore
 of the little guanu island as monoton-
 ously as before; but nowhere was the
 schooner Martha, week overdue with
 water and provisions for the men, to
 be seen. It was hardly probable that
 she could have lived through the gale.
 The triggers" the coWardly
 wretches. had stolen the bulk of the water the night after the storm, and
 had put of in an open boat for their nearest neighkor, miles away over the trackless ocean.
 There were 12 of the blacks. They might have killed their two white
 'bosses," but they seemed to have been satisfied with leaving them to die of thirst and to bleach with the guanO beneath the burning sun of the South Pacific.
 The two white men were brothers. They had come to the island a few months before to superintend the guano gathering The tropic fever had seized Harry, the younger of the two, and even when the storm broIie he was ravirg with delirium. A week 19I WItH CdIIlI CdiIIC ONGI llIc IIOQ- bled waters, he was slowly recovering.
 Their scanty supply of water was fast diminis hing, and no signs of the Martha. The elder brother, Tom, was becoming hopeless. They would have been without water long before, but Tom had not taken his share. He had hardly drunk enough to keep his dry, parched throat from cracking during those days when Harry's fever was the worst, and Harry raved about ripping brooks, the orchard. and the old apple tree that grew by their bedroom win dow at home.
 Another morning, and no sign of the boat in all the wide stretch of blue sea.
 Harry reused himself from his stu DOT, and looked eagerly into his broth CTS face.
 No signs of the Martha this morn irg. TCm?' he said, feebly.
 None, Harry. none.'
 The sick man fell back wearily. Tom Dudley turned his face away to hide his emotion.
 Well, never mind. old man." Harry tried to say, cheerfully; we'll pull through all right, never fear. How long did you say the water would last?"
 Tom had not said, but Harry caught him unguardcd fer the moment.
 Two days cnly, Harry, and-and''- Tom's voice faltercd-''two days at the most, and-and the storm-''
 ''Yes, yes, I know. Tom,' the sick man went on; "the Martha may have gone down in the storm last week. but while there is life there is hope you know, old man, and I suppose the | same may be said of water; So cheer l up, cid fellow; two days are q long | time some times, you know, and the | schooner has probably only been | lriven off her course. If such is the ,ase she'll be here before Wednesday; | we'll be all right, after all. Make the best of it Torn. and let's see what we | have for breakfast
 There was but little enough to eat. | and but a drop of water to Guench | heir consuming craving.
 They ate in silence. When they had | finished Tom left the little hut and . lastened down to the beach. He gazed | on@ and wistfully over the sea, but | thei was only the placid blue water glistcning in the sunlight. Not a sign | of Hfe in all the great expanse, eN- ,ept now and then a sea bird skimming ,vcr the waves toward that line in he distance where the blue sea and he still bluer heavens met.
 ''No sign of a sail. no hope for re- ief," he sighed. as he threw Himself Town upon the sand.
 There was a terrible pain in his head md his limbs were becoming unbear- ble. He knew what that meaut-be- ore long he. toe. would be down with he fever. His throat was dry and ,arched, and burning with terrible leat.
 He had already consumed his share If the water for the morning. and to alle more would be death to Harry.
 Two dHys, only two days" he nut cred; mot much chance in that time he Martha has gone to the bottom. our or five, there might be hope"
 He began to wonder how. he could make the water last four or five days nstead Of two. The pain in his head -as intense. A few hours and he must. i've up to the fever. He knew, too, hat he had no chance of recovery.
 He knew that Harry would give him Il the water there was, when he be- anne delirious. and go without him. elf. He couldn't measure it out then, s he did now, and soon, very soon, it rould be all gone.
 Two days. What were two days? Te would only be shortening his broth r's life so much by living them. Ah,. that was the use?
 A few minutes later a pistol shot ang cut amid the sound of breaking waves and the silence of the sands. and 7om Dudley sank with a moan upon he beach.
 The forced expression of cheerful -s-----=--..s=--.~--s---s