The Western news., 1904-11-09

denial, of the bravery and kind heart
of the girl and then he eaw the inno-
cent confding blue eyes as they had so
often thanked him when he rendered
her assistance at the traps, and big
tear stole into the eyes of the young
athlete. In the very darkness he was
handsome. His black hair hung about
his head in graceful wavy curls. His
broad shoulders were erect and his arms
and neck exhibited strength and beau
ty. He had not superior in physiue,
courage, self control or popularity in
the village.
"Poor Sankala!" he murmured. 81
neglected the child. l never really
helped her as should. She was de.
serving. She was frail. l am strong.
But why did l not think of this in
timer"
He was too active to remain pris-
oner on the rocks during the entire
night and yet he did not feel wholly
safe in attempting to swim. He knew
that quarter OF mile in calm water
was no task, but the waves might have
doubled or even tTebled this distance
| between the rocks and the island.
They cut the sand like monster steam
shovel on such occasions, and the dis
tance was now matter of speculation.
Still the chances were as favorable Tor
fill-in and reduction of the distance,
and the hardy fisherman was inclined
to make the attempt.
There were many chances in his favor
for escape when once upon Sand island.
Numerous fishermen left their boats
there through the night, and even
though these were swept away by the
storm there was probability that 9th.
ers had lodged upon the beach. There
was always wreckage of all sorts found
on Sand island after a storm, and usu-
ally there were many boats.
The water was cold, it was true,
but Dan was also cold. He had re-
NAMED cramped upon the rocks until
any kind of action would be relief to
one so accustomed to exercise. He de-
scended to the waters edge and peered
out over the surface toward the stretch
of sand. Selecting what he thought
was the nearest point of the island,
he took a mountain peak far to the
southeast as a guide, and eased himself
into the water.
There is no danger along this shore
to man in the water except the ele-
ments themselves. The man, eating
shark 80 much feared in southern wat.
ers never makes his appearance at this
point. 1t is only the extreme low tenn
perature of the water that endangers
the lives of those who are subjected to
it and of this Dan was not ignorant.
He knew that he could swim an unlim-
| tied distance should the water not
cause his limbs to cramp.
| But the distance was made without
incident. The shores of the island had
not been materially changed, and when
the young fisherman rose up in the
shallow water at the approach of the
island and waded ashore, he felt that
his troubles were coming to an end.
But he was destined to be surprised.
He little suspected what was to be en-
countered farther up the island.
His first thought was to find a boat.
He started along the north shore of the
sand spit looking closely for boats,
either on the beach or on the sands.
The island was mile in length and
a quarter to half mile in width.
He had reached the east point OF the
island without success and was about
to round the point for the purpose o1
examining the south shore. But he
suddenly stopped in astonishment. He
saw a splash in the water to tie south
and then he heard number of muftled
oars. 1t was now after midnight and
he did not understand such a proceed.
ing from that quarter. The younl
fisherman Immediately sec, eted himself
among the driftwood so abundant or
this island and awaited developments
} 1t was too early for fishermen to begir
J to stir and the boats were not comm.
from the right direction anyway.
He did not have long to wait. Darl
objects soon appeared moving cautious
ly on the water in every direction iron
the south. Small boats fairly dottet
the river and there was silence in tn,
mutfling OF the oars and the uprigh
figures in the craft that was ominous
Every boat contained four or NOR
3 persons and as they began to land OF
the south shore Of the island Dan dis
! covered that the men were armed.
The problem was now simple to Dal
: Lapham. 1t was the advance guard @
e the southside fishermen. The clash wa
g now at hand. The war had long bee
t threatened between the southslde an
northside fishermen and the southslder
had taken the initiatory steps.
G The men drew their boats upon tn
e sand and waited, as it were, upon thei
a guns. Dams eyes and ears were oper
n He was not long in learning their loca
r tions. They formed a circle obscure
e from view by the drift wood, fe,
# yards south Of Dams place of concea
ment.
It He gathered from their conversation
k carried on in low but distinct tones
e that the northsiders would arrive abor
It daylight, and that their purpose was