Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-07-17
TWO YEARS VACATION.
BY JULES VERNE,
thor Of The Tour Of the World ~ -
Days" ~, 90 Leagues Under
tie Seas" Etc.
CHAPTER x.

TIoN OF A RAFT-Two NIGHTS on THh
RlyER-THE ARRIVAL AT THE FRENCH
CAVE.
The cordial welcome that awaited the
wanderers can be readily imagined. There
was an interchange of EXPLANATIONS of joy
and OF hearty Misunderstanding. Fan, too
took a prominent part in the ovation,
mngling excited banks with the noisy
hurrahs of the children.
Had they lost their way? Had they fall
en- into the hands of the natives? Had
they been attacked by wild beasts? These
were only a few Of the conjectures that
had been tormenting those left behind,
but, seeing their friends back again safe
and sound they we're content to wait I'M
til the next morning when they had re-
covered from their fatigue before ques
tioning them.
eve are on an island"
This was all Brian would say that
night, and this was enough and more
than enough to arouse the gloomiest fore
bodings, though Gordon heard the news
without evincing the slightest discourage
ment
At sunrise the next morning, Gordon,
Brian Donovan. Baxter Cross, Wilcox,
Service, Webb, and GGrDctt as well as
Noko, who usually proved an excellent
counselor, assembled on deck while the
younger boys were still sound asleep, and
Brian and Donovan gave full account Of
their explorations and discoveries, and az
they gazed at the map 50 miraculously
discovered, each member OF the little party
realized that help now could come only
from the outside world.
But though the future looked so gloomy
and though the young colOnists could look
for aid to God alone, the person least
daunted J. v this dreary outlook was Cor
don. The young American had no rela
tlyes awaiting his return in New Zealand.
ard to his practical and methodical mind
the work Of organizing a colony was not
without It's charms. IL even seemed tc
him an excellent opportunity for the exer.
else OF his natural talents, and he did not
hesitate to encourage his companions by
promising them n life of comparative
comfort IL they would only second him in
his efforts,
In the first place, ms this island was of
considerable size, it seemed almost certain
that IL would be represented on the map
II it was near the coast of South America;
but careful examination of the atlas
showed no island OF importance aside from
those composing the various arChipela-
goes; but if this island formed a part of
these archipclagocs which are separated
from the mainland only by narrow chan
nels, Francois Baudoin would certainly
have Indicated the fact upon his map;
consequently IL must he an isolated island
lying either north or south of the archi
peiagucs; but without some further in
formation and without the necessary in
struments IL was impossible to determine
its exact location.
Under such circumstances there was
nothing left for them to do but make them
selves rs comfortable as possible before
the coming of winter made n change OF
abode impructiCabIe.
1.-The best thing that we can do Is to
move our quarters to the cave we have dis
covered on the shore of the lake" said
Brian.
lis it. large enough to accommodate us
ALI" inquired BuXtcI.
NO, but think we can enlarge it by
hewiug out another hole in the cliif,' re-
piled Donovan I'VE have the necessary
tools
LET ms use it first az It is interposed
Gordon, even though we should he rath-
or crowded"
"And above nll let ~ get ourselves and
our stores there with as little delay rs pos
sible." added Brian.
The necessity was, indeed, urgent, for
as Gordon remarked, the schooner was be-
coming less aud less habitahle every day.
The recent rains which had been followed
a. ~, 80. .i'io
- 80 -" w., '''''
- ~ .',,,,,,,,,,, - .,.'.,i7
,t.,,t t ~. -.
,nt'.t, -, IN. ~, r,..,,,,,,,t,7
-. =, ,,..,.. ,,,I,.iy.,I,I, ,I,,rof,,ra
, - - -
u'' "n's w '"'''''''' '''' ''9'''' ""' ~ NO
hi"'iSn ier s5S'eil'a' .cal'S III oraer Io save
tn'HG 'u''o i''iHht "e ol uSe-'.il'oer
PlhhklhS' IRON anu eoPper-ln the nttlhY
up o. thr French cave, as they had decid
81 TO can ,helr new quarters.
Ana where shtll we i've nnth we car
go To the caEeP inquired Donovan.
'ln tcnt,' replied Gordon; "a tent we
will erect under the trees on the bank OF
the river
THAT is the best course to pursue" said
Brian land we must set about il mt once
The task they had in view would require
Mt least month OF hard work. so before
they would he able TO leave Sloughi Bay
ii would Ne the first of May, which CORE
spends with the early part of November IN
northern attitudes; that is to say, with the
beginning of winter
Gordon had shown his Usual good sense
In selecting the bank of the river for the
site of their new camp as the transporta-
tion would have to be effected by water
No other route would be as direct or as
easy. TO transport the remains of the
yacht through the forest or along the
river bank would be well-njgh impossl
bile task; but a raft would reach its dcst
nation without much difficulty if its crew
awaited themselves of the assistance of the
tide,
Tho days that Immediately followed
were spcut in preparing their camp on the
bank Of the river. The lower branches of
the hcechcs fastened by long spars TO the
branches of third, served us "A support
for the extra mainsau of the Yacht. which
-~a1nyd 10 the ground, where eaJl side
was securely fastened. Under this shelter
they placed their arms art ammunition,
their stock of provisions and Indispensable
utensils. As the raft was to be construct.
ell ont OF the timhers OF the yacht, it was
necessary 10 wait until its destruction was
complete before beginning that task.
They had no cause to complain of the
weather, for though occasionally rather
windy, il remained dry, and the work
could be prosecuted under very favorable