The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-07-29


had given to the desOlate Interior a
home-Iike touch which was irresistible.
| could only come to a pauss-gazlng
about and wondering if We could real
ly be afoat upon a century-old wreck,
tossed helpleSSly on the waters of the
Polar sea. The odd, old-fashioned
swinging lantern threw violet-hued
rays over the snug scene, while 10 the
center the table, covered by a spotless
cloth, was fairly glistening in bril-
liant display of ancient silver newly
polished, and of decorated glass. Doris,
who had been engaged in giving the
arrangement some final dett touches,
turned instantly at the sound OF our
entrance. her sweet face Frightening
with interest as she read the amaze
men- pictured in my eyes
You have actually worked
marvel, exclaimed admringly.
Where in the world did you uuearth
such a display?'
From locker behind the steward 5
pantry she replied, smilingly. Put,
oh, with 4 SILVER. lit was most bitter
j. cold in there when We first opened
the door | actually had to wal, half
an hour before ventUing in. Yet you
should have seen what we found; this
is not half-the silver service was
simply magnificent: and sce-eyery
piece is beautifully engraven with a
fac-simile of the ship, and a master
piece of art"
gazed at the bit of plate handed
me. weighing it in my hand. and study
iag the decidedly elaborate scroll.
4 have read that these old galleons
We're often furnished regardless of ex-
penSe." l said, and the Dons were
high livers. Did you make any other
disCOyerieS?"
Only several cases of liquor, but all
were frozen solid. The iazarette opens
from the pantry. and We succeeded in
lifting the trapdoor, but the cold of
the air which came up was so intense
that We were compelled to drop it
again Immediately. | never imagined
such an atmosphere possible"
1t is the breath of 126 years Of
polar winter, l explained. This very
cabin was of that same temperature
when we first broke through its ice
covering"
She pressed her palms to her TEN
pies, staring about her at the gray.
s2!d-iacOrated interior.
DO YOU actually mean to tell me
'hai-that this wreck has been drift
ins and tossing about all that time?"
she questioned unbelieyingly
no, not drifting and tossing about.
but solidly imbedded within the ice
far south of this. This vessel is the
Donna Isabel-the same one futile
saw-and her los-book lies in that
farthest state-room yonder Its last
entry was made in September. 1853"
She sank down upon the bench, her
eyes upon my face. and I heard her
lips repeating softly: September.
l753, September. 1853" as though the
conception could hardly find accept
ance in her mind. The men were
grouped close beside the entrance.
while De Nova and Celeste had gone
forward to assist Dade in bringing his
supper from the galley so that for the
moment we we're comparatively alone.
As bent over, wondering what | had
best say, she questioned quickly, with
little sharp indrawing of the breath:
"And-and the people, Jack.-the-
crew? What became of them"
Dead more than a century ago" I
answered solemnly 81 did not stop
this morning to read the log, and so
| know little of their story But the
vessel itself tells Of storm and of long
struggle in the ice; probably most of
those on board persisted from expos
ure and cold"
Her hands clasped mine, her cheeks
white from apprehension.
"Were-were there any-any bodies
-here?"
Yes" | replied reluctantly. not dar-
ing to say otherwise
'How-how many"
Four men, woman, and a child"
An instant she stared into my face:
then swept her eyes about the light
0u CdDlh, OuIy 10 DuTy tnem Wlthln her
hands, her whole body trembling
"A woman and child! Here!
here, for 1876 years, Oh. merciful
Cod" she lifted her eyes again, filled
with horror, her hands clenched.
"They-they were actually here, ap-
pearing natural? looking as they did
in life?"
Yes; they seemed to be sleeping,
for they had been soldly frozen in the
very attitudes in which they died. The
woman rested on the couch yonder
She had beautiful dark hair and eyes,
and must have been about 30 years of
age The child was in bunk, little
haxen-haired girl of three or four"
"And-and you buried them?"
AS best we could We wrapped
them in blankets, and consigned them
to the deep, with prayer for their
souls" / bent closer. Doris. dear
don't let mis- rest so heavily upon you
wish might have kept it all hidden
Il was only the end of one of the in
Vulnerable tragedies of the sea. We
must face our own needs now. and
that task will require all our COURAGE"
thought she did not hear me, the
."ars continuing TO fall between her
hug9rs half suppressed sObs shaking