Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-11-20


not lacking, for the remains ot the
'SlouShiSN huh Furnished all the ucedtu
timberS, bolts and plSu&S while the old
oa&um they had saved, rehoiled in tar en-
aoled them to make their new craft per
fectly tight.
\ deck covered about half OF the boat
thus ahoriinS a shelter in case Of stormy
weather which was scare Wy TO be feared
at this season OF the year however, and
in pleasant weather the paSSonycrs coult
sit under it or upon it rs they pleased.
Ont Of the extra canvas brought from
the yacht Evans rugged the boat sloor
fashion, with a spaukcr, tuNSajl and jib
supplemented by a triangular sail on
shorter mast at the stern, thus rendering
the craft more steady and better able t.
catch the breeze from as, quarter
These repairs, which occupied about
thirty days, were not completed until the
Sth of January.
IL is needless to say that Evaus had con
Quoted them with the greatest care, ~ the
boat might be Obliged to make u voyag,
of several hundred miles through the
channels OF the Straits OF Magellan, and
possibly rs far as the maritime station OF
Puuta Arena, on the eastern coast OF the
peninsula of Brunswick,
In the meantime Christmas as well rs
the first day of this year, lSt9-the last
the Young colonists expected to spend on
Chairman lsland-had been appropriately
observed.
BY this time Douovau's Couvalescenc,
was sufficiently advanced tor him TO I've
able to walk about a little out-ot.doors
though he was sttll quite weak; but the
open air and the moro substantial diet
now allowed him soon began to increase
his strength. His comrades, however,
were resolved not to leave the island I'M,
til he was able to endure u voyage of sew.
eral weeks without any danger of re,
lapse
The last week of January was devoted
to the selection of the cargo, Brian and
the other boys would gladly have taken
away with them all they had saved from
the "Sloughi." but this being impossible
judicious selection must be made. The
first thing selected was the money which
had been taken from the yacht and which
might be of great service to the young
colonists in defraying the expenses of q
return passage Moko selected a store %
cooked provisions that would not only suf
flee for the needs OF seventeen passengers
on voyage of probably three weeks but
also In case some accident should occur
that would oblige them to land on one OF
the islands OF the archipelago before
reaching punta Arena, Port Gallant, OF
Port lamar.
The little ammunition and the guns
and rcvolvers that remained were placed
| In the boats locker. Donovan even beg
ged that the small cannon that had be
| louged TO the "Sloughin should not be left
behind.
Brian selected an ample supply OF cloth
! Ing, many Of the books, the most indis'
pensable cooking utensils, the necessary
nautical instruments, such as the yachts
| chronOmeter and compass marine glasses
| lanterns and ropes, not forgetting the
| Halllctt boat; while Wilcox made care
| full and judiUious selection from their
| stock OF fishing tackle and Gordon gave
his attention to securing and storing an
abundant supply of fresh water.
Each article was in its place ON the third
day of February, and there was nothing
left to do but fix the day Of departure, for
Donovan was now sufficiently improved
IN health to bear the voyage with safety.
|
appetite having returned, the only danger
! was Tint he would cAt too much.
! LET MS start-let rs start, immediate
! lyr' he cried 81 long TO be on the way" "
! The 5th of February was accordingly ap
pointed Tor their departure.
The evening before Gordon released the
! llanus aud yicuuns as well rs the turkeys
and fowl of divers kinds which they had
| collected, aud they were no sooner set free
than inry all fled rs fast rs their wings or
legs could carry them,
| "lugratcful creatures TO run away in
that fashion after all the care we have
lavishcd upon theml' cried Garnctt
IT'S the way Of the world replied Ser
vice, in such philosophical tones that .
| general laugh was excited.
The next morning the youthful passeu
gers embarked IN the sloop which was tc
tow the yawl, IN which most Of the stores
| had been packed, in It's wake.
Donovan was seated In the stern beside
| Evans, who was to steer Brian and Mokc
| took their places near the bow, they hav
! Ing volunteered to handle the snIls, though
in the trip down the Zealand River they
| had decided to depend on the current in
stead Of on the wind. that being very an
! certain on account OF the clilf. The others
| seated themselves to suit their fancy.
Three cheers were Justify given for the
hospitable cave which had sheltered the
young cOlonists for so many months, and
IL was not without emotion that they SAW
the Auckland Hills disappear behind the
trees on the bank.
In descending the river the slOOp could
move no more swiftly than the current
which was not very rapid, besides, on
reaching the bog Evans felt Obliged 10 an
Choir, the water at this point being so shal
low that there was great danger Of the
heavily laden boat getting aground, so II
would be better 10 wait for high tide and
then make a fresh start as II began 20 re.
cede.
The halt lasted about six hours. and
eaOng tne rIgnJ UanK OF the stream. That
shot might truly be said 10 have made him
"A well man.
IL was long after dark when they reach.
ed the mouth Of the river, 50 Evans, being
prudent man, decided ~ wait until the
morrow before putting ont 10 sen.
The night proved a quiet and peaceful
one. The wind died ont entirely after
~ al