The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-07-13

two divisions are unequal in size, the north
ern peninsula being much larger than the
southern.
Its coast line is wildly broken and Jagged
its innumerable CULTS being long aud narrow,
and its promontories are ooTrespondingly
sharp and slender, reaching out into the ocean
like fingers.
This body Of the island indeed resembles
that of some huge monster OF the antedlluvlan
world, even as its capes and headlauds resem-
BILE such a monsters upsIghuy limbs and
claws.
A more terrific solitude than this isle of
Desolation does not exist upon our wrecked
planet.
Neither the SHOWS of Himalaya nor the sands
OF Sahara can outvie its terrors.
No inhabitant is there, not even savage
no house. no tree no shrub no fence nor road
no field nor garden; no horse, no dog, not
even a snake or wolf.
Lone, blasted aud barren, it looks like the
skeleton of a land that has persisted.
1t may indeed be that Desolatiou is the
relic-the surviving fragment-of continent
that went down here countless ages ago, with
hosts of inhabitants, IN some vast CONFUSION
of nature.
1t has certainly undergone terrible vista
tons been rent by earthquakes, pu!verlzed
10y frosts, dashed and wasted by fierce tenn
pests.
It's mountains are only of moderate height,
but are capped eterually with SHOW.
Its vegetation is limited to few dwarfish
plants, including some MOSES. a species of
hchen, coarse grass, plant resembling Il
small cabbage and a sort of cress.
Its winds are raw and piercing, its summers
cold and frosty, its winters those of the Polar
Circles
The interior of the island is occupied by inn
mense DOGGY swamps, where the ground SINKS
at every step.
The rains in Desolation are almost incessant
i'll their season, and the island js accordingly
yened with numerous torrents of fresh water,
some of which have worn out Of the solid
rock Tremendous cavities and gulhes. The
only other season than that of the rains is one
OF almost constant snow.
The togs of that CHASTITY region are well
worthy OF the rains, beng of cloud like den
sltt, and lowering almost continually over the
whole face of the island.
The sun of Desolation is usually hidden by
a canopy of lead-colored clouds, and appears
on the rare occasions when 1t is visible, scarce
II brighter than the moon i'll other ATTITUDES.
As to the moon itself. and the stars, the clouds
and togs rarely permit them to betray their ex-
istence.
No fish worthy of note, not even fishes of
prey, abound III the adjacent waters by rel
son, perhaps, Of their containing poisonous
minerals, or deadly exhalations from the vol
canic fires beneath them.
Yet the dark grim sea inclosing Desolation
has done something to repair the sterillty of
the island.
Penguins, ducks gulIs. cormorants and
other marine birds are plentiful in some of
it's harbors.
Seals also abound.
Strange and terrible land
Not single human being, so far as is known,
has ever lived there, save as Is now to be re
corded IN these pages.
Near the middle of a duh, dismal afternoon,
some eleven weeks later than the date of the
preceding events, the good ship Flying Chl-
deI'S drew near to the island of DesolatlOn,
shaping her course toward It's northernmost
bay, called by Captain Cook Christmas Har-
Dor.
A fair breeze was blowing from the north,
and the ship was carrying every stitch Of her
canvas, including studding-salls.
Her crew-bOth watches-were busy about
the deck. and her passengers-a score in nltf'l-
ber-had gathered in groups, mostly forward
and were gazing with great interest upon the
wild, rugged shores before them, so tar as the
tog suspended uron those shores permitted
them to become visible.
The ship had come here for water, nearly all
her water casks having been stove or started
during squat ten days previously, aud every
soul aboard of hcr having been since that
date upon short allowance.
Upon the quarterback stood Capt: Luke
Pedder, looking unusually happy, with VIII.
Hawley beside him.
81 mean to get our water aboard before
dark, Captain Pcdder, and so avoid losing a
night here" said the young executive, totally
unconscious of the plot to leave him alone on
the desolate island, and of tie extraordinary
adventures which were before him. The
strange events that happened there, aud in
deed the whole of this thrilling story, will be
found only in the New York Ledger. which Is
now ready aud for sale at all the bOok-stoI es
and newsdepots. Ask Tor the number dated
July -, and in 1t YOU VIII get the continuation
of the story from the place where 1t leaves off
hap