Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-10-09

y kthtAN'A tAAN NNtAtANSs
The strong wind which was blowing at
the time being favorable, the first siN
miles Of their Journey was traverSed in
something less than two hours; and by
careful steering they managed TO reach
very nearly the same spot where they had
landed on their first excursion. They
were next obliged to grope their way, aS ii
were, along the bank of the lake until they
came To the narrow channel through which
the waters of the lake flowed into the river
This took some time, for the wind having
now subsidized they were obliged to depend
upon their oars. As they advanced SLOW ly
but steadily everything seemed peaceful
and quiet under the overhauEiuG trees
that bordered the stream. No sound
broke the stiffness that reiCued in the for
est, no suspicious fire illumined the masses
OF verdure.
But about half past ten o'clock Brian,
who was sitting in the stern of the boat,
suddenly seized Moko by the arm. A few
hundred feet from the river, on the right
bank the dim light Of halt-eNtiuGuShed
fire was wcirdly Pickering. Who could be
camping there? Was it WalStou'S party,
or DonovauS? They must know before
they proceeded any further dowa the
stream.
Put mo ashore, Moko," said Brian.
Cant 20 with you, Master Bviau''
asked Moko. eagerly.
No; had better go alone, There will
be less danger of being seem"
4 few strokes of the oars brought the
boat to the shore, and Brian, having told
Moko to wait for him, sprang out Tie
had his cutlaSs in his hand, and in his belt
a revolver, which he had resolved to use
only rs last resort, so fearful was he of
giving IN alarm.
The courageous boy was stealing softly
along under the trees on his way toward
the campfire. when suddenly he taucied
he saw a large dark object moving stealth.
lily among the bushes, He paused, and
almost at the same instant fierce howl
reSounded and the dark mass bounded
forward.
1t was an enormous JuTuHr, amt rs he
landed upon the ground after his spring,
there rang out a cry of "liclpI help9'
Brian recognized Douovan's voice; and
be, in fact, was the speaker His compaE'
ions had remained at their camp. Hurled
to the ground by the jaEuw, he was
struggling irauiCaliy, but from his pc
sition he was unable to make use of his
weapons.
Wilcox, aroused from sleep by his
friends cry, ran up with his gun lifted
ready to fire.
Don't fret don't fret" cried Brian.
And before Wilcox had time to recOg'
nizc him, Brian rushed toward the animal
who suddenly turned aud made spring
at Brian, thus giving Donovan an oppor
tunity to get upon his feet
Fortunately, Brian managed to sprjne
to one side, but not until after he had dealt
the jaguar n powerful blow with his cut
lass. 1t was done so quickly that neither
Donovan nor Wilcox had time to attack
the animal, which fell mortality wounded
just as Webb and Cross rushed to Dono
vans assistance; but the victory came very
near costing Brian dear, for his shoulder
was bleeding profusely from wound in
tlicted by one of the jaguar's claws.
How do you happen to be here" cried
Wilcox.
81 will explain later" replied Brian
"Come with me now-Come at oncer'
Not until after | have thanked you
Brian" said Donovan, with evident emo
ton. "YOu saved my life"
81 did only what you would have done
under the same circumstances, answered
Brian. Say no more about it, but follow
me-"
But though Briau's wound was not of ,
very serious nature, it became necessary
to bandagc it tightly with n handkerchief
Il IA,
brave lad gave his comrades a brief nc
count of the situation.
So the men whom Donovan had sup
posed carried out to sea by the rising tide
were living and now wandering about thu
island. They were maIefactors whose
hands were stained with innocent blood
A. woman had been shipwrecked will
them, and this woman was in the French
Cave. The young Colonists' days of peace
aud security were over. Brian had called
out to Wilcox not to fire at the jaguar
for fear that the shot would be heard.
"Ah, Brian, you are thousand times
better than ami" exclaimed Donovan, il
transport of gratitude that quite over
came his usual haughtiness.
mo, Donovan; no, my friend" replied
Brian; land now have once got hold Of
your hand, | will not release it until you
have promised to accompany me back"
Yes, Brian, yes" replied Donovan
you can rely upon me. After this, will
be the first to obey you. Tomorrow, al
daybreak, we will start"
mo; we must start at once, so we car
reach the cave without being seen, II that
be possible"
but how"
smoke is here. He is waiting for us IN
the yawl. We were just starting down
the river when saw the light from YOU
fire"
"And you got here Just in time to save
me-" murmured Donovan.
And to take you back with me to the
French Cave" added Brian.
The reason that Donovan and his com
panions happened to be encamped Mt this
place, instead OF at the mouth of East
River, can be explained in few words.
They had returned to Bear Rock on the
evening OF the 18th, and the next morning
they started up the left bank Of the East
River, reaching the lake about nightfaIl
Here they camped with the intention Of
resuming their journey to the French
Cave early the next morning.
Brian and his comrades were soon seat
ed in the yawl, and as it was rather small
for six passengers It was necessary &c
handle it very cautiously; but the breeze