Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-06-04

by night If they were not afraid to at
tempt the enterprise ut all. SO Suarez
slept soundly while his companions
were on the qui vive for call to repel
boarders. Were 1t not for the strain
induced by the silent menace Of their
savage neighbors the small company
suffered no III from their prolonged
stay In this peaceful anchorage There
was work IN plenty for all hands.
Walker was REINFORCED by trio Of
firemen whose technical knowledge,
slight MS It was, proved useful when
he began to fit and connect the dis
abled machinery. For the rest, the
promenade deck was walled with
strong canvas, while Courtenay and
Tolcmache gave undivided attention
TO the fashioning Of several other float
ing bombs which could be exploded
from the ship. They also provided
flexible steam pipes In places where
rush might be made II the Indians once
aft. Steam was kept up constantly in
the donkey boiler not alone for the
electric light and the daily working OF
the pumps, as the Kansas had not
Numbered over the shoal without
strnining some Of her plates, but for
use against the naked bodies OF their
possible assailants.
When day followed day without any
sign Of hostility not man on board
save Suarez and Tollemache paid
much real heed to the shorcward peril
Walker, with his hammers and cold
chiscls, screw jacks and wrenches, was
the center OF interest. And Walkers
swarthy visago wore permanent grim
which presagcd we'll for the fufllment
Of his promise
Elsie devoted herself to the hospital
She was thus brought more in contact
with Christobal than with any of the
others. Nor did he make this close ac-
Quaintancc irksome to her. Always
suave and charming in manner. he
exerted himself to be entertaining.
| Though she knew full we'll that If the
Kansas reached the open sea again
he would ask her to marry him, he
was evidcEry content to deny himself
the privileges Of courtship until prop
er time and season.
She was far too wise to appear to
avoid Courtenay. Indeed, she was stu
diously agreeable to him when they
met She adopted the safe role OF
good fellowship. hattering herself that
her own folly would shrink to nothing
ness under the hourly castigation thus
| inflicted.
After the midday meal on Christmas
day-a sumptuous repast. for the due
preparation of which Elsie had come
| to the Chilean cooks assistance in the
matter of the plum pudding-Suarez
suddenly reported that new column
Of smoke was rising from Guanaco
hEl, crag dominating the eastern
side of the bay. He was unable to at
tribute any special significance to the
signal on that particular place. Dur
ing his five years with the Aacuof
tribe he had never seen fire lighted
there before. That IN itself was fact
sinister and alarming
Suarez had sufficient tact not to make
this statement publicly. He told Chris
tobal. and the doctor passed on the In
went to the poop with their glasses and
carefully examined the coast line.
Courtenay was the first to break an
oppressive silence. and his low pitched
voice announced stirring tidings.
do you see those canoes yonderT
he said. There were three under the
trees before Suarez discovered the
smoke on Guonaco. Now | fancy
can make out nearly a dozen. Though
they are not launched. they have beer
put there for some purpose. Would
you mind going forward and asking
Mr. Boyle to summon all hands Oh
deck? He knows exactly what to do
Remember that l regard you and Miss
Maxwell as noncom batants and expect
you both to remain in the salon. II
these painted devils really N ASH to at
tack, some Of us will got hurt, and ther
your services will be of greater value
than In the fighting line. And If I dc
not see Miss Maxwell before the trou
BILE begins please tell her she need feal
no alarm. We shall be able to beat OF
our assailants with comparative ease
When the captain of the Kansas
spoke like that, there was no gainsay
ing him. Even Christobal, whose jeal
GUS suspicious were ever ready to burs
into fame. was reused to enthusiasm
by his cool gallantry.
} But ere the Spaniard turned to go 6
disturbing thought forced its way t.
his lips.
I'VE have every confidence in you,
he said, land I admit that II should b.
n simple matter to prevent the savage:
from gaining the upper hand. Yet &C
cidents happen. Suppose they manage
} to rush your defense?"
"They will not do that while | anC
every other man on deck IS alive. Il
the worst comes to the worst, yol
have a revolver
yes" said Christobal.
. at will suffice for two but not for {
hundred"
The two men, united by the YER!
bond which threatened to bring then
into antagonism, looked into each 9th
er's eyes.
as that your last wordT' asked
Christobal.
at is"
81 feel sure that you are right Good
by"
They shook hands. They were near
er real friendship then than either o
! them thought poSsible, and the bone