The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-06-23

the rdIl, OF tnat ner DOdy was lying Oh
it exposed to the decomposing heat Of
a torrid sun.
To cheer Philip, he expressed himself
otherwise; and whenever they talked
about leaving the island it was not to
gave their own lives, but invariably
to search after Philips lost wife. The
plan which they proposed and acted
upon was to construct q light raft,
the center to be composed of three
water casks, sawed in half, in a row
behind each other, firmly fixed by
cross-pieces to two long spars on each
side. This, under sail, would move
quickly through the water, and be
manageable so as to enable them to
steer course. The outside spars had
been selected and hauled on shore, and
the work was already in progress; but
they were left alone in their work,
for the seamen appeared to have no
idea at present of quitting the island.
Restored by food and repose, they
were now not content with the money
which they had-they were anxious for
more. A portion of each party's wealth
had been dug up, and they now gambl-
ed all day with pebbles, which they
had collected on the beach. and with
which they had invented a game. An
other evil had crept among them; they
had cut steps in the largest cocoanut
trees and with the activity of seamen
had mounted them, and by tapping the
top Of the trees, and fixing empty CO.
coanut shells underneath, had OBJ
tanned the liquor which in it's first
fermentation is termed toddy and is
afterward distilled into arrack. But
as toddy it is quite sufficient to intoX-
icate, and every day the scenes of
violence and intoxication, accompa-
MED with oaths and excavations, be-
came more and more dreadful. The
losers tore their hair, and rushed like
madmen upon those who had gained
their dollars; but Krantz had fortu
nately thrown their weapons into the
sea, and those he had saved, as we'll as
the ammunition, he had secreted.
Blows and bloodshed, therefore,
continual, but loss of life there was
none, as the contending parties were
separated by the others, who were anX-
ious that the play should not be in
terrupted Such had been the state of
affairs for now nearly a fortnight,
while the work of the raft had slowly
proceeded. Some of the men had lost
their all, and had by the general con-
sent of those who had won their
wealth, been banished to a certain dis
lance that they might not pilfer from
them. These walked gloomily round
the island or on the beach, seeking
some instrument by which they might
avenge themselves and obtain repos
session of their money. Krantz and
Philip had proposed to these men to
they had sullenly refused.
The AK was now never parted with
by Krantz. He cut down what CO.
coanut trees they required for sub
join them and leave the island, but
sistence, and prevented the men from
notching more trees to procure the
means of inebriation. On the sixteenth
day all the money had passed into the
hands Of three men, who had been
more fortunate than the rest. The
losers were now by far the more nu-
merous party, and the consequence was
that the next morning these three men
were found lying strangled on the
beach; the money had been redivided,
and the gambling had recommended
with more vigor than ever.
"How can this end?" exclaimed
Philip to Krantz, as he looked upon
the blackened countenances of the
murdered men.
"In the death of ALL" replied
Krantz. eve cannot prevent it. 1t
is judgment"
The raft was now ready; the sand
had been dug from beneath it, so as to
allow the water to flow in and float
it, and it was now made fast to a
stake, and riding on the peaceful wa
tiers. A large store of cocoanuts, old and
young, had been procured and put on
board of her, and it was the intention
of Philip and Krantz to have quilted
the island the next day,
Unfortunately, one of the men, when
bathing, had perceived the arms lying
in the shallow water. He had dived
down and procured a cutlass; others
had followed his example, and all had
armed themselves. This induced Philip
and Krantz to sleep on board the raft
and keep watch; and that night, as
the play was going on, heavy loss
on one side ended in general fray.
The combat was furious, for all were
more or less excited by intoxication.
The result was melancholy, for only
three were left alive. Philip, with
Krantz, watched the issue; every mat
who fell wounded was put to the
sword, and the three left. who had
been fighting on the same side, rested
painting on their weapons. After
pause two of them communicated with
each other, and the result was an at
tack upon the third man, who fell dead
beneath their blows.
"Merciful Father! are these Thy
,reatures?" exclaimed Philip.