The Raymer enterprise., 1911-11-30
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' ---~--
among the machinery, two hues. Gu.
fin-like oval structures Of a,u.n;Ssi...
each about the length Of man.
When come to die my last :i.-mory
will be of standing there. beside Tai.
bot, bound. on the beach, listening to
the waves, and straining my eyes for
the thin wisp Of smoke that would
Indicate the approach of Admiral
Evans flagship and announce our i'm.
minent death.
Ten O'Clock tinkled from clock in
the Japanese oficer's house. We
looked hard out to sea. The mists
lifted; now We could see the frownine
clins opposite and. in the distance, the
white houses Of Punta Arenas. But
no ship came The clock tinkled II
and then IL. A wild hope throbbed in
my heart. Suddenly the electric in.
strument began to click. Kitachi
turned impassively to the machine. It
was not Morse. but the secret Jana.
nese method Of communication, and
neither of US understood. though We
concluded 1t was the signal for the
ships to enter the strait.
As Kitachi stood reading l saw his
body stifen gradually, until he
seemed to be figure Of wood. When
the last click ceased he came up to
US and stood watching US with Z pe.
culiar smile.
You're very lucky!" he said, and
turned aside to mutter to the chief
Indian. Immediately the ropes were
taken on our limbs, and we remained
looking at Kitachi in amazement, free,
yet hardly daring to hope.
These Indians will escort you az
far as the sheep trail where they met
you yesterday" he added. "Go-you
are free"
"Free?" stammered.
Yes, gentlemen" said Kitachi
wearily. "The vessels Of the American
heet passed through the straits last
night. The magnetic storm, unusual
for this time Of the year, was caused
BY an event which only occurs once
IN long periods-and last night it hap.
pened and luck overthrew al nv
plans. There was a shifting Of the
south magnetic pole. due to some un.
known combination Of heavenly bodies,
which caused my instruments to pick
up the fleet in wrong region Of the
compass. But my emperor does not
permit chance to overcome his will.
have failed; all is over" He threw
up his hands and walked slowly into
his house.
whispered to Talbot to wait and
ran after him. My heart was touched
with pity. After all. he was merely
obeying what he fancied were his EN-.
perors commands; and he had treated
us as an officer and gentleman should
do. Now. perhaps, he would believe
me If I told him the truth about the
conspiracy.
knocked at the door twice; then,
as no answer came. opened It and
entered. Kftachi was sitting. Japa.
nese fashion, upon the floor. wrapped
In a rug. his shoulders curiously
bowed. He looked up at me patiently
as l entered. but made no sign.
Gradually. however, as unfolded the
story. an expression Of horror came
over his features. He groaned; he
tried to rise. As he did so the rug
fell from him and saw that its under
side was stained with blood and that
short sword lay between his knees,
hilt down, point upward. Even as l
looked kitachi's features composed
themselves. his eyes closed, and he
fell forward, transhxed upon the
weapon with which, ip the old feudal
style. he had performed the sacred
rite.
Sick with pity, ran out, to find Tai.
bot at the door.
IAN right. old boy?" he asked.
Then. seeing the answer in my eyes.
he saluted me. soldier fashion.
begging your pardon, SIR" he said:
I think we ought to be moving"