Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-10-23

oUrsIOE-KATE's CRY.
The following day after night during
which Moko acted rs sentinel Mt the
French Cave, the young colonists. fatiguet
by the excitement of the evening before
did not wake until much later than usual
Shortly after they left their beds the other
lads gathered in the store-roOm and pro
ceeded to discuss the situation.
Walston and his companion had now
| been on the island more than u fortnight
SO II their boat had not been repaired by
this time, it must certainly be because
| they lacked the necessary tools for the
work.
"rhis must certainly be the case" said
Donovan, ''tor the boat WAS not very bad.
ly damaged. II our vessel had Jared
| equally well we should have certainly
succeeded IN getting her in Il sea worthy
condition.
But though Wnlston had not left the Is.
laud IL was not likely that he had any in,
| tention Of taking up his abode there, as iD
| That case he would nave made some ex
| cursiOns into the interior, aud the FroncE
! Cave would certainly have received II visit
! from Fin.
AprOpoS OF this fact, Brian referred tC
! what he had seen during his stay in the
realms Of air, and expressed his belief that
| there must be land MOI very far TO the east
| OF them,
| "You remember that / saw n white
| speck u little way above the horizon on
my first trip 10 the mouth Of East River
he remarked.
"But Wilcox and I failed to discover
| anything Of the kind, though we tried our
best, " replied Donovan.
But MokO saw it as distinctly as did,"
answered Brian.
"You may be right Brian; but what
makes You think that we are near n con
Inent or a group of islandsp
Last night, as was gazing Mt the east.
ern horizon, saw light far beyond the
coast Of the isand-n light which think
could have come only from volcano in IA
state Of eruption; so | feel quite positive
that there Is land nearl Now, the crew Of
the Severn could hardly be ignorant OF
that fact, and would probably do their
best to reach it,"
Unquestionably," answered Baxter,
"What would they gain by remaining
heref Aud rs we are not we'll rid OF
them, It must be for the reason that they
have not been able to repair their boat"
The fact Brian had just communicated
TO his comrades was one Of great import
anCe, as II made them feel almost certain
that Chairman Island was not completely
Isolated ms they had formerly supposed.
The news that Walston was really en-
Camped near the mouth of East River was
also Of the most important and alarming
nature rs n short trip up this river would
bring him In sight Of the lake, and in all
probability eventually lead to the discov.
cry of the French Cave.
IL was therefore necessary TO take every
possible precauton to avert such a dan
ger. llenceforth, the young colOnistS
must extend their excursions only as far
MS absolute necessity required: at the same
time Baxter cOncealed the pAisade that
inClOsud their bHrn- yard with u covering
of branches a8 well as tho doors leading
into the kitchen and hall The boys were
also strictly forbidden from visiting the
part Of the island lying between the lake
aud Auckland Hill.
Other grave causes OF uneasncss also
presented Themselves about this time.
Costnr was seized by II fever that seriously
endangered his life; and Gordon was
Obliged to resort to the yachts medicine
fear Of committing some buudur For,
tunatcly Kntc did all that his mother could
have done for the child She nurscd him
day and might with the prudent ailcc ion
women generally exhibit under such cir.
cumstancoa, aud, thanks to her devotion,
the fever finally relaxed it's hold and con
ynlcSCcnCc ensupd.
Yes II Kate had not been there, who
A. II
the maternal tenderness with which this
excellent womau's heart was overlooking
was layshcd upon the younger members
of the Iittle colony
The early part of the month of Novcm-
Der was marked with frequent rains; but
by the 18th the barometer was slowly ris
ing and the warm weather set In, Trees
aud shrubs were soon covered with YER
dure and flowers, and the feathored deni-
2ens of the South Moor3 returned In great
numbers Whata grievance it was to
Donovan TO be unable to hunt in the
marshes, and how Wilcox pricved over
their inability to spread their seines across
the river
one day among some birds shared In the
immediate vicinity Of the French Cave,
Service found u swallow with a tiny bag
attached to its wing. Could it be that 1t
contained note addressed to the young
scamvn of the "Slought" Alas, no; the
messenger had returned without bringing
any response
Much of the boys time was now noces-
savily spent Ia the hnll; aud the daily jour.
nal, OF which Baxter had charge, CON
tanned few items of interest. Aud yet in
less than four months n third winter
would begin for the youthful colonists of
Chairman island, who were all becoming
greatly discouraged -that II, with the eN-
eepUion OF Gordon, who was still absorbed
In his executive duties, Briau too, was
beginning to lose all hope, though hc tried
hard not to show IT, aud still assured his
| companions chat they would certainly see
their homo and friends some day.
About two o'clock In tho afternoon OF
the 2lst of November Donovan WINS dsh-
\ N r