The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-08-30


Consequently the lookout on the
fore-topmast cross-tree on certain
summer morning, catching sight %
dim, blue haze on the horizon TAR on
10 starboard, made no report % n
What was the usei IL would emily Dc
lay matters and they we're within ..
few weeks OF Honolulu now, and an,
other fortnight beyond Hawaii would
bring them back TO the United states
for which they all longed with the az
sire OF men who had been away from
home and confined to the narrow
decks Of a cruising ship for over q
year
Something's TO whether Hr was
Providence or not he was somewhat
doubtful in his mind afterward-
brought Langford on deck before his
usual time for rising. The watch WINS
in charge Of a rather sleepy. stupid
second officer, unimaginative and un-
observant He had not noticed the
land which II was difficult to ses from
the deck at any rate. especially as itl
did not lie between the yacht ana the
sun, and as II had not been reported
from the masthead, he knew nothing
OF II.
Langford had found sleep impos
sible. The year of search, the constant
disappointment, the pressing sense of
mystery, the feeling that his condUos
was indeed irreparable had preyse
upon him. He was thin, worn, nervous
and irritable. lie walked up and dowr
the deck i'm the cool of the morning
thinking. For three years practically
he had had this woman before his
eyes as the goal of his efforts. Now
she was gone, and he must concen-
trate his life upon something else. He
gazed languidly and indifferently
about the horizon, his Unparalleled eye
noticing nothing for a time Sudden
ly. however, staring of to starboar6
listlessly during a pause in his steady
tramp he thought he caught glimpse
of light. He looked idly in che direc-
ton whence the reflections had come
for few moments and saw II again;
a thin cloud Of smoke, or was " haze
rose above IL. He was puzzled by It,
of course. and stood staring. The con-
centration in his gaze, he thought dis
covered to him a cloudy blink in the
gray of the dawn which might mean
land. He knew there was 10. land
charted in those seas, for he had care
fully studied the chart the night be
fore, saying nothing to anyone, for he
had become somewhat sensitive about
the matter.
He ran down the companion ladder
into his cabin and fetched thence 6
new and powerful glass, which, upon
his return to the deck, he focused
upon the distant point OF light By
the aid of those powerful binoculars
he made out what IL was. He was q
man of quick decision and. purpose
| He called the officer to him, ppiAted
to the light, and handed the glass to
the man in question.
What do you make Of that Mr.
Holtzman?"
The officer took a. quick look
| through the glasses, handed them back
to their owner. and said laconically:
Land! Fire! Smoke, sir"
Head the yacht to that island az
once"
Very good, SIR" said the officer.
turning to the man at the, wheel and
ordering the helm to be put aport
The yachts bows swung slowly
round until the island and the light
were both dead ahead.
/ HAlt n
ford, when the maneuver was com
pleted, who is at the mastheAdf-
IN see. sir" answered the second
officer, stepping forward
Bring him to me-" said thecowner
as the officer turned away
In few moments the officer came
back to the quarterback followed by
one Of the seamen. The man looked
very much frightened, for Langford
was in a towering passion, and when
he was in passion he was not q
pleasant spectacle.
did you see that island yonderf"
began the owner. fiercely-
| Ter"
Answer mel"
| Ses, sir, SAID the man, desperately.
You did,"
"Yes, sir"
why didn't you report it,"
The man hesitated, shifting from.
one foot to another. muttered some.
thing about a wild goose chase. Car.
ried away by anger. Langford spranE
at hin. and would have done him. l.nd,
lily violence, had he not been quickly
restrained by the second officer
"Mr. Langford. SIR" said Holtxmsn.
grasping him tightly. recover your
self, sir"
The check was sufficient.
go forward" cried Langfuru. cone
trolling himself with difticultY "MT.
] Hoffman, send for Capt. Harper"
VERY good, sir" answered the on
| GER
"And meanwhile you are TO- keep
straight for that island until further
J orders"
| n. Kauv u.ou,anfa the oIsf, nunf.lK