The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-03-15

ment 4 heavy sea was still running
over the barrier reef which inclosed a
small lagoon. The contrast between
the fierce commotion outside 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
that only q fierce gale blowing from
the northwest would enable the waves
to leap the reef, save where strip Of
broken water, surging far into the
small natural harbor, betrayed the po-
sition Of the tiny entrance.
Yet at this very point fine cocoanut
palm reared its stately column high in
air, and it's 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 a weirdly impressive effect. 1t
was the only fixed object in the. waste
of foam capped waves. Not yestige
of the Sirdar remained seaward, but
the sand was Uttered with wreckage,
and-mournful spectacle-a considera-
BILE number Of inanimate human forms
lay huddled up amid 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 COM
panion. To his great relief he discov-
cred that it was lofty and tree clad.
He knew that the ship 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 Hal
nan fishermen. Probably it was in
habited, though he thought it strange
that none of the islanders had put in
an appearance In any event water
and food of some sort were assured.
But before setting out upon his quest
two things demanded attention. The
girl must be removed from her present
position. 1t would be too horrible to
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 bent over the girl, noting with
sudden wonder that, weak as she was,
she had managed to refasten part Of
her bodice.
'sYou must permit me to carry you
little farther inland" he explained
gently.
= Without another word he lifted her
in his arms, maryeling somewhat at
the strength which came of necessity,
and bore her some little distance until
a sturdy rock jutting out of the sand
offered shelter from the wind and pro-
lection from the sea and its revela-
tons.
81 am so cold and tired" murmured
Iris. "Is there any water? Ny throat
hurts me-
He pressed back the tangled hair
from her forehead as be might soothe
a child
sTry to lie still for a very few min
utes,'' he said. .You have not long to
suffer. I Will return Immediately"
His own throat and palate were on
fire owing to the brine, but he first
hurried back to 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 passengers whom be did not
know. One Of the men was the sur
geon, another the first officer, a third
Sir John Tozer. The rest were passen-
gers and members Of the crew. They
were all dead: some had been peaceful
ly drowned. others were fearfully
mangled by the rocks. Two Of the Las
cars. bearing signs of dreadful injuries,
were lying on a cluster Of low rocks
oyerhanging the water. The remainder
rested on the sand.
The sailor exhibited no visible emo
ton while he conducted his sad scru-
tiny. When 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 water might
be protracted, and there was pressing
need for it.
When be reached the first clunp Of
brushwood he uttered delighted ex-
clamation There, growing in prodigal
luxuriance, was the benefcent pitcher
plant, whose large curled up leaf, shap-
ed like a teacup, not only holds & last
ing quantity of rain water, but mixes
herewith it's OWE palatable and nat
ural juices.
With his knife he severed two of
the leaves and fastened to Iris with
the precious beverage. She heard him
and managed to raise herself on an el-
bow. The poor girls eyes glistened at
the prospect of relief Without word
of question or surprise she swallowed
the contents of both leaves.
Then Si,e fO;1nd T1tteronnp GLOW