Part 26 (1/2)

At the river's edge across from the little island Billy caht, and hesitated to cross over and disturb the party at that hour At last, however, he decided to cross quietly, and lie down near HER hut untilwas most difficult, for he was very weak, but at last he ca for a few ain up to the top, and staggering to his feet made his way cautiously toward the two huts All was quiet He assumed that the party was asleep, and so he lay down near the rude shelter he had constructed for Barbara Harding, and fell asleep

It was broad daylight when he awoke--the sun was fully three hours high, and yet no one was stirring For the first tis commenced to assail Billy's mind Could it be possible? He crossed over to his own hut and entered--it was deserted Then he ran to Barbara's--it, too, was unoccupied They had gone!

All during the painful trip froe to the island Billy hadback for him He had not been exactly disappointed, but a queer little lump had risen to his throat as the days passed and no help had come, and now this was the final blow They had deserted hie island without taking the trouble to assure themselves that he really was dead! It was incredible!

”But was it?” thought Billy ”Didn't I tell theht so ht so too I suppose I shouldn't blame them, and I don't; but I wouldn't have left them that way and not come back They had a warshi+p full of blue jackets and er to them”

Presently it occurred to hiet thefor him He hastened to return to the mainland, and once ht he reached the coast Early the nextentirely around the island he should find her he felt sure

Shortly after noon he scaled a high promontory which jutted out into the sea From its summit he had an unobstructed view of the broad Pacific

His heart leaped to his throat, for there but a short distance out were a great battleshi+p and a trim white yacht--the Alaska and the Lotus!

They were stea slowly out to sea

He was just in time! Filled with happiness theoff his shi+rt waved it high above his head, the while he shouted at the top of his lungs; but the vessels kept on their course, giving no answering signal

For half an hour the man continued his futile efforts to attract the attention of sorow smaller and smaller until in a few hours they passed over the ri fro, Billy sank to the ground, burying his face in his arms, and there the moon found him when she rose, and he was still there when she passed from the western sky

For three months Billy Byrne lived his lonely life upon the wild island

The trapping and fishi+ng were good and there was a plentiful supply of good water He regained his lost strength, recovering entirely from his wounds The natives did not molest him, for he had stumbled upon a section of the shore which they considered bewitched and to which none of the, at the beginning of his fourth e of smoke upon the horizon Slowly it increased in volume and the speck beneath it resolved itself into the hull of a steaathered together a quantity of dry brush and lighted a signal fire on the lofty point from which he had seen the Alaska and the Lotus disappear As it cohs upon it until a vertical coluh above the island

In breathless suspense Billy watched the movements of the stea notice of his signal, but at last he saw that she was changing her course anddirectly toward the island

Close in she came, for the sea was calm and the water deep, and when Billy was sure that those on board saw hi, down the steep face of the cliff to the tiny beach at its foot

Already a boat had been lowered and was putting in for land Billy waded out to the end of the short shelving beach and waited

The sight that met the eyes of the rescuers was one that filled theiant of a white s, ore the long sword of an ancient samurai at his side, a modern revolver at his hip, and bore in his brawny hand the heavy war spear of a head-hunter Long black hair, and a huge beard covered the ray eyes shone frorin welcomed them

”Oh, you white ood to iant in ill-fitting sea togs strolled up Sixth Avenue It was Billy Byrne--broke, but happy; Grand Avenue was less than a thousand ood to be hoain!”

There were places in New York where Billy would find acquaintances

One in particular he recalled--a little, third-floor gymnasium not far distant from the Battery Thither he turned his steps now As he entered the stuffy roo fellows, stripped to the waist, were sparring, a stout, loed ainst one wall looked up inquiringly Billy crossed over to him, with outstretched hand