The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-18

making a mutiny-he was put ashore on
this island in the month OF September,
1704. He was not relieved till February,
1709, by the privatser Duke and Duch-
ess," OF Bristol; and finally died lieu
tenant in the navy, on board the "Wey-
mouth"
The Lookout seemed to somewhat re-
store our young climbers enthusiasm.
On the fat stone he stood, no longer mid
shipman q. 8. n, but Alexander Selkirk
himself, lonely, homesick, and weary
with watching for the ship which was 80
long in coming. He imagined him re-
peating the words:
am monarch of all survey,
My right there is none to dispute!
to keep alive his courage and interest in
life.
"'Monarch' of vast and wondrous-
ly roman tic domain, anyhow" Ryder
thought.
At his feet was precipice, stretching
stretching down into the sea. On either
side rose cliffs, tall and almost perpendic
ulsr. Behind him was the ascent he had
just climbed. He leaned against the cliff
on the right, feeling through every nerve
the influence of the blue sky, the serene,
silent ocean trembling in the sunshine,
and rolling gently on to meet the distant
horizon.
A long drawn out yawn awoke him
from his reverie He found Hubbard
stretched on the grass, regarding him
with some amusement. "Say, youngster,"
he remarked coolly, "what are you moon
ing about up there? And say, do you
mind il take nap here in tie shade? All
right; don't speak for an hour and half"
The young MILDLY was in mood to be
well pleased with being left to himself.
Looking around, he saw the rocks and
the sides of the cliff were covered with
names Of people who had visited the
place, and desire seized him to register
his name on the very peak of the cliff,
He made the ascent, catching here
bunch Of sturdy weeds, there a cactus,
wild cabbage or stumpy palm, until he
stood at the top on little patch of grass,
flushed and painting.
What glorious view met his eyesl He
was almost among the clouds; strong
breeze sent his blood whirling along his
veins. He crept near the edge of the cliff,
and gazed down upon the ocean waves
thousands of feet below, and he could
not help shudder as he thought what
death would befall one who should ven
ture too far and miss his footing! A
small shrub with thick bark grew near
him. He grasped it, and, taking out his
jscknife, carved his name. Then he lay
back on the grass and closed his eyes for
little rest before attempting the des-
cent.
How long he lay there he knew not,
but opening his eyes he discovered he had
been asleep. "He's had his hour and a
half, guess" he thought, laughing soft
ly; and then finding himself surrounded
by a dull, gray light. he exclaimed breath
lessly:
81 do declared how long have sleptl
1t must be tomorrow morning. Then
he found the air damp and cold, neither
sea nor sky visible. "Oh, know what
the trouble u.s." he said to himself, much
relieved, "a passing cloud has lodged
about me. All I've got to do is to lie
still until it blows away"
But alas. for poor Ryderl The gray
dampness meant more than a passing
cloud. The fact was, while he had been
sleeping heavy mist and fog had stolen
up the mountain and in from the sea,
and had formed blank wall on every
side. The young MILDLY at last became
aware of the real state of affairs, and the
peril attending movement in any direc-
ton. The fog would not dispense, in all
probability, before morning; the ship
was to sail at dsy-bresk, and here he was,
as much a prisoner as though behind
bolts and barsl A terrible helpless feel
ing took possession of him. He dared
not move lest he slip over the edge of the.
cliff. 1t occurred to him that il he could
hear his friends voice, it might guide his
movements. He called him once, twice,
three times-but no answer came back.
The suspense became intolerable. There
was but one escape,an alternative that al
most stopped the beating of his heart.
He could roll down into the notch, liking
the chances of rolling in the wrong direc-
ton and thus being dashed into the seal
Feeling around, he found the stump
by which he had gained the summit.
That alone guided the direction he was to
take. The fog was 80 dense he could not
see an inch before his face. No, he must
remember just where the stump looked
to be when he first took hold of it, and as
he now remembered, it grew on the ocean
side. He must roll in diagonally op-
posite direction, in order to strike the
path in the woods, instead Of the rocks
and breakers below. One hasty thought
of his parents in his far away home, one
deep, gasping sigh, his teeth set, a little
prayer in his heart, and Ryder had let go
his hold; he had started on his short, but
terrible journey!
1t was only few moments, but it
seemed ages till he had rolled heavily
against dark object, not the cruel rocks,
not the eager, hungry water, but his
friend Hubbard, who, waking suddenly
l.