Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-24

IF THAT WASN'T HozIER's VOICE I'M
COIN DorTY."
what Is this yarn of warship? Wher
last | sighted the launch she was
standing out Of the harbor. and the
first clouds Of the storm helped t"
screen her from the citadel"
Iris interpreted. San Benavides re
peated bis story of the rockets. In her
present tumult the girl forgot the
touch of realism with regard to the
firing that he had heard. Certainly
there was IL good deul Of promisruous
rifle shooting after the departure OF
the launch. but warships use cannon
to enforce their demands. and the
boom Of a big gun had not woke the
echoes of Fernando Noronha that
night. Philip deemed the present no
time for argument. He despised San
Benavides and gave no credence to
him. Just now the Brazilian was al
evil that must be endured.
Luisa Gomez promised to help In
every possible way. Her eyes sparkled
at the sight Of gold. but the poor wo'
man would have assisted them out OF
sheer pity. Nevertheless the gift o.!
couple Of sovereigns. backed by the
promise Of many more If her husband
devoted himself to their service. spur
red her to frenzy of activity.
There was not moment to be lost.
The squall had spent itself. and peep
through the chinks Of the door showed
that the moon would quickly be In evi.
dence again. II was essential that
they should cross the channel while
the scattering clouds still dimmed hei
brightness. so ManOela and her mother
collected such store Of food and milk
and water as they could lay hands on
Well laden. all five FASTENED to the
creek, and Hozier. Iris and San Bena'
vides boarded the larger Of the two
catamarans.
When the catamaran rounded the
last outlying crag and they were all
straining their eyes to find the sentinel
pillars they became aware that a
small boat was being pulled cautiously
toward them from the opposite side
Of the rock.
Iris gasped. She heard Hozier NUT
ter under his breath. while San Bena'
yiies revealed his dismay by an oath
and a cenvulsive tightening of the
hands that rested on the girls shoui'
dsrs.
Hozier strove with a few desperate
strokes Of the paddle to reach the shad
ows of the passage before the cata
maran was seen by the boats occu.
pants. He might have succeeded. But
there was even greater probability
that the unwieldy catamaran might be
caught By the swell and dashed side
long against one Of the half submerged
rocks that thrust their black fangs
above the water.
Happily they were spared either al
tentative At the very instant that
their lot must be put to the test OF
chance Coke's hoarse accents came to
their incredulous ears.
Let her go. Olsen." he was growi-
Ing. We've a clear course now. an
that Internal moon will splle every
thing If we're spotted"
In this instance hearing was believ-
Ing. and Philip was the irst to guess
what had actually occurred.
BOAT ahoy. skipper" be sang out In
q joyous hail.
Coke stood up. He gIared hard at
the reef.
did ye ear it7" he cried to De
sylvia. "Sink me. 'ope amt a-copy-
in pore ole Watts. but If that wasn't
Hozier's voice I'm goin' dotty."
Its all right. skipper" said Philip.
sending the catamaran ahead with q
mighty sweep. Miss Yorke Is here
Captain San Benavides too. was
sure you would look for US II you
cleared the harbor safely"
Then Coke proclaimed his sentiments
In the approved ritual of the high seas.
while the big Norseman at the oars
swung the boats head round until
both craft were travelling in company
to the waiting launch. Before any.
thiAg In the nature Of an exclamation