Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-28

ment. A heavy sea was still running
over the barrier reef which Enclosed
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 lie imagined
that only 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 20
sitlon of the tiny entrance.
! Yet at this very point fine cOcoanut
palm reared Its stately column high In
air, and its 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 n weirdly impressive effect 1t
was the only fixed object in the waste
OF foam capped waves. Not vestige
OF the Sirtlar remained seward, but
the sand was Uttered with wreckage.
and-mournful spectacle consdera-
bic number Of inanlmate 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 lny far to
the south. This must he one Of the
hundreds OF islands which stud the
China sea and provide resorts for Hal
nan fishermen. Probably it was In
habitcd. though he thought II strange
that none of the islanders had put in
an appearance. In any event water
and food Of sOiLs 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.
"You must permit me to carry you a
little farther inland" he explained
gently.
Without another word he lifted her
in his arms. marveling somewhat nj
the strength which came of necessity
and bore her some little distance until
sturdy rock 5utting out Of the sand
offered shelter from the wind and pro
lection from the sen and its reveal
tons.
II am so cold and tired" murmured
Iris us there any water? My throat
hurts me-
lie pressed back the tangled hail
from her forehead rs he might sooth,
a child.
TRY to lie still for very few min
utes." he said. You have not long tt
suffer will return Immediately"
His own throat and palate were OF
IRE owing 10 the brine. but he frs
hurried back to the edge of the lagoon
There were fourteen bodies In all. three
, women and eleven men. four Of thu
latter being Lascars. The women wer,
saloon passengers whom he did no
know. One Of the men was the sur
geon. another the first officer thir'
Sir John Tozcr The rest were passcn
~f Ia,
were all dead; some had been peaceful
~ drowned, others were fearful,
mangled by the rocks. Two Of the Las
cars, bearing signs Of dreadful injuries
were lying on cluster Of low rock
overhanging the water The remainde
rested on the sand.
The sailor exhibited no visible enc
! ton while he conducted his sad scrt
tiny. When he was assured that thi
silent company was beyond mortal he
he at once strobe away toward tn
nearest belt OF trees. He could not te
how long the search for water Nigh
he protracted. and there was pressin
need for il.
When he reached the first ciump o
trushwood he uttered delighted eS
sfamation. There, growing in prodigl
tuxuriance, was the beneficent pitche
plant, whose large curled up leaf shaI
ed like a teacup. not only holds las
ing quantity OF rain water but mike
Herewith its own palatable and ma
ural juices.
With his knife he severed two q
the leaves and fastened to Iris wit
the precious beverage. She heard hi
and managed to raise herself on an q
bow The poor girls eyes glistened d
the prospect Of relief. Without n wor
Of question or surprise she swnllowe
the contents Of both leaves.
Then she found utterance. "Ho'
odd it tastes. What Is it?' she II
Quired.
But the cagerness with which sf
Quenched her thirst renewed his Ow
momentarily forgotten torture. III
tongue seemed to swell. He was al
solutely unable to reply.
ID The water revived Iris like a mag
Is draft. Her quick intuition told ht