Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-23
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! try to find some water?' he gasped anx-
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iously 3s,.s r s.
She nodded a childlike acauiescence ant
her eyelids fell. 1t was only that her eye'
smarted dreadfully from the salt water
but the sailor was sure that this was G
premonition of lapse to Inconsistencies
please try not to faint again., he said
Don't you think 1 had better loosen these
things? You can breathe more easily.
A ghost of smile iickered on her lips
"No-no." she murmured. my eyes huri
me-that is all. Is there-any--water?'
He laid her tenderly on the sand and
rose to his feet. His first glanca was to-
ward the sea. He saw something which
made him blink with establishment A
heavy sea was still running over the bar
fler reef which nelosed small lagoon The
contrast between the fierce commotion out
side and the comparatively smooth surface
of the protected pool was very marked
At low tide the lagoon was almost com
pletely isolated. Indeed, he imagined thai
only fierce gale blowing from the north
west would enable the waves. to leap the
reef, save where strip of broken water
surging far into the small natural lIarbor
betrayed the position of the tiny entrance
Yet at this very point fine cocoanut
palm reared its stately column high in air
and its long tremulous fronds were now
swinging wildly before the gale. From
where he stood it appeared to be growing
in the midst of the sea. for huge breakers
completely hid the coral embankment. This
sentinel of the land had weirdly impress
in the waste of foam-capped waves. Not a
vestige of the Sirdar remained seward
but the sand was Uttered with wreckagc
and-,nournful spectacle!-a considerable
number of inanimate human forms lay
huddled up amidst the relics of the steamer
This discovery stirred him to action. He
turned to survey the land on which he was
stranded with his helpless companion. To
his great relief he discovered that it was
lofty and tree-clad. He knew that the ShiT
could not have drifted to Borneo. which
still lay far to the south. This must be one
of the hundreds of islands which stud the
China sea and provide resorts for Hainan
fishermen. Probably it was inhabited
though he thought it strange that none OF
the islanders had put in an appearance. In
any event water and food of some sor,
We're assured
But before setting out upon his quest
two things demanded attention. The girl
must be removed from her present posi-
ton. 1t would be too horrible 10 permit
her first conscious gaze to rest upon those
crumpled objects on the beach. Common
humanity demanded. too, that he should
hastily examine each of the bodies in case
life was not wholly extinct.
So he tent over the girl, noting with
sudden wonder that. weak she was she
had managed to refasten part of her bodice.
y on must permit me to carry you lit
tie further inland he explained gently
Without another word he lifted her in
his arms, marveling somewhat at the
strength which came of necessity, and bore
her some little distance. until a sturdy
rock. juttins out of the sand. offered shell
ter from the wind and protection from the
sea and its revelations.
Il am so cold and tired" murmured Iris.
rs there any water? My throat hurts
me-
He pressed back the tangled hair from
her forehead as he might soothe a child.
Try 10 lie still for a very few minutes"
lie said. You have not long to suffer [
will return immedia tely"
His own throat and palate were on fire
owing TO the brine. but he first hurried
back 10 the edge of the lagoon There
were fourteen bodies in all, three women
and eleven men, four of the latter being
Lascars The women were saloon passen-
gers whom he did not know. One of the
men was the surgeon, another the first of
nicer, third Sir John Tozer. The rest
were passengers and members of the crew.
They were all dead: some had been peace
fully drowned: others were fearfully man.
eled by by the rocks. Two. of the IIascars
hearing signs of dreadful injuries were
lying on n cluster of low rocks. overha ne-
ing the water. The remainder rested on the
sand. sqs-- 80
The sailor exhibited no visible emotion
while he conducted his sad Scrutiny WheI,
he was assured that this silent company
was beyond mortal help he at once strobe
away toward the nearest belt of. trees He
could not tell how long the search for wa
ter might be protracted, and there was
pressing need for it.
When he reached the first clump of brush
wood he uttered a delighted exclamation
There, growing in prodigal luxuriance was
the beneficent pitcher plant, whose large
curled-up leaf, shaped like a teacup. not
only nolds lasting quantity of rain wa
ter. but mikes Herewith its own palatable
and natural juices
With his knife he severed two of the
leaves, swearing emphatically the while or
account OF his damaged finger. and has
rV,.. 80,
She heard him and managed to raise her
self on an elbow. The poor girls eyes glis-
tened al the prospect of relief. Without a
word OF question or surprise she swallowed
the contents of both leaves.
Then she found utterance. How odd il
tastes What is it?' she inquired
But the cagerness with which she
quenched her thirst renewed his own mo
mentarily forgotten torture. His tongue
seemed To swell. He was absolutely unable
to reply.
The water revived Iris like a magic
draft. Her quick intuition told her VIVA,
had happened.
You have had none yourself she cried
Go at once and get some. And please
bring me some more"
He required no second bidding After
hastily gulping down the contents of sew
eral leaves he returned with a further sup
ply. Iris was now sitting up. The sun hat
burst royalty through the clouds and hel
chilled limbs were gaining some degree OF
warmth and elasticity.
What is it?' she repeated after another
delicious draft.
The leaf of the pitcher plant. Nature is
not always cruel. In an unusually generou.
mood she devised u is method of storins
water"
, Miss Deane reached out her hand TO,
more. Her troubled brain refused to won
der at such q reply from an ordinary sea
man. The sailor deliberately spilled tht
contents OF remaining leaf on the sand
NO madam, lie said. with an odd mix
| tufe OF Difference and frmness. mo NOR,
al present must procure you som.
| food.
| She looked up at him in momentary 81
| ience
The ship is iost?F she sad after pause
| Yes. madam
| Are we the only people saved?"
| Il fear So
| rs this desert island?"
! Il think not. madam. 1t may by chanc,
ne temporarily uninhabited. but iisherme,
Z China 10 all