, 1908-12-03

guess you can PICK, up some reeds and.
RIG, . hesdgear out of this handker-
chief Wait a moment. Put on my
coat. II you don't q to be broiIed
alive through the holes of that peek-a-
boo" +
But 1 say. Blake" began Win
thrope.
Don't say-do!" rejoined Blake;
and he started down the muddy shore.
Though the tide was at food, there
was now no cyclone to drive the sea
above the beach, and Blake walked a
quarter Of a mile before he reached
h waters edge. There was little
surf. and he paused only a few mo
ments to peer out acros the low
swells before he commenced 10 strip.
Winthrope and Miss Leslie had been
Watching his movements; now the
girl rose in a little furry OF haste,
and set to gathering reeds. Winthrope
would have spoken. but. seeing her
embarrassment, smiled to himself, and
began strolling about In search OF fish.
1t was no difficult search. The
marshy ground was strewn with dead
sea-creatures. many of which we're al.
ready shriveling and drying in the
sun. Some Of the fish had a familiar
look, and Winthrope turned them over
with the tip Of his shoe. He even
went so far as TO stoop to pick up a
large mullet; but shrapk back, re-
pulsed by its stiffness and the unnat-
ural shape into which the sun was
warping 1t.
He found himself near the beach.
and stood for half an hour or more
watching the black dot far out in the
Blake. The American, after wading
of-shore another quarter of a mile.
had reached swimming depth. and was
heading out among the reefs with
steady, vigorous strokes. Half q mile
or SO beyond him lWinthrope could
now make out the goal for which he
was aiming-the one remaining top
mast of the steamer.
by Joye, these waters are full of
sharks!" murmured Winthrope. star
ing at the steadily receding dot until
1t disappeared behind the wall Of surf
which spumed up over one of the outer
reefs.
A call from Miss Leslie interrupted
his watch. and he fastened to rejoin
her. After several failures, she had
contrived to knot Blake's handkerchief
to three or four reeds in the form of a
little sunshade. Her shoulders were
protected by Blake's coat. 1t made a
heavy wrap. but 1t shut out the Bills
tering sun rays. which, as Blake had
foreseen. had quickly begun to burn
the girls delicate skin through her
'open-work bodice. d
Thus protected. she was fairly safe
from the un. But the sun was by no
means the worst feature of the situa-
ton. While Winthrope was yet several
yards distant, the girl began to COM
plain to him. I'm so thirsty. Mr..
winthrope! Where is there any wa
ter? Please get me . drink at once.
Mr.. Winthrope!"
But, my deal Miss Leslie. there is
NO water. These pools are all sea-
water. I must say. I'm deuced dry
myself. can't see why that cad
should go OF and leave US like this,
when we need him most" m
Indeed, 1t is a shame-Oh. I'm SO
thirsty! Do you think it would help
II we ate ~something?" sI-
Make 1t all the worse. Besides.
how could we cook anything? All
these reeds are green. or ut least wa
ter-soaked."
But Mr.. Blake said to gather some
Aah Had vnu mt hpaf-"
He can pick up all he wants. l
shall not touch the beastly things"
Then l suppose there IL nothing to
do but wait for him." .1u q. .
Yes. II the sharks do not get him"
Miss Leslie uttered q little. moan.
and Winthrope. seeing that she WAS
on the verge Of tears, hastensd to r.
L..I-. ..L1- .E.A - Il q :