Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-06-16

ready AS If to TIE THRUST HIS HEAD
emphasize this THROUGH.
peril there was an interval OF 81
lence. Steam had been shut off. Phil
fp touched the girls lips lightly with
a finger. Then be lay fat on the ledge
Dand began to creep forward 1t was
impossible that he should run and
warn the others. but it was essential,
above all else that he should ascertain
what the men on the launch were do
ing and the extent Of their knowledge
He found n tuft of the grass tina.
clung to a crevice where its roots drew
hardy sustenance from the crumbllns
rock. He ventureG to thrust his head
through this screen following Domin-
COS example some hours earlier. AL
most directly beneath his eager glance
found the little vessel She was float
ing past with the current He peered
down on to her deck as If from the
top of a mast. a few cigarette smok-
ing officers were grouped in her bows
Apparently they were more interestei
in the renla ins of the Andromeda thar
in the natural fortress overhead. Clus-
tered round the hatch were some TWEEN
t. soldiers. also smoking
one of the officers pointed to the
ledge He was excited and emphatic
The man at the wheel growled an
order, and the engine started again.
Though Uozier knew not what was
said, the significance of this panto
mime was not lost on him. The local
pilot was afraid of these treacherous
waters in the dark, but next day
Frade do Francez (Which is the island
ers' name for the Grande-pere rock
would surely be explored if a landing
! could be made.
Away hustled the launch, but HozieI
did not move until there was no risk
of his figure being silhouetted against
the sky Even then he wormed his
way backward with slow caution. Iris
was crouched where he had left her.
wide eyed. motionless.
Good Job we came here" he said.
ut is evident they mean to maintain
patrol until there is news of De
Sylvia one way or the other. 1t will
be interesting now to hear what the
gallant San Benavides says. If any
ship comes to Fernando Noronha to-
night she will be seen from the Is
land long before any signal is visible
ut this point"
do you think the others saw the
launch?" she asked.
"No-not unless some of the men
strayed down the gully, which they
were told not to do. The breakers
would drown the noise Of the engines
and screw
There was slight pause.
"Wiil you tell them!' she went on.
"Why not?"
This time the pause was more elo-
| quent than words. Quite unconscious
ly Iris replied to her own question.
"Of course, as you said a little while
ago, We owe our lives to Dom Corria
de Sylvia" she murmured. as If she
We're reasoning with herself
BY chance, probably because Hozier
stopped to help her to her feet. his arm
rested lightly across her shoulders.
Il will not pretend to misunderstood
you." he said. IF the Brazilians do
NV iSuh W Piuy VIC euAC ~ NOuA0 bo
q Just punishment to let them rush on
| their own doom. But De sylvia may
not agree with this fop Of an officer.
and, In any event. we must 60 straight
with him until he shows his teeth"
"YOu seem to dislike Captain San
Benavides," she said inconsequently.
II regard him rs brainless ass" he
exclaimed.
Somehow that sounds like descrip-
ton of dead donkey. which one never
sees
| "Mademoiselle" came n voice from
the lip of the ravine.
"One can hear him. though" laughed
Hozier. with warning pressure that
suspiciously resembled hug. These
two were children in some respects.
quicker to jest than to grisve. better
dtted for mirth than tragedy.
They moved out from their niche.
ana San Benavidcs clustered into -
hement French.
| I'VE are going to the landing place