Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-02-15
CHAPTER III.


Where had they gone?
CHAPTER III.
IA HE sailor wasted no time in idle
bewilderment. He searched
carefully for traces of the miss
~ ing Lascars. He came to the
conclusion that the bodies had been
dragged from off the sun dried rocks
into the lagoon by some agency the ma
| ture of which he could not even con-
lecture.
They were lying many feet above the
sea level when he last saw them, lit
tie more than half an hour earlier At
that point the beach shelved rapidly.
He could look far into the depths of
the rapidly clearing water. Nothing
was visible there save several varie-
ties Of small fish.
The incident puzzled and annoyed
him. Still thinking about it, he sat
down on the highest rock and pulled
off his heavy boots to empty the wa
ter out He also Invested himself of
his stockings and spread them out to
dry.
The action reminded him of Miss
Deane's necessities. He hurried to n
point whence he could call out to her
and recommend her to dry some of
her clothing during his absence. He
retired even more quickly, fearir; lest
he should be seen. Iris had already
displayed to the sunlight large por-
ton of her costume.
Without further delay he set about
a disagreeable but necessary task.
From the pockets of the first officer
and doctor he secured two revolvers
and supply of cartridges, evidently
intended to settle any dispute which
might have arisen between the ships
officers and the native members of the
crew. He hoped the cartridges were
uninjured, but he could not test them
at the moment for fear Of alarming
Miss Deane
Both officers carried pocketbooks and
pencils. In one of these, containing
dry leaves, the sailor made careful
inventory Of the money and other val
liable effects he found upon the dead.
besides noting names and documents
where possible. Curiously enough the
capitalist of this island morgue was a
Lascar, who in belt around his waist
boarded more than hundred pounds
in gold. The sailor tied in q handker-
chief all the money he collected and
ranged pocketbooks, letters and jew
elry in separate little heaps. Then he
stripped the men of their boots and
outer clothing. He could not tell how
long the girl and he might be detained
on the island before help came, and
fresh garments were essential. 1t
would be foolish sentimentality to
trust to stores thrown ashore from the
ship.
Nevertheless when it became neces-
sary to search and disrobe the women
he almost broke down. For an instant
he softened. Gulping back his emo
tons with savage imprecation, he
doggedly persevered. AT last he paus-
ed to consider what should be done
with the bodies. His first intent was to
scoop large hole in the sand with a
piece Of timber, but when he took into
consideration the magnitude of the la
Dor involved, requiring many hours of
hard work and waste Of precious
time which might be of infinite value
to his helpless companion and himself
he was forced to abandon the project.
1t was not only impracticable, but dan
gerous.
Again he had to set his teeth with
grim resolution. One by one the bod.
les we're shot into the lagoon from the
little quay of rock. He knew the.
would not be seen again.
He arose and shook himself like Q
dog. There was much to be done. HI
gathered the clothes and other article
into n heap and placed portions of Shat
tered packing cases near to misleat
Iris. While thus engaged he kicked
up out Of the sand n rusty creese. o
Malay sword. The presence of this i'm
plement startled him. He examined
1t 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 DeaneT'
he sang out cheerily.
Ready? l have been waiting for
you"
jerks chuckled quietly. IT must
guard my tongue 1t betrays me-" lie
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 l 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 thin.
BILE, scissors, needles and some skeins
of unbleached thread. Case and con-
g tents We're sodden or rusted with salt
g water, but the girl fastened upon this
treasure with sigh of deep content.
!. "Now, please" she cried, II want a
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 subterfuge did
not deceive her. She darted 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.
yes" 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, l think our pro.
gramme is, in the first place, to OK
anime the articles thrown ashore and
see il any of the cases contain food.
| Soaaudl1r 81,