Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-05-22
the east OF us!

the east OF u.s."
Are you sure'" asked Donovan.
Eyes. yes-certainly." answered the lad
IF the fog lifts again, look over there a
little 10 the east of the foremost. Now.
nowr'
For even as he spoke the fog again lifted
and few moments afterward the sea for
several miles around the yacht became
distinctly visible.
Yes. landl there is really land aheadr'
cried Brian.
There was no room for doubt this time
A line Of coast at least five or six miles in
length could be plainly seen in the eastern
horizon At the rate of speed at which
she was now moving, the ''Sloughi' could
hardly fail to reach it in an hour; and
though there was good reason TO fear
that the vessel would be shattered upon
some reef or stranded upon shoa1 before
the solid ground was reached, these lads
did not even think of such a possibility,
but could see only welcome refuge at
last in the land that had so unexpectedly
greeted their eyes,
Soon the wind began blowing with in
creased fuzzy if that were possible, driving
the yacht madly on toward the shore. In
the background rose a cliff not over one
hundred and fifty or two hundred feet in
height, in front of which stretched a yell
low beach bordered on the right by
number of large trees which seemed to be
the outskirts of forest in the interior
All! if the 'Sloughi' could only reach
this sandy beach without encountering a
ledge of rock! if the mouth of river
would only disclose itself as a refuge, these
youthful travellers might perhaps escape
safe and sound after all.
Donovan, Gordon, and Moko remained
at the wheel, and Brian walked to the
bow to examine the shore they were so
rapidly nearing; but he looked in vain for
some spot where the yacht could effect
landing under more favorable conditions.
He could see no bay nor inlet, nor the
mouth OF any stream, and worst of all,
outside the beach was long line of jagged
rocks, whose dark heads were occasional
ly visible above the dashing waves, and
upon which heavy surf was necessarily
beating.
Brian decided that it would be advisable
to have all hands on deck at the critical
moment, which seemed to be fast ap-
preaching; so opening the door of the
companion-way he cried
Come up. everybody"
The dog rushed boisterously out, fol-
lowed by ten children, the smaller of
whom uttered cries of terror at the sight
of the waves, which seemed even more
formidable now that the water had be-
come comparatively shallow.
A few minutes before six in the morn
ing, the ''Sloughi'' reached the rock-bound
coast
Take care nowT' cried Brian, stripping
off some of his garments so as to be ready
to assist anyone who might be washed
overheard by the surf, for it seem almost
certain that the yacht was about to be
dashed to pieces upon the rocks.
Suddenly a shock was felt The
"Sloughi' had struck a rock; but though
her hull had been badly damaged, the
water had not yet forced its way through
the sheathng.
Lifted by a second wave the vessel was
carried about fifty feet forward without
even grazing the rocks, whose tops rose
above The water in hundreds of places
then heelng over on her larboard side she
remained fixed and motionless in the midst
of the boiling surf.
But though she was no longer in the
open sea, the vessel was still at least
quarter of mile from the beach.