The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-18
AN ADVENTURE IN CRUSOE-
LAND.
BY MRS. MARY G. ROPER.

Man the topsail clewlines and buntlinss
Hands by sheets and halliardsl Fib down
haul Shorten sail! Stand clear Of the star
board chain! Let 60 the star board an
chorp
With the last trumpet call, the Q. s.
corvette "Omaha" rested on the waters
of Cumberland Bay.
The "Omaha" was at this time cruising
in the South Pacific ocean, showing our
flags in different ports, righting wrongs
to American citizen sending assistance
to merchant vessels in distress and rescu
ing crew and cargo from danger. 1t was
on av 4yage from Valparaiso to Talcahu-
ana, that Juan Fernandez. Robinson
Crusoe's famous island. fell in the way,
and the captain, a good fellow, determ-
ined to stop and give the men a run on
shore, with opportunity to fish, and hunt
the wild goats with which the island
abounds.
This decision was gratifying to all, but
especially so to wly-hedged midship-
man, Ryder by name. who stood leaning
over the rail gazing at the beautiful water
and mountainous shore as only roman
tic boy could gaze on Crusoe- land.
1t was lovely afternoon, though late
in November; soft trade wind was blow
ing, and the water was so clear and limpid
that the anchor might b, seen as it lay on
the bottom thirty fathoms below. Tall
Dkosn xy.4h &c
valleys, and miles of forest, surrounded
the Bay. Ryder longed to leap over
board and swim ashore, that he might
search out ali the dear old storied local.
ties by himself.
"I'll ask the old man if he wont let me
use the little pull away boat, and take a
look tonight on my own account" was
his practical way out to his pleasure.
hail.
Fall OF the brilliant idea, he turned
and saw the commanding officer pacing
the quarter deck.
MAY go ashore. sir?" he ventured
mildly.
"Log written up for the week." re-
turned the captain, twinkle in his eye
which Ryder did not see.
"N-no, sir" faltered the midshipman.
The captain passed on, and Ryder
touched his cap and returned to the poop.
"That confounded logl Why had he
neglected it? What possessed the old
man to come down on him at this time Of
n?" he rehe wrathfully, honestly
convinced that the - handing officer
bore him personal grudge.
This feeling became intensified as, bolt-
ing toward the steerage ladder to go down
and get at the '1og" at once, the Captain
stopped him short. "Here, sir, go take
charge of the men on the ash-whipl'
Ry der paused, taken absck. His crest
fallen aspect appeared to give Captain
Jameson much amusement.
SAY, ay, sir!" he said at last, starting
away.
= "What were you going to do when 1
spoke?"
Write up my log, sir"
"Oh, very Welt Go and do SO, else I
might quarantine you tomorrow also"
After the eleven-o' clock b ,eakfast the
following day, wood and water having
been taken in, and the vessel put into con-
dition, Office and men were ready to go
ashore. Ryder, with the burden of an
unwritten log off his mind, stood in the
gangwsy, to be the first to leave the ship.
He had invited an older midshipman
named Hubbard, to accompany him on
his romantic pilgrimage, it having trans
PRED that Hubbard had visited the island
before. Several whale b pats were manned,
and across the silvery wat sr of the
bay they skinned, then a hundred yards
or so up little stream which was the
most exquisitely clear bit Of water Ryder
had ever beheld. This stream flows down
the mountain into the bay, fresh, cold and
sparkling. Passing ships always take in
water supplies here.
poor old Orusoe had one luxury at
leastP observed Ryder, drinking from his
palm.
The landing was easily ma de on a
grassy knoll, the boats drawn up on shore,
and secured. Hubbard and Ryder sepa-
rated from the rest, some of whom had
planned fishing and hunting excursions,
some voyages of discovery, and some
To lie a-basking in the sun.
In thesun.
AS the two midshipmen strolled away,
Ryder's active imagination sent him back
two hundred years. Was he really tread
ing the ground Robinson Crusoe's weary
feet had paced? Here, on the seashore,
must be the identical spot where Robin
son had made his strange discovery.
Heayensl Was it not before him? Had
the nipples Of two centuries failed to OBJ
hterate that wonderful footprint? Ryder
stopped to examine the phenomenon.
"What are you gaping at2' inquired
Hubbard, who was not burdened with ro-
mantle memories and fancies.