Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-25

I lowed by subterranean growlings, but on the whole, the conditions were reas
 surfing.
 "Penny-pop-pinwheel of volcano
 anyhow" remarked Trendon disparag
 ingly. Real man size eruption would
 have wiped the whole thing off tht
 map first whack." .v .ra
 AS they drew in it became apparent
 that they must scale the cliff from tn.
 boat. Farther to the south opened ouI
 a wide cove that suggested easy beach
 ing. but over it hung a cloud of steam
 Lava pouring down." said Trendon
 Fortunately at the point where the
 cliff looked easiest the seas ran low
 Ropes had been brought. After some
 dainty maneuvering two of the sailors
 gained foothold and slung the ropes SC
 that the remainder of the disembarka,
 tion was simple. Nor was the ascent of the cliff harsh task Half an houl after the landing the exploring party stood on the summit of the hill, where the black flag waved over a scene of utter desolation. The vegetation was withered to pallid rags; even the tiniest wedding in the rock crevices had been poisoned by the devastating blast.
 In the midst of that deathly scene the flag seemed instinct with sinister l liveliness. Whoever had set it there had accurately chosen the highest available point on that side of the is land, the spot of all others where it would make good its signal to the eye of any chance farer upon those ship less seas. For the staff ten foot sap ling, finely polished, served. A mound of rock slabs supported it firmly. Upon the cloth itself was no design. It was of dull black, the hue of soot. Cap- tain Parkinson, standing few yards off, viewed it with disfavor.
 "Furl that flag" he ordered.
 COngdon, the cockswain of the gig, stepped forward and began to work at the fastenings. Presently he turned grinning face to the captain, who was scanning the landscape through his glass.
 'Beggin' your pardon, sir" he said.
 "Well, what is it?" demanded Cap tain Parkinson.
 "Beggin' your pardon, sir, that ain't rightly no flag. That's what you might rightly call a garment, sir. It's an undershirt, beggin' your pardon."
 Black undershirt's new one to me-" muttered Trendon.
 No, sir; it ain't rightly black. Look"
 Wrenching the object from its fas- tenings, he Tapped it violently. A cloud of sooty dust, beaten out, spread about his face. With a strangled cry the sailor cast the shirt from him and rolled in agony upon the ground.
 You fool" cried Trendon. Stand back, all of you"
 Opening his medicine case, he bent over the racked sufferer. Presently the man sat up, pale and abashed.
 That's how poisonous volcanic gas is," said the surgeon to his command ing officer. "Only inhaled remnants of the dust toop
 An i'll outlook for the man we're | seeking" the captain unused.
 Dead if he's anywhere on this high l land," declared Trendon. Lets look | at his fiagpole"
 He examined the staff. Game from the beach," he pronounced. Water worn. H'm! Maybe he ain't so dead either"
 q don't quite follow you, Dr. Tren- don."
 Why. guess our man has figured this thing all out. Brought this pole up from the beach to plant it here. Why? because this was the best ob- point. No good as a perma. nent residence, though. Planted the lag and went back"
 Why didn't we see him on the beach, theaY'
 Did you notice a cave around to the north? Good refuge in case of fumes" Its worth trying" said the captain, putting up his glass.
 Hold on, sir! Whats this? Here's something. Look here"
 Trendon pointed to a small bit of wood rather neatly carved to the shape f an indicatory finger and lashed to he staff at the height of a mans face. The others clustered around.
 'Oh, the deyilr' cried Trendon. "It must have got twisted. It's pointing traight down"
 Strange performance" said the cap ain. However. since it points that vay. heave aside those rocks. men" The first slab lifted brought to light corner of cardboard. This on closer proved to be the cover of
 book. The rocks rolled right and aft, and as the flagstaff. deprived of it's upport. tOttered and fell the trove Fas dragged forth and handed 10 the aptain- While the ground jared with ccasionai tremOrs and the mountain ufed forth its vaporous threats he nd the surgeon. seated on a rock. gave themselves with complete. absorption } the reading. f