Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-10-16

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slowly assembled into the air.
"Attentionr' cried Brian.
| 1--WE are ready" responded Donovan.
| "Gor
| The kite rose gradually, pitching about
q little as the breeze caught It. linen the
windlass began to reyolve under the ten.
! sion of the rope as the kite and its append.
age mounted slowly into space.
Though it was imprudent, perhaps, a
chorus of huZzas resOunded when the
| "Giant of the Air' left the ground, but
| almost Immediately it was lost to view In
the darkness to the great disappointment
| of Iverson, Jenkins, Dole, and Costar, who
had hoped not 10 lose sight Of it while 1t
hung suspended over Family Lake. The
kind-hearted Kate, however comforted
them by saying
Never mind, never mind my dear little
papooses, some other time when there is
no danger we will fly the kite in the day
time, and II you have been good they
may let you send up some little kites after
tn
Though the kite was no longer visible it
was pulling strongly and evenly, conclu-
sive proof that n steady breeze was blow.
ing in the upper realms o. air, and that
the kite itself was properly balanced.
Brian, desiring that the experiment
should be MS conclusive in its results as
circumstances would admit, let the rope
unroll to its entire length. He could
therefore judge Of the degree of tension,
which was not excessive. Twelve hun
dred feet of rope had been let out and the
kite had probably risen to height OF sew.
en- or eight hundred feet but the entire
Dnpruttnn had
ten minutes.
The experiment having proved success
full tho boys began to turn the handle OF
the winch to draw in the rope, and this
part OF the operation required much more
time than the first. not less than an hour
being required to draw in the twelve hun,
dred feet Of rope.
The lowering of an ordinary kite Is al
ways rather delicate operation II one
wishes to avoid any shock, but the breeze
was so steady that even this proceeding
was an entire success, and the huge thing
was soon landed gently on the ground al
most at the very point from which it
started, and enthusiastic shouts sauted it
on its return as well rs its departure.
Baxter and Wilcox offered to watch over
the monster until daybrcak to prevent any
possibility of its being carried off by the
wind, and the other members of the party
were only awaiting Brian order to return
to the cave.
But Brian seemed to be too deeply ab,
sorbed in thought to utter a word. OF
what was he thinking? Was 1t of the dan.
gers attending an ascension under such
peculiar circumstances Was he thinking
of the responsibility he was assuming in
allowing one of his comrades to thus en-.
danger his lle2
Let us 90 back to the cave" said Cor.
don, at last. ut Is getting late. -
zone moment" exclaimed Brian Cor.
don, Donovan, wait a minute, | have a
proposal to make"
"Out with it, responded Donovan.
ave have just tried our Kite, >" continued
Brian, "and the experiment has proved
suCcPs Slul because the circumstances have
been emincntIy favorable, the wind being
steady. and neither too strong nor too
weak. We cannot count upon the same
weather tomorrow, nor can we be sure
that the wind will bc strong enough to
raise the kite, SO it seems to me advisable
not to postpone the operation"
Though the Justice OF this conclusion
was apparent, no one made any reply; but
such hesitation was only natural even on
the part Of The most intrepid when the
critical moment arrived. And yet when
Brian said
"Who will go" it was Jack who prompt
ly, almost eagerly, answered:
81 will"
NO. no; will, willp' cried Donovan,
Wilcox, Cross, Baxter, and Service, al
most simultaneously.
Then there was n moments silence
which Brian seemed in no haste to break.
It was again Jack who was the first to
speak.
Brother, nm the one who ought to
go. Yes, l. | brararh Won to let me go"
"And why does it devoNe .Hon you
rather than upon me or anyone elseF
asked Donovan.
yes, Why" insisted Baxter
"BcCause IL is n debt owe to you ALL"
responded Jack.
"A debt you owe to us?" repeated Cor
don.
eyes"
Gordon had seized Brlan's hand as II to
ask him what Jack could mean, and he
felt the hand tremble in his. Indeed, but
for the darkness of the night he would
have seen his comrades cheeks grow pale
and the lids droop over his moist eyes.
"Wcll, brothcrl' exclaimed Jack, In
resolute tone surprising in n child of his
JS0sr"
ANSWER me- Brian" exclaimed Dono-
van. Jack says thatit is his duty to risk
his life for us. Is It not rs much our duty
ms hisS What has he done that he should
claim this ~ his rightY
"What have done2" exclaimed Jack;
"what have doneY | will tell YOU"
Jack" cried Brian, rs il anxious to pre-
vent his brother from speaking.
"No, no; let me confess alllH exclaimed
Jack. In voice broken with emotion.
"rhe burden is too heavy to be Dome.
Gordon-Donovan-l-l aloTo am the
cause of your being here, FIR from your
home aud friends. The 'Sloughi' was car
ried ont to sea because |, thoughuessly-
no, not thoughtlcssly, but merely for
Joke, loosoued the ropes that fastened her
to the wharf. And when saw the yacht
drifting away, lost my head entirely. |
did not call you rs might have done be-
fore IL was too late, and an hour after
ward. IN the middle of the night we were
In the open sea. Oh, forgive me, my COM