The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-06-30

a brusoue American, were passengers. |
The three were tossed upon an unin-
not drowned Blake recovered from |
drunken stupor. Blake. Stunned on the |
boat because Of his rOughneSs. became |
The efS al 81 suing for the
OF Miss Leslie. |
CHAPTER II-continued.
"Oh. but Mr.. Blake, am sure 1t
must be a mistake; l am sure that II
1t is explained to papa"
"Yes: we'll cable papa tonight.
Meantime, we've something else to do. |
Suppose you two get hustle on your
selves, and scrape up something to
eat. I'm going out to see what's left
of that blamed old tub"
Surely you'll not venture to swim
out so far" protested Winthrope. Il
saw the steamer sink as we cast of"
Looks like a mast sticking up out
there. Maybe some of the rigging is
loose"
But the sharks, These waters
swarm with the vile creatures. You
must not risk your life!"
"'Cause why? If do, the babes in
the woods will be left without even
the robins to cover them, poor things!
But cheer up,-maybe the mud-hens
will do it with lovely water-lilies."
please. Mr.. Blake. do not be SO
cruel!" sobbed Miss Leslie, her tears
starting afresh. The sun makes my
head ache dreadfully. and I have no
hot I'm h0NnninO
thirsty"
And you think you've only to wait.
and half a dozen stewards will come
running with parasols and ice water.
Neither you nor Winthrope seem to
We got your eyes open. Just suppose
you get busy and do something. Win
thrope. chase yourself over the mud.
and get together a mess of fish that
are not too dead. Must be dozens, aft
the blow. As for you, Miss Jenny.
guess you can pick up some reeds and
rig q headgear out of this handker-
chief Wait q moment. Put on my
coat, il you don't want to be broiled
alive through the holes Of that peek-a-
boo"
But 1 say, Blake" began Win
thrope.
Don't say-do!" rejoined Blake;
and he started down the muddy shore.
Though the tide was at food. there
was now no cyclone to drive the sea
;.bove the beach, and Blake walked
quarter of a mile before he reached
the waters edge. There was little
surf, and he paused only a few mo-
: ments to peer out across the low
swells before he commenced to strip.
Winthrcpe and Miss Leslie had been
watching his movements; now the
girl rose in a little furry of haste.
and set to gathering reeds. Winthrope
would have spoken, but, seeing her
embarrassment, smiled to himself, and
began strolling about In search of fish.
1t was no difficult search. The
marshy ground was strewn with dead
sea-creatures, many of which were al
ready shriveling and drying in the
sun. Some of the fish had familiar
look, and Winthrope turned them over
with the tip of his shoe. He even
went SO far as to stoop to pick up a
large mullet; but shrank back, re-
pulsed by its stiffness and the unnat-
ural shape into which the sun was
warping it.
He found himself near the beach,
and stood for half an hour or more
watching the black dot far out in the
waterfall that was to be seen Of
Blake. The American. after wading
off-shore another quarter of q mile.
had reached swimming depth. and was
heading out among the reefs with
steady. vigorous strokes. Half a mile
or SO beyond him Winthrope could
now make out the goal for which he
was aiming-the one remaining top
mast of the steamer.
by Jove. these waters are full of
sharks!" murmured Winthrope. star
ing at the steadily receding dot until
1t disappeared behind the wall of surf
which spumed up over one of the outer
reefs.
A call from Miss Leslie interrupted
his watch. and he FASTENED to rejoin
her. After several failures. she had
contrived to knot Blake's handkerchief
to three or four reeds in the form of a
little sunshade Her shoulders we're
protected by Blake's coat. 1t made a
heavy wrap, but 1t shut out the bis
tering sun rays. which. a. Blake had
foreseen. had quickly begun to burn
the girls delicate skin through her
open-work bodice.
Thus protected. she was fairly safe
from the sun. But the sun was by no
means the worst feature of the situa.
ton. While Winthrope was yet several
yards distant, the girl began to com
plain to him. I'm SO thirsty. Mr.
Winthrope! Where is there any wa
ter! Please get me drink at once
Mr. Winthrope!"
But. my dear Miss Leslie. there is
no water These pools are all sea
water. l must say. I'm deuced dry
myself. can't see why that cad
should go off and leave us like this
Indeed, it is q shame-Oh, I'm SC
thirsty! Do you think it would hefI
il VIC ate Something"
Make it all the worse. Besides
how could we cook anything? Al
these reeds are green.
But Mr. Blake said to gather some
fish. Had you not best
HE can pick up all he wants.
shall not touch the beastly things"
Then 1 suppose there is nothing II
do but wait for him..
"Yes. II the sharks do not get him.
Miss Leslie uttered little. moan
xrv..xA.oDn Soo3nU that cho WA