Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-01-18
6he Wings Of the
Morning . =, ~: ~ 4: );
Edward J Ciode

Copyright. 1905. by
Edward J. Clode

INiltI III NBNFNli, DuI LIS WAS
TO say something
81 suppose" she commented with nj
air of much wisdom, you nre contriv
Ing an overhead railway for the SAT,
transit of yourself and the goods?'
"Y-ycs.'
"Why are you so doubtful about It 2
Because l personally intended tt
walk across. The ropes will serve tt
convey the packages"
She rose imperiously. II absolutely
forbid you to enter the water again
Such suggestion on your part IS quite
shameful. You are taking gray,
risk for no very great gain that car
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 to act
Miss Desne" he said. "there Is nc
such serious danger as you imagine
Last time the cutie caught me nap.
ping. lie will not do SO again Those
rifles l must have If it VIII serve to
reassure you. l will go along the line
myself"
Without another word he commenc-
ed operations. There was plenty of
rope, and the plan lie adopted was
simplicity itself When each package
was securely fastened he attached 1t to
loop that passed over the line stretch
ed from the tree to the crowbar. To
this loop he tied the lightest rope he
could find and threw the other end to
Iris. BY pulling slightly she was able
TO land at her feet even the cumbrous
rife chest, for the travelling angle was
so acute that the heavier the article
the more readily 1t sought the lower
level.
They toiled 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 gszed affrightedly at
the sea until the sailor stood at her
side again.
The tide had turned. In a few min
utes the reef would be partly sub
merged. To carry the case of rifles to
the mainland was a 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 We're ap-
in excellent order.
He snapped the locks and squinted
down the barrels of half a dozen to
test them. These he laid on one side
Then he rapidly constructed a small
raft from loose timbers. binding them
with rope, and to this argosy
he fastened the box Of tea, the barrels
of -four, the broken saloon chair and
other small articles which might be of
use. He avoided any difficulty in
the raft by building it close
TO the waters edge. When all was
ready the rising tide foated it for him.
He secured it to his longest rope and
gave it vigorous push off into the Ia
coon. Then he slung four rides across
his shoulders. asked Iris to carry the
remaining two in like manner and be-
gan to maneuver the raft landward
While you land the goods l will
prepare dnher," announced the girl.
please be careful not to slip on the
rocks" he said. Il am concerned about
the rifles. If you fell you might dam
age them, and the incoming tide will
so horelessly rust those leave behind
hat they. will be useless"
II will preserve them at any cost
hough with six in our possession there
S margin for accidents However. to
'eassure you, ! will go back quickly"
Before he cold protest she started off
1T run, jumping lightly from rock to
'ock. Disregarding his shouts, she per-
severed until she stood safely on the
sands. Then, saucily waving a fare
we'll, she set off toward the cave.
Had she seen the look of fierce de- !
pair that settled down upon jerks
ace as he turned to his task Of guild |
ne the raft ashore she might have |
what it meant. In any case |
he would certainly have behaved diff |
erently.
BY the time the sailor had safely |
anded his cargo Iris had cooked their
midday meal, She achieved a fresh
Urinary triumph. The eggs were fried.
Il am seriously thinking of trying to
oil ham," she stated gravey. Have
GU any idea how long it takes to cook
ne properlyW
"a quarter Of an hour for each
ound.'
Admirable! But we can measure
either hours nor pounds"
Il think we can do both. ! will
onstruct balance of some kind.
hen, with ham slung to one end and
rifle and some cartridges to the other,
Will tell you the weight of the ham
an ounca To ascertain the time
ave already determined to fashion
undial. I remember the requisite
visions with reasonable accuracy,
nd little observation Will enable IN
correct any mistakes"
You are really very clever, Mr..
enks," said Iris, with childlike candor.
Have you spent several years Of your
fe in preparing for residence on a
esert island|'
Something OF the sort. | have led
queer kind Of existence. full OF use.
'ss purposes. Fate has driven me In.
} corner where my odds and ends