Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-02-27
CHAPTER VIII.
ON TERRA-FIRMA.

and looked up. Inc sails nunS loose
on the yards. Icould feel no motion.
I got on my feet and looked around
me. -.,.D-.-,4i
=. The yacht was grounded.
7 I rubbed my eyes to make sure the
vision was true one.
, There was land, sure enough. The
yacht had gone ashore on a low, sandy
beach. where the gradually slopina
bottom led out about two hundred feet
to where the yacht had plunged hel
nose into the sand. On the land were
trees and green grass.
It had not been very long since ]
had seen grass and trees in California,
but the grass and trees on that
island seemed the most inviting
and refreshing green I had ever
looked at. 1t looked most luxurious
and cool in there. Whether this was
an island or part of the mainland...I
could not tell. If an island, it was q
large one.
Had been alone, I would, in my
eagerness, have jumped into the water
aud gained the land at once. But
some means was to be devised to get
Miss Arnold from the yacht in safety
As yet, she was probably fast asleep,
ignorant of the fact that the coast Of
China was right under our very noses
NY wounded arm no longer troubled
me. The wound had been only
slight one, and all traces of soreness
had now disappeared; and felt !
could use the injured member as we'll
as the other limb.
went to the companion-way and
called her.
Perhaps she had been awake, or
perhaps she was light sleeper. AT
any rate, she answered Immediately
in sweet, cherry voice, and said she
would be on deck soon.
- "Hurry up, Miss Arnold" called.
"I want to show you something"
"All right, in moment" she. Ere
piled.
When she came on deck she gave a
quick glance at the land and look Of
glad surprise came over her face.
s.Why, we are landed!" she ex'
claimed. "When did lyou discover
land?"
"When I awoke. In fact, L didn't
discover it at all. 1t discovered me.
I had been fast asleep since you left
mo last night and did not know a
thing until a few minutes ago. We
simply ran aground"
HAre we stuck in the mud?"
'T don't know whether it is mud OF
sand, but we are fast enough. [ fancy
the tide is ebbing, and the yacht will
soon list to one side"
"Then we shall be upset"
POSSIBLY. But before that hapi
pens T shall endesvor to reach dry
ground. Even now we haven't much
time to lose. The water is recedine
rapidly. Do you not notice a decided
lean to the yacht?"
"Why yes; we could coast down
the deck"
1--WE may coast off the deck and gel
wet. We had better swallow bit OF
breakfast and get ready to land. We
will wait, of course, as long as posi-.
BILE, for every foot the tide recedes
means so much less water to wade
through"
"Shall you carry anything ashore?"
eyes. To begin with, eEpsct to
carry you. Then I shall come back,
and take whatever is portable. We
shall need many things if we stay og
land, particularly the foods th&t es<
not perishable. will attend to them
at once"
T went below and hastily made ups
large pack containing the things !
thought we would need most. Mia
Arnold quickly prepared herself fo'
the landing.
got on the rail and jumped int
the water. 1t did not come above thu
tops of my big boots. She cautiousl!
stepped up and then, bending down
clasped me around the neck. Taking
her in my arms as easily as though
she were baby, I splashed through
the water to the shore.
"There you bare, me 'earty," said
putting her down where she could ge
dry-shod. "That was an act worthy
OF sea- captain.
Indeed, it was; you are as strong
as lion."
"Not quite. However, I am strong
enough for present emergencies. Have
you the pistol?"
eyes, I put it in my pocket after
used ii"
every good. Now stand right here
until I return. may have to make
several trips to the yacht. am even
going to bring the stove ashore"
"The stovel Why, what do you
want with the stove?"
eve have foreman here some time,
and it will do to make coffee and cook
things"
eff we are to remain here 90 long,
we shall die here" she said mourn
fully. "Why not leave the things un-
til we learn what kind Of land we are
on? Then, if it proves to be an
island, we can sail away again without
putting back all the things"
CT don't know but your plan is
best" I replied. "But L must get
the rifle and cartridges. They are in
dispensable. Waltz
I tramped into the water again and
boarded the yacht. I took silk
pillow-bag and filled it with coffee,
sugar, rice and few of the cans of
vegetables. found an OK, which q