Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-07-17

| and hoist one of our flags upon it. This,
| | think, will suffice to attract the attention
of any passing vessel"
This suggestion having been adopted.
one of the masts, which had not been used
in the construction of the raft, was drag
ged to the foot OF the cliff, which could be
easily climbed on the side next the river.
The mast was Mt last planted firmly on the
summit of the cltf, after which Baxter
hoisted the English flag, and Donovan sa-
luted ii with a rifle shot.
Donovan seems to be taking possession
OF the island in the name of England"
| Gordon whispered to Brian, who CHANGED
to be standing near him.
81 should not be surprised If It belonged
! to her already" responded Brian, rather
TO the annoyance of Gordon, who seemed
to be tiattering himself with the idea that
| he was upon American soil
Everyone was astir by day-break the
next morning for the tent was to be TAX
EN- down, and the sails spread over the
| raft to protect its contents, though there
! seemed to be no reason to apprehend bad
weather
BY seven o'clock all the final prepara-
| tions had been completed Moko had pre-
pared food enough to last three or four
| days if necessary This was taken aboard
the raft. and by half past eight each men,
Der of the little party was in his place, the
elder ones armed with poles or spars, their
only means OF guiding the raft
Shortly before nine o'clock, there being
a perCeptible rise in the tide. the COM
mand to cast Off was given, and the order
being promptly obeyed. the raft moved
slowly up the stream, dragging the yawl
in her wake.
Great delight prevailed when the little
party saw the clumsy craft really in mo-
ton. If they had constructed a model
ship they could not have felt better salts
led with themselves The raft was kept
as close 10 the right bank of the stream as
possible, as the current set strongest in
that direction; besides, it being much
higher than the opposite bank, it afforded
capital support for their poles. Two
hours after their departure the distance
travelled was about a mile. No accident
had occurred, and they might reasonably
count upon reaching the French Cave in
safety. Still, as the distance from the lake
to Slough Bay must be at least six miles,
aud as they could advance only two miles
during each incoming tide, it would take
several high tides to transport them to
their destination.
About eleven o'clock the tide began to
fall, and the lads lost no time in mooring
their craft securely SO they would not
drift seaward again. They. would, OF
course, make a fresh start at night when
the evening tide began to make itself felt:
but Gordon thought that this would be
very imprudent, as the raft might be seri-
ously damaged in the darkness, so 1t was
finally decided that they should wait until
the next day before resuming their jour
ney. Donovan and his usual companions
In the chase, including Fan. went ashore;
and though they did not venture far,
brought back two PAIRS OF plump wild
turkeys and string of small birds. and
were consequently well satisfied with their
prowess, though at Noko's reQuess, this
game was TO be reserved for their first re-
past in the French Cave.
During this little excursion, Donovan
,aw no sign of the presence of any human
beings in this part of the forest.
Baxter, Webb, and Cross sll watched to-
yether that night, ready, if need be, TO
double the ropes that held the raft. OF to
give them greater play when the tide