The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-05

ulations were promptly settled when
they reached the craft, for the keel
and the whole of the lower timbers
were smashed into matchWood.
But there We're stores on board.
jerks remembered that Captain Ross
foresight had secured the provisioning
of all the ships boats soon after the
first wild rush to steady the vessel
after the propeller was lost. Masts,
sails, oars, seats-all save two water
casks-had gone; but jerks, with
eager hands, unfastened the lockers,
and here he found a good supply of
timed meats and biscuits. They had
barely recovered from the excitement
of this find when the sailor noticed
that behind the rocks on which the
craft was firmly lodged lay a small
natural basin full <of salt water, re-
plenished and freshened by the spray
of every gale, and completely shut off
from all seward access.
1t was not more than four feet deep,
beautifully carpeted with sand. and
secluded by rockS on all sides. Not
the tiniest crab or fish was to be seen.
1t provided an ideal bath.
| Iris was overjoyed. She pointed to-
wards their habitation.
Mr.. Jenks,' she said, II will be
with you at tea time"
He gathered all the tins he was able
to carry and strobe off, enjoining her
to fire her revolver. if for the slightest
reason she wanted assistance, and CIV
ing a parting warning that if#she de-
layed too long he would come and
shout to her. &c. .
II wonder" said the girl to herself,
watching his retreating figure, "what
| he Is afraid of, Surely by this time
we have exhausted the unpleasant
surprises of the island. Anyhow, now
for a splash" -,
She was hardly in the water before
she began to be afraid on account OF
jerks. Suppose anything happened to
him whilst she was thoughtlessly en-
| jOying herself here. So strongly did
the thought possess her that she hur-
riedly dressed again and ran off tc
find him.
He was engaged in fastening mum
Der of bayonets transversely to a LONG
piece of timber.
What are you doing that for?" she
asked.
why did you return so soon? Did
anything alarm your "a. ~:
/ II thought you might get into mis-.
chief" she confessed.
mo. On the other hand, I an
trying to make trouble for any unwel
come VISITORS" he replied. 'This is {
cheval de frise, which I intend to SCI
up in front Of our cave in case we arc
compelled to defend ourselves agains
an attack of savages. With this bar.
ring the way they cannot rush the po
sition.''
She sighed. aRinbow island was {
wild spot after all. Did not thorn:
and briers grow very close to the gate:
Of Eden?
On the nineteenth day of theil
residence on the island the sailor
climbed, as was his invariable habit
to the Summit rock whilst Iris pre-
pared breakfast. At this early hour
the horizon was clearly cut as the rim
of a sapphire. He examined thu
whole arc Of the sea with his glasses
but not a sail; was in sight. Accord
ing to his calculations, the growing
anxiety as to the fate Of the Sirdal
must long ere this have eliminated
in the dispatch from Hongkong o.
: Singapore of a special search vessel
whilst British warships in the China
; sea would be warned to keep clos,
lookout for any traces of the steamer
5 to visit all islands on their route, ant
: to question fishermen whom they en-
al countered. So help might come an.