Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-08-02
CHAPTER XIV.

IN ~ in the extreme; but, great as
S was his danger. he regarded
1t as nothing compared to the danger
that threatened Alma. He was al
most exhausted from hunger, cold and
grief. The boat slowly drifted in a
southern direction, making toward the
eastern side Of the Caspian. 1t drift
ed out Of the ordinary course Of navi-
CATION, and he watched in vain for a
passing vessel. He watched as long
as possible the course Of the ameer's
sloop and reasoned that 1t was making
for the nearest Bokharan port. Night
came on. with no rescuing vessel in
sight. Hour after hour he drifted
hoping almost against hope, ever think.
ing of Alma and OF way to help her.
About midnight IL seemed to him that
the rocking motion of the boat had
ceased; that it had become stationary.
Here is pretty mess!" he exclaim-
ed. II wonder II this old hulk has run
aground. The Caspian is shallow, but
did not think boat like this could
run aground in the middle of it,"
An examination in the dark was not
easy. Harvey slid down the pile Of
hay, cropping about with one hand
While he chung for safety with the 9th
er. He fancied he saw faint light
glimmering some distance from him,
but 1t disappeared as suddenly as it
had come. he saw the light again, a
quick passing from one point to anoth.
er, but showing for a moment only.
"Now, that light is not on vessel"
Harvey reasoned. ut is lantern car
ried around by person who is walking
on land. II drifted aground here, Ger.
tainly there cannot be water enough at
that place t9 float any kind of vessel.
I've probably drifted on the shore of
some island. Ia it a hospitaDle island,
or will be worse of in the clutches of
the Inhabitants than where am? The
wind may drive me off again before
morning and vessel pick me up. But
would the vessel be any safer than this
island? And how can I investigate
without attracting attention."
Soon there was another CLEAN Of
light such as might come through an
open door from a light within. A man
was standing between Harvey and the
light. he seemed to be looking toward
the hayboat, but soon disappeared into
the same place from which came the
mysterious light.
ut is an island" said Harvey. II am
now resting on q shoal. and the water
cannot be very deep between this and
the island. I'll swim ashore and risk
It."
He removed some of his clothing
made a bundle Of 1t and slid off into
the water. To his surprise he could
stand on bottom. Carefully he felt his
way. For short distance the water
grew more shallow. Then 1t got deep.
er, and he was forced to swim. After
short swim he again felt the ground
under his feet, and he wAded on to dry
land. The shore was sandy.
He moved slowly and cautiously. 1t
was difficult to locate where the light
had been. He CROPPED along, wander
Ing In many curves. Trees were on the
island, but he could see no trace Of a
building. After cropping some time in
the darkness he discovered what ap-
peared to be a rock about five feet
high. Feeling the surface Of this, he
FOUND that it was not solid rock, but
a rocky formation With an opening on
one side; Lying fat on the ground
land peering In, he saw a light far in
the earth. apparently from lantern