The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-02-03
CHAPTER II-Continued.

uurilcu Duck 10 the cUge OF tne ldSooH
There were fourteen bodies in all. three
women and eleven men. four of the
latter being Lascars. The women were
saloon passengers whom he did not
know. One of the men was the sur
geon, another the first officer. third
Sir John Tozer. The rest were passen-
gers and members of the crew They
were all dead; some had been peaceful
ly drowned. others were fearfully
mangled by the rocks. Two Of the Las
cars, bearing signs of dreadful injuries.
were lying on cluster of low rocks
overhanging the water. The remainder
rested on the sand.
The sailor exhibited no visible emo
ton while he conducted his sad scru-
tiny. When he was assured that this
silent company was beyond mortal help
he ut once strobe away toward the
nearest belt of trees. He could not tell
how long the search for water might
be protracted, and there was pressing
need for it.
brushwood he uttered a delighted ex-
clamation. There, growing in prodigal
luxuriance, was the beneficent pitcher
plant, whose large curled up leaf, shap-
ed like a teacup, not only holds last.
ing quantity of rain water, but mixes
Herewith its own palatable and nat
ural juices.
With his knife he severed two Of
the leaves and fastened to Iris with
the precious beverage. She heard him
and managed to raise herself on an ell
bow. The poor girls eyes glistened at
the prospect Of relief. Without a word
Of question or surprise she swallowed
the contents of both leaves.
Then she found utterance. "How
odd it tastes. What is it?' she in
CURED
But the eagerness with which she
quenched her thirst renewed his own
momentarily forgotten torture. His
tongue seemed to swell. He was alb
solutely unable to reply.
The water revived Iris like a magic
draft. Her quick intuition told her
what had happened.
you have had none yourselfw she
cried. go at once and get some! And
please bring me some more"
He required no second bidding. Aft
err hastily gulping down the contents
of several leaves he returned with a
further supply. Iris was now sitting
up. The sun had burst royalty through
the clouds, and her chilled limbs were
gaining, some degree of warmth and
elasticity.
'What is it?" she repeated after an
other delicious draft.
''The leaf Of the pitcher plant. Ma
ture is not always cruel. In an I'M
usually generous mood she devised this
method of storing water"
Miss Deane reached out her hand
for more. Her troubled brain refused
to wonder at such reply from an ordi-
nary seaman. The sailor deliberately
spilled the contents Of a remaining leaf
on the sand.
mo, madam" he said, with nm odd
mixture OF Difference and firmness. mo
more at present. / must first procure
you some food"
She looked up at him in momentary
silence.
"The ship is lost?" she said after a
pause.
"Yes, madam"
"Are we the only people saved?"
81 fear So"
as this desert islandY
81 think not, madam. 1t may by
chance be temporarily uninhabited, but
fishermen from China come to all these
places. l have seen no other living be-
ings except ourselves. Nevertheless
the islanders may live on the south
side"
at surely cannot be possible that the
Sirdar has gone to pieces-a magnifi-
cent vessel of her size and strength?'
He answered quietly: 1T is too true.
madam. l suppose you hardly knew
she struck, it happened so suddenly.
Afterward, fortunately for you, you
were unconscious"
slow do you know" she inquired
quickly. A flood of vivid recollection
was pouring in upon her.
"I-er-well, / happened to be near
you, madam, when the ship broke up,
and we-er-drifted ashore together"
She rose and faced him. II remem-
Der now" she cried Historically. you
caught me as 1 was thrown into the
corridor. We fell into the sea when
the vessel turned over. You have saved
my life. Were it not for you 1 could
not possibly have escaped"
She gazed at him more earnestly, see
Ing that he blushed beneath the crust
of salt and sand that covered his face.
why" she went on, with growing ex-
element, "you are the steward / no
ticed in the saloon yesterday. How
Is it that you are now dressed as a
sailorT
He answered readily enough. There
was an accident on board during the
gale. madam. 1 am a fair sailor, but
a poor steward, so 1 applied for
transfer. AS the crew was short hand
ed. my offer was accepted"
Iris was now looking at him intently.
"You saved my life" she repeated
slowly. 1t seemed that this obvious
fact needed to be indelibly established
In her mind. Indeed the girl was over