Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-07-10
TWO YEARS VkCA TON.
BY JULES VERNE,
thor of The Tour Of the World N =
Days" '20, 900 Leagues Under
the Seas" Etc.

Brian, Donovan, HlcoA, anu oeFFlce
would have remained for long time
silent and motionless before this inscrip-
ton If Fan had not retraced her steps and
disappeared around the corner of the cliff.
Here, Fan, herep' cried Brian.
The dog did not return, but she began
to bark loudly and excitedly.
we must keep together, and be on or
guard" said Brian.
In fact. they could hardly xercise too
much caution, for band OF Indians might
be lurking near, and their presence was
certainly rather to be feared than desired
If they were the ferocious Indians that in
fest the pampas Of South America. With
guns loaded and revolyers in hand, the
lads advanced, but they had not gone
twenty yards beyond the angle formed by
the cliff before Donovan stopped to pick
up something. II was a spade, and spade
sf American or European manufacture;
not one Of the rude implements fashioned
by the Polynesian savages. Like the boat
ring, it was very rusty; and there could be
no doubt that many years had elapsed
since it was left there.
There were also some signs Of former
cultivation at the base Of the ciilf-a few
irregularly trained burrows, and a small
square Of potatoes, which had returned &c
wild state for want Of care.
A lugubrous howl suddenly resoundec
through the air, aud almost Immediately
Fan reappeared in "A state of intense ex-
element, running back and forth, and
looking up at her young masters faces
us If begging them to follow her
Let MS 20 and see what il is" said Don
oyau, motioning Wilcox and Service tC
follow him.
a little further on Fan came to n sudder
halt in front of clump Of brers and
bushes by the side Of the cliff Briar
stepped forward to see If the tangled
growth did not conceal the remains OF
some animal, or possibly Of the man who
had once inhabited these wilds.
But behold on parting the briers be
perceived a narrow ope@ing in the cliff
why, there is a cave hero" heexcla.m
ed, starting back.
50 ID seems" replied Donovan. But
what is in the cayeW
I'VE viii soon find out" said Brian, be-
ginning TO cut away the branches that oh
slructcd the opening. and Service was pre-
pairing to crawl In, when Brian prevented
him by saying
LET as see first what Fan will do"
ne AbR llilil Di)L ttiAStR W bhlh liiliJl-
cally; though if any living being had been
concealed in the cave he would certainly
have emerged ere this.
The mystery must be solved, however:
but first, as the air within the cave might
be impure Brian threw in IA handful of
dry grass and weeds TO which he had set
fire, and which cracked aud blazed brisk,
~, thus proving that the air was breath
able
"Shail we venture in?" asked Wilcox.
Yes" replied Donovan, promptly.
"Lcl us wait until we have provided
ourselves with light" said Brian; and
cuttings bough from one ofthe pines grow
ing on the river bank he set fire to it, and
then followed his companions into the
cave.
The cave ut its mouth was about five
feet high aud two feet broad but this
proved TO be merely "A passage leading into
II large chamber about twenty feet square,
the floor Of which was thickly covered
with very fine dry sand.
ON entering this chamber, Wilcox Stun
blcd over rough stool that was standing
near II rude table covered with domestic
utensils among them an carthen pitcher,
some large shells, which had probably
served ms plates "A broken and rusty knife,
two or three fish hooks, ana n tin cup,
empty like the pitcher. BY the opposite
wall stood sort Of chest made of rough
boards. and containing some scraps OF
clothing
There could be no doubt that this cave
had once been inhabited. But when and
by whom
AZ the end the room was n wretched
pallet covered with a tattered blanket.
Beside it,, on "A bench, was another cup and
"a wooden candle stick.
The lads hastily rcCoiled ut the thought
that this blanket might conceal the wasted
form Of "a fclluw-man; but Brian, conquer
Ing his natural repugnanCe lifted it after
moments hesitation.
The bed was cmptyl
A moment uftcrwnrd all four had re.
Joined Fan, who was still outside bowling
dsmally Guided 10y the dog, they then
walked down the river bank about twenty
yards, and there paused abruptly, motion
less with terror for on the ground be
tween the gnarlcd roots OF "A great beech,
lay the fragments Of IA human skeleton
Here the unfortunate man, who had
doubtless inhabited this cuye for many
years, had come ut last to die. The cheer
less retreat. which had so long been his
home had not been his tomb.
CHAPTER TX.
AN EXAMINATION or THE CAVE AND ITS
CONTENTS THE EuLAs AND THE LAsSO-
the NArCH-TuE SlllPWEECkED SAILORS
MAr-rlIE RETURN TO CANP-NN UNEX-
PFC TED oRsrACLE-GO RDON's SIGNAL.
The lads maintained profound silence
Who was this man who had come here TO
dc2 Was it some shipwreckcd sailor,
who had yatuly hoped for succor until his
DYING hour2 70 what nation did he be-
longi Was he young man when he first
set foot in these wilds, and did he die an
old man? How had he managed to supply
Ais ueeds2 If it was Il shipwreCk thai cast
him upon these shores, had there been
other survivors? Had he lived on here
alone after the death Of his companions
IN misfortune, and had the different arti
Giles found in the cave been saved from his
vessel, or were they the work of his own
hauds2
All these were questions that might
never be answered.
And there was vet anOthcr-the most
important of all: II this was really a COW
unent, why had this man not reached
some town in the interior or ON the sea
coast2 Had the journey been attended
with such difficulties and 50 many obsta
Giles that he was unable To overcome themf
Was the distance to be traversed SO great
that the journey Was n sheer impossibilitvt
This much at least was certain: The un
fortunate man, enfeebled by sickness OF
old age, had fallen here, and lacking the
strength TO regain his home had died at
the foot of this tree
II he had been unable to make his way
70 any place OF refuge 10 the north or east,
how could the youthful survivors of the
wreck Of the 'Sloughi' hope TO be more
successful2
However this might be. il was advisa
BILE to examine the cave with the utmost
care; for might they not discover there
some document that would give them
some information in regard to this man.
his origin. and the length of his Sojourn?
Come, - said Brian; and followed by
Fan, he again entered the cave
The first thing they saw on shelf fast
encd 70 the right wall was number OF
candles made Of grease and oakum. Ser.
vice Immediately lighted one, and placed
II IN the caudle-stick, after which the
search began in earnest.
The cave showed no sign of dampness,
though the only ventilation was through
its mouth. Its walls were rs dry as though
Of granite, while its eastern exposure pro
tected it etrectually from the sea-winds.
Il was very dark. it is true; but 10y making