The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-03-22
"Yes.n he replied simply. 81

OTy Will icpIc.llSu lly W01oAODS'
What is the first thing to be done:'
"Wel, Miss Deane, think our pro-
gramme is, in the first place, to ex-
anime tie 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. It 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?"
cit is impossible to form an opinion
on that point. Help may come in
day. On the other hand''-
"Yes?"
.It is a wise thing, Miss Deane, to
prepare for other contingencies"
ssDo you mean," she said slowly,
sthat we may be imprisoned here for
weeks, perhaps months?'
eff you clst 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 mev'
He bowed. There was perceptible
return of his stubborn cynicism when
he spoke.
.aThe 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,
impelled to that course little earlier
by your fathers anxiety. Pardon me.
I did not intend to pain you. I am
speaking my mind"
"Go on" said Iris bravely.
'The relief ship must search the en-
tire China sea. The gale might have
driven a 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 ca 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 a 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.
.To sum up," he continued hurriedly,
eve may have to remain here for many
days, even months. There is always a
chance Of speedy help. We must act,
however, On the basis Of detention for
an indefinite period. am discussing
appearances as they are. A survey OF
the island may change all these views"
s.In what way?"
He turned and pointed to the sum-
NIT Of the tree covered hill behind
them.
.tFrom that point" he said, eve may
see other and larger islands. IT so,
they will certainly be inhabited. I am
surprised this one is not"
He ended abruptly. They were los
ing time. Before Iris could join him
he was already hauling large un-
damaged case out Of the water.
He laughed unmirthfully. Cham
pagner' he said. Ga good brand too!'
This man was certainly an enigma.
Iris wrinkled her pretty forehead in
the effort to place him in a fitting cate
CORY. His words and accent were
those Of an educated gentleman, yet
his actions and manners were studious-
" uncouth when he thought she was
observing him. The veneer Of rough
ness puzzled her. That he was nat
lurally Of refined temperament she
knew quite well, not alone by percep-s
ton, but by the plain evidence Of his
earlier dealings with her.
To the best of her ability she silently
helped in the work Of salvage. They
made a queer collection. A case Of
champagne and another Of brandy, a
box of books. pair Of night glasses, a
compass. several boxes Of ships bis
cults, coated with salt, but saved By
their hardness, having been immersed
but a few seconds; two large cases o.
hams in equally good condition, some
huge dish covers, bit Of twisted iron
work and a great quantity OF cordage
and timber.
There was one very heavy package,
which their united strength could not
lift. The sailor searched around until
he found an iron bar that could be
wrenched from its socket. With this