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

He Focused Upon the Distant Point
of Light.
for an hour or an hour and a half. In
fact, Wen presently have to slow
down. l don't like to dash in full tilt
so near land through these unknown
waters, and you win do we'll SIR, to go
below and get bite to eat"
Your advice is good" said Lang
ford, turning away and entering the
cabin.
Never had man less appetite than
he. Somehow, he could not tell why.
he felt certain that this which would
be his last attempt, would not prove
fruitless; that his search hitherto un-
availing would now be rewarded. He
took time to re-examine the chart Of
those seas. Il was quite possible ne
thought, for the woman to have made
that particular island before them
from the point at which she had left
the ship. The more he studied it. the
more sure he became. He forced him.
self to break his fast, but in a short
time he was on deck once more.
The island was perceptibly nearer.
Capt. Harper was forward staring
through the glass. Running along
the waist Langford joined him on the
forecastle.
Can you make out anything?" said
the young man, catching the old one
by the arm.
AYE" was the answer.
Us she there?" he asked, hoarsely.
bis heart in his mouth.
There is a figure on the weather
side Of the fire yonder."
"A hgurel" asked Langford, trem-
bling so he could scarcely control him
self. rs it woman?"
Il can't tell. It's too far of"
Give me the glass"
Il make out another figure. There
are two of Them" returned Harper,
slowly lowering the glass and hand
ing it to Langford.
Two" cried the other, rapidly To-
cusing the glass. disappointment in
his tone which he stroVe to keep out
of his heart. You are right" he
said at last, there are two figures.
but It's impossible to make them cut"
He handed the glass back to the
captain, who in his turn fixed it again
upon the island.
They are going down the HILL" said
Harper. Il have lost them among the
trees. We are approaching swiftly"
he continued. Mr. Hoffman, half
speed, if you please"
Bells tangled below as Mr. Holtz-
man rapidly set the Indicator and the
speed Of the yacht was quickly
checked. She still approached the is
land with sufficient rapidity, however.
and after perhaps Is minutes of easy
going, Capt. Harper signaled her to
stop, fearful OF any nearer approach
what now?" asked the owner.
Il think we had better not chance 1t
nearer, sir" said the captain. 1T Is
not more than a half-mile to the
shore. Stau call away the launch
or viii you be rowed?"
The launch was slowed amidships;
the gig swung from the daYits. It
would be quicker to take the gig
III be rowed,' said Langford.
And in moment the voice of the
boatswain's mate could be heard call
ing away the crew. All hands were
on deck. The conversation between
the captain and the owner had been
heard by many. and their tenor COM
municated to all. Consequently when
the gig manned by six of the best
oarsmen in the ship dropped alongside
and Langford descended to the stern
sheets and took the tiller in his hand,
the crew spontaneously manned the
rail and sent him Of with three ring
ing cheers.
1t did not take the men long to
cover the distance between the mo-
tionless ship and the island. AS they
approached the latter. they perceived
the barrier reef, which, unless they
could find an opening, would effectual-
" prevent their getting on the shore.
Langford swung the boat about at a
judicious distance from the reef. over
which the sea always broke with more
or less force, and closely scrutinized
the line of foam. The coxswain of
the boat who rowed the stroke oar
also followed with his eyes the Jagged
reef. 1t was he who detected the two
figures on the beach OF the island wa
wing palm branches and apparently
pointing. He called the attention of
Langford to the figures, and suggest
ed that the inhabitants were trying to
show an opening through the barrier.
Following the indicated direction
presently smooth water was discov-
cred. Langford headed the boat for
it. The men bent to their oars, and
soon parted the quiet waters of the
lagoon. The two figures stood in
plain view upon. the. beach still too far
for those in the boat to make. ,ptwho
they were. Isangford. could oaIy see
that one was taller than the tofher;
that both were dressed in some sort
Of loose tunic that fell to the knees
and left the arms bare. He was dis
appointed. and yet hopeful. The sus
pense was almost unbearable. The
men were doing their utmost. seeing
the anxiety in his face, but their ut
most was too slow for the impatient
man.