The Springdale news., 1909-04-27
Be it so,s said Captain Parkinson

after time
 Going in, they saw no sign of life along the shore. Even the birds had deserted 1t. For the time the volcano seemed to have pretermitted its ac- tivity Now and again there was a spurtle of smoke from the cone, fol lowed by subterranean growlings, but, on the whole, the conditions were reas- surfing.
 Penny -pinwheel of a volcano, anyhow" remarked Trendon disparag- ingly. Real man size eruption would have wiped the whole thing off the map first whaek."
 As they drew in 1t became apparent that they must scale the cliff from the boat Farther to the south opened out wide cove that suggested easy beach ing. but over it hung cloud of steam. Lava pouring down." said Trendon. Fortunately at the point where the cliff looked easiest the seas ran low. Ropes had been brought. After some dainty maneuyering two of the sailors gained foothold and slung the ropes so that the remainder of tue disembarka- tion was simple. Nor was the ascent of the cliff a harsh task. Half an hour after the landing the exploring party stood on the summit of the hlll, where the black flag waved over scene of utter desolatlon. The vegetation was withered to pallid rags; even the tiniest wedding in the rock crevices had been poisoned by the devastating blast. In the midst of that deathly scene | the flag seemed instinct with d sinister 1 llveliness. Whoever had set it there had accurately chosen the highest available point on that side of the Is 1 land, the spot of all others where 1t would make good its signal to the eye 1 of any chance faref upon those ship l less seas For the staff a ten foot sap ling, finely polished, served. A mound l of rock slabs supported it firmly. Upon the cloth itself was no design. It was of dull black, the hue of seot. Cap tain Parkinson, standing few yards 1 off, viewed it with disfayor
 "Furl that flag" lie ordered. | Cengdon, the cockswain of the gig, stepped forward and began 10 work at the fastenings Presently he turned a grinning face to the captain, who was scanning the landscape through his glass.
 "Beggin' your pardon. sir he said.
 Well what Is it?' demanded Cap tain Parkinson.
 1 "Beggin' your pardon, sir, that ain.t rightly no flag. That's what you might rightly call a garment sir. It's an undershirt, beggin your pardon"
 Black undershirt's new one to me" muttered Trendon.
 No, sir; it ain't rightly black. Look
 l Wrenching the object from its fas- tenings, he Tapped it violently. cloud of sooty dust. beaten out. spread about his face With a strangled cry the sailor cast the shirt from him and rolled in agony upon the ground.
 You fooi cried Trendon. Stand back, all of you
 | Opening his medicine case. he bent over the racked sufferer Presently the man sat up, pale and abashed.
 That's how poisonous volcanic gas is,' said the surgeon to his command. ing officer ..Only inhaled remnants of the dust too"
 An i'll outlook for the man we're seeking the captain unused.
 Dead if he's anywhere on this high land,s declared Trendon. Let's look at his fagpole."
 He examined the staff. "Came from the beach,, he pronounced. Water worn, H'ml Maybe he ain't so dead either
 T don't quite follow you, Dr. Tren- don"
 Why, l guess our man has figured this thing all out. Brought this pole up from the beach to plant it here Why: because this was the best ob seryation point. No good Us perma- nent residence, though. Planted the flag and went back
 Why didn't we see him on the beach, thenT'
 Did you notice q cave around to the north? Good refuge in case of fumes"
 "It's worth trying" said the captain putting up his glass
 Hold on, sir. Whats thisf Here's something Look here"
 Trendon pointed to small bit of wood rather neatly carved to the shape of an indieatory finger and dashed to the staff at the height of mans face The others clustered around.
 "oh, the deyil"' cried Trendon. Tt must have got twisted. It's pointing straight down."
 Strange performance" said the cap tain. However, since 1t points that way, heave aside those rocks, men"
 The first slab lifted brought to light corner of cardboard This on closer examination proved to be the cover of book. The rocks rolled right and left, and is the flagstaff, deprived of Its support. tottered and fell the trove was dragged forth and handed 10 the captain. While the ground jared with occasional tremors and the mountain puffed forth It's vaporous threats he and the surgeon, seated on rock, gave themselves with complete absorption to the reading.
 fro BE CONTINUED
 
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