The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-08-27
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)


distir yuished that OF another, and finally
hearh some one turn and grunt. In some
inexplicabIe way, these men had happened
to camp just above the spot chosen by
Duponceau to hide his chest.
| scarce dared turn and crawl away
from fear OF waking the sleapers, and SO
lay still. wondering if by any chance they
could have already found the treasure, or
if there might yet be an opportunity for
us to remove it. Suddenly l felt Rodney
grip my arm. Listen he breathed.
of in the distance, clear and long, rose
the osprey call. Duponceau was in some
danger
We wriggIed away from the hemlock,
orawled back through the woods, and
stood erect only when we reached the
edge. There we swept the beach and
what we could see of the Ship for signs
Of men. but the shore was still empty
as the desert.
"Shal we run for it?' asked.
"No.'' said Rodney eff there are any
men there, they're between us and the
boat, or on the boat: we'd best keep close
to the Cliff until we get our bearings"
The advice was good; like Indians we
made the fringe of the woods, keeping In
shadow When we were forced to leave
this shelter we skirted the cliff, ready to
crouch back at a call or to rush forward.
As we neared the shadow of the head
land we saw figures climb over the rocks
of the little inland sea and head up the
beach-four men. silhoutted black against
the white sand. and not one Of them as
tall as Duponceau.
"They haven't got him. l whispered;
''at least. he is not with them"
That's queer" said Rodney. 81 haven't
heard shot fired. They must have
boarded the Ship"
We crossed the causeway, running light
ly, and climbed on board. The deck was
as empty as the beach had been when
we first crossed it. | rushed below and
poked in all the hunks, but not a trace of
Duponceau was to be found. Rodney and
l stood in the bow and peered across the
rocks. We could see nothing save the
woods and the sky.
WELL said Islip at last, that takes
the cake. He's vamosed, vanished, cleared
out, and l dare say we'll never see hide
or hair of him again. This things get
ting positively spooky, Selden. Are you
sure that the man was flesh and blood I"
II certainly thought So" l answered.
'But he came in the middle of the night.
and he's gone at the same time. Strange
Where on earth could he go?"
H. Search me-" said Rodney. Il thought
the adventure was almost too real to be
true. Such things don't happen, you
know-that is. not consecutively-with
a days ride of New York" He consider
ed the matter gravely. But what will
Barbara say if she finds we haven't kept
by him."
Il was thinking Of that myself" l an
swered, looking blankly at him.
Islip broke into a laugh-such an in
fictitious laugh that l couldn't help joining
him. II dare say we're different in most
ways. Seden." he said, ''but we're alike
in one. Well. here's how" and he held
out his hand to me.
We shook hands, half seriously, half in
jest and l took back all the unkind
things | had ever thought about him.
We turned and went down the deck on
the outer side of the mast. l heard Rod
ney exclaim and saw him stop and look
at the rail where his hand rested. A
small gold chain was fastened to the edge.
He peered over the side, and then, to my
utter amazement, began to throw off his
clothes
What on earth-" l began, but Rod
ney only chuckled, and finished undress-
Ing. Then from somewhere out in the sea
came the osprey's cry. clear, quavering to
minor cadence. Islip slipped over the
side, crossed the rocks, and dived into
the waves.
| pulled on the chain and up came a
bundle of clothes wrapped in Duponceau's
cloak. Then l understood. and followed
Rodney's example.
Never have | known such swim as
that, in the mystery of starlight, through
sea that seemed made of silver, We
found Duponceau by his cry and followed
him, resting now and then to float on the
silver surface, and again racing hand over
hand out through the mystery. We were
no longer men, but free sea creatures. in
our own element, undismayed.
We swan in great circle. and Of I,s+
Duponceau led us back to the Shin Dav
was breaking far out, beyond the Shifting
onoal. saw them coming" he said.
oiN 81 huIS my ClOlnoS from the aida
and took to the waves They found moth
ing; perchance now they think me q
ghost"
we told him our experience in ar.h-
ing for the chest. and he showed gre.t
deal of perturbation, but finally camo -
the wise conclusion that we could do moth,
ing in regard to it then.
1t was my turn below. and fell as,oor
in glorious glow from the swim. inst a.
the sky was shading pink.
CHAPTER XIII.
When l awoke l found Rodney so.+.d
on the cabin table.
Morning, Selden! :" he exclaimed "Rv
the way, who is Monsieur Duponceap -,
l shook my head. Il gave thar ,res.
ton us some time ago. How about breal.
fast?"
was thinking of that myself" said
Rodney. Il don't mind being hero hn,
l prefer to play the part on a fnll S,ou,
ach.' ioii s'on'
III signal Charles" I went mn ~
deck, and found that the ann wos h;.t
up and shining on a glorious snmms,
world. | fastened napkin to the broke