The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-05-01

cruiser was soon caught In a
maze of cross currents. Hitisr
~ and thither she was bornc.s a
creature bereft of volition. order FOL
lowed order like the rattle of quick fire
and was obeyed with something more
than the Wolverines customary smart
ness. From the bridge Captain Parkin.
son himself directed his ship. His face
was placid. his bearing steady and con-
tident This in itself was sufficient
earnest that the cruiser was In ticklish
case, for il was an axiom of the men
who sailed under Parkinson that the
calmer that nervous man grew the
more cause was there for nervousness
on the part of others.
The approach was from the south.
but suspicious aspects OF the water
had Tended the cruiser ont and around.
until now she stood PROV on to q bold
headland at the northwest corner of
the island. Above this headland lay
dark pail of vapor. In the shifting
breeze it swaycd sluggishly. heavily.
as If riding AT anchor Ike q logy ship
Of the air. Only once did 1t show any
marked movement.
Its spreading ont toward us" said
Barnett TO his fellow officers. gathered
aft
Time to move. then" Grunted Tren
don
7 others BOXED at him inquirlngly
Jout as hcalthful as prusgic acid.
those volcanic glses." explained the
surgeon.
The ship edged on and inward. Pres
emily the singsong OF the leadsman
sounded in measured distinctness
through the silence Then sudden ac
tivlty and hustle forward the rattle Of
chains. aud the Wolverine was at an
Choir. The captain came down from
the bridge.
What do you think. DR. Trendony"
he asked.
More explicit inquiry was not nee
essary.
The surgeon understood what was In
his superior's mind.
Never can tell about volcanoes. sir. 50
he said
"Of course" agreed the captain
"But-well do you recognize any Of
the symptomsT'
Want me to diagnose n case of
earthquake, sirT' grinne1 Trendon.
'She might 90 Off today or she might
behave herself for "A century
well, it's all chance" said the other
cheerfully. The man might be alive.
At any rate we must do our best on
that theory. What do you make of
that cloud on the peak"
Poisonous vapors, suppose.
Thought we'd have a chance TO make
sure Just now. Seemed TO he coming
right for us. Winds shifted it since"
There couldn't be anything alive
up there"
Not so much as bug" replied the
doctor positively.
Yet l thought when the vapor lifted
a bit that saw something moving"
when was that. STRIP
Ten or fifteen minutes back"
"Well see soon enough. SIR put In
y ~
down to the southland"
Sullenly. reluctantly, the forbidding
mass moved across the headland. All
glasses were bent upon it. Without
taking his blnocular from his eyes
Trendon began 10 ruminate aloud.
"If he could have got to the beach
No vapor there. Signal. though. Per
haps he hadn't time. And I'd hate to
risk good men on that caldroH. Just as
much risk here perhaps, only 1t
seems
There It is!" cried Forsythe. Look!
The highest point
Dull gray wisps of murk. the after
guard Of the gaseous cloud, were twist
ing and spiralng in a witch dance
across the landscape. and. seen by
snatches and glimpses through It.
something tapped darkly in the breeze.
Suddenly the veil parted and fed. A
flag stood forth in the sharp gust, rigid
and appalling. II was black.
The Jolly Roger, by God! They've
come backw exclaimed Forsythe.
"And set mp the sign of their shop
sdded Barnett.
IF they stuck TO their flag -goodby."
observed Trendon grimly.
CDR Trendon." said Captain Parkin-
son. you will arm yourself and go
with me in the gig to make landing"
Eyes, sir" responded the surgeon.
"Mr. Bagpett."
y -. r.