The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-06-11

large scale drawing Of the southern
part of Hanover island as set forth in
admirably chart No. 1897 (sheet 2
Patagonia), which is the only trust
worthy record available for shipmas.
ters using the outer passage between
the gulf of Penas and the strait Of Ma.
gellan. 1t was simple matter to fill
In the few contours given. The neigh.
boring small islands were shown in
reasonable detail, but the whole west
ern coast Of Hanover island itself con-
sisted Of dotted line and solitary
peak, Stokes mountain, the height of
which could be estimated and it's po-
sition triangulated from the sea. Even
Conception strait. on the north, and
the San Bias channel, on the south,
were marked in those significant dot
ted lines. The coast was practically
unknown to civilized man.
1t was borne in on the girl while she
worked that the chief marvel in her
present condition was the triumph Of
science over nature in its most hostile
mood. The Kansas boasted all the
comforts and luxuries Of a we'll equip
ped hotel. Seated at the same table
as herself was skiIlful sailor, using
logarithms, secantS and cosecants, po-
lar distances and hour angles as if he
were In some university class room.
She stole glance at Courtenay. He
was so keenly engaged on the business
In hand, so bent on achieving accuracy
d., Iox cl,1 oh IoI how ok
for her reverie. Then she wondered
II he ever gave thought to that prom
lsed wife of his, who must soon suffer
the agony of knowing that the Kansas
was Overdue.
Elsie was sufficiently well acquaint-
ed with shipping to realize the sensa-
ton that would be created by the first
cablegram from Coronel announcing
the nonappearance of the steamer in
the strait. The Valparaiso newspa
pers would be full Of surmises as to
the vessels fate. They would publish
full details of the valuable cargo and
would give list of the passengers and
officers. All! Ventana would learn
then, If he had not heard it earlier.
that she was on board. And he alone
would understand the true reason of
her fight from Chile. Her cheeks
flushed, and she applied herself more
closely to the chart she was copying.
She had left a good deal unsaid in her
brief statement that morning. How
strange, how utterly unexpected, 1t
was that Ventana's name should fall
from Courtenay's lips-Courtenay of
all men living! And what did Isobel
mean during that last dreadful scene
ere she was carried away to the boat
by screaming in her frenzy that Ven-
tana had taken IAN ample vengeance"
Vengeance for what? Had the half
breed dared to make the same pro-
posal to the rich and highly placed
Isobel Barring that he did not scruple
to put before the needy governess?
Surely that was impossible. There
were limits even to his audacity-
"Well how is my chief hydrogra-
pher progressingw
Courtenay's CHEEKY voice banished
the unwelcome specter of Ventana.
Elsie started.
II do believe you were day dream
Ing" said the captain, with surpris-
ed smile. "a penny for your thoughts"
Il don't think you can pay me-" she
retorted. hoping to cover her confusion.
won't you accept Chilean curren-
cyY"
"Not on the high seas"
"But you are on dry land Please
make a dot on your map at 81 degrees
II minutes 0 seconds south and "a de-
grees 50 minutes seconds west. That
Is the present position Of the ship. Let
me pin this compass card on the Ia
BILE. Use the parallel ruler, regard
each inch as a mile, and I'll do the rest
by guesswork."
Courtenay took his binoculars and
went on to the bridge. He called out
the apparent distance of each land
mark he could distinguish, described
1t and gave its true bearing. In the
result Elsie found she had prepared
clear and fairly accurate chart of the
bay and its headlands, while the po-
sition Of the distant range of noun
tains was marked with tolerable preci.
sion. But Courtenay was far from
being satisfied.
IF had base line or even a fresh
set Of points taken higher up the inlet
could improve on my part Of the sur
vey," he said. yours Is admirable,
Miss Maxwell. OF course know you
are an artist, but mapping is thing
apart. That is first rate"
Perhaps you may be able to secure
fresh data when the Kansas puts to
sea again." said Christobal.
If am coming the wheel l must
leave the chartmaking entirely to my
assistant" replied the captain lightly.
"But do mean to peep a little farther
into our estuary. Before the ship
sails may have another spare hour to
devote to It,"
I'm what wayY' asked Elsie.
by utilizing the canoe. A mile or
20 higher up the channel should be
clear Of the bluff which hides Otter
creek. I imagine 1t will be possible
then to see the full extent Of the bay.
! must get you to sound Suares as to
the lay Of the land"
II hope you will do nothing of the
sort" protested Elsie earnestly.
"Why? Do you think the canoe un-