The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-07-28
CHAPTER xx.-(coSr1xuED.)
BY RC.FARJEON.1
"a S eglg !!


Before the week was out, I had con-
WINGED myself that, so far as depended
upon ourselves. there was no hope.
Our boat was gone, and our tools con-
s1sted Of but two or three small knives,
such as sailors use for the cutting-up
OF tobacco, practically useless in any
eodeavor to build q boat. Our only
chance lay in the prospect of our sight
ing vessel and contriving to make
known our desperate condition. d.
rected fire to be lighted on the top
OF the highest point of land near to
the sea: there was plenty of wood
about, and an immense pile of young
eaplings and branches was gradually
made, with which the fire was con-
e1nually fed. All precautions in our
power were taken to prevent the heavy
rains from flooding and extinguishing
the fire. and we were so far successful
that for years 1t was kept blazing
Faint as the hope of rescue grew, as
season after season passed over our
r&ads, 1t was never entirely deadened.
by my use of the words "for years"
you will understand that good slice
OF our lives was passed in this prison.
1t is not my purpose to give a de-
tailed record of our experience during
this sad time. Space will not permit
OF 1t; and if it did, and l were pressed
TO set them down, l should be fear
1ui CT commencing the task, knowing
Il have not the ability to write another
Robinson Crusoe." Only what con-
ceive to belong to the proper course
or my own selfish story will be here
narrated.
The island was rich in forest-land,
and for eight months of the year the
climate was good; during the other
tour months it rained as it only can
ram In those ATTITUDES; and this was
our most miserable time. In the sum-
mer the foliage was beautiful and lux
'ur1ant, and many exquisite flowers
grew of whose names we were ignor-
ant. The woods abounded in birds,
not difficult to snare, and the sea pro-
91ded us with fish. Seals We caught
In as large a quantity as we desired,
ana many a desperate fight we had
With them. At certain periods they
wandered in the forests, and we heard
them roaring there in the nights, They
never attacked us; but were often
times too jealous in their defense to
be pleasant. We found fresh water in
the creeks.
We had, therefore, good reason to be
grateful; and but that we were shut in
prison, with strong and natural
yearning upon us to mix with our fell
low-men, we might have led a fairly
pleasant life. Some had wives and
children in dear old England, and the
thought that they would never see
them again was maddening. AS for
myself, I was utterly alone in the
world. Wife and child dead; my old
mother also, doubtless, dead, and re-
preaching me in her last days for my
cruelty and injustice-it was a bitter
thought, that-life was valueless to
me, except in so far that life is sweet
to all men. If it were sweet to me, it
was sweet misery. We We're the only
human creatures on the island. Our
numbers grew gradually less as time
progressed, and the sense of loneliness
which oppressed us was terrible to
bear.
I come now to the regular course of
my story. When 1 returned from any
exploration of the island, little Pearl
bad entirely regained her health, and
had firmly established her position as
queen of the small colony. Every man
In the crew worshiped her, and would
have laid down his life for her. AS
tor Tom Wren, he was not happy out
q her sight, and he followed her about
as faithful dog does his master.
81 want to speak to you," Pearl said
to me on the day of my return; and
she placed the list Of names in my
hand. Read them over"
read through the names.
"Well," she continued, when I call
them over, as do every day, and the
men all say, 'Ay, ay. Queen PEARL
o. 'Ay, ay, Fairy Pearl!'-I like
FAIRY best. think-when 1 call the
Games over, there is one that never
answers. He is missing, and I want
TO find him." ~,
Sometnlng IN ner voice struck upon
my soul like the vibration of a dear
and familiar tone in the time gone by.
I gazed upon the little maid almost in
tear; her clear blue eyes gazed frankly
into mine, and she nestled closer to
me.
"Well talk presently of him." she
said, taking hold of my rough fingers,
and playing with them. There's
something else first. You saved my
life, Daddy Beecroft."
II was the first who saw you in the
water, my little maid," l responded,
~and I did what any of the others
would have. DONE"
! "But you saved my life-you!" she
persisted. "Only you, and / am glad.
I have heard all about It. You tied a
rope round your waist and SWAN out
10 me. You might have been drowned
yourself And Tom Wren says you
were crying when you thought was
dead" IN
"They all did the same. the good
,4elloWs! We didn't want to lose you,