The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-17

ning whlch, AT increasing brief intervals
III up the channel with noontide distinct
ness
The next was the failure OF the
wind; stark. breathless calm having
fallen upon the face Of nature like a
pail. in the which not so much as a
single leaf stirred: and the whole IN
sect world. contrary TO It's usual Gus
tom, awaiting In hushed expectancy
the outburst OF the coming storm. a
great and death like silence prevailed.
through which the slightest sound
which we might accidentally make
would have been heard for a long dis-
tance. Another. and perhaps the worst
OF ALL was the highly phosphorescent
state of the water. This was 30 ex-
cessive that the slightest ripple under
the bows OF the canoe. along her sides
and for some distance I'm her wake
together with the faint swirls created
by our paddles, produced long trailing
lines and eddies OF vivid silvery light
which could scarcely fail 10 attract the
attention of vigilant lookout and
so betray our whereabouts We were
thus compelled 10 observe the utmost
circumspection In our advance. which
was made as far as was practicable
through the deepest shadows OF the
overhanging foliage.
We were creeping slowly down the
channel in this cautious fashion when
splash from the opposite bank attract
ed my attention. Glancing across in
that direction. l noticed slowly
spreading circle OF luminous ripples.
and beneath them a curious patch OF
pale phosphorescent light rapidly nd
vancing towards US In a few seconds
II was almost directly underneath the
canoe and keeping pace with her To
my CONSERVATION 7 then saw that it
was crocodile about the same length
over all' as the canoe the phosphor-
escence of the water causing his scaly
carcass 10 CLEAN like watery moon
and distinctly revealing his every
movement We could even see his UP
turned eyes maintaining vigilant
watch upon US.
DO you see that. sir?" whispered
Il do, indeed" murmured Smellie: Il
only hope the brute is completely
ignorant OF his ability TO capsize us
with a single whisk OF his tail IL he
should do SO. Phew. what n flash"
What a flash. indeedl II seemed ms
though the entire vault of heaven had
exploded into living flame: the whole
atmosphere was for a moment irradiat-
ed; our surroundings leaped out OF the
darkness and stood for n single in
slant vividly revealed: and there too
away ahead OF us, at distance OF
perhaps half a mile. appeared the
schooner, her hull, spars and rigging
showing black as ebony against the
brilliantly Illuminated background OF
foliage and cloud. simultaneously with
the lightning flash there came terri
f1c peal OF thunder, which cracked and
crashed and roared and rumbled about
us with such an awful percussion OF
sound that I was absolutely deafenei
for a minute or two. When | recovered
my hearing the wild creatures of The
forest were still giving vent TO their
L.. III. L L..
and screams of dismay. The crocodile.
evidently not caring TO be out In such
weather, had, happily, vanished. We
had scarcely gathered our wits once
more about us when the fioodgates of
heaven were opened and down came
the rain.
| had heard n great deal. at one time
and another. about the violence of tropi-
cal transforms, but this exceeded far boz
yond all bounds the utmost that I had
thereby been he'd TO anticipate. II cames
not in drops or sheets. or even the meta
phorical "bucketsful." but in an absolute
deluge OF such volume that not only were
we drenched TO the skin In a single In
slant. but almost before I was aware OF
II the water had risen in the bottom Of
the canoe to a depth OF at least four
inches. I was actually compelled to lean
forward In STOPPING posture to catch
my breath.
For fully Ave minutes this overwhelm-
ing deluge continued to descend upon us.
and then II relaxed somewhat and settled
down into a steady downpour.
WAS that object which we caught sight
OF some distance ahead just now. tho
schooner" asked Smelle, as soon az the
rushing soud OF the rain had so far abat-
ed as 10 permit OF our hearing each 9TH
er's voices.
1T was. sir" replied.
Then now is the time for US To make
a dash past her: they will scarcely be
keeping a very bright lookout In such
rain as this" he remarked.
We accordingly hauled out into the CEN
ter OF the stream and piled our paddles
as rapidly as possible. We had been
working hard for perhaps fve minutes
when smellie said In a low cautious tone
OF voice:
"Hawkesleyl"
CTo be continued tomorrow