The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-10-02

" following the course Of the
! barrier reef, seeking what l
knew they would not find-an entrance
to the lagoon and thence to the island.
The lagoon narrowed in places, until
had it not been for the roar of the
waves in the reef q hail could easily
have carried. am ashamed to say
that I used insulting gestures on oc-
casion, whereat some of them stood up
in the boat and shook their f1sts In our
direction Although l was sure they
could not reach us, their presence was
q menace and a barrier to US. After
they had rowed the length of the 49,
land they gave it up and went back to
the ship, which had followed their
course.
By this time the day was far spent.
We retraced our steps and came to
the place where l had hauled up the
dingy. We were hungry. The pro-
visions we had taken with us we had
eaten during the journey. The first
business was supper. | had noticed
some cocoanut trees and other strange
tropical fruits. so I had no fear OF
starvation. We could live on the Is
land indefinitely; therefore / was not
sparing with the provisions. We kim
died fire and made shift to boil some
coffee. We had neither milk nor sugar,
but the taste Of civilization did us good.
For the night .capsized the boat
and drew 1t close against the coral
wall, spread the sail and boat cloak
upon the clean. dry sand. gave her one
blanket and babe her take her rest. 1t
was snug dry and comfortable.
"But your" she asked.
~ shall do very we'll here with my
boat cloak and one Of the blankets. ana
| shall lie across the stern Of the boat
between it and the cliff, out OF sight,
but within touch or call If you need
me-"
IL am afraid" she said softly.
Nothing can come to you except
over my body. and am light Sleep
er. Anything will rouse me-" ! said
reassuringly.
II would not have you harmed
either" she persisted.
II shall not be-"
There may be wild beasts"
81 do not think there IS an animal
on this island" laughed. land we
have seen no signs of man. The snip
certainly would have attracted the at
tention of some one had not the island
been deserted"
"But those men out there?"
you forget the rampant that God
has flung about U.S. Now. madam. you
can go to sleep in safety, assure you"
"Before that" she said. dropping
down on her knees In the sand and
motioning me to follow her example,
which / did awkwardly enough nope
I am not a mocker or disbeliever. but
I confess that didn't often bend the
knee-"we will have prayer to-
gether."
She had slipped little prayer book
within her dress, and she now drew
It forth from her bosom and by the
light Of the fire read the Psalm Of Da-
vid, which begins: "Out Of the deep
have I called unto thee. o Lord. Lord.
hear nv voice." And then she prayed.
using some of the old collects Of the
church and adding one of her own
making in which she besought God to
care for US further, while she thanked
him for having raised up a defense
for her in my poor person. only she d'd
not so describe 1t. listened very hum
bly,, saying a heartfelt "Amen" at the
end.
There was q silence for little space
when she had finished, and in that ST.
lence l devoted myself before God to
her service again. and then she rose
| and gave me her hand.
"You have been true knight ana
gentleman" she said softly. her eyes
shining, land thank yon."
| could only take it dumbly and
stare at her like the great fool | was.
whereat she smiled brightly. although
her eyes suddenly filed with tears.
And now" she added: God keep
you. Good night"
then kissed her extended hand.
which she suffered without resistance.
sat for long time before the fire.
thinking and making plans for our es-
cape The ship didn't give me much
concern. because was sure she
couldnt come at US and in the end she
must go away and leave us.
A long time sat there until !
finally fell asleep. must have slept
, some time and soundly for was
wearied. 1t was she who awakened
me. When opened my eyes and saw
her sweet face bending over me and
heard her dear voice calling me de-
clare almost felt as II had died and
gone to heaven and was being well
coined by an angel
Our first waking though: was for
the ship. She was still there In the
odlng. She had been hove to during
the night. could Imagine what fierce
debate and wrangling there were
aboard her
The day that passed was much IKE
the afternoon before Although We