Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-06-09
steps TO save you"

unrufiicd Brazilian much as au Andu.
lusian bull might glare at a picador.
A buzz of angry whispering came from
the crew. Even Iris flashed q dis.
dainful glance at the man who uttered
this atrocious sentiment. DE sylvia
raised his hand.
pray, do not misunderstood me-"
he said. 81 am as humane as most 9th
ers, but 1t is difficult to decide whether
or not mere humanity. setting aside
self interest. would not rather con-
denim you to the speedy death Of the
wreck than drag you to the worse fate
that awaits you here. And please re.
member that we did succor you, thus
risking observation and visit by the
troops when the sea permits a landing.
But that is not the true issue. An
hour ago there were four people on
this bare rock-four of us who looked
for escape tonight. We were supplied
with such small necessaries of exist
ence as would enable us to live If our
rescuers were delayed for day or
even two. Now there will be 10 res.
cue. We are"-he looked slowly around
twenty instead of four, but we have
.he same quantity of stores. which con-
sist of half emptied skin Of wine. n
bunch of bananas. few scraps OF
maize bread and some strips of dried
meat. DO YOU follow me?"
There was Il sound Of hurrying foot
steps on the steep pathway. A figure,
clad in rags that surpassed even DE
Sylva's. appeared in the entrance. A
brief colloquy took place. DE Sylva's
eager questions were answered In
monosyllables.
"Marcel tells me that one Of your
boats is drifting away with man ~
ing in the bottom" came the uneasy
explanation
Good Lord" Hozier cried. THAT
must be the lifeboat was trying to
clear when the ship struck. Macfar-
lane was helping me, but he was ait
by bullet and dropped across the
thwarts thought he was deadr'
Dead or alive. he is better off than
we." said De sylvia. He questioned
IhUlCcI uSdlu VI ichN ucIc Cdu Uc
no doubt that the man in the boat cast
off the lashings when he found that
the ship was sinking" he continued
in English. Marcel saw him DOR
that and wondered why he was alone
At any rate, if he Is carried beyond
the reef he has fighting chance We
have none"
why not? Are these men on the
island so deaf to human sympathies
that they would murder all of us ir
cold blood?'
The girls sweet, low pitched voice
sounded inexpressibly sad in thai
vaulted place. Even De Sylva's stud
led control gave way before its music
He uttered some anguished appeal t.
the Deity in his own tongue and funi
out his hands impulsively.
What would you have me say?" ht
cried, and his eyes blazed. II NIGH
lie to you and try to persuade you tina
we can exist here without food or wa
ter, whereas tomorrow or next day a
the utmost will see most of us dead
But in few hours you will realize
what 1t means to be kept on this bare
rock under a tropical sun. You car
do one thing. Your party greatly out
numbers mine. Climb to the topmos
pinnacle and signal to the island. Yo,
will soon be seen"
He laughed with a savage irony tina
was not good to hear. but Coke caugh
at the suggestion.
Even that is better'n tearin' one an
other like mad dogs" ne growled. :"
know wot's comm. I've seen it wonst.
Hozier made for the exit. where Mar
eel stood irresolute, appar, ntiy waiting
for orders.
Where are you going?" demanded
De Sylvia.
ITO see what is becoming Of the life
boat"
Better not. You cannot help you
friend, and the instant 1t become.
known to the troops that there is ,
living soul on the Grand-pere rock the,
will come in steam launch and shoe
every one at sight"
will that be the answer to our sig
nal?"
1t was Iris who asked the question
and the Brazilian's voice softenet
again.
YES" he said.
"Why, then. do you advise us to seel
our own destruction
He bowed. Els manner was almos
humble.
ut is the easier way" he murmured
us there no other"
"NOne-uniess we attack 200 soldier
with sticks and stones and three re
vOlvers and a sword"
Hozier came back. He had merel,
stepped n pace or two into the sun
light Through the northerly dip 0
the gulley he had seen the ships boa
whirled past an islet by the fierce cur
rent. Macfarlane was not visible. Pei
haps that was better so.
Attack" he said hoarsely. How
that possible? A deep and wide chan
mel separates us from the main island.
The Brazilian gave a startling ar
swer.
I'VE have e. boat-a sort of boat" b
said quietly.
How many will 1t hold?"
"rhree in smooth sea and wit
skilled handling. 1t nearly overturne
when | and two others crossed fror
the island. a distance of 800 yards"
But we have ropes. clothes, perhap
some few pieces of wreckage. Ca