The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-01-25

peak OF Fernando Soronna was plain
ly visible. Coke came to the bridge
and set new course, almost du, est.
Soon 1t was possible to distinguish the
full extent Of the coast line. Houses
appeared and trees and green GASES Of
cultivation.
There was strong current setting
from the southeast, and the dying gale
left Its aftermath In 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
moment. Mr. Watts was taking the
watch. Hozier was on deck forward
Suddenly the captain appeared. He
greeted Iris with genial nod.
"Ah. there you are!" he cried. "Not
seen you since this time yesterday
Sorry. but there'll be no goin' ashore
today. We're on the wrong side Of
the island. an It 'ud toss you bit If
you was to try an''land in eether o!
the boats. Take 'er In easy now. Mr.
Watts. That's our anchorage-over
there" And he pointed to the mouth
or a narrow channel between South
point and the Isle des Fregates, the lat.
ter 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 lead
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 hills 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 q steamers
advent on the south side of the island
was a novelty.
Now they were In fairly smooth
roadstead. The remnants Of the gale
were shouldered away from the ship
by the towering cliff that jutted out
on the left Of the bay. The crew were
mostly occupied In clearing blocks and
tackle and swinging two ifeboats out
ward on their davits.
"All ready forrardY' roared Coke
Hozier ran to the forecastle. He found
the carpenter there. standing by the
windlass brake.
"All ready, sirr' he cried.
Coke nodded to him.
"Give her thirty-five," 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 a
mill race, SO Coke brought the vessel
round until she lay broadside with the
land and headed straight against the
set Of the stream. 1t 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 at the wheel. He
changed the indicator from "full
speed" to ''slow ahead" In a few Sec
onds the anchor chain would have rat
tied through the hawse hole when
something happened that was incom-
prehensible. stupefying-somethin ut
terly remote a1d strange from the
ways Of civilized men.
The Andromeda Quivered under n
tremendous buffet. There came crash
OF rending iron and an instant STOP
page Of the engines. Almost merging
Into the noise Of the blow came a loud
report from the land, but that In its
turn was drowned by the hiss of stea m
from the exhaust
Coke appeared to be dumfoundedifo
an instant Recovering himself, he
ran to the starboard side. leaned over,
looked down at torn plate that
showed its jagged edges just above
the water line and then lifted a blaz-
Ing face toward n point halfway up
the neighboring cliff. where haze lay
like veil Of gauze ON the weather
SCARED rocks
-Iou ohasreu piratesv' he yelled, rails.
Ing both clinched fists at the hidden