The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-06-22

plement startled MIN. He examined
it slowly and thrust it out Of sight.
Then he went back to her, after don.
ming his stockings and boots, now thor
oughly dry
Are you ready now, Miss Deane p"
he sang out cheerily.
Ready? 1 have been waiting for
you.''
jerks chuckled quietly. II must
guard my tongue. 1t betrays me-, he
said to himself.
Iris Joined him. By some mysterious
means she had effected great improve
ment in her appearance. Yet there
were manifest gaps.
IF only I had a needle and thread',-
she began.
IF that is ALL" said the sailor, fun
bling in his pockets. He produced a
shabby little hussif containing a thin
BILE, scissors, needles and some skeins
of unbleached thread. Case and CON
tents were sodden or rusted with salt
water, but the girl fastened upon this
treasure with sigh of deep content.
Nov, please" she cried, II want
telegraph Office and ship"
When they reached the sands she
caught sight of the pile Of clothes and
the broken woodwork, with the small
heaps Of valuables methodically ar
ranged. The harmless subterfuse did
not deceive her. She darted a quick
look of gratitude at her companion.
How thoughtful he was! After fear
full glance around she was treasured,
though she wondered what had become
of-them.
II see you have been busy" she said,
nodding toward the clothes and boots.
eyes," he replied simply. lucky
find, wasn't it?'
"Most fortunate. When they are quite
dry will replenish my wardrobe.
What is the first thing to be done?'
"Well, Miss Deane, I think our pro-
gramme is, in the first place, to ex-
anime the articles thrown ashore and
see if any of the cases contain food.
Secondly, we should haul high and dry
everything that may be of use to us,
lest the weather should break again
and the next tide sweep away the spoil.
Thirdly, we should eat and rest, and,
finally, we must explore the island be-
fore the light fails. I am convinced we
are alone here. 1t is a small place at
the best, and if any Cinnamon were
ashore they would have put in an ap-
pearance long since"
"Do you think, then, that we may re-
main here long?"
1T is impossible to form an opinion
on that point. Help may come in a
day. On the other hand''-
"Yes?''
1T is wise thing, Miss Deane, to
prepare for other contingencies"
do you mean," she said slowly,
that we may be imprisoned here for
weeks, perhaps months?''
IF you cast your mind back a few
hours you will perhaps admit that we
are very fortunate to be here at all.''
She whisked round upon him. do
not fence with my question, Mr. jerks
Answer meu'
He bowed. There was a perceptible
return of his stubborn cynicism when
he spoke.
'"The facts are obvious, Miss Deane.
The loss of the Sirdar will not be
definitely known for many days. It
will be assumed that she has broken
down. The agents in Singapore will
await cabled tidings of her where
abouts. She might have drifted any
where in that typhoon. Ultimately
they will send out a vessel to search,
tmpelled to that course little earlier
by your fathers anxiety. Pardon me-
l did not intend to pain you. l am
speaking my mind"
"Go on" said Iris bravely.
'"The relief ship must search the en-
tire China sea. The gale might have
driven disabled steamer north, south,
east or west. A typhoon travels in a
whirling spiral, you see, and the direc-
ton Of a drifting ship depends wholly
upon the locality where she sustained
damage. The coasts of China, Java,
Borneo and the Philippines are not
equipped with lighthouses on every
headland and cordoned with telegraph
wires. There are river pirates and saw
age races to be reckoned with. Casting
aside all other possibilities and assum-
ing that prompt search is made to the
south Of our course, this part Of the
ocean is full Of reefs and small islands,
some inhabited permanently, others
visited occasionally by fishermen" He
was about to add something, but check
ed himself.
ITO sum up,'' he continued hurriedly,
1--WE may have to remain here for many
days, even months. There is always
chance Of speedy help. We must act,
however, on the basis of detention for
an indefinite period. I am discussing
appearances as they are. A survey of
the island may change all these views"
"1n what way?"
He turned and pointed to the sum-
nit Of the tree covered hill behind
them.
"From that point" he said, 1--WE may
see other and larger islands. If so,
they will certainly be inhabited. I am
S11ryori f11ic {o