The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1911-12-06

oiDit. Inc year OF search, the COnStan
disappointment, the pressing sense o
mystery, the feeling that his condue
was indeed irreparable had preyeC
upon him. He was thin, worn, nervou.
and irritable. He walked up and dowr
the deck in the cool Of the morning
thinking. For three years practically
he had had this woman before hi.
eyes as the goal of his efforts. Nov
she was gone. and he must concen
trate his life upon something else. He
gazed languidly and indiferently
about the horizon. his Impractical eye
noticing nothing for a time. Sudden
ly, however. staring of to starboard
listlessly during pause in his steady
tramp, he thought he caught a glimpse
of light, He looked idly in the direc
ton whence the reflection had come
for a few moments and saw it again;
thin cloud Of smoke. or was it haze
rose above it. 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 no 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 a
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 it was. He was a
man of quick decision and purpose.
He called the officer 20 him, pointed
to the light. and handed the glass to
the man in question.
What do you make of that, Mr..
Hoffman,"
The officer took a quick look
through the glasses. handed them back
to their owner, and said laconically:
Land Firel Smoke, sir"
Head the yacht to that island at
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.
Now, Mr. Hoffman" said Lang
ford. when the maneuver was com
pleted, who is at the masthead?"
IN see, sir" answered the second
officer, stepping forward.
Bring him to me" said the owner
as the officer turned away.
In a 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 towering passion, and when
he was in a passion he was not a
pleasant spectacle.
did you see that island yonder?"
began the owner, fiercely.
Ter"
Answer mel"
Yes, 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 sprang
at him, and would have done him bod
lily violence, had he not been quickly
restrained by the second officer.
Mr.. Langford, sir" said Hoffman,
grasping him tightly, recover your
self, sir"
The check was sufficient.
60 forward" cried Langford, con-
trolling himself with difficulty. Mr..
Hoffman, send for Capt Harper"
VERY good, sir" answered the off,
Ger.
And meanwhile you are to keep
for that island until further
orders"
In a few moments the old captain
presented himself before the owner.
Harper" began the young man, i'm
periously, "the lookout this morning
deliberately failed to report that land.
that island yonder want him disrat-
ed and his pay stopped. Put him in
the gig and set him ashore at the
first civilized port"
VERY well, sir" said the old sailing
master, not daring to demonstrate I'M
der such circumstances.
DO you know that island?" contin-
ued Langford.
mo. sir answered Harper. "'Tis
not set down in any chart. l have
never heard of it before.
Harper" said the other, laying his
hand upon the old mans arm. "it's our
last chance. We are passing out of the
region of these islands. II she be not
there, we shall never find her"
81 am afraid not, sir"
81 have an idea that our quest is
going to be successful this morning
Langford, eagerness flushing
his thin face.
Il hope so. sir" answered the other
There is somebody on the island, evil
IDENTIFY, for they have lighted a fire. 1t
should be a signal. 1t might be saw
ages of some kind"
It's not likely. Why should they
signal snip? And how should there
be savages on a lonely island like this,
500 miles away from any other land?
You may depend upon 1t, captain tbs
some castaway who wants help. and
why not she? Indeed. am sure it
must be-"
Something Of the mans confidence
Infected the old sailor He took up
the glass from where it lay on the
cabin skylight and going forward stud
led the island
IT'S one of those volcanic islands.
take it," he said as he came back.
at seems TO be covered with trees.
There Is a hill rising from the midst
of It. The fire is on the top. There
should be an encircling reef round
about II. and deep water up TO the
very barrier"
could you see anything else?"
mo, sir No glass would reveal any
thing more at this distance. Try for
yourself, Mr.. Langford"
He handed the binoculars to the
owner. but his own scrutiny revealed
nothing more than the captain had
told him.
How are we going now?" he said,
looking over the side.
About eight, should judge, sif, 7"
answered Harper.
Let us hassf full speed until we get
nearer"
Very good. sir"