The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-22


boat lowering now. and In five minutes
wen be shaking hands with Christian
Young"
LaIaperu brought out the giasses and
cigarettes and the eternal whisky and
soda, and before the FIVE minutes were
past the gate clicked and Christian
Young. tawny and golden, gentle OF
voice and look and hand. came up the
bungalow steps and Joined them
News, as usual, Young brought
news Of drinking at Guvutu, where
the men boosted that they drank be-
tween drinks; news that the Matambo
| had gone On a reef In the Shortaands
and would be laid OF Onesrun for re-
pairs.
THAT means Eve weeks more before
you can sail for Sydney Sheldon said
to Joan
~And that we are losing precious
time" she added ruefuiiy.
IF yeu want to go to Sydney the
UpClu sails from Tulagt tomorrow aft
ernoon," Young said, "and you can
catch her as late as tomorrow after
noon-et least SO her first officer told
me-"
But I've got to go to Guvuta first"
Joan looked at the men with a whim-
steal expression. 1--WE some shopping
10 do. can't wear these Berande
curtains into Sydney. must buy
cloth at Guvutu and make myself a
dress during the voyage down I'll
start immedtately-in an hour. Laia-
peru, you bring m one fella Adamu
Adam along me. Tell IN that tella
ornhr make M kai-kai take along
whaleboat" She rose to her. feet, hook
ing at Sheldon. "And you, please,
have the boys carry down the whale
boat-my boat, you know. Pn be of
In an hour"
~rn go over with you" Sheldon am
nounced.
Let me run you over In the MI
nerva," said Young.
She shook her head laugt4ngiy.
I'm going in the whalebOat You.
Mr.. Sheldon. as my partner, cannot
| permit to desert Berande and your
work out Of q mistaken notion Of cour-
tesy. And as for you, Captain Young,
you know very well that you just left
Guvutu this morning, that you are
bound for Marau and that you said
yourself that in two hours you are
| getting under way again"
But may I not see you safely
acrOssT Tudor asked, a pleading note
In his voice that rasped on Sheldon's
nerves
mo, no, and again nor she cried
you've all got your work to do. and
30 have L came to the SOlomons to
work, not to be escorted about like a
doll For that matter, here's my es-
cort, and there are seven more hike
him"
Adamu Adam stood beside her, tow
ering above her, as he lowered above
the three white men,
I'VE start in an hour In the whale
boat for GuVutu, big brother" Joan
said to him. '-Ten your brothers. all
Of them, so that they can get ready.
We catch the Upolu for Sydney.
Leave the guns behind. Turn them
over to Mr.. Sheldon. We won't need
them"
IF you are really bent upon go
ing Sheldon began.
That's settled hong ago." she an
swered shortly. I'm going to pack
now"
An hour later the three men had
shaken hands with Joan down on the
beach She gave the signal, and the
boat showed of, six men at the oars,
the seventh man for'Srd and Adamu
Adam at the steering sweep. Joan
was standing up in the stern sheets
retterating her goodbys, a SHIN figure
Of woman IN the tight fitting Jacket
she had worn ashore from the wreck,
the long barreled Colts revolver hang
ing from the loose belt around her
waist, her clear cut face Hike a boys
under the stetson hat that failed to
conceal the heavy masses OF hair be-
meath.
You'd better get into shelter" she
called to them There's a big squall
coming. and hope you've got plenty
Of chain out Captain Young. Goodbye
Goodby, everybody
Her last words came out Of the dark
ness, which wrapped itself solldly
about the boat Yet they continued to
stare into the blackness In the direc-
ton In which the boat had disappear
ed, listening to the steady click OF the
oars in the rowlocks until It faded
away and ceased
she is only a girl" Christian Young
said with slow solemnity. The discov-
cry seemed 10 have been made on the
spur OF the moment. "She is only a
>giri," he repeated with greater solem-
nifty.
"A dashed pretty one and a good
traveller" Tudor laughed. she GER
tainly has spunk. eh, SheldonT'
Yes. she is brave" was the reluc-
tant answer, for Sheldon did not feel