Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-09-21

lantern - even the iron railing might
give way-a precious hour had elapsed,
and Stanhope was, impatiently stamp
ing about the bridge of the tender,
though none knew better than he that
not an unnecessary moment was being
lost.
At last a signaler stationed on the
tug was able to ask:
what shall we send first?"
And the answer came back:
Water, milk, bread"
All night tinsmiths had labored to in
close food and clothing in water tight
cylinders ready for transport, and the
shining packages now began their voy-
aging from the tugs trawl beam to the
lofty gallery, three-fourths of the jour
ney being through the sea. When the
first consignment reached the rock an
other lusty cheer doomed from the
watching vessels.
Stanhope at least could picture the
scene in progress behind the grim gran
lite walls-Constance and Enid, with
others whom he did not know, serving
out generous drafts to thirsty and fam
ished women and men, helping them.
selves last, and hardly able to empty
the eight gallon supply of fresh water
before they were called on to distrib-
ute Il similar quantity of milk.
And then the bread, the cooked meat
all cut in slices, the timed soups and
meat extracts, the wines - for Trail
had taken charge of the catering, and
his arrangements were lavish-what
fo, o1,, t1,r,r Of
starvation!
The hours flew until the tug signaled
that she must cast loose and back
away from the reef The tide was
running westward now. Soon the dan
ger would be active, and in any case
the Gulf Rock was saved from the
possibility of famine during the next
forty eight hours. So the hawser in its
turn was buoyed, and Brands parting
instruction was not to attempt to re-
open communication during the dark
hours of the morning tide.
The wisdom of his advice was mani
fest. With farewell trumpetings the
vessels scurried off to Penzance, and
the telegraph office was kept open all
night transmitting the word pictures
of newspaper correspondents to thrill
the world with full descriptions Of the
way in which the Gulf Rocks fam
ished deniZens had been relieved.
The last two packages ferried to the
lighthouse contained not only warm
woolen wraps for the women and chill
dren. but a big bundle of letters and
kilograms.
Pyne was the postman. There were
at least twenty notes addressed to the
girls and several to Brand from friends
ashore. ...
Mr.. Traill, of course, wrote to his
nephew and Mrs. Vansittart. Natural
ly Pyne carried his own missive to the
kitchen, where he found that Con-
stance and Enid had managed to wash
in distilled water.
They were cutting sandwiches and
endeavoring to read their letters at
the same instant He bowed with sar-
castle politeness.
81 see you are ready for the party"
he said.
Certainly he offered deplorable con-
traSt to them. His face was incrusted
with salt and blackened with dirt and
perspiration. His hands were like
those of sweep, but smeared with oil,
which shone on his coat sleeves up to
both elbows. His clothes were torn
and soiicd. his linen collar and cuffs
limp as rags, and his waistcoat was
ripped open, having remained in that
condition since it caught in a block
rs he descended the mast,
'Oh. you poor fellowr' cried Con-
stance. "How you must envy us!
Here is a kettleful Of hot water. I
can't say much for the towel, but the
soap is excellent
Refreshed. Pyne opened his uncle's
letter. The girls We're keeping up
running commentary of gossip.
'Mousie NIrs. Sheppar6 says she
hasn't slept for three nights"
Edith Taylor-Smith says she envies
u.s.
THAT letter You are reading now is
from Lady Margaret. What does she
say?'
'She sends all sorts of love, and
that kind of thing cried the blushing
Enid, who had just learned from
uuu uD-
her as his intended wife
without ever n proposal.
is that all-in four closely written
pages"
"Well-she hopes soon to see me-to
see both Of US
Constance was too kindly to quiz her
sister. Maybe she saw something in
Ends eye which threatened speedy re-
taliation.
Here's Il note from the vicar. They
have held u special service of interces-
sion ut St Mary's."
"And Hettie Morris writes Good
gracious, Mr.. Pyne! Have you had any
bad news?"
Ends wondering cry was evoked by
the extraordinary way in which the
young American was looking at her.
--7s1,e,g -, t9E i q
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