Evening star., 1907-11-13

ment of different texture. Save on the
seaward terraces of stark rock. with their
tide-marked base of weed-covered boul-
ders. the densest vegetation known to
mankind imposed everywhere a first bar
querable than the awesome regions be-
yond. Pine forests of extraordinary den-
sity crammed each available yard Of space,
until the tree growth yielded p rforee to
harder Alpine moss and Hchens. This
lower belt of deepest green ranged from
five hundred to one thousand ceet In
height, as conditions were adverse or
favorable: waterfalls abounded: each tiny
glen held its foaming rivulet, rushing
madly down the steep, or leaping in fin
another.
Courtenay, after an astounded glanc'
at the magnitude and solemn grandeur o.
the spectacle, had eyes for naught say
the conformation of the channel. Th
change in the wind was caused, he found
by the northerly headland thrusting Its
giant mass mile or more westward
its twin but he quickly discovered, from
the conformation Of the land, that the
latter was really the protecting cape
the inner waterway. He reasoned. there
ore, that the deep-water channel flowed
close to the northern shore until it was
flung off by the relentless rocks to seek
the easier inlet behind the opposite point.
He did not know yet whether the ship
was entering some unknown straits or tn
mouth of narrow land-locked bay. L
the latter, the presence of the distant
glaciers and the nearer torrents warned
him of a possible bar, on which the Kan
sas might be lost within sight OF saf
anchorage. Not inspired guesswork now,
but the skill of the pilot, was needed !;
this crossing the bar in broad daylight
was as great trial of nerve in its way
as the earlier onward rush in the dark.
Wind and sea had abated so sensibly
that the Pacific rollers raced on un-
human task to make ones voice heard
along the deck.
So the captain aroused Walker with
sharp orde-:
Go and see if the donkey boiler has a
good head of steam. We may have to
drop the steam anchor quick and boti
bowers as we'll If TolIemache ID doing
sharp lookout for broken water. Cleal
off the tarpaulins and be ready to lower
away the instant I sing out"
Walker, who had been gazing spell
bound at the majestic haven opening up
before the ship. hurried on his errand
turned bucket. in which the taciturn on,
had just washed his face and hands.
Have you seen it?" demanded Walker
gleefully. while his practiced eyes took in
the state of the gauges. and he overran a
number of oil taps with nimble fingers.
Seen What?" asked Tollemache, with
out removing his pipe.
THE land, my bonnie lad. We-ah wun-
min wight in now"
We've been doing that for hours"
Yes. but this is diff went. The-aw's a
fine wiv-ah ahead. Have ye ev-ah seen
the Tyne? Well, just shove Sooth Sheels
an Tynemouth few hundred feet high
.a1l oy,' l~v&b
talk, or you might cwack yo' face
With this Parthian shaft of humor he
vanished toward the forecastle whence
the ubiquitous donkey boiler, through one
of its long arms, would shoot forth tho
stockless anchors at the touch of a lever.
Tollemache. who had already glimpsed
the coast, strolled out on deck and bent
well over the side in order TO look more
directly ahead. He could see one-half
only of the view, but that suficed.
Penal servitude Instead Of sudden
death"
And. indeed. this was the true aspect
of things, as Courtenay discovered when
he had successfully brought the ship past
three ugly rec and dropped anchor in
the backwater of a small sheltered bay
He speedily abandoned the half-formeo
hope that the Kansas might have run into
an ocean waterway which communicated
with Smyth channel. The rampant Of
d
hasty scrutiny of the chart showed him
that the eastern coast of Hanover Island
had been thoroughly surveyed. Yet 1t
was not in human nature that he should
not experience a rush OF Joy at the
thought that. by his own efforts, he had
saved his ship and some. at least, of the
lives intrusted to his care He was alone
when the music of the chains in the
hawse- pipes sounded in his ears. The
Kansas had plenty of room to swing, but
b1 hD,, rri,ti -
implicitly now that he would yet bring
his vessel into the Thames, he allowed
her to be carried round by the fast-flow
ing tide until her nose pointed seaward,
and she lay in the comparatively still
water inshore. Then he dropped the
second anchor and stepped forth from
the charthouse. His long vigil was ended
Some of the cloud of care II ted from his
face. and he called cheerily to Joey.
Come along. pup" he said. Let us
sample DR.. Christobal's cookery. You
have shared my watch; now you shall
share my breakfast We have both earned
it."
1t was in his mind to knock loudly on
Elsies door and awaken her; therefor
he was dimly conscious Of a feeling of
disappointment when he saw her, in COM
pany with Christobal. leaning over the
rail of the promenade deck, and evidently
discussing the weird beauty of the seen
spread before her wondering eyes.
The ship was now SO sheltered by tn
shoulder of the southern cape that the
keen breeze yet rushing in from the SEA
passed hundreds of feet above her masts
There was nothing more than a tidal
swell on the sur ace of the water, in
which the heavy-laden vessel rested az in
a dock. In the new and extraordinary
quietude the light thud of the donkey en-
gine sounded with strange distinctn .ss
and Elsie and her companion heard
Courtenays approaching footsteps almos,
as soon as he gained the deck.
Instantly she ran toward him, with
hands outstretched.
Let me be the first to congratulate
you" she cried. her cheeks mantling with
a rush of color and her lips quivering
with excitement. How wonderful of you
to bring the ship through all those awfu!
reefs and things! No: you must not say
you have done nothing marvellous. Dr.
Chrstobal has told me everything. Next
to Providence, Capt. Courtenay, we owe
our lives to you
Courtenay felt 1t would hurt her-were
he to smile at her earnestness. But he
did say:
Surely it is not so very remarkable
that l should do my best to safeguard the
ship and such of her passengers and crew
as survive last nights ordeal"
Il know that quite well. Even I would
have striven to help when my life was at
stake. But the really wonderful thing Is
that you should have gu assed an unknown
track in the dark: that you should actual
ly be able to guide a helpless ship through
waters so full of dangers that it would b.
folly to venture In their midst In broad
da aylight and with full steam power