Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-03

way 10 BRAZILIAN port. We wer
mistaken. More than that. we know
now that they have Obtained news
probably through traitor to our caus
of the Andros-y -biela's voyage. The
were prepared for her coming. The
had made arrangements to receive he
almost at the place decided on by ou
friends In Brazil. 1t is more thai
likely that the Andros-y-Mela is nov
lying under the guns Of some coas
fortress. since the presence Of troop
and cannon on this side Of the islan'
Is unprecedented"
IL don't see wot all this as to d.
With me-" blurted out Coke deter
minedly.
mo. 1t would not concern you Il
the least II you were safe at sea. Bu
since you are here II does concern yo'
most gravely. From one point OF viev
you served my cause well by preparing
to lower boat. You misled my perSe
cutors as to locality at least. U
course | saw you and thought yo'
were mad. but your action did bell
to conceal from the soldiers the secre
of my true hiding place. wish to b.
candid with you. IL my friends ant
l had realized that you were here b!
accident we ought to have taken n
steps TO save you"
Really snarled Coke. eying th'
unrutIled Brazilian much as an Andu
lusian bull might glare at picador
A buzz of angry whispering came from
the crew. Even Iris flashed a dis
dainful glance ut the man who uttered
this atrocious sentiment DE Sylvf
raised his hand.
pray. do not misunderstood me.
he said. II am as humane as most 9th
ers, but 1t Is difficult to decide whether
or not mere humanity, setting aside
self interest. would not rather con
demn you to the speedy death OF the
wreck than drag you to the worse fate
that awaits you here. And please re
member that we did succor you. thus
risking observation and visit BY the
troops when the sea permits a landing
But that Is not the true issue. An
hour ago there were four people or
this bare rock-four of US who looked
for escape tonight. We were supplied
with such small necessaries Of exist
ence as would enable us to live II Oul
rescuers were delayed for q day OF
even two. Now there will be no res
cue. We are"-he looked slowly around
twenty instead Of four. but we have
the same quantity Of stores. which con
sist of half emptied skin Of wine. q
bunch of bauanas. few scraps OF
maize bread and some strips OF dried
meat. Do you follow me"
There was sound Of hurrying foot
steps on the steep pathway. A figure,
clad in rags that surpassed even DE
Sylva's. appeared In the entrance. A
brief cOlloquy took place. DE Sylvas
eager questions were answered In
monosyllables.
Marcel tells me that one Of your
boats is drifting away with man ly'
ing In the bottom" came the uneasy
explanation.
Good Lord~ Hozier cried. That
must be the lifeboat was trying to
clear when the ship struck. Macfar'
lane was helping me. but be was hii
by a bullet and dropped across the
thwarts. thought he was desdr'
Dead or alive. he Is better or than
we." said De sylvia. He questioned
Marcel again briefly. There can be
no doubt that the man In the boat cast
OF the lashlngs when be found that
the ship was sinking" he continued
in English. Marcel saw him doing
that and wondered why he was alone.
At any rate. IL he Is carried beyond
the reef be has q fighting chance. We
have none"
why not? Are these men on the
island so deaf to human sympathies
that they would murder all OF US In
cold bloody'
The girls sweet. low pitched voice
sounded inexpressibly sad In that
yaulted place. Even De Sylva's stud
led control gave way before Its music
He uttered some anguished appeal 10
the Deity In his own tongue and dung
out his hands impulsively.
What would you have me sayF he
cried, and his eyes blazed. ~ might
lie to you and try to persuade you that
we can exist here without food or wa
ter. whereas tomorrow or next day al
the utmost will see most OF us dead
But In q few hours you will realize
what It means to be kept on this bare
rock under a tropical sun. You caii
do one thing. Your party greatly out
numbers mine. Climb to the topmos'
pinnacle and sigual to the island. You
will soon be seen"
He laughed with a savage irony tha'
was not good to hear. but Coke caugn'
at the suggestion.
Even that is better'n tearin' one IN
other like mad dogs" he growled. u
know wots comm. I've seen 1t wonst.
Hozier made for the exit. where Mar
eel stood irresolute, apparently waiting
for orders.
"Where are you goingT demanded
De sylvia. 49,.
"ro see what is becoming Of the life
boat"
"Better not. You cannot help your
friend, and the instant 1t becomes
known to the troops that there Is
living soul on the Grand-pere rock they
will come in a steam launch and shoo'
every one at sight"
"will that be the answer to our sig
nalT
It was Iris who asked the question
and the Brazilian's voice softenec
again.
"Yes." he said.
"why. then. do you advise US to seei
our own destructionT
he bowed. His manner was almos
humble.
ut Is the easier way" he murmureo
"ls there no otherW
"None-unless we attack 200 soldiers
with sticks and stones and three re
volyers and a sword"
Hozier came back. he had merel!
stepped a pace or two into the sun
light. Through the northerly dip o.