White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-09-20

1t best not to reveal our impotence.
So we refused the natives invitations
to partake of their hospitality, told
them we must hurry on to fight the
British, and asked for fresh water and
bananas. They brought great gourds
full of water and punches of bananas
We drew up to the dock and they
handed these precious supplies down
for us.
We bad our fill of bananas and wa
ter, and, with shouts resounding from
the shore, set sail again. This lucky
spot was Niue, an outlying isle OF the
Fiji group. The sun blazed down upon
us, but fair wind carried US along
briskly. The first day after leaving
Niue we felt better. The second day
we were on the road to high good
health. It is amazing the curative
effect of fresh fruit, especially ba
nanas, when you are suffering from
scurvy. They seem to put new life
and blood into You and draw the sick.
ness right out Of the body as though
some huge and marvellous poultice had
been applied.
Our cure. was completed at the isle
of Katafanga. It is quite large isle
and inhabited by more natives.
We came to the main body OF the
Fijis, and sailed into large gulf sur.
rounded by distant islands. 1t was
night, and we decided to wait till
morning to see how many ships were
passing and what island they were
bound for. We reefed our sails and
threw out our sea anchor, that sack.
like drag of canvas that keeps boat
from turning broadside to the wind
and waves and from drifting too fast.
We lay down for decent nights
sleep. We would need all our ener.
gies for the morrow.
A sudden shout. awakened. 1t
was just daybreak. Straight ahead
was wild white line of surf. 1t
broke over long. lSw coral reef, and
just behind 1t was a high cliff. We
had run into strong current during
the night. Krauss had awakened just
in time to see that 1t had carried us
perilously near the reef. The wind
was sweeping us toward the breakers
"Raise SAIL" shouted.
We scrambled frantically and raised
the canvas. The wind was inshore
We could not head into It. We were
being blown slowly, inexorably onto
the reef.
People accustomed to the surfs along
ordinary coasts have no idea of what
breakers are like off the islands O.
the South Pacific. The surf all ovel
the Pacific is particularly strong. Blu
when 1t breaks over mid-oceani'
coral reef nothing can live in 1t. The
strongest swimmer Is sure to b
dashed to pieces against the Jagged
coral.
And there wasn't the slightest hope
of our moving against the wind ant
backing away from the reef. Slowly
slowly we we're nearing 1t. The break
ers roared like thunder. In few mo
ments we would be flung into tina
death trap of water and coral.
Pistol in hand, shouted something
to the effect that didn't intend to b
ground to death by the breakers o.
that jagged coral.
The others looked for their pistols
One could not find his. Between tn
pull of the current and the power 9
our sails, we were drifting along TIL
reef, edging toward it. The win
gave US an extra push. We were 1
the backwash, only few yards ava
from the breakers. And still one ma
could not find his pistol. Instructive
ly, we all waited. And that was wha
saved our lives. Suddenly we saw tn
reef drop away, slanting back at
sharp angle, and moment later W
were drifting parallel to the coral.
1t was then that discovered ther
were two kinds of breathing. In time
of terrible danger, the breath come
in short, quick puffs. The DANCE
gone, you breathe deeply. By Jo'
when we got clear of that reef
breathed such breath that 1t SCENE
to 20 right down to my heels. So
looking at my boys faces. When "
got our pistols ready, their faces ha
set tense. as If cast from bronze. Wit
the danger past, their faces held TIL
same set expression. 1t was an hou
before their old expressions came bac
again, Two of my fellows foun
patches of gray in their hair afte
ward. (Maybe they had been ther
for years only to be discovered now
Another's leg was absolutely blue
spots. In those frightful moments
had, without knowing 1t, grasped hi
thigh In clutch like drowning mai
| tell you, by Joe. IT was the hand c
God that put the curve tn that reef
When one of the boys, ! don't kno'
which, said in surprise, 1--WE ar
! clearl" knew II was the hand of Got
(TO BE CONTINUED.)