News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1910-06-01

nothing be done to repair itT'
meaning that we draw lots to see
who shall endeavor TO escape tonightT
"The men might even do that
"Ah, yes-the men, of course.
think It hopeless. But try 1t! Yes;
certainly. try IL"
A pause more eloquent than the
most impassioned speech showed now
this frail straw eddying in the vortex
of their fate might yet be clutched at
San Benavides,, trying vainly to guess
what was being said, blurted forth an
anxious inquiry. His compatriot ex-
planned briefly. Somehow the meas
ured cadence of their talk had less
! reliable sound than the vigorous An
glo-Saxon. They were both brave men.
They had not scrupled to risk their
lives in an enterprise where success
beckoned even doubtingly. But they
were lacking when all that remained
to be settled was how best to die: In
such an hour the men of an English
speaking race will ever choose fight
ing death.
This time it was a woman who de-
cided.
Iris rose to her feet She brushed
back the strands Of damp hair from
her face and with deft hands made
rough and ready coil Of her abundant
tresses.
Are you planning to send me with
two others adrift in boat while sew
} enteen men are left here?" she asked.
The Brazilian ceased speaking. There
was another uneasy pause. Hozier felt
that the question was addressed to
him. but he was tongue tied. almost
shamefaced. Coke, however. did not
shirk the task of enlightening her.
something like that" he said. "We
/ can't let you cut in with the rest of us.
missy. That wouldn't be reasonable.
But it's best to fix the business fair
, an square. We amt a-goin' to try
any other way. not so long as I'm skip
| per-" and he looked with brutal frank
ness at De sylvia and the anxious. but
uncomprehending San Benavides.
The ex.president knew what he
meant. Even in his dependency he
resented the implied slur on his good
faith.
You cannot examine the boat until
darkness sets ill.," he said. "Then you
will find out how frail foundation
| you are building on. 1t is absolutely
/ ridiculous to assume that she can be
made seaworthy. Her occupants would
, be drowned before they were clear of
the islands"
I'm any case. refuse to co." said
Iris.
"The boat that brought these men to
this rock can bring nineteen men and
woman to Fernando Noronha. We
must land there tonight. With those
to guide us who know the coast, sure
ly that should be possible. We have
right to struggle for our lives. We OF
the Andromeda at least have done no
wrong to the cruel wrercnes VINO
sought to kill us without mercy today.
( Why should we not endeavor to de-
fend ourselves? There is food there
| and guns in plenty. Let US take them.
! Above all, let us not dream If any
such useless device as this proposal to
i send three to drown somewhere i'll the
| sea and leave seventeen to perish mis-
eraby here. We are in Gods hands.
! Let us trust to him, but while doing
that fully and fearlessly we must seek
| life, not death"
! Bully for you, miss!' roared sailor,
| and a growl of admiration rang
| through the cave,
De Sylva's incisive accents helped to
! bridge a moment fraught with posi-
bilities, for it would be idle to assume
that this polyglot gathering was COM
posed Of Bayards. Self preservation is
apt to prove stronger than chivalry I'M
der such circumstances. Let it be as
sumed that three among twenty could
escape that night, and it was horribly
true that the field of selection might
! be narrowed by a wild beast struggle
! long before the sun went down.
The young lady has at least given
us a project" he said. 1T is des-
perate one, heaven knows. 1t offers
a fantastic chance, and | can see no
other But what can we do without
armsw
Use. our heads" put in Hozier.
Bring us to the island, Senior de Syl-
va, and we will make a fight of it. In
any case, even if we fail, they will not
deliberately kill woman. There must
be other women there who will inter
vene in behalf of one of their own sex.
But we may succeed. 1t is improba-
bic that the whole of the troops will
be gathered in one spot. Why should
we not take some small detachment by
surprise and secure their weapons? If
we can land unobserved we ought to
be able to drop on them apparently
from the skies. | take it that the pres
enCe here of Captain San Benavides is
unknown, and the leadership of an Off
Ger in the enemy's own uniform should
turn the scale in our favor. Have you
no followers among the troops or is
landers? Suppose we make good oul
first attack and seize a strong position
Isn't it probable we may receive assist
ance from your partisans"
"Perhaps-am tie convicts," was
: De Sylva's grim reply.
an, opo;oIe on co1Iiare ."