The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-07-09

| ESS1Oeuce Oh tQe 1Sla0Q. de stretch
ed we'll forward over the bows, held a
paddle as far in front as possible and
thus not only guided the drifting canoe
| by an occasional dip Of the blade, but
trusted to it for warning of any un-
! seen rock.
There was cold breeze on the sur
face of the bay, but the dog was the
only one that shivered, and his tremors
arose from excitement At last they
felt slight bump. The Argentine had
found the reef he was searching for.
By watching star it was easy enough
to follow the southerly bend taken by
the canoe in skirting this barrier, while
their ears caught the murmur of the
swift current amid the numerous tiny
channels Of the rocks. Suddenly this
swirl and hum Of fast flowing water
ceased. Elsie and Gray became aware
that Suarez was cautiously drawing
himself fnboard again. Then his pad
die dipped with noiseless stroke. The
canoe was inside the Alaculof harbor.
The midnight blackness was now
something that had a sense of actual
obstruction in it. 1t seemed that
hand put forth would encounter a
wall. The tide was here, but no per-
ceptible current. For all they could
tell to the contrary, they might have
been floating in Charon's boat across
some Stygian pool.
For minute or two Elsies brave
heart failed her. Here was a diff
Guilty which desperate courage could
not surmount. There might be dozens
OF canoes moored on all sides, but to
discover them in this pitch darkness
was SO obviously impossible that she
almost made up her mind to abandon
this part Of her enterprise. Yet the
narrow beamed Fuegian craft she was
In would hold only four more occu-
pants, and that with a certain risk and
unwieldiness.
She was as determined as ever to
cross the bay and endeavor to commu-
nicate with the imprisoned men. But
she recognized the absurdity Of the
thought that Courtenay and Tolle.
mache would consent to escape in the
canoe and leave the others to their
fate, even If such thing were practi-
cable. Oddly enough, the one person
whose daring might reasonably be sus-
pected gave no signs of the pangs of
doubt. Suarez pushed forward reso-
lutely. He knew what Elsie had for
gotten-that in each canoe used by the
Indians there was carefully pre-
served fire, whose charcoal embers re-
tanned some heat and glow all night.
The first intimation Of this fact was
revealed by the pungent fumes which
environed them. Elsie could not help
uttering little gasp Of relief. There
was slight movement in front. Gray
leaned back and touched her hand.
'Suarez says" he whispered, that
you are to be ready with your tow
ropes. AS he secures each canoe he
will pass it along to me- You will be
able to see its outlines by the dim
glimmer Of the fire. But how will you
about the dog? He mar cause
an alarm"
Much to Joey's disgust, he was forth
with muzzled with a piece Of rope-not |
that this device would stop him ef-
from barking, but Elsie
thought he would so resent the indig-
nifty that he might pay less heed to
outer circumstances. She needed no
warning that Indians were near. The |
Argentine miners description of the
which dwelt on Otter creek
made her understand that there were
hundreds within hail.
A great Joy leaped up in her when
the first canoe came uns1er her hand.
1t was quite easy to manipulate the
painter rope. The stem had a notched
knob provided for this very purpose,
and there was sternpost against
which steersman might press a pad
lie and thus swerve the canoe in any
direction. But it was slow work. The
raft were moored without any SEM
,lance Of order, yet Suarez was forced
o secure them in a definite sequence
n a string Of half q dozen would be-
ome unmanageable.
When the second canoe was made
asst Gray bent toward the girl once
nore.
IL have been listening to the tick of
ny watch" he breathed against her
ar. II reckon it has taken ten min
ties to collect two dugouts. Unless we
nean to remain all night we must let
p on the cutting adrift proposition"
Il agree" she murmured. But we
aust have two more"
He told Suarez Of the new develop
1ent, which was essential, though it
dded to the danger Of the enterprise.
y sheer good fortune, however, they
lundered against the lifeboat A dog
arked, and Elsie had thrilling strug-
lie with Joey, who was furious that
his unlocked for insolence should go
The sleepless cur that
elped ashore speedily subsided, but it
ppeared to be an age before Suarez !
loved again. He knew better than his |
ompanions how ready the Indians !
ere to note such sentinel challenges. '
Elsie found the painter Of the life l
Dat coiled in its proper place. Soon
,e experienced steady pull on the {
'pe. Her little feet was in motion.
ray began to help in the padding. I
re long they came under the influence {
the tide, and she heard the ripple
tho wafor 90 fpsk fbo y>Iopl>s of 49, ! ,