Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-24

Wds, TeSWTTCU
more firmly in the sand, while the current
was rapidly making a bank around her.
we've got good afternoons work before
rs said Val, ''and if get her atioat by dark,
we shall have done a good job
How would it do to tow from the stern
in the long-boat, while the engines ale re-
versed?" asked Fred.
1t would have been good idea while the
sailors were here, but now don't believe we
could do much, if any good. although we might
as well try it."
BY this time a full head of steam was on
and the real work began. The engine was re
versed, but with no other effect than to
throw up the sand at the stern and TO WASH
1t IN more firmly around the bows. Any at
tempts 10 pole her off with the oars were
quite as fruitless, owing to the fact that lit
tie more could be done than 10 push the i'm
provised poles into the sand.
Then Fred's suggestion OF trying TO tow
her off was tried, but all in vain. The Md
get appeared to be firmly fixed upon the hank,
and Val understood that more help would be
needed before the task could be accomplished.
1t q no use to try any more until the
sailors come back, when we can have them
in the long-boat." Then he added, as he
looked at his watch, why. it's nearly sun
set Let's go ashore and start the FIRE, 50
that they, can begin to get supper as soon as
they get back
The furnace fire was drawn, the steam al
lowed to escape slowly, and, after the boiler
had cooled down somewhat, the officers Of
the Midget went on shore, leaving their craft
helplessy stranded.
The boys had been so busily engaged upon
their work that they had hardly had time to
think of anything else; but once they were on
shore and the darkness began 10 gather, the
non-return of the hunters troubled them.
Two fires were built instead of one, and all
three cut wood to keep them blazing fercely,
so that the hunters might be guided by the
light; but the night came, seemingly all the
darker because of the brilliancy OF the flames.
while nothing was heard of those who should
have returned some time before.
1T can't be possible that they are lost in
the woods said Arthur, after an unusually
long silence, during which the fears of each
one gained the ascendency. ''They ought TO
be able to find their way out easily enough;
and, even if George and Dave got bewildered.
they have the Indians there to guide them
Something has happened to them, certain
ly, or they would have been here before dark,
said Val, apprehensively Il don't know but
that we ought to try to find Them
How could we, in the darkness replied
Fred. "If we should try it, we should prob
that your father told you not to leave the
camp under any circumstances.
Yes, but that wouldn't apply in such
case as this
"An order is an ORDER" said Arthur. Do
cidedly. Even if there was any chance that
we could find them, l should say that we
ought to stay here; and since we know that
it would be worse than useless to go into the
woods in the night, there's nothing else for
Us to do"
Val reflected a few moments
well set all the lanterns on the Yacht"
he said, at length, and then, if they have
struck out on the river above or below US
they will have those to guide them. Arthur.
you see to the fires for an hour, and we viii
stand regular watches at it. Fred. YOU fire
your rifle every five minutes and | viii set
the signal lanterns"
Val lighted every lamp on the Midget. set
the red and green lanterns on the forward
and after flagstaffs ran two white ones out
of the engine-room window on the blade of
an oar and so brilliantly illuminated the 1T
tie craft that she could have been seen sew
eral miles away.
Meanwhile Fred discharged his rifle at reg
ular intervals, and Fowler piled the fires high
with fuel; but nothing was seen or heard OF
the hunting party, who should have been at
the river bank at least three hours before.