Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-09-25
TWO YEARS VAcA TON.
BY JULES VERNE,
eko4 o. "T-hc T ,ir o. ne Torld Z. -
DGls, " 80 600 Leagues Undsr
che Seas" Etc
CHAPTER XXX.

kIREAM.
Late one afternoon, about six weeks at
Yer the incidents just related, four lads
were preparing to camp at the south end
OF Family Lake
II was the 10th of October, and the
cheering and benefcent influence Of mild
er weather was visible on every hand The
trees and ground were clothed in verdure;
soft breeze was ripping the surface of
the lake. still illumined by the last rays
Of the declining sun, and myriads of noisy
birds were winging their way to their
nests in the trees or in the crevices Of the
cliff
A bright fire was blazing cheerily at the
foot of large live-oak, and before II hung
two fine ducks, now roasted to perfec
ton; and after supper the four boys would
only have to wrap themselves in their
blankets and slumber TRANQUILITY until
daybreak.
The boys in question were Donovan,
Cross, Webb, and Wilcox, and the history
of their separation from their comrades
may be briefly related as follows:
During the last few weeks of the second
winter which the young colonists had
spent In the French Cave, the relations be-
tween Donovan and Brian became more
and more strained The reader probably
has not forgotten the anger and disap-
pointment Donovan experienced when he
saw his rival elected TO the office he him.
self had hoped 10 fill; and becoming more
and more jealous and irritable as tins
went on, he naturally found it very diff
cult to submit to the new governors au
thority. That he did not openly resist
was due solely to the fact that the majori-
ty would not sustain him in his insubordi-
nation, as he knew very well. Neverthe-
less, upon several occasions he had mani
tested such intense auimosity that Brian
could not ignore 1t.
Though greatly annoyed by this state OF
affairs, Gordon endeavored to keep the
peace by making Brian promise to con-
troll his temper, but the latter felt thai his
patience was nearly exhausted, and that
the common welfare and the maintenance
Of discipline demanded that a decided
stand should be taken against further en-
croachments. Gordon had tried in vain
to bring about better state of feeling in
Donovan's heart, but il he had ever pos
sesscd any influence, he was now obliged
to admit that it was entirely a thing of the
past. Gordon's intervention proved ut
terly futile, and it was with deep chagrln
that he realized the complications which
would speedily ensue. Except at meal
time, Donovan and his partisans held
themselves sedulously aloof from the 9th
ers and when stormy weather prevented
them from hunting they assembled in one
corner of the hall aud talked together in
subdued tones.
Those four boys are certainly Matching
some conspiracy" Brian remarked to Cor
don one day.
But not against you, Brian, am sure"
replied Gordon us it possible that you
think they have any ides If usurping your
placer Donovan would not dare. We
would all side with you, as you know very
well, and so does he"
Perhaps he and his friends think of
leaving us"
IF they do, don't see that we have
either the right or the power to prevent it,
but perhaps such an idea has never once
entered their heads"
ION the contrary, 1t has, Wilcox has
been making a copy OF Baudon's map, TO
take away with them, evidently
Has he really done that"
Eyes, Gordon; and | am not sure but Il
would be best for me to put an end to all
these discussions by resignng in some
ones favoT-your's, say, or even DOno-
vans, That would put stop to this riv-
airy"
mo, no, Brian, replied Gordon, vehe-
mently. "If you do that, you will fail in
your duty to those who elected you, and
in your duty to Yourself
Early in October, the cold weather be-
ing over. the ice on the lake and river soon
disappeared entirely, and it was then-On
the evening of the 9th of October-that
Donovan announced his intention OF leay.
ing the French Cave in company with
Webb, Wilcox and Cross
$50 you intend to desert us?" asked
Gordon
Desert your OF course not" replied
Donovan. Gross, Wilcox, Webb and my
self have only planned to take up our
abode in another part Of the island. "
Ana why, Donovan'" asked Baxter
Partly because we wOula like to live to
suit ourselves, but chiefy-you see speak
very fraukly-because we do not wish to
be under Brian's control"
II would like to know what just cause
OF complaint you have against me, DouO-
van'h interposed Brian.
None, except that you have no right to
be at our head. We have already had an
American tor our governor. now ii IL a
French boy that rules us Next, / sup
pose. we shall have Moko.
You certainly are not speaking serious
ly, Donovan exclaimed Gordon. You
cannot be in earnest"
~ am in earnest when say that, though
it may suit some of the members of this
colony to have any but an Eng ,h lad for
our chief, it certainly does not suit my
friends or me-
so be it," responded Brian. You,
Wilcox. Webb, Cross, and Donovan. are
81 liberty to leave, and TO take with you
that share Of our common property 10
which you are entitled -
We have never doubted our right to do
this Brian aud we shall leave the cave
Tomorrow
Il trust You will never have reason to
repent of this determination. said Cor
dou. sadly. for he saw that further resist
6iee was useless.
Donoyaus plans may be briefly stated,
as follows:
Attes hi> trip to the eastern part OF the
island several weeks before Brian. IN ms
lie. u