The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-12-03


peril there was an interval of ST.
lence. Steam had been shut off. Phil
ip touched the girls lips lightly with
finger. Then he lay fiat on the ledge
and 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 tuft of the grass that
clung to crevice where its roots drew
hardy sustenance from the crumbling
rock. He ventured to thrust his head
through this screen, following Domin-
go's 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 mast. A few cigarette smok-
ing officers were grouped in her bows.
Apparently they were more interested
in the remains of the Andromeda than
in the natural fortress overhead. Clus-
| tered round the hatch were some twen-
ty 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 Hozier knew not what was
said, the significance of this panto-
mime was not lost on him. The local
| pilot was afraid of these treacherous
/ tnr In hn InY l.rt 1,x,
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 Hozier
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
a 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
at 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.
"Will you tell them?" she went on.
"Why notT'
This time the pause was more elo-
quent than words. Quite unconscious
ly Iris replied to her own question.
"Of course, as you said little while
ago, we owe our lives to Dom Corria
de SYLVIA" she murmured, as if she
were 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
not mean to play the game it would be
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 go straight
with him until he shows his teeth"
"You seem to dislike Captain San
Benavides," she said inconsequently.
II regard him as brainless ass" he
exclaimed.
Somehow that sounds like descrip-
ton of dead donkey, which one never
Sees"
"Mademoiselle!" came voice from
the lip of the ravine.
Zone 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 grleve, better
fitted for mirth than tragedy.
They moved out from their niche,
and San Benavides clustered into ve-
hement French.
1--WE are going to the landing place
before 1t is too dark" he muttered an
grily. I'VE must not show light. In
few minutes the path will be most
dangerous. Please make haste, made
moiselle. We did not know where you
had gone"
He took her hand. Philip followed.
He was young enough to long for an
opportunity to tell San Benavides that
he was puppy, a mongrel puppy.
After really difficult and hazardous
descent they found the others awaiting
them In rock shrouded cove. The
barest standing room was afforded by
a patch of shingle and detritus. Along
side fiat stone lay three broad planks
tied together with cowhide. The cen
ter plank was turned up at one end
This was the catamaran, which De
sylvia had dignified by the name OF
boat.
"w'ere ave you bin?" growled Coke
we've lost good ten minnits. You
ought to ave known. Hozier, that It's
darkest just after sunsetr'
.we could not have started sooner
sir
"w'y >not7 We were KEEP waftn' N
there, searchin' for you"
"That was our best slice of luck to-
day. Had any OF you appeared on the
ledge You would have been seen from