The age-herald., 1901-11-10

inspection of the islands as could from the yacht, I decided to land at Corvo with my companions. Corvo is the most NorthwesterIy of the group, only six miles long by three broad, and of volcanic origin. It had suffered recently from bad eruption, so that at the present time it was practically deserted, which suited my purpose admirably.
 I had ascertained that beach-combers were not unknown in the islands, wrecks being apparently fairly plentiful, so ar ranged that Pilgrim and one of the other men should take to this last refuge of the destitute, which would enable them to keep a keen lookout for any signs of the missing Sonia and prevent her falling into other hands. What they were to do on land l was to do at sea, so that 1t seemed impossible-if, indeed the lost brig should come our way-that we could miss her between us. In case she should drift into the little harbor I warned Pilgrim and his companion that they were not to board her under any circumstances. That was to be reserved for me. Some delapidated apparel suited to their miserable calling was left with the men, as well as plenty of provisions, and then I and the two others returned to the yacht. I intended to cruise about during the day. and to anchor at night off the Azores
 And now commenced a most anxious time of waiting and watching.
 The first night, though I knew a good lookout was being kept I hardly slept at all. and when I sank Into fltful slumber 1t was, to dream of the lost brig I saw her coming-a weird spectacle-with torn sails, and battered sides, drifting help lessly along, the ghost of ship. Icicles hung from her rigging. and the frozen snow lay thick on her decks. signs of the foe whose embrace had so nearly crushed her. She was that most pitiful sight, an ocean dereiict a danger to others, misery to herself, and in my dre ans my heart ached for her, as though she had been a living thing
 Six days an l six nights passed, and each day l sent a messenger to Corvo who brought back the same report: no news And indeed. I could see for myself that nothing had happened of any concern for me. Once some wreckage had been tossed up on the island, but there was nothing to indicate whence 1t came, and l had no reason to think it might have belonged to the unfortunate Sonia. Then, on the seventh night, towards morning, the weary waiting wag suddenly broken.
 l was asleep in my state room, when there came an imperative knock at the door-I had given instructions that I was to be called at any hour of the night if a ship answering my description of the Russian should be seen-and the voice of one of my coadjutors informed me in an excited undertone that strange vessel was in sight. Throwing on some clothes l rushed up on deck.
 There almost as in my dreams I saw her coming-I knew her at once. I did not need to ask anything about her, or to listen to the murmurs around me, to know that my strange quest was ended that what had appeared the mad fancy of monomaniac had been realized She came slowly out of the grey dawn like a ghost from another world.
 "A Russian! -'What a queer looking craft" Where has she come from?'' What Is she called?" were some of the eJa Jaculations I heard. And then present. ly. putting down his glasses. the Captain answered the last question: "The Sonia" And my heart leaped to my throat as I heard the name.
 The silence grew almost deathly as we watched her drawing closer and closer. l, who knew all that her advent might mean might well gaze at her with dilated eyes and suspended breath, but even on the sailors her strange spectral appear ance produced an awe-inspiring effect There was no sign of life on her I might discover Count Donhoffs papers. 1t was evident the arch conspirator him. self was not to fall into my hands.
 It became apparent now to my great delief that she was drifting into the lit- tie harbor of Corvo. She would be safe there until I could reach her. I gave or ders for a boat to be lowered and ac- companied by only one of my subordi- nates-I wished to do my inspection as quietly and secretly as posslble-I pre-