Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
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| castaways were drifting farther and far
| Their from the hope of life
For an hour the two men shouted. singly
and in unison, but without results while
the FOG grew thicker, nngling with the
shades OF night. At last a brisk wind
rose dispensing the mists and cleaving a
| path for the glow of a million stars. A
league to the north flashlight beat the
sea in sweeping circles, then winked away
across the rim of cold. black waters To
the shipwrecked travellers came the echoes
OF one hoarse, derisive snort from COM
| Portable battieship. and then they were
left alone with the spirits of the clammy
deep.
law. HILL" observed the young KEN
tuckian. In low-voiced fervor.
"Right-o" echoed the moist Lord Gram
ton from the other end OF the waboly
BOOM and a mutual silence fell between
them.
Twas a splendid joke of fate, this
Ringing together of two erstwhile ene-
mics. the patrician and plebeian. each
seated a-straddle on his respective end
Of floating timber. drifting to nowhere
IN particular through the solemn night.
This lasted for several hours. when sud-
denly the Kentuckian's ear was caught
by sound which caus ed him to cock his
head In the manner OF setter dog as he
scents his game. At first he was uncer-
tain, but after time the sounds became
more distinct. and the faint but steady
pounding of a surf could have but one
meaning-land!
Good" Joe chucklad and the shiver-
ing Briton echoed faint yet cheerful
"JOlly!"
Slowly they driftad toward a dry re-
treat while the roll of the waves in
creased till it mount ed to an awful thun-
derous rear. They swept past a spine OF
sharp, black rocks, where the waters
rushed. recoiled and flung themselves on
high. to fall In a spray of binding foam.
At last the boom went spinning through
the breakers. and the two men chung to
the cordage desperately, choking, sub
merged, but battling for their breath and
life. Then, caught in the grip of a mon
ster roller. they were tossed with one
last, tooth-loos ening bump on the bosom
OF a sandy beach.
What luck!" coughed the Englishman.
kicking out his legs and wringing water
from his ugly greatcoat.
Luck nutnin'.'' his fellow marooner
growled. Its PROXY -dence, ] tell you,
an a blame big chunk of it. at that
Twas the Gawd OF lsrull what showed
me overbode, an him what sous ed you in
the drink beside of me. Cause why?
Well. he sets me an you on terra hrmy
jes' three durn days afore l thought he
would -...
The sentiment seemed justly pious. thus
following on the heels Of miraculous es-
cape. and yet there was a c7rtain GRIM
ness Of delivery which caused the Eng
lishman to doubt. This doubt however.
was speedily dispeiled. for Joe walked I'm
land for dozen yards or more and knelt
on the soft white sand.
We'll. bless me. he's going to pray,
Lord Cranton muttered. reverently. re-
moving his hideous plaid cap; tn n his
mouth began to open slowly till his chin
was resting on his wet cravat. Joe
Rupert was digging long and, narrow
hole using his hands in the method en-
ployed by dogs wnen they scratch. for
amusement or for some hidden animal.
IA most extraordinary chap" the
Briton murmured. then conviction ieaped
upon him suddenly "A grave. by Jove."
Continued on Eighth Paye.)