Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-06-03
n three sides by cllfrs and rocks.

~N- u WoeOi VuN lhtkc you Will per-
celve passage through the reef. A
great place for sharks, Miss Deane. but
no place for bathers."
They passed on. While traversing
the coral strewn south beach. with its
patches OF white soft sand baking in
the direct rays Of the sun, jerks per
ceived traces of the turtle which
swarmed in the neighboring sea.
delicious eggs and turtle soupv he
announced when Iris asked him why
he was SO intsntly studying certain
marks on the sand. caused by the great
sea tortoise during their nocturnal Wis
its to the breeding ground.
III they are green turtle" he con
tinued. eve are in the lap of luxury.
They lard the alderman and inspire
the poet. When a ship comes TO our
assistance l will persuade the captain
to freight the vessel with them and
make my fortune"
Il suppose. under the circumstances.
you were not a rich man. Mr.. jerks"
said Iris timidly.
Il possess a wealthy bachelor uncle
who made me his heir and allowed me
four hundred a year, so was a sort Of
Croesus among stan corps officers.
When the smash came he disowned me
by cable. by selling my ponies and my
other belongings l was able to walk
out OF my quarters penniFess, but free
from debt"
And all through a deceitful wo-
man.
yes"
She ventured further step.
WAS she very bad 20 you, Mr..
Jenks?"
He stopped and laughed-actuaHy
roared-at the suggestion.
Bad TO me"' he repeated. Il had
nothing 10 do with her She was hum
buggihg her husband. not me. Fool
that l WAS. could not mind my own
business"
So Mrs. Costobell was not flirting
with the man who suffered on her ac-
count IL is regrett0ble but true
statement that Iris would willingly
have Rugged Mrs Costobell az that mo-
ment.
Rounding Europa point, the sailors
eyes were hxed on their immediate
surroundings. but Iris gazed dreamily
ahead. Hence it was that she was the
first 10 cry i'm amazement.
"A boat. See. there, ON the rocks"
There was no mistake. 4 ships boat
was perched high and dry on the
north side OF the cape Even as they
scrambled toward il jerks understood
how IL had come there
When the Sirdar parted amidshins
the after section fell back into the
depths beyond the reef. and this boat
must have broken loose from its davits
and been driven ashore here by the
force OF the western current
Was It intactf Could they escapeT
Was this ark stranded on the island
for their benefit: II IL were seaworthy,
whittier should they stecr-to those is
''ends whose blue outlines were visible
on the horizons
These ana a hundred other questions
eoursed through his brain during me
race over the rocks but all such Wild
spCculatiOns were promptly settled
when they reached the craft. for the
keel and the whole OF the lower tim
oers were smashed into match wood.
But there were stores on board.
Ienks remembered that Captain Ross
foresight had secured the provisioning
OF all the ships boats soon after the
hrst Wild rush 10 steady the vessel
after the propeller was lost AIasts.
sails, oars. seats-all save two water
sasks-had gone. but jerks. with eager
bands, untastened the lockers. and
here he found "A good supply OF timed
meats and biscuits. They had barely
recovered from the excitement OF this
and when the sailor noticed that be-
hind the rocks on which the craft was
hrmly lodged lay small natural basin
iull or salt water. replenished and
treshened by the spray OF every gale
and completely shut or from all sea
ward access.
II was not more than four feet deem.
beautifully carpeted with sand and Sc.
Guided by rocks on all sides. Not the
hniest crab or fish was TO be seen. 1t
provided an ideal bath.
Iris was Overioyed. She pointed to-
ward their habitation.
Mt jerks she said. - Will be with
Ycu at teatime"
he gathered all the tins ne was able
TO carry and strobe on. enjoining her
10 fire her revolver If for the slightest
reason she wanted assistance. and Civ
ing a parting warning that If she de-
iayed too long he would come and
shout 10 her.
Il wonder" said the girl TO herself.
watching his retreating figure. what
he is afraid Of. Surely by this time
we have exhausted the unpleasant sur
prises Of the island. Anyhow. now for
a splash
She was hardly in the water before
she began 10 be afraid on account of
jerks. Suppose anything happened TO
him while she was th0ughtlessly enjoy
Ing herself here, SO strongly did the
thought possess her that she burriedly
dressed again and ran off 10 find him.
He was engaged In fastening a num-
Der OF bayoHets transversely 10 y long
piece of timber
What are you doing that for?" she
asked
why did Won refI1rn so Soo,o IA