Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-10-02

however, ON account OF the tempest that
broke over the iS!and-the same tempest
that Donovan aud his companions had en-
eouutered on the northern coast, and that
had driven the American vessel upon the
rocks, TO which the name OF the Severn
Reefs was subsequently given.
Though the following day was much
calmer, tine wind was still too violent for
Brian's experiment; but rs II ahated very
much during the afternoon, the lads re-
solved To make the attempt the very next
iay-the nth Of October-and an eYeuttul
day it proved to be in -Ae annals OF Chair
man Island.
Though it was Friday, Brian was not so
superstitious as to deem 1t advisable to
wait tweuty-four hours longer, especially
as the weather had become propitious.
and a strong, steady breeze was blowing.
The morning was devoted TO the final
preparations; but by one o'clock the entire
colony had assembled on Sport Terrace,
and the kite was about 10 be delivered TO
the mercy OF the wind, when Brian's at
teution was suddenly attracted by Fan
who dashed of into the forest, uttering .
series of plaintive bowls.
What can Do the matter with Eau"
| asked Brian.
He probably has got scent OF some ami
NAL in the bushes" replied Gordon, care
lessly.
mo. in that case he would bark very
differently."
LET us go and sec," suggested Service
"But not unarmed," added Brian.
Service and Jack ran to the French Cave
and were back in moment, each OF them
with loaded gun.
Come" said Brian.
And an three, accompanied by Gordon,
started toward the forest, in which Fan
had now disappeared from view, though
her barking was still distinctly audible.
! fastening on in the direction of the sound
the lads had not gone more than fifty
! yards when they saw the dog standing 10y
! q tree, at the foot OF which a human form
was lying.
| 1t proved to be a woman, lying as mo.
| tonless as il dead-a woman clothed in
dress OF coarse WOODEN material, with a
! brown shawl knotted around ner waist,
! Her face showed traces of great suffering,
though she looked naturally robust, and
did not appear to be more than forty or
| forty-flve years OF age. Worn out with
fatigue, and very possibly with hunger,
she had lost consciousness. though she was
still breathing family.
Fancy the emotion the young colonsts
experienced on finding themselves in the
presence of the first human being they
! had seen since their arrival on Chairman
Island
"She breathes she breathes" cried Cor
don. at is hunger, doubtless"
Almost before the words had left Cor
don's lips Jack had started for the cave,
and he soon returned with some crackers
and little brandy. Brian succeeded in
forcing a few drops of the stimulant
through her tightly closed lips, and in a
few seconds the poor creature made u
slight movement and then opened her
eyes. After gazing rather vacautly at the
children gathered around her. she took the
bit of cracker Jack extended to her and
carried it greedily to her lips.
1t was evident that the poor woman was
dying of starvation rather than fatigue.
But who could she bef Would it be pos
sble to exchange few words with heI
and to understand what she saidf
All doubts on this point were soon dis.
PEELED by the woman herself, who partial.
ly raised herself, saying in English as she
did So
4 uduh you, thllilNAf thbhh luhl
Half an hour later she was comfortably
installed in the cave, receiving all the at
tention her critical condition demanded.
When she had recovered her strength
to some extent she proceeded to relate heI
history, which was briefly as follows
She was of American origin, and had
resided for many years in one of the west
ern territories of the United States IIeI
~. 81, 49,
majority of her friends called her simply
Kate. For more than twenty years she
had filled the position of an upper servant
In the family of Mr.. William Penfeld, 8
resident of Albany, the capital of New
York State.
About q month before, Mr.. and Mrs
Pentield, wishing to visit rela i've living
in Chill, had gone to San Francisco, the
principal seaport OF California, TO there
embark on the merchant vessel Severn,
commanded by Captain John f. Turner
The port for which this vessel sailed wa
Valparaiso; and Mr.. and Mrs. penhcld
took passage on It, with Kate. whom they
regarded almost as one Of the family.
The Severn" was a sJital vessel, and
the VOYAGE wOnld certainly have been q
prosperous one II the eight men who con-
posed her crew had not proved TO be
scoundrels of the deepest dye. Ten day,
after they left San Francisco one of these
sailors-a man named Wnlston-excted a
mutiny, in which Captain Turner and the
first mate, as well rs Mr.. aud Mrs. Pen
field, were killed. 1t was the intention OF
these scoundrels, on securing possession
of the vessel, TO use II in the slaye-trade
which was stil going on with some Of the
countries Of South America
Only two persons on board had beer
spared-Kate, in whose behalf sailor
named Forbes had interceded, and the sec
ond mate, man about thirty years of age
named Evans.
These terrible scenes had been enacted
on the night OF October 9Th, when thu
Severn" was about two hundred mile:
from the coast OF Chill. Under penalty o.
death, Evans was compelled to naVigat'
the vessel-it being the intention of tk'
mutineers to round Cape Horn and thar
steer straight for the western coast Of Al
RIGA.
A few days nfterward-from some c, us,
unknown-a fire broke out on board IN,
vessel. In few minutes IL gained such