The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-03-23
CONTINUED from last Isspe.)
CHAPTER VII.

IkI Trendon reported his patient
HID as quite recovered.
l@ STARVED for water" proffer-
ed the surgeon. Tissues fairly dried
out Soaked him up. Fed him broth.
Put him TO sleep. He's all right Just
wakes up TO eat. Then of again like
a two-year-old. Wonderful constitu-
ton"
"The gentleman wants TO know IL
he can come on deck, sir" saluted an
orderly.
"waked up, Ell? Come on, Barnett
Help me boost him on deck"
! The two officers disappeared TO re-
turn in moment arm In arm with
Ralph Sladc.
| Nearly twenty-four hours rest and
skillful treatment had done wonders
He was still a trife weak and uncer-
tain. was still little glad 10 lean on
the arms Of his companions. but his
eye was bright and alert and his hol-
low cheeks mounted a slight color
This. with the clothes lent him by Bar
nett. Transformed his appearance and
ted Captain Parkinson to congratulatc
himself tha; he had not obcycd his
hrst impulS, II rcnd the castaway for
ward with the men.
The officers pressed forward.
Mighty glad to see you out" "Hope
you've got your pins under you again"
odd man, I'm mighty glad we came
| along"
The chorus of greeting was hearty
enough. but the journalist barely paid
the courtesy of Acknowledgement His
eye swept the horizon eagerly until ii
rested on the cloud of volcanic smoke
billowing up across the setting sun. a
sigh of relief escaped him.
where are we?' he asked Barnett.
Il moan since you picked me up. How
long ago was that anyway"
yesterday" replied the navigating
officer. "Ve've stood of and on look
| ing for some of our men"
Then that's the same Volcano
Barnett laughed softly We'll. they
aren't quite holding a caucus of vol
canoes down in this country. one like
that is enorgh."
But Slade brushed the remark aside.
Head for IT," he cried excitediy.
I'VE may be in time. There's a man
on that islandr'
"a man., Another mot Billy
: EdwardsY' Not some OF our boysT'
Slade stared at them bewidered.
Hold on" interposed Or. Trendon
authoritatively. whats his nameT'
he inquired of the journalist.
barrow" replied the latter. per
cy barrow Do you know him."
"Who in Kamchatka is Percy Oar
row." demanded Forsythe.
why. he's the assistant. It's a long
story
"Of course it's long story. There's
a lot we want TO know" interrupted
Captain Parkinson. "Quartermaster.
head for the volcano yonder. Mr..
Slade, we want TO know where you
came from. and why you left the
schooner and who Percy Darrow is.
And there's dinner. so We'll adjourn
to the messroom and hear what you
can tell us. But there's one thing
we're all anxious to know-how came
you in the dory which we found and
left on tine Laughing Lass later than
two days ago"
II haven't set eyes on the Laughing
Lass for-well, / don't know how long,
but its five days anyway, perhaps
more" replied Slade.
They stared at him incredulously.
ooh. | see.' he burst out suddenly.
There were twin dories on the schoon-
err The other ones still there, / sup
pose. Did you find her on the stern
davitsT'
Yes"
That's It. then. You see, when
left
Captain Parkinson's raised hand
checked him. "If you will be so good,
Mr.. Slade, let us have IL all at once,
after mess"
At table the young officers at a sharp
hint from DIR. Trendon conversed on
Indifferent subjects until the journalist
had partaken heartily of what the ply
stefan allowed him. Slade ate with
keen appreciation.
II tell you. that's good" he sighed.
when he had finished. Real, live,
after dinner coffee too. Why, gentle
men, haven't eaten civilized meal
with all the trimmings, for over two
years. Doctor. do you think a little
Of the real stuff would hurt me? It's
pretty dry EARNING"
zone glass;" growled the surgeon.
mo more"
Scotch highball. then" voted Slade
1.-THE higher the better"
The steward braught tall glass with
ice, in which the newcomer mixed his
drink. Then for quite a minute he sat
silent, staring at the table, his fingers
aimlessly rubbing into spots of wet
ness the water beads as they gathered
on the outside of his glass. Suddenly
he looked up.
IL don't know how to begin" he con-
fessed. "It's too COMPOUNDED imprOba-
BILE. / hardly believe it myself. now
that I'm sitting here In human clothes.
surrounded by human beings. Old
Scrubs and the Niger and Handy
Solomon and the professor and the