Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-06-03

II suppose" she commented with an
air OF much wisdom, you are contriv-
ing an overhead railway for the safe
transit Of yourself and the goOdsg"
yves"
''Why are you so doubtful about it,"
Because 1 personally intended 10
walk across. The ropes will serve 10
convey the packages"
| She rose imperiously. Il absolutely
! forbid you 20 enter the water again.
| Such a suggestion on your part is quite
shameful. You are taking n grave
risk for no very great gain that l can
see, and If anything happens to you
shall be left all alone in this awful
place"
She could think OF no better argu-
ment Her only resource was wo-
mans expedient-a plea for protection
/ against threatening ills.
The sailor seemed TO be puzzled how
best 10 act
"AIiss Deane" he said. there is no
such serious danger as you imagine
Last time the cutie caught me nap
ping. He will not do 50 again. Those
rifles must have II it will serve to
reassure you. I will so along the line
myself"
Without another word he commenc-
ed operations. There was plenty OF
rope. and the plan he adopted was
simplicity itself. When each package
was securely fastened he attached II 10
n loop that passed over the line stretch
eli from the tree to the crowbar. To
this loop he tied the lightest rope he
could find and threw the other end 10
Iris. BY pulling slightly she was able
30 land at her feet even the cumbr0us
rifle chest. for the travelling angle was
I so acute that the heavier the article
the more readily Il sought the lower
level.
They toilcd in silence until jerks
could lay hands on nothing more Of
value Then. Observing due care. he
quickly passed the channel. For an
instant the girl gazed affrightedly at
the sea until the sailor stood nc her
side again
The tide had turned. In a few min
utcs the reef would be partly sub
merged To carry the case OF rifles 20
the mainland was manifestly impos-
sible feat. SO jerks now did that which
done earlier would have saved him
some labor He broke open the chest
and found that the weapons were ap-
parently in excellent order.
He snapped the locks aud squinted
/ down the barrels OF half a dozen 10
test them. These he laid on one side
| Then he rapidly constructed q small
/ raft from loose tlmbcrs. binding them
| roughly with rope and 90 this argosy
/ he fastened the box OF tea. the barrels
/ OF flour. the broken saloon chair and
/ other small articles which might be OF
use. He avoided any dimculty I'm
launching the raft 10y building il close
/ 10 the waters edge when AN was
ready the rising tide Hoated it for him.
HO secured 10 o. hiS longest rope and
/ gave IL "a vigorous push OF into the la
COON. Then hc slung four rides across
| his shoulders. asked Iris 10 carry the
remaining two m like manner and be-
gan % mancuvcr the raft landward.
"Whne You lauI the goods I VIII
prepare dinner" announced the girl.
PLEASE bc careful not 10 sin on the
! rocks" hc said. Il ann concerned about
the rifles. II Won fcll You might dam
age them. and the Incoming tide Will
So hopclcssly rust those leave behind
| that they Will Doe useless"
Il will preserve them az any cost.
though with six In our possession there
is a margin for accidents. However. TO
reassure you, l viii go back quickly"
Before he cold protest she started of
at run, jumping lightly from rock 10
rock. Disregarding his shouts. she per
severed until she stool safely on the
sands. Then. saucily waving a fare
well. she set or toward the cave
Had she seen the look Of fierce de
spair that settled down upon jerks
face as he turned 10 his task Of guild
ing the raft ashore she might have
wondered what II meant. In any case
she would certainly have behaved diff
ferently
BY the time the sailor had safely
landed his cargo Iris had cooked their
midday meal. She achie~ed a fresh
culinary triumph. The eggs were fried.
Il am seriously thinking Of trying TO
boil ham" she stated gravely. Have
you any idea how long it takes to cook
one properly?"
a quarter OF an hour for each
pound"
Admirable, Put we can measure
neither hours nor pounds"
Il think we can do both. / will
construct balance of some kind.
Then, with ham slung to one end and
rife and some cartridges TO the other,
l will tell you the weight OF the ham
to an ounce. To ascertain the time l
have already determined TO fashion
sundial. l remember the requisite
divisions with reasonable accuracy,
and little observation will enable us
TO correct any mistakes"
You are really very clever. Mr.
jerks" said Iris, with childlike candor.
Have you spent several years OF your
life in preparing for residence on
desert islandT
Something OF the sort have led
queer kind OF existence, full of use |
less purposes. Fate has driven me in
TO corner where my odds and ends
OF knowledge are actually valuable.
Such accidents make men milliOnafrae -