The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-10-06
CHAPTER II.
Age and Infancy Drift Ashore.

storm abated. As If rebuked by the
deep shades OF night it skulked away
like subdued trespasser. Only its
rumbling, disappearing footsteps could
be heard in the distance.
But for the booming OF old oceans
mad waves, who seemed to feel that she
had conquered all within her grasp and
was reaching out her arms for the sky
and rocks to catch all above and about
her, stiffness would have prevailed
such as only exists in calm after
great storm.
The fishermen began to emerge from
their homes. The news of the terrible
fate OF the ship and her crew had
spread about the village. While there
was none Of those hardy fellows who
would dare the white-capped waves,
yet they could not sleep while succor
might be rendered In some manner.
Beacon lights were kindled upon the
hills along the shore and above the safe
landing places so that If any craft
should have survived the storm it
might steer for the place where landing
did not mean certain death, though the
best was hazardous.
"More woodl" they shouted, as the
fires began to die down and in every di-
rection spectTe-like forms were seen
moving about like shadows among the
big trees that lined the hills near the
shore.
Others lined up near the waters edge
with ropes in hand, and strained their
eyes and ears for glimpse or sound
that would direct them to place
where humanity's most charitable act
could be bestowed.
But it was night OF work and vigi-
lance without reward. No. an object
was seen, not a sound heard save that
Of the receding waters as they returned
to the deep from which they came.
The sun shot above the horizon the
following morning with fash. The
sky was as clear as a crystal. The
waters we're as smooth on the bay as
lawn. Only out on the bar did an oc-
casional whitecap show its head.
The beach was soon lined with men,
women and children. The smoldering
fires on the hillsides sent awirling
streams of white smoke straight toward
the heavens. The great trees above the
beach had Strengthened their boughs
and no evidence remained OF the battle
with the storm save the broken limbs
and the high piles OF driftwood that
Uttered the shore.
On the approach Of newcomer q
first glance was cast out over the bay.
1t was followed by a cloud OF disap
pointment on his or her face. Sand
Island had claimed many victims and
another disaster was to be added to her
record.
Buried deep into her sands was the
hull of another vessel. Only few
stumps OF masts remained above the
wreck, Strain their eyes as they would
under the shadow of their Lands or
through their strongest glasses, not
living thing could be discovered on or
about the remains of the vessel which
had made such gallant fight the pre-.
vious day.
Suddenly boat shot out from the
shore to the east. An involuntary hiss
escaped through the lips of the other
fishermen. 1t was old seadog and his
boys. They Lad slept through the
night while others kept the beacon fires
burning. They were not now on mis-
sion OF charity bent. They had gone
for plunder before.
But old Seadog had other motives in
view. His keen eyes had pierced deep.
er into the storm the previous day.
He had also been reading the marine
news, besides letters and newspapers
from foreign land. He thought he
recognized the vessels country, by the
vessel itself and had motive for being
first aboard shorld his surmise be true |
On they dashed, propelled by the
skilled oarsmen, growing less and less
until like young jackals they lifted their
boat on the sands and climbed over in
TO the hull of the stranded vessel.
The people began to break away in
small groups. They were silent but
Did Seadog and his boys were con-
iemned in the minds of many. Still
they did not know the real motive that
the land pirates,
The men scattered up and down the
beach that they might find whether any
evidence Of the vessel or her crew had
drifted ashore. This had always been
their custom and small boats and dead
bodies had often been found even 80
soon after great catastrophes.
In a few hours the searehers began
to return to the village empty-handed.
As they came each reported in turn
that nothing had been found. 1t had
been severe storm, however, and
everything had probably been dashed
to pieces against the rocks about Cape
Disappointment, and the bodies of the
crew, they thought had been cent to
the bottom of the sea or were lashed to
the remnants OF the vessel where all
must be dead.
The forward party which followed
the beach toward the ocean, and had
proceeded about mile Was startled by
a noise while climbing among the drift
wood in little cove.
"A wharf ratl" exclaimed one.
'No, a weasel" said another.
at is the voice Of human being, as
sure as you livel" shouted q third,
who was nearer the sound than the
others.
''on then," replied the man who
had first spoken.
The members of the party ell rushed