Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-04-26
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LOUIS TRACY
LOUIS TRACY
Author Of the Pillar Of Light"
"The Wings Of the Nom
ing" and The Captain Of the
Kansas"
Copyright. 1909 by Edward } clode

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Copyright. 1909 by Edward } ciode
ominously. Masses Of black cloud
climbed over the southern horizon
At midday the ship was driving
through a heavy sea. As the day
wore the weather became even more
threatening A sky and ocean that
had striven during three weeks to
produce In splendid rivalry blends of
sapphire blue and emerald green and
tenderest pink were now draped in Il
shr0ud of gray mist With increasing
frequency and venom vaulting seas
curled over the bows and sent stinSinS
showers of spray against the canvas
shield Of the bridge. Instead OF the
natty white drill uniform and canvas
shoes Of the tropics the ships officers
donned oilskins. sOu'westers and sea
boots. Torrents swept the decks. and
an occasional giant among waves
smote the hull with thunderous blow
under which every rivet ratified and
every plank creaked. Despite these
dra whacks the Andromeda worned
her way south She behaved like the
sranch old sea prowler that she was.
Iris. Of course. thought that she was
experiencing the storm Of century
BADLY scared at first. she regained
some stock of courage when Hozier
came twice to her cabin. pounded on
the door and shouted to her such
news as he thought would take her
mind of the outer furies. The hrst
time he announced that they were
Just "crossing the line." and the girl
smiled at the thought that Neptune's
chosen lair 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 lee of Fernando Noronha
early next morning. She had sufficient
sea lore to understand that this i'm
piled shelter from wind and wave. but
Hozier 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 Hozier into council and they had
agreed with him that the wiser plan
would be to bear in toward the Island
from the east and anchor In smooth
water as close to EHnth point as the
lead would permit.
As for Iris wild foreboding that the
ship was intended to be lost. Philip
did not give 1t other than passing
thought. Coke was navigating the An
dromeda with exceeding care and no
little skill. He was first rate prac
tical sailor, and 1t was al education
TO the younger man to watch his han
ding of the vessel throughout the
worst part Of the blow. About mid
night the weather moderated. 1t I'm
proved steadily until troubled dawn
heralded some fitful CLEANS OF ihc
sun. By that time the magnificent
peak of Fernando Noronha was plain
ly visible. Coke came to the bridge
and set new course. almost due west
Soon 1t 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 n 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
D oment. Mr.. Watts was taking the
watch. Hozier was on deck forward
Suddenly the captain appeared. DC
greeted Iris with genial nod.
"Ah. there you are!" he cried. mot
seen you since this time yesterday
Sorry. but there'll be no goin' ashore
today. We're on the wrong side o1
the island. an It 'ud toss you II bit II
you was to try an land in eether OF
the boats. Take 'er in easy now. Mr.
Watts. That's our anchorage-ovei
there" And he pointed to the mouth
of a narrow channel between South
point and he Isle des Fregates, the lat
ter a tiny islet that almost blocks the
entrance to a shallow bay into which
runs a rivulet Of good but slightly
brackish water.
The ship slowed perceptibly. and
Hozier busted himself with the iead
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 bills 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 a steamers
advent on the south side Of the Island
was novelty.
Now they were In a fairly smooth
roadstead. The remnants OF the gale
were shouldered away from the ship
by the towering cliff that 1utted 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 fOrrardT roared Coke.
Hozier ran to the forecastle. He found
the carpenter there. standing by the
windlass brake.
"AIl ready. sirr' he cried.
Coke nodded to him.
GIVE her thirty.hve." 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
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 there" he said. half turn
Ing to the man ut the wheel. BE
changed the Indicator from "ful
speed" to "slOw ahead" In a few sec
onds the anchor chain would have rat
1 synd eh~o,,rh tha ho u.oo holo Whpr