Part 15 (1/2)

CHAPTER VIII

IN A WILD HAVEN

Fortune has her cycles, whether for good or ill The _Kansas_, having run the gauntlet ofsht but perceptible veering of the wind, co power of the sun's rays, swept the ocean clear of its stor the pillar rock, Courtenay thought he could ray ed their leaden hue to a steely glitter which told hi The nearer blue of the ocean carpet spread an ever-widening circle until itsuddenness, the curtain was drawn aside on a panora

Al the estuary of a narrow fiord Gaunt headlands, carved on titanic scale out of the solid rock, guarded the entrance, and already shut out the more distant coast-line Behind these firstin separate promontories to altitudes of, perhaps, four hundred feet, an inner fortification of precipitous lacier-clad peaks heavenward to iion, soared far above the snow-line The sun was reflected with dazzling brilliancy frohts sparkled in rainbow tints on their slopes Delicate pink deepened to rose crilaciers, vast frozen cataracts which flowed down deep and broad clefts ale

Above these color-bands, the dead-whitesnow spread its folds, with here and there a black ridge of granite thrusting wind-cleared fangs high above the far-flung shroud But, if the crests of peak upon peak were thus clothed in white, their bases wore a garment of different texture Save on the seaward terraces of stark rock, with their tide-etation known to ress far ions beyond Pine forests of extraordinary density crarowth yielded perforce to hardier Alpine ed froht, as conditions were adverse or favorable; waterfalls abounded; each tiny glen held its foa in fine cascades from one rocky escarplance at the randeur of the spectacle, had eyes for naught save the confore in the as caused, he found, by the northerly headland thrusting its giant mass a mile, or more, ard of its twin; but he quickly discovered, from the confor cape of the inner water-way He reasoned, therefore, that the deep-water channel flowed close to the northern shore until it was flung off by the relentless rocks to seek the easier inlet behind the opposite point

He did not know yet whether the shi+p was entering some unknown straits or the mouth of a narrow land-locked bay If the latter, the presence of the distant glaciers and the nearer torrents warned hiht be lost within sight of safe anchorage Not inspired guesswork now, but the skill of the pilot, was needed; this crossing the bar in broad daylight was as great a trial of nerve in its way as the earlier onward rush in the dark

Wind and sea had abated so sensibly that the Pacific rollers raced on unbroken, and it was no longer a super-hu the deck

So the captain aroused Walker with a sharp order:

”Go and see if the donkey-boiler has a good head of steam We may have to drop the stream anchor quick, and both bowers as well If Tolleo forward, and keep a sharp lookout for broken water Clear off the tarpaulins, and be ready to loay the instant I sing out”

Walker, who had been gazing spellbound at theup before the shi+p, hurried on his errand He found Tollemache seated on an upturned bucket, in which the taciturn one had just washed his face and hands

”Have you seen it?” deleefully, while his practised eyes took in the state of the gages and he overran a nuers

”Seen what?” asked Tolle his pipe

”The land, ht in now”

”We've been doing that for hours”

”Yes, but this is diff'went The'aw's a fine wiv-ah ahead Have ye ev-ah seen the Tyne? Well, just shove Sooth Sheels an' Tyneot it Now, don't twy to talk, or you ht cwack yo' face”

With this Parthian shaft of humor he vanished towards the forecastle, whence the ubiquitous donkey-boiler, through one of its long arms, would shoot forth the stockless anchors at the touch of a lever

Tollelimpsed the coast, strolled out on deck and bent well over the side in order to look more directly ahead He could see one half only of the view, but that sufficed

”A respite!” he growled to himself ”Penal servitude instead of sudden death”

And, indeed, this was the true aspect of things, as Courtenay discovered when he had successfully brought the shi+p past three ugly reefs and dropped anchor in the backwater of a small sheltered bay He speedily abandoned the half-forht have run into an ocean water-hich communicated with Smyth Channel The rampart of snow-clad hills had no break, while a hasty scrutiny of the chart showed hihly surveyed Yet it was not in human nature that he should not experience a rush of joy at the thought that, by his own efforts, he had saved his shi+p and some, at least, of the lives entrusted to his care He was alone when the music of the chains in the hawse-pipes sounded in his ears The _Kansas_ had plenty of roo i his vessel into the Tha tide until her nose pointed seaward, and she lay in the comparatively still water inshore Then he dropped the second anchor and stepped forth froil was ended Some of the cloud of care lifted fro, pup,” he said ”Let us sample Dr Christobal's cookery

You have shared my watch; now you shall share my breakfast We have both earned it”

It was in his mind to knock loudly on Elsie's door and awaken her; therefore he was di of disappoint over the rail of the pro the weird beauty of the scene spread before her wondering eyes

The shi+p was now so sheltered by the shoulder of the southern cape that the keen breeze yet rushi+ng in from the sea passed hundreds of feet above hermore than a tidal swell on the surface of the water, in which the heavy-laden vessel rested as in a dock In the new and extraordinary quietude the light thud of the donkey-engine sounded with a strange distinctness, and Elsie and her co footsteps alained the deck

Instantly she ran towards him, with hands out-stretched