The Red Cloud chief., 1905-06-02

What IL the first thing to be doneT'
well, Miss Dcane. I think our pro.
grammc H., In the first place, to eN-
anime the articles thrown ashore and
see If any Of the cases contain food.
Secondly. we should haul high and dry
everything that may he of use to us.
lest the weather should break again
and the next tide sweep away the spoil.
Thirdly. we should cat and rest, and,
finally. we must explore The island he.
fore the light fails. I'm convinced we
are alone here. 1t IL Il small place ut
the best, and If any Cinnamon were
ashore they would have put In IN ap-
pcarancc long since"
"Do you think. then, that we may re.
main here long,
1T il impossible to form an opinion
on that point. Help may come In a
day. ON the other hand
"Ycs?'
1T Is a wise thing, Miss Deane, to
prepare for other contingencies"
"Do you mean" she said slowly.
that we may be imprisoned here for
weeks, perhaps monthsT'
III you cast your mind back n few
hours you will perhaps admit That we
are very fortunate to he here at all"
She whiskcd round upon him. "Do
not fence with my question. Mr.. jerks.
Answer me-
He bowed. There was n perceptible
return of his stubborn cynicism when
he spoke.
"Thc facts are obvious. Miss Dcanc.
The loss of the Sirdar will not be
definitely known for many days. 1t
will be assumed that she has broken
down. The agents In Singapore VIII
await oablcd tidings OF her where.
abouts. She might have drlftcd any
where in that typhoon. Ultimately
they will send out n vessel to search,
impelled to that curse Il little earlier
by your fathers anxiety. Pardon me.
I did not intend to pain you. l am
speaking my mind"
"GO on" said Iris bravely.
"The relief ship must search the en.
tire China sea. The gale might have
driven II disabled steamer north, south,
east or west. A typhoon travels In n
whirling spiral, you see, and the direc-
ton Of n 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 on 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'
t,v thot an pvrr,vt canvrh 10 made m fhf
, south OF our course, this part Of the
ocean Is full Of reefs and small islands
some inhabited permanently, others
visited occasionally by fishermen" Ht
was about to add something, but check
ed himself.
, "To sum up" he continued hurrledly
1--WE may have to remain here for many
. days, even months. There IL always {
/, chance of speedy help. We must act
, however, on the basis Of detention 70
, an indefinite period. ! am d~iscussin,
appearances as they are. A survey o
2 the island may change all these views.
= I'm what wayT'
He turned and pointed to the sum
NIT of the tree covered hill behin'
them.
From that point" he said. WE ma.
see other and larger islands. II sc
h they will certainly be inhabited. I an
surprised this one IL not"
He ended abruptly. They were lOs
ing time. Before Iris could join hin
he was already hauling a large uu
q damaged case out Of the water.
He laughed unmirthfully. Chan
pagne.' he said. "A good brand tool"
4 Iris wrlnkled her pretty forehead |
the effort to place him In a fitting cat'
CORY. His words and accent wer
those OF an educated gentleman. "
> his actions and manners were studiou'
~ uncOuth when he thought she wa
-, observing him. The veneer OF rOugl
: ness puzzled her. That he was ma
urally OF refined temperament 81
knew quite well, not alone by percel
ton. but by the plain evidence OF h
earlier dealings with her.
To the best Of her ability she silent
81, helped In the work OF salvage. The
No made a queer collection. A case
~ champagne and another Of brandy,
80, box OF books, a pair Of night glasses.
compass, several boxes of ships bl
re cults, coated with salt, but saved
their hardness, having been immers'
- but a few seconds; two large cases
hams In equally good condition, son
huge dish covers, a bit OF twisted iro