The Hattiesburg news., 1909-11-30

He Focused Upon the Distant Pelnt
OF Light.
for An hour or an hour and . half. In
fact. we'll presently have to slow
down. l don't like to dash in full tilt
80 near land through these unknown
waters. and you will do well sir, to 90
below and get bite to eat"
Your advice Is good" said Lang.
ford. turning away and entering the
cabin.
Never had man less appetite than
he. Somehow, he could not tell why.
he felt certain that this which would
be his last attempt, would not prove
, fruitless; that his search hitherto un.
availing would now be rewarded. He
took time to re-examine the chart Of
those seas. It was quite possible he
thought, for the woman to have made
that particular island before them
from the point at which she had left
the ship. The more he studied it, the
more sure he became. He forced him
self to break his fast, but in a short
time he was on deck once more.
The island was perceptibly nearer.
Capt. Harper was forward staring
through the glass. Running along
the waist Langford joined him on the
forecastle.
Can you make out anything?" said
I the young man, catching the old one
by the arm.
Aye" was the answer.
"Is she there?" he asked, hoarsely,
his heart in his mouth.
There is a figure on the weather
side Of the fire yonder."
"A fgure!" asked Langford, trem.
bling 30 he could scarcely control him.
self. rs It woman?"
II can't tell. It's too far on"
"Give me the glass;
II make out another figure. There
ere two OF them." returned Harper,
slowly lowering the glass and hand
ing It to Langford.
'Two!" cried the other, rapidly 70
eusing the glass. disappointment IN
his tone which he strove to keep out
Of his heart. You are right" he
said at last, there are two figures.
but It's impossible to make them out"
He handed the glass back to the
captain, who in his turn fixed 1t again
upon the island.
They are going down the hill," said
Harper. 81 have lost them among the
trees. We are approaching swiftly
/ hn HAIt
speed, If you please"
Bells tangled below as Mr.. Holtz
man rapidly set the Indicator and the
| speed of the yacht was quickly
checked. She still approached the is
land with sufficient rapidity, however
and after perhaps 15 minutes of easy
going. Capt. Harper signaled her te
stop, fearful of any nearer approach
What now?" asked the owner.
Il think we had better not chance 1
nearer, sir" said the captain. 1T 4
not more than a half.mile to tn,
shore. Shall l call away the launch
or will you be rowed?"
The launch was slowed amidships
the gig swung from the davits. l
would be quicker to take the gig.
"Ill be rowed," said Langford.
And In a moment the voice of tn,
boatswain's mate could be heard call
ing away the crew. All hands wer
on deck. The conversation betweel
the captain and the owner had beel
heard by many, and their tenor com
municated to all. Consequently whel
the gig manned by six of the bes
oarsmen in the ship dropped alongsid
and Langford descended to the sterl
sheets and took the tiller In his hand
the crew spontaneously manned tn
rail and sent him OF with three rims
ing cheers.
1t did not take the men long :
cover the distance between the mt
tionless ship and the island. As the
approached the latter, they perceive
the barrier reef, which. unless the
could find an opening. would effectua
Y prevent their getting on the shors