Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-11-13
TWO YEARS VhcA TON.
BY JULES VERNE,
stor Of "The It1Lr Of the World IL %
Dogs" ''21 0O0 Leagues Under
Gts Seds," Etc

No blood stains were to be seen on the
sand, thus proving that Rock had not even
been wounded by the mates shot. In the
meantime one very important question
suggested itself TO the minds of the young
colonists. Had Walston come by way OF
the south end of the lake, or had he ap
preached from the nOrthS In the latter
case it must have been toward the Trap
Woods that Rock had fed to reioin him
AS it was very important 10 secure def.
mite information on this point, the lads
inally determined to question Forbes on
the subject. Would he consent to answer,
and would he tell the truth if he did speak,
Had any feeling OF gratitude been aroused
in his heart by what Kate had done for
hm2 Would he forget that he had asked
the hospitality Of the inmates Of the
French Cave merely in order to betray
them?
Returning to the hall, Evans opened the
door Of tie closet in which Forbes was con
fined, loosed the ropes that bound him,
aud led him out into the hall.
"The plot planned by you and Rock did
not prove successful, Forbes, said Evans
quietly. "Stiu. | am anxious to know
w ilSlOl > pliISs IOA iIltloJ NC ldllllllt
with them. VIII you answer the questions
put to yOu?'
Forbes hung his head, apparently I'm.
willing tC meet the eyes of Kate and the
lads around him but not IA sound escaped
him.
Kate here ventured to intcrposc.
Forbes, she said, gently, you once
showed a little compassion by preventing
your companions from killing me during
the massacre on the Severn will you do
nothing now to save these innocent chill
dren from an even more terrible fate?"
Forbes still made no reply.
"Ihcy spared you, Forbes" continued
Kate, though you richly deserved death.
Every spark of humanity cannot have died
within you. Think of the atrocity Of the
crime you are committngw
A half-smOthcred sigh escaped Forbes.
"What can do?" he said, half sullenly,
ut last.
"You can tell us what Walston intend.
ed to do last night. Did you not come
here to open the way for Walston and his
bankW
yes"
"And these children, who received you
so kindly, would of course have been kill
ed?"
Tho scoundrel's head dropped still lower
on his breast; and this time he had not the
courage to make any response.
"And now, by what rcsItc did Walston
and his men cOmcW
"By the northern shore of the lake."
"Whie you and Rock came by the south
end of the lakcp
yes"
"Have they visited the western end OF
the island YETI"
mot yet"
"Where are they now~
81 don't know
Can you give me any further ilforma
ton about their probable movements"
"No, Evans, no."
"But you think 1t probable that Walston
will return"
eyes"
All efforts to eXtort further information
from Forbes having proved futile, he was
taken back to his cell and the door secure
ly locked on the outside.
The situation, consequently, was criti'
cal in the extreme. Forbes either could
not or would not tell where Walston was:
aud MS the question of his whereabouts
was avery important one, Evans finally
decided upon reconnaissance, though he
knew only too well that it could not be
made without considerable danger.
About noon Mollo took the prisoner some
food, which he scarcely touched, however.
What was going on in the wretch's sOul'
Was he experiencing something like re-
morscY His custodians could not say.
After their midday meal Evans informed
the lads of his intentions, and no objec.
lions being made, preparations were At
800 NoWan.
Walston II, I his companions now num-
hcrcd only six, while the little colony now
consisted OF seventeen members, though
the four little bOys-lverson, jenkins,
Dole and Costar-were too young TO take
any part in the struggle. twas according
ly decided that during the reconnaissance
these lads should remain in the cave with
Kate, Moko, and Jack, under BaXter's
charge The other boys were, of course,
to accompany Evans, and each of them
was to be armed with gun and reVol.
Ver WalstOn's only weapons were the
five guns saved from the Severn" so the
chances would really be more equal than
ut first appeared, rs Donovan, Wilcox,
aud Cross were all excellent shots~~iat
better indeed, than the American sailors.
Moreover they had plenty of ammunition,
while Walston's supply was said by the
mate to be limited to u few cartridges.
1t was two o'clock in the afternoon
when the little party started under the
leadership of Evans; and Baxter and those
left in his charge Immediately returned to
the cave, locking the doors but not barri-
cading them, in order that the mate and
his followers could be admitted without
delay, should that be necessary.
Meauwhiie the accommodating party
was u,llll lg its way cautiously along the
base of the hill, where shrubs and bushes
screened them so etTectually that they
could reach the forest without much dan
ger of being seen. When they had passed
! the little mound that covered the remains
! of the shipwrecked Frenchman, the mate
! suggested that they should direct their
course little more toward the shore Of
| the lake; hut as they were about to do so,
| Fan, whom Gordon had yainly endeavored
to send back to the cave, began to prick
| up her ears, and put her nose to the
| ground, as if her suspicious had been
/ awakened.