The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-03-22
CHAPTER ii.-continued.

IL Is explained to papa
yes; Wen cable papa tonight
Meantime, we've something else to do
Suppose you two get hustle on your.
selves, and scrape up something to
eat. I'm going out to see what's left
OF that blamed old tub
Surely you'll not venture to swim
out SO fart protested Winthropc. Il
saw the steamer sink as we cast of "
Looks like mast sticking up out
there. Maybe some of the rigging is
loose"
But the sharks! These waters
swarm with the vile creatures. You
must not risk your life,"
cause why? II do, the babes in
the woods will be left without even
the robins to cover them. poor things!
But cheer up!-maybe the mud-hens
viii do 1T with lovely water-lilies."
Please, Mr.. Blake. do not be so
cruel!" sobbed Miss Leslie, her tears
starting afresh "The sun makes my
head ache dreadfully, and / have no
hat or shade. and I'm becoming so
thirsty"
And you think you've only to wait,
and half dozen stewards will come
running with parasols and ice water.
Neither you nor Winthrope seem to
We got your eyes open. Just suppose
you get busy and do something. Win
thrope. chase yourself over the mud,
and get together a mess of fish that
are not too dead. Must be dozens, aft
the blow. AS for you, Miss Jenny, l
guess you can pick up some reeds and
rig headgear out OF this handker-
chief Wait moment. Put on my
coat. II you don't want to be broiled
alive through the holes of that peek-a-
boo"
But say. Blake" began Win
thrope.
Don't say--do!' rejoined Blake;
and he started down the muddy shore.
Though the tide was at flood. there
was now no cyclone to drive the sea
above the beach, and Blake walked a
quarter of mile before he reached
the waters edge. There was little
surf, and he paused only few mo-
ments to peer out across the low
swells before he commenced to strip
Winthrope and Miss Leslie had been
watching his movements; now the
girl rose In little furry OF haste
and set to gathering reeds. Winthrope
would have spoken, but, seeing her
embarrassment, smiled to himself, and
began strolling about In search Of fish.
1t was no difficult search The
marshy ground was strewn with dead
sea-creatures, many Of which were al
ready shriveling and drying In the
sun. Some of the fish had a familiar
look, and Winthrope turned them over
with the tip Of his shoe He even
went so far as to stoop to pick up a
large mullet: but shrank back, re-
pulsed by It's stiffness and the unnat-
ural shape into which the sun was
warping it.
He found himself near the beach,
and stood for half an hour or more
Watching the black dot far out In the
waterfall that was to be seen of
Blake. The American, after wadlng
off-shore another quarter of mile.
had reached swimming depth. and was
heading out among the reefs with
steady, vigorous strokes Half a mile
or 30 beyond him Winthrope could
now make out the goal for which he
was aiming--the one remaining top
mast Of the steamer.
by Jove. these waters are full Of
sharks!" murmured Winthrope, star
Ing at the steadily receding dot until
It disappeared behind the wall Of surf
which spumed up over one of the outer
reefs.
A call from Miss Leslie interrupted
his watch, and he fastened to rejotn
her. After several failures, she had
contrtved to knot Blake's handkerchief
to three or four reeds in the form OF a
little sunshade. Her shoulders were
protected by Blake's coat 1t made a
heavy wrap, but II shut out the Bills
tering sun rays. which, as Blake had
foreseen, had quickly begun to burn
the girls delicate skin through her
open-wOrk bodice.
Thus protected, she was fairly safe
from the sun. But the sun was by no
means the worst feature Of the situa-
ton. While Winthrope was yet several
yards distant, the girl began to com
plain to him. I'm SO thirsty, Mr.
Winthrope! Where Is there any wa
ter! Please get me = drink at once.
Mr.. Winthrope!"
But, my dear Miss Leslie, there is
10 water. These pools are all sea-
water. must say, I'm deuced dry
myself. can't see why that cad
should 60 Oh and leave US like this.
Indeed, 1t II Z shame-Oh. I'm so
thirsty! Do you think 1t would help
Z We ate somethingf"
make It all the worse Besides,
now could We cook anything? All
these reeds are green.