Mexico Missouri message., 1910-08-25

"'Tis one of those volcanic islands,
] take IT," he said as he came back.
ut seems to be covered with trees.
There is a hill rising from the midst
OF it. The fire is on the top. There
should be an encircling reef round
about it, and deep water up to the
very barrier"
Gould you see anything else?"
mo, sir. No glass would reveal any
thing more at this distance. Try for
yourself, Mr.. Langford."
He handed the binoculars to the
owner, but his own scrutiny revealed
nothing more than the captain had
told him.
How are we going now?" he said,
looking over the side.
About eight, l should Judge, sir"
answered Harper,
Let us have full speed until we get
nearer"
Very good, sir"
The captain turned and spoke a
word to the second officer, who sig
nailed to the engine room, and in a
few moments the motion Of the great
vessel through the water was percep-
tibly accelerated.
Have you had your breakfast, Mr..
Langford?" asked the captain, at last.
Not yet"
Then If you'll allow me, sir, think
you would better get it. We won't be
within landing distance of that island
for an hour or an hour and half. In
fact, we'll presently have to slow
down. l don't like to dash in full tilt
so near land through these unknown
waters, and you will do well sir, to go
below and get bite to eat"
Your advice is good" said Lang.
ford, turning away and entering the
cabin.
Never had man less appetite than
he. Somehow, he could not tell why,
he felt certain that this which would
be his last attempt, would not prove
fruitless; that his search hitherto I'M
availing would now be rewarded. He
took time to re-examine the chart of
those seas. 1t was quite possible he
thought, for the woman to have made
that particular island before them
from the point at which she had left
the ship. The more he studied it, the
more sure he became. He forced him
self to break his fast, but in a short
time he was on deck once more.
The island was perceptibly nearer.
Capt. Harper was forward staring
through the glass. Running along
the waist Langford joined him on the
forecastle.
Can you make out anything?" said
the young man, catching the old one
by the arm.
AYE" was the answer.
as she there?" he asked, hoarsely,
his heart in his mouth.
There is figure on the weather
side of the fire yondeT"
"a figure!" 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 Langford.
"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 tbs 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. 81 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 to
STOP fearful Of any nearer approach.
What now?" asked the owner.
81 think we had better not chance 1t
nearer, sir" said the captain. ut is
not more than a half-mile to the
shore. Shall 1 call away the launch,
or will you be rowed?"
The launch was slowed amidships;
the gig swung from the davits. 1t
would be quicker to take the gig.
''Pn be rowed," said Langford.
And in a moment the voice of the
boatswain's mate could be heard call
ing away the crew. All hands were
on deck. The conversation between
the captain and the owner had been
heard by many, and their tenor com.
municated to all. Consequently when
the gig manned by six of the best
oarsmen in the ship dropped alongside
and Langford descended to the stern
sheets and took the tiller in his hand,
the crew spontaneously manned the
rail and sent him off with three ring.
ing cheers.
1t did not take the men long to
cover the distance between the mo-
tionless ship and the island. AS they