Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-05-29
A TWO YEARS VACA TON.
RY LII .ES VERNE.
author Of ''TIhe Tour Of the World in 50
Days" 40, 900 Leagues Under
the Seas" Etc.

Meanwhile, Donovan, Wilcox, Cross,
and Webb stood talking together aud gaz-
ing at the seething waters broken with
eddies and whirlpools. The most skillful
swimmer could not have struggled sue
cessfully against. the falling tide with
which the gale was waging a fierce con-
iict, and the necessity of waiting a few
hours was apparent. Even Donovan and
his companions were obliged TO admit this,
so they finally returned TO the stern where
the other members of the little party were
standing.
Brian was even then Temarking to Cor
don and those around him
1--WE must remain together at all haz-
ards II we separate we are lOstp
"DO you claim the right to lay down the
law for us?" cried Donovan, oyerhearing
the words.
II claim no such rightn' replied Brian.
"But we must remain united for the sake
of our common safety"
Brian is right, " added Gordon, who was
& thoughtful and serious lad, ana never
spoke without due reflection.
eyes, yesl' exclaimed two or three OF
the smaller boys who Sc instincts led them
10 trust Brian.
Donovan made no reply, but he and his
comrades persisted in holding themselves
alOOf.
But what coast was this? Did it belong
to one Of the many islands of the Pacific
or to some continent? The crcscent-shaped
beach ended in two promontOries-the one
toward the north being high aud abrupt,
while the one toward the south was less
elevated and narrowed down to a mere
point: but did the lana extend far beyond
these two capes? This was a question
Brian tried To solve with the aid of "A ma
rine glass, but in vain
In case this hand should prove to be al
island how would they ever succeed in
making their escape from it if they found
it impossible to get the vessel atioat again
this vessel which seemed almost certain
to be dashed to pieces on the rocks by the
tide? And If this island should prove to
be uninhabi.cd, for there are many such
islands in the Pacific, how were these chill
dren to provide themselves with the ne
cessaries Of life?
II it proved to be a continent, their
chances of preservation would be much
greater rs this continent could be no 9th
err than South America, where they would
be almost certain to find assistance few
days after they landed if not Immediately
But the question just now was how to eff
feet "A landing
It was light enough now to see clearly,
and though the coast was not particular
ly attractive in aspect. its verdure indiCat-
ed a fertility corresponding with that of
the temperate zone; but there was nothing
to indicate that it was inhabited. No
house or hut was visible even at the
mouth OF n river which could now be dis
cerned to the right of the beach; but per-
haps the natives, if there were any, pre-.
rerred to live in the interior where they
were less exposed TO the fury of the west
crly winds
Il see no smoke anywhere" remarked
Brian, lowering his glass.
And there is not n single boat on the
beach," remarked Moko.
"Why should there be when there is no
harbor2" retortcd Donovan.
'"Fhat is hardly sufficient reason" re
marked Gordon, "as that would not pre-
vent the use Of fishing boats near the
| mouth Of the river; but the owners Of these
boats may have taken them further inland
on account Of the tempest"
GordCn's remark was certainly very
sensible, but whether correct or not, fer
some reason or other, no boat was visible,
ana this part of the coast seemed to be ab,
| soluteIy destitute Of inhabitants Would
! it prove habitable in case these youthful
/ sailors were obliged to remain there scv-
/ rrnl wceks2 This was certainly n Ques-
! ton Of vital Importance now.
| The tide was falling gradually, though
very slowly, by reason of the opposition
| offered 10y the wind which seemed to be
abatng n little and working gradually
| around to the northwest, so il was of the
/ utmost Importance for the boys to be ready
! To take advantage of the earliest practcu
! BILE moment for landing.
II was now nearly seven O'clock. Every
! one was busily engaged in bringing thu
most essential articles upon deck. Larg,
| and small lent a hand in this work. There
was Il large supply of crackers, dried fruit,
! and salt and canned meats on the yacht
and these were carefully packed for trans
portation to the shore.
Brian and Gordon, however devoted
themselves to u close scrutiny of the sea
| With the change in the direction of the
wind, came n decrease I'm its violence; ant
| il was easy To- perez W. the subsistence o
tho water. This subsistence, however, hac
| the effect of increasing the incline of the
| yacht tn the larbO9rd side; and there wa
even reason To fear that the vessel woUl,
| keel over entirely If this tendency increase,
| it being of slender form with a very high
! keel as il usual with all craft constructed
with IA view TO speed and in that ease sh,
| might begin Ia fir before they could leave
| her, and the situation thus become eX
! trrmply dau,rrOUS