Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-25

beW1lderment. lie Searcneu 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 na- 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 of his heavy boots to empty the wa ter out. He also divested himself of his stockings and spread them out to dry.
 The action reminded him of Miss Deane's necessities. He hurried to
 
 and recommend her to dry some of her clothing during his absence. He retired even more quickly, fearing lest he should be seen. Iris had already displayed to the sunlight large DOT tion of her costume.
 Without further delay he set about | disagreeable but necessary task. From the pockets of the first officer and doctor he secured two revolvers and a 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 a careful inventory of the money and other val uable 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 a belt around his waist boarded more than a hundred pounds in gold. The sailor tied in 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. It 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. tions 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 a large hole in the sand with a piece of timber but when he took into consideration the magnitude of the la. bor involved, requiring many hours of hard work and a waste of precious time which might be of infinite value to his helpless companion and himself, he was forced to abandon the project It was not only tmpracticable, but dan. gerous.
 Again he had to set his teeth with grim resolution. One by one the bod ies were shot into the lagoon from the little quay Of rock. He knew they would not be seen again.
 He arose and shook himself like g dog. There was much to be done. He gathered the clothes and other articles into heap and placed portions of shat tered packing cases near to mislead Iris. While thus engaged he kicked up out of the sand rusty creese. or Malay sword. The presence of this i'm plement startled him. 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?" he sang out cheerily.
 Ready? I have been waiting for you"
 Jenks chuckled quietly. q must guard my tongue. It betrays me" he aid to himself
 .ris Joined him. By some mysterious Aeans she had effected great improve sent in her appearance. Yet there -7ere manifest gaps.
 "If only had a needle and thread"- she began.
 ''rf that Is ali.- said the sailor. fun bling in his pockets. He produced shabby little hussif containing q thim- ble. scissors. needles and some skeins of unbleached thread. Case and con- tents were sodden or r1sted with salt water. but the girl fastened upon this treasure with g sigh of deep content.
 NOW. please she cried. T want telegraph offiC~ and q ship"
 When they reached the sands she caught sight of the pile of clothes and the broken woodwork. with the small heaps of vsluables methodically ar ranged. The harmless subterfuEe did not deceive her. She dartei a quick look of gratitude at her companion How thoughtful he was. After fear ful glance around she was reassured- tho.gh she wondered what had become Of-them-
 T see you have been busy she said holding toward the clothes and boots