The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-05-06

of the affair came to the bridge for
further enlightenment, but Coke mere
ly told her that the island was
Lloyd's signal station, so she could ca
BILE to her uncle
"Can go ashore?" she asked.
II dunno. Wen see. It's convict
settlement for the Brazils. an they're
mighty particular about lettin' people
land but they'll 'ardly object to a
nice young lady like you 'avin' a peep
at 'em."
AS his tone was unusually gruff,
not to say jeering, she resolved to
find an opportunity of seeking Ho-
zier's advice on the cablesram prob
lem. But the portent Of the blood red
water was not to be disregarded. New
er was Delphic oracle better served by
nature. The Andromeda began to roll
oniinously. Masses of black cloud
climbed over the southern horizon
AT midday the ship was driving
through heavy sea. As the day
wore the weather became even more
threatening. A sky and ocean that
had striven during three weeks to
produce in splendid rivalry blends of
sapphire blue and emerald green and
shroud of gray mist. With increasing
frequency and venom vaulting seas
curled over the bows and sent singing
showers of spray against the canvas
shield Of the bridge Instead of the
natty white drill uniform and canvas
shoes of the tropics the ships officers
donned oilskins. sou'westers and sea
boots. Torrents swept the decks. and
an occasional giant among waves
smote the hull with thunderous blow
under which every rivet ratified and
every plank creaked. Despite these
drawbacks the Andromeda wormed
her way south. She behaved like the
stanch old sea prowler that she was.
Iris, of course, thought that she was
experiencing the storm of u century.
Badly scared at first. she regained
some stock of courage when Hozier
came twice to her cabin. pounded OH
the door and shouted to her such
news as he thought would take her
mind off the outer furies. The first
time he announced that they were
just crossing the line" and the girl
smiled at the thought that Neptune's
chosen lair was uncommonly like the
English channel at its worst On the
second occasion her visitor brought
the cheering news that they would be
under the lee Of Fernando Noronha
early next morning. She had sufficient
sea lore to understand that this i'm
piled shelter from wind and wave. but |
Hozier omitted to tell her that the |
only practicable roadstead in the is
land. being on the weather side. would |
be rendered unsafe by the present adj |
verse combination of the elements. In |
fact. Coke had already called Watts |
and HoZier into council. and they had |
agreed with him that the wiser plan |
would be to bear in toward the island
from the east and anchor in smooth |
water as close to scNth point as the
lead would permit.
AS for Iris wild foreboding that the
ship was intended to be lost, Philip |
did not give it other than passing |
thought. Coke was navigating the An
dromeda with exceeding care and no
little skill He was Il first rate prac-
teal sailor and it was an education
to the younger man to watch his han
ding of the vessel throughout the
worst part of the blow. About mid
night the weather moderated. 1t i'm
proved steadily until Il troubled dawn
heralded some fitful CLEANS of the
SUM- By that time the magnificent
peak of Fernando Noronha was plain
ly visible. Coke came to the bridge
and set new course almost due west.
Soon it was possible to distinguish the
full extent of the coast line. Houses
appeared and trees and green GASES Of
There was strong current setting
from the southeast. and the dying gale
eft its aftermath i'm long SWELL but
the Androme1a rolled on with ever
comfort. Even Iris was
tempted forth by the sunshine.
Coke was not on the bridge at the
Mr.. Watts was taking the
watch. Hozier was on deck forward.
Suddenly the captain appeared. He
greeted Iris with genial nod.
"Ah. there you are." he cried. mot
seen you since this time yesterday.
Sorry, but there'll be no goin' ashore
today. We're on the wrong side Of
he island. an it nd toss you bit If
you was to try an land in eether of
he boats. Take 'er in easy now. Mr..
watts. That's our anchorage-over
here" And he pointed to the mouth
II narrow channel between South ,
'oint and the Isle DIES Fregates, the lat ,
er tiny islet that almost blocks the ,
ntrance to a shallow bay into which !
uns u rivulat of good but slightly ,
rackish water. ,
The ship slowed perceptibly, and ,
Iozier busted himself with the lead .
which q sailor was swinging on the :
tarboard side from the small plat .
orm of the accommodation ladder.
ris did not know what was said, but
he queer figures repeated to Coke
IN ha Safic fa uaa1Iapdc | -