Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-29

m EELING the way forward, the
n cruiser was soon caught in |
maze of cross currents. Hither
- and thither she was borne, q
creature bereft of volition. Order fol-
lowed order like the rattle of GNick 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-
fident This in itself was sufficient
earnest that the cruiser was in ticklish
case, for it 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 out and around.
until now she stood PROV on to a bold
headland at the northwest corner of
the island. Above this headland lay
dark pail of vapor. In the shifting
breeze it swayed sluggishly, heavily.
as if riding at anchor like logy ship
of the air. Only once did it show any
marked movement.
It's spreading out toward u.s." said
Barnett to his fellow officers, gathered
aft.
Time TO move, them" grunted Tren-
don
Tie others looked at him inquiringly
"-tbout as healthful as prussic acid,
| those volcanic cases. explained the
surgeon.
The ship edged on and inward. Pres
| entity the singsong of the leadsman
sounded in measured distinctness
| through the silence. Then a sudden ac-
| tivity and hustle forward, the rattle of
chains, and the Wolverine was at an
Choir. The captain came down from
| the bridge.
What do you think, DR.. Trendon"
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"
he said
"Of course" agreed the captain.
| IouL-WelI, uO you TeCOSulZe any VI
! the symptoms?'
Want Inc to diagnose q case Of
earthquake, sir?" grinned Trendon.
"She might go 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 be 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 thought when the vapor lifted
bit that saw something moving"
when was that, sir?'
''Ten or fifteen minutes back"
well see soon enough, sir" put In
Forsythe. "The wind is driving II
down to the southland"
Sullenly, reluctantly, the forbidding
mass moved across the headland. All
glasses were bent upon it Without
!, taking his binocular from his eyes
: Trendon began to 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 te
, risk good men on that caldron. Just rs
much risk here perhaps. Only II
seems
; There it is!' cried Forsythe. "Look
The highest pointr'
Dull gray wisps of murk, the after
= guard of the gaseous cloud, were twist
ing and spiraling 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.
flag stood forth in the sharp gust. rigit
and appalling. 1t was black
t THE Jolly Roger. by GodI They'v,
come back" exclaimed Forsythe.