Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-07-03
TWO YEARS VACA TON.
BY JULES VERNE,
thor Of The Tour Of the World n -
Days." 100, 600 Leagues Under
the Seas" Etc

Il
and that it would be quite impossible for
one to mistake it for cloud bank"
Its easy to talk" remarked Wilcox.
And equally easy to verify the truth OF
nv statements" retorted Brian; IF you
will but cross the plateau, traverse the
forest and walk straight on until we reach
the goal"
1T will be a long tramp, and really do
not see that it is worth the trouble" said
Donovan.
Remain here, then, Donovan" replied
Brian. who, recollecting Gordon's entrea-
ties. was resolved to keep his temper come
what would Remain here, and Service
and will go on alone"
I'VE are going, too" replied Wilcox.
"Comc, Donovan, let us move on again"
"Yes. after we have had something to
eat, E" replied Service, and after hearty
lunch, which occupied about half an hour,
they resumed their tourney.
The first mile was soon traversed, for
the grassy soil presented no obstacles.
Here and there we're few small, stony
knobs covered with nosses ana hchens.
At rare intervals they came to II few
shrubs; here clumps Of fern and heather,
there punches Of holly and Of the bar.
berry, which flourish even in the coolest
ATTITUDES
The forest once reached their progress
was greatly impedcd by the dense growth
of vegetation. Fallen trees frequently OBJ
structed the way, and the underground
was TO thick that they were Obliged to cut
their way through it like the pioneers who
first vcntured into the forests Of the new
world. Almost constantly there were en-
forced halts. during which the boys arms
became much more fatigued than theiI
legs and by reason Of these frequent de
lays the distance travelled by noon certain
ly did not exceed three or four miles.
II really seemed as II no human being
had e"er set foot in these woods before.
At a.. events he had not left the slightest
trace Of his presence. The narrowest foot.
path would have suiiiced to testify to his
passage, but there was none. Old age or
a tempest had felled these trees, not the
hand Of man. The grass and plants, tram
pied and broken in certain places, indi-
Gated merely the recent passage of ami
mails o. medium size, many of which fled
so quickly on the approach of the lads that
they were unable TO determine the species
To which the animals belonged but as
they fled so precipitately they could not be
very formidable.
How the mpctuous Donovan longed to
try shot at these timid quadrupeds; but
his good sense prevented him from yield
ing to the temptation, so Brian was not
obliged to interfere in order TO prevent his
comrade from revealing their presence by
shot. But if Donovan had not realized
the necessity of prudence there would
huy yggugfyr,g IN
1t. for Mt almost every step they started up
coyey Of part ridges Or "A brace Of snipe or
grouse, to say nothing of the smaller birds
which il would have been easy TO Stay by
the hundred.
In short, il the little party should be
obliged to make prolonged sojourn in
this region, there WAS no danger that they
would want tor food.
1t was two o'clock when brief halt was
made in small clearing by shallow
stream-a stream that would be styled a
''crcek" in North America. The waters
of this creek were perfectly clear and
flowed smoothly aud gently along over a
rocky bed. while The entire absence of
drftwood and tar like indicated that its
source could not be far Off. 1t was an easy
matter to cross 10 by stepping from one
stone to another; iIdccd, in one place some
large HAT stones were so symmetrically ar
ranged HAT the attention of the party was
instantly attracted.
How stranger remarked Donovan.
"Ihere really seems to have been a sort
of foot bridge built from one side to the
other
Though the lads examined It carefully
they felt scarcely justified in saying that
the hand of man had placed the stones
there. 1t seemed much more probable
that they had gradually accumulated
there and formed u natural bridge during
the season of heavy rains, At least this
was the simplest way of explaining the ex-
istence of this rule bridge and the one
which Brian aud his companions finally
adopted. rs neither bank Of the stream
showed any indication that the foot of
man had ever pressed the soil of this clear
Ing.
The creek flowed In a north -easterly
direction hence 1t seemed not unlikely
that it emptcd into the sea than Brian de-
clured he had seen from the top of the
promoutory.
"UnleS4 this creek should DO a tributary
10 a more important stream that flows
Westward said Donovan,
I'VE hall soon see, " replied Brian, who
deemed it impOlitic to resume the discus
sion on this subject. still, so long as it
flows toward the east, think we would
do well to follow it if its course does not
prove Too winding
The lads resumed their march after hav-
Ing first crossed the creek in order to be
spared the necessity of crossing Il nearer
its mouth, and perhaps under less favora-
BILE conditions.
1t WAS an easy matter to follow the
streaL. except in a few places where
eiunIps uIvrs v.ttvuucu UurIr I.uVs rups
the water while their branches reached
from bank 10 hahk. Though the creek oc.
casionally made a sudden turn its general
course was eastward, aud its mouth must
still he long way off, for the current was
no swtter and the bed of the stream nc
broader.
About half past five Brian and Donovan
discovered, greatly to their regret, That the
rourSe of the stream was decidedly north
ward. and as il might take them a long
way out Of their road il they continued
TO follow it they agreed to leave it. and
resume heir journey eastward through
the forest
Aud a difficult journey it proved to be:
so much higher than their heads that
they were obliged to be continually call
ing To one another to keep from being sep
arated.
When, after long days tramp, there
was still nothing to indicate the proximity
of any body of water, Brian could not help
feeling little uneasy. Could he really
have been the victim of an illusion when
he surveyed the horizon from the top of
the promontorys
No, no, / was not mistaken" he said to
himself lit cannot bel 1t Caunotr'
Though II was nearly seven o'clock in
the evening, the edge OF the forest had not
been reached, aud the darkness was too
great to admit of further progress. Brian
ari Donovan couseG ueutly resolved to
make a halt and spend the night uaier
the shelter of the trees. With nice bit
OF corncd beef and some crackers there
was no danger of starvation; and they had
plenty of blankets to protect them from
the cold. Besides, there was nothing to
prevent them from making fire ont Of
the dead branches that Strewed the ground
had not this observation-disclosures such an
excellent protection against auimals-been
compromising in case some native should
approach their camp during the night
1t is better 10 run no risk of discovery"
remarked Donovan.
The other members of the party agreed
with him. After hearty supper they were
about 70 stretch themselves ont at the foot
of an enormous beech when Service called
their attention 70 thicket only a few