The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-08


steam launch was yrN
approaching. Per-
haps they had
been seen al
ready. As IL to HE THRUST rrs HEAD
emphasize this THROUGH.
peril there was an interval Of ST.
lence Steam had been shut of. Phil
ip touched the girls lips lightly with
q finger. Then he lay 6at on the ledge
and began to creep forward. IL was
impossible thai he should run and
warn the others. but II was essential.
above all else. that be should ascertain
what the men on the launch were do
Ing and the extent Of their knowledge.
He found tuft OF the grass that
elung to crevice where Its roots drew
hardy sustenance from the crumbling
rock. He ventured to thrust his head
through this screen. following Domin-
COS 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 II 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-
~ 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
waters In the dark. but next day
Frade do Francez (which Is the island
ers' name for the Graude-pere rock,
would surely oe explored if a Iauding
could be made.
Away hustled the launch. but Hozier
did not move until there was no risk
OF MS ugure being sllhouetted against
the sky. Even then he wormed MS
way backward with slow caution. IRIS
was crouched where be had left ner.
wide eyed. motionless.
Good JOB we came here" he said.
1T II evident they mean TO maintain
q patrol until there Is news OF DE
sylvia Que way or the other. IL will
be interesting now to hear what the
gallant san benavides says Ii any
ship comes 10 Fernando Noronha to-
night she will be seen from the Is
land long before any signal Is visible
&C this point"
DO you think the others saw the
nuncbY' she asked.
"No-not unless some OF the men
sfrayed down the gully. which they
were told not 10 do. The breakers
would drown the noise Of the engines
and screw.
There was a slight pause.
"Will you tell themY" she went on.
"Why notY'
This time the pause was more elo-
quent than words. Quite unconscious
" Iris replied TO her own question.
"Of course. as you said a little while
ago. we owe our lives TO Dom Corria
dc sylvia" she murmured, as II 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 1t would be
Just punishment TO let them rush on
their own doom. But DE sylvia may
] not agree with this fop OF an officer
aud. In any event we must go straight
with him until he shows his teeth"
You seem To dislike Captain San
Benayides." she said inconsequently.
Il regard him as brainless ass" he
exclaimed
Somehow that sounds like descrip
tion of n dead donkey. which one never
sees
'Jademolseller came a voice from
the iip OF the ravine
zone can hear him. though" laughed
Hozier. with warning pressure that
suspiciOusly resembled a hug These
two were children I'm some respects.
quicker to Jest than to grieve. better
fitted for mlrth than tragedy
They moved out from their niche.
and San Benavides clustered into We
hement French
"We are going To the landing place
before IL Is too dark" he muttered an.
grily. I'VE must not show light. I'm
q 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
oDportunlty 10 fell San Benay ides thar