Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-06-25

ways with tho tide they kept a silent
vigil, awed by the force arrayed
against them.
AS the lifeboat emerged into the estu
airy under the vigorous sweep of six
nsh blades ElSic's wondering glance
rested on the brown plumpness Of n
girl who was gazing at Suarez with
wistful, glistening eyes, much as Joey
was regarding his master.
Courtcnay caught the happy little
sigh. half laugh. half sob. with which
Elsie announced her discovery OF the
idyl in the canoe
1--WE owe lot to that young per-
Eor." he said. None of us could make
ont word she uttered when first we
saw her. She loses what small amount
Of Spanish she can speak when she
becomes cxcited. and 1t was sheer good
fortune that some of the crew were
with her when she swung herself
down the side Of the cliff to warn us
Of our danger; otherwise she might
have been shot suppose Sunrez told
you what To expcctT'
"You might as we'll he talking Alacu.
lof yourself for all I can follow what
yon are saying" murmured Elsie hap
PLY.
Whereupon Courtenay took thought
and explained that the channel which
flowed through that amazing cut in
the cliff led to the crater Of an extinct
volcano. into which the sea poured
twenty feet Of water each tide An
almost everlasting maelstrom ragged
within. as the water entered by side
long channel and sent whirlpool spin
ming with the hands Of the clock until
the enormous cistcrn was full and
against them until it was empty. The
sailors had taken refuge on n wide,
sulphur coated ledge high above the
vortex. and the presence of several
skeletons showed that many an unfor-
tunatc had sought a last shelter there
against pursuit Every AlaculOf knew
Of this retreat. but few dared approx ch
II, as the roar OF the water far below
appalled, them. There was only one
path. When the hunters closed that
their prey was safe. The alternative
The Chileans and he himself during
the past fourteen hours had subsisted
on n bag Of dried berries stolen by the
girl when she first led the sailors
thither
Didn't you see how eager we all
were TO search the lockersY" he asked
But the rascals had cleared every
scrap when the boat fell into their
hands again with the falling tide"
She nestled close to him.
II saw nothing" she whispered. "My
mind held but one thought--that you
were alive, though indeed was
mourning you as dcnd. But now l am
grasp what happened Did Joey find
you
Eyes. You can guess my bewilder.
ment when hr sprang on top Of me.
l was lying down. heard our SEN
tries shouting. but paid no heed. As
abandoned hope could see no chance
of escape Great heaven-to think
Of your coming to my rescue! What
made you do itY'
please go on. Tell me all You
shall hear my story afterward."
well, l jumped up. and Joey nearly
fell into the crater with delight. I
was just in time to save Suarez from
being shot. Luckily he was a long
way behind the dog. and l recognized
his makeup"
Though Courtenay did not allow ten
seconds TO pass without n glance at
the charming face by his side, he new
ertheless had sharp eye for events
elsewhere. lie saw smoke rising from
the funnel OF the ship line Of flags
dancing from the foremast told him
that Boyle had discovered them as
soon as they were clear OF the deep
shadow Of Guanaco hill But there
were anxious moments vet in store A
fleet Of canoes put off from Otter
creek. There was every prospect Of a
fight before they reached their fortress
/ They had a long two miles to travel,
! and the Indians could attack them ere
they covered half the distance.
A long blarc from the ships siren
thrilled their hearts. but the excite
ment became frantic when three short,
sharp blasts followed, and every sailor
knew that the chief officer had sig
nailed, MY engines are going full speed
astern."
That was pardonable exaggera-
tlon. but the Kansas was certainly
moving They could see the white
foam churned up by her propeller
With one accord they cheered madly
and the oars, double banded now, tore
the lifebOat onward Mt a pace which
outstripped even the shallow canoes.
Then the Indians did a wise thing
| They spared many Of their own lives
and perchance others of greater value
! to the world by ceasing to paddle. The
unlocked for interference Of the great
vessel was too much for them. They
merely stared and cackled In amaze
while the small fotilla dashed toward
the towering black hull. and Boyle
! lowered the gangway In readiness tn
receive the captain, his bride elect and
good half Of the passengers and
crew
| Courtenay lost not an instant of ia
voring tide and fine weather. When
Boyle told him that Walker could
work the engines under easy steam, he
dashed up to the bridge three steps al
TAI knp al