Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-06-16

49, -
The island was p%erceptibly nearer.
Capt. Harper was forward staring
through the glass. Running along
the waist Langford joined him on the
f~orecastle.
Can you make out a~nything?" said
the young man, catching the old one
by the arm.
AYE" was the answer.
rs she there?" he asked, hoarsely,
his heart in his mouth.
There is a figure on the weather
side of the fire yonder."
"a igure!" asked Langford, trem-
bling so he could scarcely control him.
self. rs it a woman?"
81 can't tell. It's too far off"
"Give me the glass"
81 make out another figure. There
are two Of them" returned Harper,
slowly lowering the glass and hand
ing it to L%angford.
'Two!" cried the other, rapidly TO-
cusing 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. II have lost them among the
trees. We are approaching swiftly"
he continued. "Mr. Hoffman, half
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 Is minutes of easy
going, Capt. Harper signaled her tx
stop, fearful of any nearer approach
what now?" asked the owner
81 think we had better not chance /
nearer, SIR said the captain. ut i!
not more than a half-mile to thu
shore. Shall I 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 L%angford.
And in a moment the voice of tn
boatswain's mate could be heard cal
ing away the crew. All hands wer
on deck. The conversation betwee
the captain and the owner had bee
heard by many, and their tenor con
municated to all. Consequently whe
the gig manned by six of the hes
oarsmen in the ship dropped alongsid
and Langford descended to the ster
sheets and took the tiller in his hant
the crew spontaneously manned tn
rail and sent him off with three rint
| ing cheers.
1t did not take the men long t
, cover the distance between the mi
! tionless ship and the island. AS the
J approached the latter, they perceive
{ the barrier reef, which, unless the
could find an opening, would effectua
: ly prevent their getting on the shor
Langford swung the boat about at
& iudicious distance from the reef, ovt
d which the sea always broke with mo
9 or less force, and closely scrutinize
: the line of foam. The coxswain
: the boat who rowed the stroke O.
also followed with his eyes the jaggt
reef. 1t was he who detected the tV
II figures on the beach of the island W
wing palm branches and apparent
20 pointing. He called the attention
Langford to the figures, and suggef
>. ed that the inhabitants were trying
j. show an opening through the barrie
IA Following the indicated directlt
presently smooth water was disco
: cred. Langford headed the boat t
1t. The men bent to their oars, al
~ soon parted the quiet waters OF T.
lagoon. The two figures stood
10 plain view upon the beach still too I
ir for those in the boat to make out W
~ they were. Langford could only S
- that one was taller than the othe
that both were dressed in some Sc
of loose tunic that fell to the kne
~ and left the arms bare. He was d
~ appointed, and yet hopeful. The 81
pense was almost ~unbearable. I
~ men we're doing their utmost, sect
the anxiety in his face, but their
49, = most was too slow for the impatie
man.