Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-11
Rescues Herself with
No Difficulty
But Where, 0, Where, Is
High Commissioner?
Wildly Romantic Tale of the Sea Re-
ceives Severe Jolt in Climax
When Heroine Gets
Hungry

Schooner Rover sailed into San
Pedro harbor yesterday morning. Dora
Bennis was on board unharmed and
evinced surprise at the silly kidnapping
stories printed about her.
Gasoline launch Orient failed to make
the port on scheduled time and the
anxiety OF the Rover party to get fresh
bacon and booze probably upset the
plans of the commissioner who should
have pulled off the "me brave rescuer"
scene on the high seas.
The 'smug-faced" captain of the
bilge must have made tumble at the
last moment and therefore failed to ar
rive at the psychological moment to
spring the climax that would increase
gate receipts and the sale Of the book.
The Rover reached the harbor about
O'Clock in the morning. Strange to
say, those on board had never heard
of Van Loan or Jack Densham, or the
horde of would-be rescuers of the
maiden in distress. On board were
Dora Dennis, unharmed after her sea
experiences; James Howerton, Mrs.
Howerton and John Leslie Warnell
owner of the schooner.
The Bennis girl says she is glad to
be ashore again. She is bronzed by
the sun and wind, but looks well and
happy. She is a person of but few
words, but says that she is going to
her home In San Diego, as she is tired
of the sea.
Prepare for Cruise South
The members of the Rover party say
40 al of ha hno Of Ia
in Lower California known as Manuela
Laguna. He took with him his shot
gun, saying that he was going to shoot
geese, and also took what money there
was on board. He never came back.
All the occupants of the boat declare
that Hall is crazy. They say that he
was in continual quarrel with every
body on board during the whole trip.
Warnell, owner of the boat, which is
a craft about forty feet long, schooner
rugged, with gasoline engine, says that
he first made the acquaintance of Hall
III Eureka about July /. He says that
Hall claimed to have knowledge OF
rich placer gold deposit on some island
off the Lower California coast, and
he offered Warnell one-third interest In
this mine If Warnell would furnish his
beat for a trip down there.
Warnell agreed to the proposition and
the schooner set sail from Eureka.
Warnell says, she got her. clearance
papers Further, he says Hall told him
to call himself John Leslie which he
did He says Hall got the papers In
the name of John Leslie, but Warnell
declares Hall never allowed him to
see them.
Orient Coming Home
The schooner set sail from San Fran
cisco August 20. She called at San
Pedro, where James Howerton and Mrs.
Howerton were taken on board. The
next port visited was San Diego: Here
Dora Dennis went on board the boat.
After Hall went ashore at Manuela
Iiaguna the schooner started to beat
her way up the coast. She left that port
December 2. From there she went to
Cedros island where she put in for
water From Cedros island the schooner
tried to make San Diego, but was
blown about 100 miles out to sea. The
next port headed for was San Pedro,
and Warnell set his course for this
harbor.
A friend of Ed Duffy, master of the
launch Orient. the pseudo rescue boat
bearing the brave commissioners" has
received post card mailed at En-
senada January 4. in which Duffy states
that he expects to be home in about
two weeks from that time, If the plans
were not changed.
Dora Benns is said to be 16 years
old but she looks much older than that
She has the appearance of a woman of
20. She is well developed and is rather
attractive, of the dark Spanish type.
Warnell says that shortly after they
had set sail from San Francisco he
suspected that Hall was trying to get
him into a smuggling expedition, and
that he told Hall that he would not
"stand for it," He says further that
Hall was not forcibly elected from the
boat, as has been reported, but went
of his own accord, though they were all
glad to see him go. Warnell says that
Hall many times threatened all OF those
on board. ct
She Is Sa-a-aved Again
Dora Dennis has been saved
The High Commissioner is yet to be
heard from, but his many friends have
not given up hope that he, too, VIII
weather the storms of the mighty Pa
cific and arrive In San Pedro as per
schedule.
In fact the dime novel would die
a-bornin' II he didn't.
The man who trims his lights and
watches for vessels in distress is Keen
ly alive to the situation and is keeping
his eagle eye out for the Orient. To-
morrow and the next day, and, II need
be. for weeks to come, he will continue
the vigil 1t is so ordered by the yell
low Hearst Daily Scream and every
man is expected to do his full duty.
In the meantime Dora Bennis, aged
sixteen years, who has just learned
that she was kidnapped, will pass her
time in reading the thrilling chapters
of the novel already printed and await
eagerly for the coming of the High
Commissioner. incidentally she will
receive any offers from theatrical man
ayers to go on the stage, a la Hicks.
But Dora is not to blame for all this
She is poor, deluded girl, a victim
of men and circumstances. Even II the
whole scheme was intended as an ad-
vertising stunt. with a novel and the