Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-28


from the pole to escape severe winters, yet
near enough to the tropics to enjoy long
summers and plenty of sunshine.
I fancied we were about thirty to forty
degrees south of the equator; but this was
pure conjecture, and neither Field nor
Fame seemed disposed to give me much in
| formation on the subject.
"What was the 'Diana's' position when
you took your last observations" asked
Field, in reply to a question put as to our
| Whereabouts.
''That is weeks-months since" l said.
The last observation was taken by poor
Bucklow. Neither Bolsover nor I under
stand navigation
$50 much the better-I mean, it is prob
ably no great loss in the circumstances.
You will perhaps learn more of the geog-
raphy Of the Far Island later on. We
shall see. However, may tell you this
much-you are south of the equator"
THANK YOU" / said, laughing. I
guessed as much"
But failed to guess why he was so re-
ticent on the point. What objection he
could have to tell me where we were,
was unable to conceive. He was equally
reserved about everything that concerned
ants. To my questions on the subject he
returned evasive answers, and at last shut
me up by saying that if 1 stayed long
enough l should doubtless get to know all
about them, and that it was a very long
story, which at present it was quite impos-
sible for him to tell.
! About the island and its productions he
was, however, more communicative. 1t
contained some four hundred thousand
acres-that is to say it was about four
times the size Of the Isle of Wight. The
population might be twenty or thirty
thousand, though, as it was long time
since there had been a count, he could not
be quite sure. The soil was very fertile,
as | could see; and thanks TO the mountain
(mountain pGr-ercelIence, there being no
other), which enabled the inhabitants to
vary their climate at pleasure, they had q
great variety both of cereals and Of fruit.
The valleys and plains near the sea pro-
duced maize, yams, cotton, sugar canes,
oranges, grape-vines, peaches, and pome-
granates; higher up grew wheat, potatoes,
apples, and cherries.
Mr.. Field further informed me that, with
the exception of narrow gap on the west
ern side, the Painted Rocks extended all
round the island, and that the mist through
which we had sailed was permanent in
stitution-
eve think it is caused by a meeting Of
currents-one hot and the other cold" he
said. anyhow, it is always there, and
the mist and the rocks safeguard our is
land home far more effectual1y than a line
of forts"
"Yes," said; 'tyou may lombard fort,
but you would have to shoot long time
at that fog before you made any impress
sion on it; and those rocks would defy all
the ironclads in Europe. By the by, what
does that inscription, something about the
Santa Anna and 1744, meanf"
"Ah you saw that. did you? 1t is mere
| " the name of vessel that was wrecked
there. Some day we will have cruise
among the Painted Rocks, and you will
find other records of the same sort. Sew
eral vessels have left their bones there
abouts. AS 1 told you, the DIANA is the
only ship that ever got safely through, for
which you may thank your stars; and
though, as I was saying, there is a gap on
that side, pointing westward, a wide stretch
OF sand-banks, shoals, and hidden coral
reef render navigation, except for very
light craft, piloUed by men who know the
coast, almost impossible"
$50, one way and another, you are pretty
secure from intrusion?"
$50 much so, that you and Mr.. Bolsover
will be the first strangers our people of this
generation have SEEN"
By this time we had rounded the head
land. 1t divided the large bay from the
smaller one, which seemed to run long
way inland, and terminate in a river or
creek. Its sides were lofty and pictur-
| esque, with lateral openings into romantic
! little valleys, and here and there silvery
| stream, overarched with trees, shot arrow
| like into the sea.
"There That is Fairhavenp' exclaimed
Mr.. Field, when we were about halfway
up the inlet, at the same time pointing to
! q commanding eminence on the north
west side of the mountain.
Looking through my blnocu1ar, I could
make out a number of buildings scattered
over wide expanse of ground, and rising
one above the other, much after the fashion
of a Swiss Alpine village.
"Mab is back Field" said Fame, gazing
! in the same direction.
1.-THE flag is flying, is it, All, your eyes
are younger than mine, Amyas."
| glanced at them inquiringly.
Look at the large house which stands
| little way from the others, near a grove of
acacia-trees, and surrounded by garden"
said Fame.
Yes; have found it."
"Well, the flag you see flying above the
veranda signifies that Queen Nab is at
home"
s'But don't see any flag" said, strain
ing my eyes, and altering the focus OF my
| binocular.
CTS il Dossih1e that see better with nv
| naked eye than you see with your spy-glasss
| May /, Thank you"
sit would seem So" said, handing him
the binocular, and showing him how to
| adjust the focus.
After trifling with 1t few minutes, he
! gave it me back
ut certainly brings thing little nearer"
he said Cali the same, l can see quite as
well without it as with it. fear l should
! find spy-glass rather a useless incum-
brance."
This incident set me wondering whether
my conductors keenness of vision, acute
ness of hearing, strength of limb, and
monkey-like agility were peculiar to them
! selves, or common to all the inhabitants Oh
| the island.
| After awhile, I squinted through my
binocular again, albeit I felt that the act
was somewhat painful confession of phys
| zeal inferiority.
| Mr. Fame was quite right. could now,
| being a mile or SO nearer, plainly distin-
! guish a flag flying from the roof of the
house in which, as presumed, dwelt the
| island queen.
| But how we were to reach the place did
not seem quite clear, for shortly afterward
! the creek baCaO tn trend in the ODOOSite