The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-04

this bare rock-four Of US who looked
for escape tonight. We were supplied
with such small necessaries of exist.
ence as would enable us to live II our
rescuers were delayed for q day or
even two. Now there will be no res
cue. We are"-he looked slowly around
twenty instead OF four. but we have
the same qMntity Of stores. which con-
sist Of half emptied skin Of wine, q
bunch Of bananas, a few scraps of
maize bread aud some strips of dried
meat. Do you follow meg
There was a sound Of hurrying foot
steps on the steep pathway. A figure.
clad In rags that surpassed even De
Sylva's. appeared In the entrance. A
brief colloquy took place. De Sylvas
eager questions were answered in
monosyllables.
marcel tells me that one Of your
boats IL drifting away with q man ly
Ing In the bottom" came the uneasy
explanation.
Good Lord" Hozier cried. "That
must be the jifeboat l was trying to
clear when the ship struck. Macfar-
lane was helping me, but he was hit
by bullet and dropped across the
thwarts. l thought he was dead"
Dead or alive. he is better of than
we." said De Sylvia. BE questioned
Marcel again briefly. There can he
no doubt that the man In the boat cast
on the iashings when he found that
the ship was sinking" he continued
IN English. Marcel saw him doiuc
that and wondered why he was alone.
At any rate. II he Is carried beyond
the reef be has q fighting chance. We
have none"
"Why not? Are these mer \ the
island so deaf to human sympathieS
that they would murder all Of us In
cold bloodY
The girls sweet. low pitched voice
sounded inexpressibly sad In that
vaulted place. Even De Syiva's stud
led control gave way before its music
He uttered some anguished appeal to
the Deity in his own tongue and flung
out his hands impulsively.
What would you have me say?" he
cried. and his eyes blazed. 81 nigh,
lie to you and try to persuade you that
we can exist here without food or wa.
ter, whereas tomorrow or next day al
the utmost will see most Of ns dead.
But In few hours you will realiz,
what II means TO be kept on this bare
rock under tropical sun. You can
do one thing. Your party greatly Out.
numbers mine. Climb to the topmoS;
pinnacle and signal to the island. You
will soon be seen.''
He laughed with a savage irony tina,
was not good to hear. but Coke caught
ut the suggestion.
Even that is better'n tearin' one au
other like mad dogs" ne growled. 81
know wots comm. I've seen 1t wonst."
Hozier made for the exit. where Mar.
Gel stood irresolute. apparently waiting
for orders.
"Where are you going?" demanded
De sylvia.
ITO see what is becoming Of the life.
boat"
Better not. You cannot help your
friend, aud the instant 1t becomes
known TO the troops that there Is II
living soul OH the Grand-pere rock they
will come In a steam launch and shoot
every one ut sight"
"Will that be the answer to our sig.
nalY
IL was Iris who asked the question.
and the Brazilians voice softened
again.
YES" he said.
"Why. then. do you advise us to seek
our own destruction
He bowed His manner was almost
humble.
1T Is the easier way" he murmured
els there no otherr'
"Noue-unless We attack 200 soldiers
with sticks and stones and three re-
volvers aud sword"
Hozier came back. He had merely
stepped a pace or two into the SUI
light. Through the northerly dip OF
the gulley he had seen the ships boat
whirled past an islet by the fierce cur
rent. Macfarlane was not visible. Per
haps that was better 80.
Attack" he said hoarsely. How IL
that possible? A deep and wide chan.
mel separates us from the main island"
The Brazilian gave a startling an
swer.
I'VE have boat-a sort of boat" he
said quietly.
How many will IL hold?"
Three In smooth sea and with
skilled handling. Ii nearly overturned
when ! and TWO others crossed from
the Island, a distance Of 800 yards"
but We have ropes. clothes. perhaps
some Few pieces of wreckage. Can
nothing be done to repair it?"
Meaning that we draw lots to see
WHO shall endcavor TO escape tonight"
The men might even do that"
"Ah. ycs-the men. Of course
think 1t hopeless. But try Il, Yes.
N.asNa a.WaN.