Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-01

make our way. When we reached the
lower end my lady was for sailing
around on the other side. but this i did
not dare. We had heard nothing from
the ship or her boats. and didn't pro-
pose to arouse any pursuit by coming
within possible range Of her glasses
l did not know where the Rose of De-
Won lay.
Madam" said ] at last, there is
naught for US but to try to so over the
reef in some fashion. AS l examined
the island yesterday through the
glasses / couldn't see any opening In
the reef on that side. and. although
never saw or heard of a case like this
before. make no doubt but what the
reef is continuous and there is no ac-
cess to the island except over it. And
come to think of it, Sir Philips chart
showed no opening either"
Il recall that the reef completely en-
circles the island in the map" assent
ed my lady,
Then we must even pass over 1t as
we can. l have had some experience
in taking n boat through the surf. and.
although it is prodigious risk. be-
lieve can take this one over. think
we shall win through If you will sit
perfectly quiet and trust to me-"
II will do whatever you tell me-"
she said with most becoming and I'M
usual meekness. 81 think-I know-I
trust you entirely, Master Hampton"
VERY WELL" said ] quietly, land may
God help u.s."
Fortunately the tide was making to-
ward the shore of the island. | select
ed a spot where the huge, rolling waves
seemed to break more smoothly than
elsewhere. which argued greater
depth of water over the barrier. less
roughness and fewer possibilities of
being wrecked on the jagged points OF
the coral reef. Dousing the sail. un-
shipping the filler and rudder and pull
ing the oars with all my strength after
, an unuttered prayer I shot the boat di.
rectly toward the spot ! had chosen
Just before | reached it threw the
oars inboard. seized one of them. which
I wished to use as q steering oar. and
stepped aft past my lady, who sat Q
little forward and we'll down In the
bottom of the boat I braced myself In
the stern sheets and waited. We were
racing toward that reef with dizzy
speed, rising with the upiift up the
. wave. had Just time for one word.
IF we die" ! shouted, remember
} that l have been your true servant al
] ways"
D She nodded her head, her eyes glis
teDing. and then lost sight of her. A
| huge roller overlook Us. The little boa
e rose and rose and rose with a giddy
: furious motion Suddenly. It began Il
. turn. II 1t went broadside to the rec
, and a wave caught it or one broke owe
! it we should be lost, but had foreseei
, the danger. ] threw out my oar ant
with every pound of strength In arm
; leg and body 1 thrust blindly, desper
: ately. against the thrust of the sea. I
was an unequal combat. man agains
the Pacific ocean. couldn't have main
. tafned 1t for long. And yet It SCENE
] hours. The strain was terrific.
b The wave we were riding broke jus
? as we reached the top. We sank dow
B into what seemed a valley OF waite
1 the breakers roared In cur ears, th
I spray fell over US Ike rain. We san
= lower and lower. there was a sound O
grinding along the keel. We had struc
T the coral evidently. ! thought this wa
! all. for another mpment and the bottor
j wonld have been ripped ont Of her; bu
I no. we were over in safety.
: The last remainder CT fke wHs
I 81