The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-11-06

As went below into the cabin 1 saw
that in few moments he would be
like the rest
CHAPTER X.
In Which We Pass the Barrier.
T<HE lazarette was we'll provided.
and / stocked the boat hand
somely, not forgetting an Ak. a
lantern and tinder box. There
was not much water. but | empded
some bottles of wine and filed them,
although did not much worry on that
account because there would be plenty
Of water undoubtedly on the island.
The boat was provided with a COM
pass and mast and sail. | got into
her as she swung at the davits and
overhauled spar and gear. Then
shipped the tiller. and presently ev-
erything was ready A final search
brought to light a narrow locker in
the captains room, which ! forced
open and which found to contain
fine fowling piece, double barreled
shotgun and heavy musket with
plenty of powder and ball. These
! passed into the boat also.
Have you got now what you wish
! to take?" | asked when all my prepa-
rations were completed
"a change of linen, some toilet arti-
cles and necessaries, brush and comb,
needles and thread" she answered.
holding up her bundle.
Good" said l. judged It was
about 10 O'Clock at night. Now, do
you get into the boat. madam"
She had not been on the ship for
six months without having learned
something. and she instantly asked
me:
But how are you going to lower it
awayT
II will have to go up on deck for
that" said.
! But won't they see your
81 don't think so. but whether they
do or not we must chance 1t. but II
anything should happen to me I'll cut
+ the boat adrift and you will be In
/ Gods hands"
Silently assisted her to take her
place In the stern sheets. 1t was not
! a large boat On the contrary. yet she
made but a small figure sitting there
! Then | went on deck l had can OF
oil with me to oil the blocks. 1t was
as | fancied. By that time everybody
on the ship was asleep in a drunken
| stupor. The ship was deserted so far
as human supervision was concerned
| Still didn't neglect any precaution
! oiled the shives of the block and
! lowered the boat away carefully. inch
by inch, until it was water borne.
! reassured my mistress by whispered
words as did So She had had her in
structions and right well she followed
| them. She had her boat hook out and
! Tended off the minute the boat touched
the water For me to belay the falls
and slide down the forward one to cast
off and take my place in the boat was
but the work of an instant. The oars
had been carefully muffied. Although
| the noise of the waves rendered con-
versation quite safe. we neither OF US
spoke a word until had rowed some
distance from the ship
1t was nearly midnight before we got
everything shipshape, my lady brave
ly helping me with her best efforts
and the little vessel threshed gallantly
through the big seas.
| had carefully taken my bearings
during the day and as | had good
compass on the boat | knew exactly
how to steer. Fortunately the wind
held steady. l laid her course so
as to clear the northeast end of the
island, around which | intended to
swing so as to be hidden from the
ship at daybreak.
told her after awhile that she was
safe. No sound had come from the
ship and the lights in the cabin which
at first we could see dimly presently
disappeared. Our escape had not been
, discovered | suggested at last that
she should go to sleep. ! arranged the
boat cloak and blankets and although
che had to be much persuaded | finally
prevailed upon her to lie down In the
boat. her head by my knees. and thus
we sailed on through the night.
When day broke ] hauled aft the
sheet and headed the boat to the south
ward. for had now crossed the head
of the island and could run down the
other side BY the time 1t was fairly
dawn | had made enough southing to
place the north end of the island be-
tween ourselves and the ship. l steer
ed the boat toward the land.
My hopes were high and felt kind
OF exhilaration at our escape, although
] was by no means inclined to mini
nize the possibilities of peril we might
soon be compelled to meet The island
was our destination. however. and for
it therefore | determinedly headed my
small craft with its precious and still
peacefully sleeping cargo
The island was unlike any had ever
looked upon. In the first place. like
most Pacific islands. it was inclosed
by a barrier reef, over which the
waves broke in whitecaps as far as
could see | supposed that somewhere
IAl q