The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-07-14

aAhF III uEE Llanl. AAe men were
grouped close beside the entrance
while De Nova and Celeste had gone
forward 10 assist Dade In bringing his
supper from the galley. 80 that for the
moment we were comparatively alone
As bent over. wondering what I had
best say. she questioned quickly. with
a little sharp iudrswing Of the breath:
AEd-and the people. Jack.-the-
crev? What became Of them7"
Dead more than a century ago" 7
answered s0iemnly. Il 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 perished from expos
ure and cold"
Her hands clasped mine. her cheeks
white from apprehension.
Were-were there any-any bodies
--hereg"
Yes replied reluctantly. not dar-
ing 20 say otherwise.
How-how many
-Four men. a womau and a child
An instant she stared into my face:
then swept Der eyes about the light-
ed cabin. only 20 bury them within her
hands. her whole body trembling.
"A woman and child, Here.
here, for 126 years. Oh. merciful
God. she lifted her eyes again. filled
with horror. her hands clenehed.
~They-they were actually here. ap-
pearing natural. looking as they dis
In Hfe?"
Yes they seemed 70 be sleeping.
for they had been solidly frozen in the
very attitudes In which they died The
woman rested on the couch yonder.
She had hezu;iful dark hair and eyes.
and must have been about 90 ear OF
age. The child was in a bunk. a little
fsren-haired girl Of three or four
And-and you buried themg"
AS best we could. We wrapped
them IA blankets. and consigned them
70 the deep. with a prayer for theF
souls. I bent closer. Doris. dear.
don't let this rest so heavily upon you
] wish J might have kept Il all hidden.
Il was only the end Of one OF the tn
Vulnerable tragedies Of the sea We
must face our own needs now. and
hat task viii require all our courage
thought she did not hear me. the
tears continuing 10 fan between her
fingers. half-suppresed s0bs shaking
her form. Yet as ] rested my hand
upon her shoulder. she looked up al
me out OF moistencd eyes. her lips
firmly set
"Ycs-yes; know, Jack. but-but
Il IS all so terrible. and-and has Come
20 me with such a shock. can not
comprehend it-that they should have
actually been here-here. all those
years-waiung' But I win not thiuk
OF 81 any longer; IL viii DO some
thing 10 make me forget
We an messed together. sitting upou
the long benches drawn 40 about the
table. nade waiting upon va. with Dor
Is and Celeste occupying places be
tween De Nova and myself. AZ the
beginning We spoke little. the strange
ness Of our surroundings holding as
silent. but the minds o. all being busy
with the same thought We i~nseusIbly
driftcd into conversation regarding
"a chances OF rescue. and the history
Of the old vessel In whose cabin w
ioated. Once De Nova introduced the
subject Of the treasure which might
Doe stored away below deck. ana the
men exhibited their interest BY nu
mcrous question; but I gave them ut
ne announcement along this line. re
allEine hat Tor the present our EARL
est effort should be 90 transform The
wreck into some degree OF safety
saii Brst. and a clean rudder. these az
tanned. the search Tor TREASURE might
begin.
What a and group that vast
the wiutry night without the drifting
fog OF snow. the helpless hulk rising
and talliag upon tho treachcrous hcAye
of the sea, that odd. yiolete olored nsht
cleaning over us The faces ara even
before mo-the Eirlish looking Celeste
with her dark curls and white teeth.
LADY Darlington, her gray eyes atIl
moist as she glanced about the o.
terror, uaforgelhul Of It's memories; De
Nova, iaunty as ever. with no thought
beyond the present. recalling % ny
mind with every movement the face %
that dead Spaniard who Tor more than
a century had a whero he was slt.
ting; Sanchez pale and with hat
hunted look. a counterpart no doubt %
eaman this ship had known IN
other days; Mcknight bury ana nd
Kelly. his blue eyes Allied with
mcrriment o. old ireland. John
broad shouldcred. and sohcrraoed
steadily with never a m %
ahaggy broWs; and nade hutteriar
about iko a walter ashore with his
Sinking ana suggestion q
Cno BE C~oNrlNUEnl