Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-06-02

mind Off the outer furies. The first
time he announced that they were
lust crossing the line" and the girl
smiled at the thought that Neptune's
chosen hair 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 Ice OF Fernando Noronha
early next morning. She had sufficient
sea lore to understand that this i'm
piled shelter from wind and wave, but
llnzicr 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 nd
verse combination of the elements. In
fact. Coke had already called Watts
and Ho2ier into council, and they had
nrrccd with him that the wiser plan
would he TO bear in toward the island
from the east and anchor in smooth
water rs close to Scwth point as the
lead would permit.
As for Iris Wild foreboding that the
ship was intended to be lost, Philip
thought. Coke was navigating the An
tromrda with exceeding care and no
little skill. He was n first rate prac-
teal sailor. aud it was an education
TO the younger man to watch his han
ding IF the vessel throughout the
worst part of the blow. About mid
night the weather moderated. 1t i'm
Il
hcraldcd some ftful CLEANS of the
sun. BY that time the magnificent
pcak Of Fernando Noronha was plain
" 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 oases Of
cultivation.
There was strong current setting
from the southeast. and the dying gale
left its aftermath in long swell, but
the Andromeda rolled on with ever
increasing comfort. Even Iris was
TEMPTED forth by the sunshine.
Coke was not on the bridge at the
moment. MIR. Watts was taking the
watch. Hozior was on deck forward.
Suddenly the captain appeared. He
greeted Iris with genial nod.
"Ah. there you are." he cried. Not
seen you since this time yesterday.
Sorry. but there'n he no goin' ashore
today. We're on the wrong side OF
the island, an It nd toss you a bit If
you was to try an land in eether OF
the boats Take 'er in easy now. Mr..
Watts That's our anchorage-over
there And he pointed to the mouth
of 4 narrow channel between South
point and the Isle des Fregates the lat
ter tiny islet that almost blocks the
entrance to shallow bay into which
runs rivulet of good but slightly
brackish water.
The ship slowed perceptibly, and
Hozier busted himself with the lead
which a sailor was swinging on the
starboard side from the small plat
form of the accommodation ladder
Iris did not know what was said, but
the queer figures repeated to Coke
seemed to be satisfactory. Headlands
and hills crept nearer. The rocky
arms of the island closed In on them.
A faint scent as of sweet grasses
reached them from the shore. Iris
could see several people, nearly all Of
them men In uniform. hurrying about
with an air of excitement that betok-
ened the unusual. Perhaps steamers
advent on the south side Of the island
was novelty.
Now they were In fairly smooth
roadstead. The remnants of the guile
were shouldered away from the ship
by the towering cliff that jutted out
on the left of the bay. The crew were
mostly occupied in clearing blocks and
tackle and swinging two lifeboats out
ward on their davits.
"All ready forrard?" roared Coke
HoZier ran to the forecastle. He found
the carpenter there. standing by the
windlass brake.
"All ready, sir" he cried.
Coke nodded to him.
Give her thirty five" he said, mean
ing thereby that the anchor should be
allowed thirty-five fathoms of chain.
The turbulent current was surging
across the bows with the speed Of n
mill race, so Coke brought the vessel
round until she lay broadside with the
land and headed straight against the
set of the stream. II was his intent to
drop anchor while in that position and
help any undue strain on the cable by
an occasional turn of the propeller.
keep her therew he said, half turn
ing to the man at the wheel. lie
changed the Indicator from full
speed" to "slow ahead" In few sec.
ondS the anchor chain would have rat.
tied through the hawse hole when
something happened that was incom.
prehensible, stupefy ut.
terly remote and strange from the
ways of civilized men.
The Andromeda quivered under a
tremendous buffet. There came a crash
of rending iron and an instant stop
page OF the engines. Almost merging
into the noise Of the blow came a loud
report from the land, but that in its
turn was drowned by the hiss of steam
from the exhaust.
Coke appeared to be dumfounded for
an instant Recovering himself, he
ran to the starbonrd side. leaned over
looked down at torn plate that
showed its Jagged edges just above
the water line and then lifted n blaz
ing face toward point halfway up
the neghboring cliff. where a haze las
like veil OF gauze on the weather
SCARED rocks
Won hlnat cd nj ra Tool ha uoNad M L.