The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-22


81. 1-o2 the ship Goodly Hope was thrown
,,noo one of the many shifting bars of
Sable Island. The seas broke over her.
THE hungry, but restless sand slowly but
-.,rs1y euped her down. 1t was not par
'i-,,,rlv novel. This island monster of the
,,ortb Atlantic ocean had merely swallow
~ another tid-bit. OF all that gallant
row only a single soul escaped to shore.
Young lad of good family, Ronald
thatcher by name, had been dashed to a
wooden grating by some rough seaman.
The warrant eddies swept the grating well
into shallow cove AS soon as he was
,bIs the boy cleared himself from the
soyne letters and waded thankfully to dry
land.
Bpt brief survey of the treeless waste
dashed his new hopes. AS far as the eye
coud see was nothing but an eXpanse of
rolling sand dunes, with but an occasional
match of rank grass to vary the monoton-
Gus landscape.
seabirds, with their eggs. and an occas-
ioral drowned fish tossed upon the strand,
furnished Roland's only food for many
DAYS Portions of wrecked vessels were
abundant. and he secured a crude shelter
bv creeping underneath them; but never
tbeless he suffered terribly from exposure
10 the never-ending procession of storms.
His clothing was soon worn to tatters. His
hair grew long aud matted. His skin be-
came frightfuny tanned and also disfgured
bv eruptions resulting from the unnatural
food he was compelled to eat.
IN one of his excursions about the island
bq found the huh of an old-fashioned ship
standing upon am even keel between Two
sand hillocks Ronald eagerly clambered
an over her. hoping to find something that
might prove useful to him. But she was
apparently an old wreck, cleah-stripped
by the remorseless years. In further
searching the lad scraped away the sand
and opened small hatch which showed
Itself in The floor of the after cabin. Lit
lie daylight could find its way below deck,
but he discerned several great metal bound
chests With piece of loose timber he
managed to smash in the end of one of
them. Out tumbled a stream Of discolored
metal pieces They were coins of silver
and gold and ornaments and trinkets in
The same precious metals. The craft un-
doubleday had been treasure ship, may
hap Spanish galleon bringing her tribute
hom the Indies. Before he left the hulk
the lad took a heavy gold chain and fast
ened it around his waist. The thing serv-
ed to bind his tattered clothes together
During the frequent storms Ronald was
compelled to remain beneath pieces of
Wreckage. The clouds of flying sand at
such times were OVerpowering. His lar
der was so ill-supplied that he frequently
endured the pangs of hunger along with
the confinement. Upon one such occasion
In particular his fasting had been exceed
ngly prolonged With the first signs of
the storms abatement he FASTENED to
great stretch OF salt swamp much affect
ed by the gulis, where he gathered an
ermful of eggs. Crouching down upon the
soggy grass unmndful of the noisy birds
circling overhead or anything else, he COM
menced to crack the shells and swallow
their contents. In the midst of this poor
feast he heard an exclamation of surprise
He looked up, scarcely believing that he
had heard Alright A, big red-bearded
man, alfred in rough sea fashion, and
wearing a wooden cap upon his head
stood some few rods distant gazing Won
deringly at him.
Ronald at once fell into a perfect de-
Hnum of excitement and joy. Quickly
tossing aside the remnants of his meal,
ne rushed toward the newcomer, with the
evident intention of embracing him. But
the latter was not over cordial. AT first
sign OF this advance he drew a shorI
sword or hanger which he wore in his
oelL and presented its point towards the
breast OF the enthusiastic youth.
Not so fast, monkey, ape or wild man
OF the island, Whatsoever you may be-"
CRED the stranger, with an accompani-
m u,s. OK oaths. Keep your distance and
u keep mine"
On, sir! have mercy upon me- poor
ronald screamed, falling upon his knees
aNo extending his hands pitifully towards
uNe mpassive stranger. l am an I'M
lo'e0uale cast away alone upon this hor-
noie place. You surely will sympathize
"I,A me! No human heart could steel it,
fe.l TO my condition"
Aud rapidly, at times incoherently, the
"ItlcQed boy told the story of his ship
VIZ h. and wept in mental anguish.
Inc led-bearded stranger listened impa.
"'H..y and without making any effort 10
0o..e'- his lack of attention.
80 So he Interrupted, before the lad
, ,''1 well finished. you need enter into
~ more precise details. ] have just been
.oUsL something Of the same sort This
o-i. island has proved the death of my
5000 ship, and left me with but half
-'1' companions and our Dinnace to-
NL'Ve! What is this 5ravory?"
pli- eve had just caught sight Of The
go e, chain around he ads waist. The
n o-'i aton in places and brought OUT
U eW lus e. OF TIE rich metal
nav .'A trembling. nervous fingers Ronald
."9'' mel Ire uinket ana laid il at tne
49, itet meanwh.e sobAiny out his
l.. very Of the stranded gallon, with
,,''s's Of treasure in The afterholl
ra 40" MS is somstniug like" ehuckle
he .'- oaared one, sralchlrg up the bau-
l,,,"1"I examining ii greedily Its
i,' -oa All viii be wel with you. Fear
WIZ & Bear me company TO the shore.
m5l,. eoel4 yol not have mentioned this
u,V Hfsl, and lert the other tale for
In . us My merry comrad.s win brisk
VI ears nightly when they ind tina
ro...ie cap ain brings them reward. even
no ,, misgcrtunes. Lively, boy; play me
,r.- KS. Try but to dodge away, and
as A. Nv, h2l. You viii find me as gentle
,nr., '9Du f1!her, f your own duly Is pr
W.th a good grace"
OH. Ems IN curious.y alternating ac-
,t harshness and forced geniaIitv.
sY.,J "comer started away at a lively
a5rg r a9I pushing haf dragging The 10y
.a-l WIN him. They soon iea.hed ne
t... rINe VIII .h HAD Vece ya1 Ronald co