The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-02-23
CHAPTER XIV.

an old negro, who became my servant he
was not an unkindly looking man, being
of great age, and somewhat feeble In his
actions; but he never opened his lips
when l questioned him, and gave plain
Eyes" or mo" to any demand.
1t must have been on the fourth day
after my capture that the nameless SNIP
which hitherto had not been speeding at
an abnormal pace, began to go very fast.
Finally, by the consciousness that the
ship had stopped, and that there was
much agitation on deck, l looked from
my window and observed the cause OF the
confusion, for there, ahead of us mile
or more, was one of the largest icebergs
l have ever seen. l watched intently, mop
ing to see other bergs that should tell me
how far we had gone towards the North,
but the night fell suddenly. l had a no
ton that Captain Black was running to
hiding; and his hiding place lay to the
porth, far above the course even OF Cana
dian-bound vessels.
The time passed, the weather growing
colder day by day, the bergs more ire
Quent about my windows; until on the
evening of the seventh day the ship stop
ped suddenly. The work of mooring was
not long one. On the next morning l got
up at daybreak, and looked eagerly from
my spying place; but could discern only
q blank cliff of rock, the ship being now
moored against the very side of it. The
negro brought a note with my breakfast !;
and l read an invitation to dine with
Captain Black that evening. l welcomed
the prospect of change, when the old man
threw open the door and said, The Mas
ter waits! p
He led the way up the companion lad
der, which was, in fact, broad staircase,
deliberately lit with the electric light; and
% brought me to the deck, where there
was darkness save in one spot above the
fore-turret. There lantern threw a great
volume of white light which spread out
upon the sea, and showed me at once that
we were in a cove of some breadth, sur
rounded by prodigiously high cliffs; and
the light being focused straight across the
bay, disclosed a cleft in these rocks lead
ing apparently to a further cove beyond.
l had scarce time to get other than
rough idea of the whole situation, for q
boat was waiting at the gangway. The
men gave way at once, keeping in the
course of the searchlight, and rowing
straight to the cleft in the cliffs, through
which they passed; and 50 left the light
and entered a narrower ford. This Sec
ond cove opened after a while into a
lake, above whose Shores observed many
twinkling lights, which seemed to come
from windows far up the face of the cliff.
There was rough landing stage, cut in
the rock, and an iron stairway led thence
TO the chambers which evidently existed
above.
When we had come to shore, and had
been received there by several men who
held lanterns, the negro pointed to the
iron stairway and told me to mount; he
following me to the summit, where there
was a platform and an iron door. The
door opened as we arrived before it, and
there standing by it found the young
doctor.
Come in" he said, they're waiting
for you"
We were in a broad passage lit by the
electric light-a passage cut in a crystal
like rock, whose surface had almost the
lustre of a mirror. The passage led up
to a second door-this one built of fine
American walnut; and we passed through
1t at once into a room where l was as
founded to see indisputable evidence Of
civilization and of refinement. The whole
chamber was hung round with superb
skins, the white fur of the polar bear pre-
dominating; but there were couches cush-
Toned with deep brown seal and the same
glossy skin was laid upon the floor in
SO many layers that the football was
noiseless and pleasantly luxuriant. The
furniture otherwise was both modern and
artistic.
The room had 4 solitary occupant. One
glance assured me that was face to face
with Captain Black-the Captain Black
had seen In Paris; but yet not the same,
for all the bravado and rough speech
which which then fell from his lips was
wanting. When he stepped forward and
held out his hand to me, I had the mind
almost to draw back from him, for I
knew that the man had crime heavy upon
him: but q second thought convinced me
OF the folly OF making . scene at such q
moment: 50 l took the great hard hand
and looked him full in the face.
II am glad to see you," said he: din
asr waits u.s." and with that we passed
Into another chamber containing q dipins
table laid for four persons in q very ele.
CANT manner. The only servant was q
giant black, and the guests Of the Cap
tain were the young doctor, the Scotsman
known a. Dick the Ranter, and myself.
The captain made NO attempt to con.
zeal information from me. The first &C.
easion Of his speaking during dinner va
IN answer to q remark of mine that ]
found the room very pleasantly warm.
Yea" he said, you must feel ths
change. You know where you are. Of
course. This II the west coast Of Green.
And, and there h Danish settlement MOI
dfty miles from you-although We dom,
leave cards on our neighbors Well. !
won't have you hurried. and you're my
guest until I put . certain straight cues
ton to you. When that happens You
won't think twice about the answer"
This pleasant party must disperse. =
he said to me later: you can 90 to the
euarters We have provided for you, unle.u
you would Ike to see more Of us."
should like to zee everything you
can show me-" replied, being afamS
Win curiosity 10 know all that the strans,
situation could teach me: and then B,
made . motion Tor the others % follow
and ~ passed from TIE room.
~ nav frum ~ AVus,~