Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-06-12
CH APTER V
CHAPTER V.
ISLAND or CONTTNFNT-PpVaN nrpAaTs

CHAPTER Y.
ISLAND OR CONTINENT-BRIAN DEPARTS
ALONE THE FLoCKS OF PENGUINS
B2EAKFAST-FROM THE TOP OF THE PROM
oNToRY-THE THREE ISLASDS-A BLUE
LINE IN THE HORIZoN-RETURN TO TIE
SLOUGH"
Was this an island or continent?"
This was the question which was ever tor
turing the minds of Brian. Gordon, and
Donovan, who by reason both of age and
intelligence were really the leaders of this
little party. Filled with anxiety concern
ING the future while the younger boys
thought only CT the present, they orIen
held long conversations on the subject
But whether this region were isolated or
part of some continent, it evidently did
not belong to the tropical zone, for the
forest consisted principally of oak, beech,
birch, pine and fir-trees, which are not
found in the equatorial regions of the Pa
cific. 1t even seemed probable that this
territory was in a higher latitude than
New Zealand, and consequently nearer
the south pole; hence they had reason to
fear that the winters would prove even
more severe. Already the ground was
covered with a thick carpet of dead leaves
that extended to the base OF the cliff, and
the pines and frs alone retained their
foliage
For this reason it seems TO me that it
would not be advisable to establish our
selves permanently on this part of the
coast" remarked Gordon, few days after
the ''Sloughi' had been transformed into
a temporary dwelling place.
Il entirely agree with you," responded
Donovan; land if we wait until cold
weather sets in, it will be too late for US
to reach any inhabited region, as we shall
probably have to travel several hundred
miles"
Patience" replied Brian. at is now
only the middle of March,
True" said Donovan, the good wealth
er may last until the last of April, and
one can travel quite a distance in six
weeks"
provided one has road to travel on"
replied Brian, laughing.
And why may there not be One?"
"Why, indeed?' rejoined Gordon. But
even if there is, how do we know where it
will take us?'
81 know one thing at least" retorted
Donovan. land that is that it would be
absurd not to leave the schooner before
the cold and rainy season sets in, and if
we do it is not advisable to see dlfficu lilies
at every step"
at is better to see them ana consider
them carefully than to rush like fools into
an entirely unknown country"
at is very easy to call all who may not
happen to agree with you FOOLS" retorted
Donovan, sneeringly; but it is not a very
convincing argument"
This reply might have elected an equal.
" bitter retort from Brian and led to
serious quarrel had not Gordon promptly
interfered.
''It is useless to QUARREL he remarked,
gravely. IF we wish to arrive at any sat
isfactory conclusion we must make up our
minds to discuss the matter sensibly.
Donovan is perfectly right in saying that
if we are near an inhabited region we had
better make an attempt to reach it as SOOD
as possible"
Certainly, if that be possible" replied
Brian. But it not, what them"
by going first toward the north then
toward the south, and finally, if need be,
toward the east we must surely reach
some town or other" replied Donovan,
petulantly.
Yes, if we are on the continent" said
Brian; but not if we are on an island, and
an uninhabited island"
And for that very reason it is of the
really is As for deserving the 'SIoughi'
without knowing whether there is or is
not sea to the east of US
But it is the Slough that is going to
desert us!'' exclaimed Donovan, inclined
to be obstinate, as usual. "Thc schooner
will not be able to withstand tne winter
gales upon this beach"
~ am of the same opinion" replied
Gordon; still, before venturing into the
interior we must know where we are GO
mgr
Gordon was so manifestly right that
Donovan was obliged to submit.
81 am ready to go and reCOnnoiter," said
Brian.
And so am l." responded Donovan.
"Aud so are all of u.s." added Gordon:
but as it would be imprudent to take the
little children on a long and fatiguing eX-
ploring expedition, two or three of us will
! suffice, l think"
at is unfortunate that there is no high
land from which we could secure an ex-
tended view of the surrounding country"
remarked Brian. 81 have been unable to
discern a single mountain even in the dis
tant horizon; in fact, there seems to be no
high land except this cliff which towers
above the beach. Beyond this there are
unquestionably forests, plains, and
marshes, through which flows this river
whose mouth we have discovered"
at would be well to get look at this
country before attempting to make our
way around this cliff in which Brian and
[ tried in vain to find a cave" remarked
Gordon.
IL 10