Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-24

CT placed men in each of the canoes, that the lifeboat itself was crowded and that it began the seaward Journey after the others had started.
 They sped out of the twilight into the morning glory of the open bay, and never savage boot disturbed the ech. oes. Some of the Alaculofs had drag, ged couple of canoes from beneath the trees and raced off toward the vii. lage, others had followed a coast path known only to them, while if there were watchers by the side of that mysterious river which flowed both ways with the tide they kept a silent vigil, awed by the force arrayed against them.
 As the lifeboat emerged into the estu. ary under the vigorous sweep of six ash blades Elsie's wondering glance rested on the brown plumpness of a girl who was gazing at Suarez with wistful. glistening eyes, much as Joey was regarding his master.
 Courtenay caught the happy little sigh, half laugh. half sob, with which Elsie announced her discovery of the idyl in the canoe.
 We owe lot to that young per. son." he said. "None of US could make out word she uttered when first we saw her. She loses what small amount of Spanish she can speak when she becomes excited, and it 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 Suarez told you what to expect?'
 You might as well be talking Alacu- lof yourself for all can follow what you are saying" murmured Elsie hap oily.
 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 cistern was full and against them until it was empty. The sailors had taken refuge on a wide. sulphur coated ledge high above the vortex, and the presence of several skeletons showed that many an unfor- tunate had sought last shelter there against pursuit. Every Alaculof knew of this retreat, but few dared approach 1t, 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 to capture was death by starvation. The Chileans and he himself during the past fourteen hours had subsisted on a 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 lockersT" 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.
 T saw nothing" she whispered. "My mind held but one thought-that you were alive, though indeed was mourning you as dead. But now I am restored to my senses. I think can grasp what happened. Did Joey find youf"
 "Yes. You can guess my bewilder- ment when he sprang on top of me. l was lying down. 1 heard our sen tries shouting, but paid no heed. AS q matter of fact, Elsie, I, too, had abandoned hope. could see no chance of escape. Great heaven-to think of your coming to my rescue! What made you do it?'
 Please go on. Tell me all. You shall hear my story afterward."
 Well, 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 I recognized bis makeup"
 Though Courtenay did not allow ten seconds to pass without a glance at the charming face by his side. he ney- ertheless had sharp eye for events elsewhere. He saw smoke rising from the funnel of the ship. A line of flags l dancing from the foremast told him 1 that Boyle had discovered them as soon as they were clear of the deep | shadow of Guanaeo hill. But there I were anxious moments yet in store. 4 | fleet of canoes put of 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 blare 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 naled. My engines are going full speed 
 That was a pardonable exaggera- ton. but the Kansas was certainly They could see the white foam churned up by her propeller. With one accord they cheered madly. and the oars. double handed now. tore the Iifeboat onward at a pace which eytn the shallow canoes.
 Then the Indians did a wise thing. They spared many Sf their own lives