Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-01-15
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
Many days of gentle breezes and favor
ing winds gradually wore of the panic &C.
casioned by the supernatural appearance;
and If not forgotten, 1t was referred to
either In jest or with indifference They
now had run through the strait of Malao-
ca, and entered tho Polynesian archipela-
go. Philips orders were to refresh and
call for instructions at the small island Of
Botcn, then in possession Of the Dutch.
They arrived thore in safety, and after re-
naming two days, again sailed on their
voyage, intending to make their passage
between the Celebes and the island Of Ga
lago. The weather was still clear and tho
wind light; they proceeded cautiously, on
account of the reefs and currents, and
with careful watch for the piratical ves-
sells, which have for centuries infested
those seas; but they were not molsstcd.
and had gained we'll up among the islands
to tho north Of Galago, whom 1t fell calm,
and the vessel was borne to the eastward
of it by the current. The calm lasted sew.
eral days, and they could procure no an
chorage; OF last they found themselves
among the cluster Of islands near to the
northern coast Of New Guinea.
The anchor was dropped. and tho sails
furled for the night; drissling rain
came on, the weather was thiok, and
watches were stationed In every part OF
the ship, that they might not b. surprised
by the pirate pr4as, for the current ran
past the ship at the rate Of eight O nine
miles per hour, and these vessels, 4 hi4
among the Islands, might sweep ao&h
upon ths4a unpercsived. $500
1t was 10 o'clock At night whom PHILIP,
who was in bed, was awakened By q sho61;
he thought it might be q proa running
alongside, and he started from his bed and
ran out. He found Krants, who had been
awakened by the same cause, running up
undressed. Another shock succeeded, and
the ship oareened to port. Philip then
knew that the ship was on shore.
The thickness Of tho night prevented
them from ascertaining where they were,
but the lead was thrown Over the side, and
they found that they were lying on shore
on a sand bank, with not more than IA
feet of water on the deepest side, and that
they were broadside on with strong cur
rent pressing them farther up on the
bank; indeed, the current ran like mill
race, and each minute they were swept
into shallow water.
On examination they found that the
ship had dragged her anchor, which, with
the cable, was still taut from the star.
board bow, but this did not appear to pro-
vent the vessel from being swept farther
up on the bank. It was supposed that the
anchor had parted at the shank. aud an
other anchor was lot go.
Nothing more could be done till day.
break, and impatiently did they wait TILL
the next morning. AS the sun rose, the
mist cleared away, and they discovered
that they were on shore on sand bank.
small portion Of which was above water,
and round which the current ran with
great impetuosity. About three miles
from them was cluster Of small islands
With cocoa trees growing on them, but
With no appearance Of Inhabitants.
II fear we have little chance" observed
Krantz to Philip. "1f ws tighten tho yes
sci the anchor may not hold, and we shall
DO swept farther on, and 1t Is impossible
to lay out an anchor against the force OF
this current"
"At all events we must try; but I grant
that DUR situation is anything but salts
factory. Send all the hands aft."
The men came aft, gloomy and dispir.
ited
MY ladsl' said Philip, why ere you
disheartenedS'
1--WE are doomed, sir; we knew Il would
be So"
Philip, recolleoting his former disaster,
took great pains in the construction Of
raft, and aware that as tho water and
provisions were expended there would be
no occasion to tow 80 heavy mass, he
constructed 1t in two parts, which might
easily be severed, and thus the boats would
have less to tow, as soon as circumstances
would enable them to part with ono OF
them.
They numbered SO souls in all; in the
boats there were 80; the rest were on the
raft, which, being well built and full OF
timber, hoated high out Of tho water, now
that the sea was so smooth. II had been
agreed upon by Philip and Krantz that
one Of them should remain on the raft and
the other In one Of the boats; but, at the
time the raft quilted the ship, they were
both on the raft, as they wished to con.
suit, as soon as they discovered the direo.
ton Of the current, which would be the
most advisable course for them to pursue.
It appeared that as soon as the current
had passed the bank, 1t took more south
erly direction toward New Guinea. 1t wal
then debated between them whether they
should or should not land on that island
the natives of which were known to b
pusillanimous yet treacherous A long
debate ensued, which ended, however, 20
their resolving not to decide as yet, but
wait and see what might occur. In the
meantime the boats pulled to tho west-
ward, while the current set them fast down
in a southerly direction.
Night came on and the boats dropped
the grapnels with which they had been
provided; and Philip was glad to find that
the current was not near 20 strong, and
the grapnels held both boats and raft.
Covering themselves up with the spare
sails with which they had provided them
selves, and sting watch. the tired seA-
men were soon fast asleep.
On the fourth day the breeze sprang up
favorably, and the sail was filed; It was q
relief to their burning brows and blistered
backs; and as the raft sailed ON at the rate
of four miles an hour, tho men were gay
and full Of hope. The land below the
coooaput trees was now distinguishable,
and they anticipated that the next day