The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-05-27

Benavides and gave no credence TO
him. Just now the Brazilian was an
evil that must be endured.
Luisa Gomez promised to help in
every possible. way. Her eyes sparkled
at the sight Of gold. but the poor wo-
man would have assisted them out of
sheer pity. Nevertheless the gift of
couple Of sovereigns. backed by the
promise Of many more II her husband
devoted himself to their service. spur
red her to frenzy of activity.
There was not moment to be lost.
The squall had spent itself. and a peep
through the chinks of the door showed
that the moon would quickly be in evil
dence again. Ii was essential that
they should cross the channel while
the scattering clouds still dimmed her
brightness. so Manoela and her mother
collected such store of food and milk
and water as. they could lay hands on.
Well laden. all tive FASTENED to the
creek. and Hozier. Iris and San Bena-
vides boarded the larger of the two
catamarans.
When the catamaran rounded the
last outlying crag and they were all
pillars they became aware that a
small boat was being pulled cautious
toward them from the opposite side
of the rock.
Iris gasped. She heard Hozier NUT
ter under his breath. while San Bena-
vides revealed his dismay by an oath
and convulsive tightening of the
hands that rested on the girls shout
ders.
Hozier strove with a few desperate
strokes Of the paddle to reach the shad-
ows of the passage before the cata.
maran was seen by the boats occu-
pants. He might have succeeded. But
there was even greater probability
that the unwieldy catamaran might be
caught by rhe swell and dashed side
long against one of the half submerged
rocks that thrust their black fangs
above the water.
Happily they were spared either al
tentative. At the very instant that
their lot must be put to the test Of
chance Coke's hoarse accents came to
their incredulous ears.
LET her go, Olsen." be was growl-
ing We've a clear course now. an
that Internal moon will Spite every
thing IL we're spotted"
In this instance hearing was believ-
ing. and Philip was the first to guess
what had actually occurred.
BOAT ahoy. skipper!" he sang out In
joyous hail.
Coke stood up. He glared hard at
the reef.
Did We ear it?" he cried to De
Sylvia. sink me. 'ope | amt a-copy-
in pore ole Watts. but II that wasn't
Hozier's voice I'm goin' dotty."
It's all right. skipper" said Philip.
sending the catamaran ahead with
mighty sweep. Miss Yorke is here
Captain San Benavides too. was
sure you would look for us If you
cleared the harbor safely"
Then Coke proclaimed his sentiments
in the approved ritual Of the high seas.
while the big Norseman at the oars
swung the boats head round until
both craft were travelling in company
to the waiting launch. Before any
thing In the nature of an explanation
was forthcoming from the occupants
Of either the boat or the catamaran a
broad beam Of white light swept over
the crest Of the island from north to
south. 1t disappeared to return more
slowly until 1t rested on Rat island.
at the extreme northwest OF the group.
1t remained steady there. showing
wild panorama Of rocky heights and
tumbling sea.
"A searchlight" growled Coke.
Then there really was warship"
murmured Iris.
"Ha" said San Benavides. and his
tone was almost gratitied. for he had
gathered that Hozier was skepticai
when told of the rockets. But in that
respect at least he was not mistaken.
A man-of-war had entered the road
stead and her powerful lamp was now
securing sea ami coast for the miss