Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-21


 earlier, no matter how outspoken Sua- reg chose to be.
 The Spaniard encouraged her to de- bate this point-anythinS was better than the dumb pain of thought-but their talk ceased abruptly when nut tered exclamation from Gray sent Walker flying to the chart house. Forth with the trumpet shriek of the siren sent it's wild boom across the silent waters. Elsie needed no explanation of this tumult. Otter creek was not so far distant that canoes quitting its shelter could not be seen with the nak- ed eye. She counted sixteen putting forth in cluster, and they all made for the adventurous lifeboat.
 "That is exactly what our captain expected" Christobal was ready to as- sure her. He was certain he would reach the head of the bay before the Indians awoke to the meaning of his scheme. By this time. unless his plan joined him, no matter what number of savages may seek to oppose their passage to the boat. The only doubt full question is, Will he be able to beat off the rascals who are now cutting his line of retreat?"
 Huh" growled Boyle. ''The skip per's out of sight now. Gone into small creek or somethin' of the sort. Hope he heard the horn. Let her rip!' he added in loud shout over his shoulder. and again the siren flung warning to the foot of the mountain range.
 It was evident that the wonderful eyesght of the Indians practically equaled the range of the telescope The men in the canoes were aware of the lifeboat's disappearance, and their wet paddles flashed in the sun as they tore across the three miles of open water which separated the southern promontory from the inner shore of the island. Creeping nearer Boyle, FL sic whispered:
 "For heavens sake, say the lifeboat is visible again"
 He held up hand to enforce silence A deep hush fell on the ship.
 Listen" he muttered, so low that Elsie alone caught the words. "Can you hear firin'?"
 She thought she could distinguish an irregular batter of dull reports, and the behavior of the Indians showed that additional excitement was toward Many of them stood up and waved their arms, possibly as signal to their allies on shore. The canoes raced mad ly. Where speed was vital the rough hewn native craft were far swifter than the solidly built lifeboat, with its broad beam and deep draft.
 And that was all. Though they strained their eyes and spoke with bated breath. never sight of boat or canoes was obtainable for hours after the latter were swallowed up by the trees which shrouded the creek at the foot of Guanaco hill.
 Isobel Barring, moved by genuine pity for her distraught friend. tried to in- duce her to leave the deck, but she shrank away terrified by the fire which blazed from the blue eyes resting on her for an instant. Mrs. Somerville came, but she, too, was repulsed. When Chrissabal made serious effort to lead her away she threatened him with the fierceness of mother defenS- ing her child from evil.
 But relief was vouchsafed in the worst throes of her agony.
 Boyle or Gray had never relaxed close vigil by her side. It was Gray who made the thrilling discovery that the canoes were returning. AS the fleet crossed the bay it could be seen that they were towing the lifeboat, but never sign of any prisoners could the most careful scrutiny detect. The boat was empty. It was easy to count ev- cry man in the canoes as they passed into Otter creek. and there were wound ed Indians on board many of them. That was a significant, tremendous, fact. There had been hard fighting. and the boat was captured. but some, if not all. of the crew must have joined their comrades in the sanctuary of the l haunted cave. The accuracy of this deduction was proved by the presence of the smoke column on the hill. h. deed. the opinion was generally held that it's spiral clouds were denser than at any previous hour. thus showing that the defenders were endeavoring to make known their continued existence
 Elsie awoke from her trance. but in returning to life she was transformed into stern. resourceful. commanding woman. None suspected the mighty force which worked this resolution in | her nature. She conducted herself with a cunning that was wholly for l eign to her character Her first care was to hoOdwink her companions into the belief that the strain of the day had passed. She accepted a cup of tea
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