Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-01-18

NSANuu udCeS OF uD6 turtle WHICH
swarmed in the neighborlng sea.
delicious eggs and turtle soupw b,
announced when Iris asked him why
ne was 30 intently studying certain
marks on the sand, caused by the great
sea tortoise during their nocturnal Wis
Its to the breeding ground.
IF they are green turtle" he con
tinued, I'VE are in the lap Of luxury
They lard the alderman and inspire
the poet. When a ship comes to our
assistance I will persuade the captain
to freight the vessel with them and
make my fortune"
II suppose, under the crcumsta ices
you were not a rich man. Mr.. jerks
said Iris timidy.
Il possess a wealthy bachelor uncle
who made me his heir and allowed me
four hundred year, SO l was a sort of
Croesus among staff corps officers
When the smash came he disowned me
by cable by selling my ponies and my
other belongings I was able to walk
out Of my quarters penniless, but free
from debt"
And all through a deceitful wo-
man"
ayes"
she ventured a further step.
was she very bad to you, Mr..
jerks"
lie stopped and laughed-n ctuany
roared-at the suggestion.
bad to met he repeated. II had
nothing to do with her. She was hum.
buggihg her husband, not me. Fool
That ] was, | could not mind my own
business
So Mrs Costohell was not flirting
with the man who suffered on her ac-
count 1t ia a regrettable but true
statement that Iris would Willingly
have Rugged Mrs. Costobell at that mo-
ment.
Rounding Europa point, the sailors
eyes were fixed on their immediate
surroundings. but Iris gazed dreamily
ahead. Hence it was that she was the
trst to cry in amusement:
"A boat! See. there! On the rocks!'
There was no mistake. A ships boat
was perched high and dry on the
north side OF the cape Even as they
scrambled toward 1t jerks understood
how it had come there.
When the Sirdar parted amidshins
depths beyond the reef, and this boat
must have broken loose from its davits
and been driven ashore here by the
force Of the western current.
Was it intact? Could they escape?
Was this ark stranded on the island
for their benefit? II It were sea worthy.
whittier should they steer-to those is
lands whose blue outlines were visible
on the horizon?
These and a hundred other questions
coursed through his brain during the
race over the rocks, but all such wild
speculations We're promptly settled
when they reached the craft. for the
keel and the whole of the lower tim
bers were smashed into match wood.
But there were stores on board
Jerks remembered that Captain Ross
foresight had secured the provisioning
Of all the ships boats soon after the
first wild rush to steady the vessel
after the propeller was lost. Masts,
sails, oars, seats-all save two water
casks-had gone, but jerks, with eager
hands, unfastened the lockers. and
here he found a good supply of timed
meats and biscuits They had barely
recovered from the excitement of this
find when the sailor noticed that be-
hind the rOc'-S on which the craft was
firmly lodged lay a small natural basin
full of salt water, replenished and
freshened by the spray of every gale
and completely shut off from all sea-
ward access.
1t was not more than four feet deep,
beautifully carpeted with sand and sc-
cluded by rocks on all sides. Not the
tiniest crab or fish was to be seen. 1t
provided an ideal bath.
Iris was overjoyed. She pointed to,
ward their habitation.
Mr.. jerks" she said, II will be with
you at teatime"
He gathered all the tins he was able
to carry and strobe off. enioining her
to fire her revolver If for the slightest
reason she wanted assistance, and Civ
ing parting warning that If she de-
layed too long he would come and |
shout to her.
Il wonder" said the girl 10 herself, |
watching his retreating figure, what |
he is afraid Of. Surely by this time |
we have exhausted the unpleasant sur
prises Of the island. Anyhow, now for
a splash"
She was hardly in the water before
she began to be afraid on account of |
jerks. Suppose anything happened TO
him while she was thoughtlessy enjoy
ing herself here So strongly did the
thought possess her that she hurriedly
dressed again and ran off to find him.
lie was engaged in fastening a num-
Der OF bayonets transversely TO long
piece Of timber
What are you doing that for?" she
asked
why did you return so soon? Did
anything alarm your
Il thought you might get into mis-.
chief" she confessed.
NO. On the other hand am trying
10 make trouble for any unwecome
he replied II intend to set
This up in front Of our cave in case we
are compelled to defend ourselves
against an attack by savages. With
ms barring the way they cannot rush