“I see no better way to give a call to the mate,
Miss Rose, than to throw some of this dry weed, and
some of this lumber on the fire,” said Jack,
after he had rummaged about the place sufficiently
to become master of its condition. “There
is plenty of amunition, and here goes for a broadside.”
Jack had no great difficulty in effecting his object.
In a few minutes he succeeded in obtaining a flame,
and then he fed it with such fragments of the brands
and boards as were best adapted to his purpose.
The flames extended gradually, and by the time Tier
had dragged the topgallant-yard over the pile, and
placed several planks, on their edges, alongside of
it, the whole was ready to burst into a blaze.
The light was shed athwart the rock for a long distance,
and the whole place, which was lately so gloomy and
obscure, now became gay, under the bright radiance
of a blazing fire.
“There is a beacon-light that might almost be
seen on board!” said Jack, exulting in his success.
If the mate is anywhere in this latitude, he will
soon turn up.”
“I see nothing of him,” answered Rose,
in a melancholy voice. “Surely, surely,
Jack, he cannot have left the rock just as we have
come to rescue him!”
Rose and her companion had turned their faces from
the fire to look in an opposite direction in quest
of him they sought. Unseen by them, a human form
advanced swiftly toward the fire, from a point on
its other side. It advanced nearer, then hesitated,
afterward rushed forward with a tread that caused
the two to turn, and at the next moment, Rose was
clasped to the heart of Mulford.
I might have pass’d that lovely
cheek,
Nor, perchance, my heart have left me;
But the sensitive blush that came trembling
there,
Of my heart it for ever bereft me.
Who could blame had I loved that face,
Ere my eyes could twice explore her;
Yet it is for the fairy intelligence there,
And her warm, warm heart I adore her.
Wolfe.
The stories of the respective parties who had thus
so strangely met on that barren and isolated rock,
were soon told. Harry confirmed all of Jack’s
statements as to his own proceedings, and Rose had
little more to say than to add how much her own affections
had led her to risk in his behalf. In a word,
ten minutes made each fully acquainted with the other’s
movements. Then Tier considerately retired to
the boat, under the pretence of minding it, and seeing
everything ready for a departure, but as much to allow
the lovers the ten or fifteen minutes of uninterrupted
discourse that they now enjoyed, as for any other
reason.
