Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-05-29
prevent US from doing what we please,

prevent US from doing what we please, /
tell you''
But tell you that l will, Donovan"
The two youths were evidently on the
point of laying violent hands on each 9TH
err. Wilcox, Webb, and Cross would nat
urally side with Donovan, while Baxter,
Service. and Garnett were likely to espouse
Brian's cause. The consequences threat
ened to become serious when Gordon in.
terfered He. being older and more self
possessed, realized how deplorable sucl a
precedent as this would be, and aad the
good sense to interfere in Brian's behalf.
Come, come, you must have a little
patience. Donovan he said, gOOd-humor-
edly You must surely see that the wave,
are too heavy yet, and that we should run
u great risk of losing our yawl"
But am tired of having Brian order
Us about. as he has been doing for some
time past: and | don't intend to stand il
any longer!'' cried Donovan, vehemently.
''Nor /! nor T." exclaimed Cross and
Webb.
Il claim no right to issue orders to any
one" replied Brian; but certainly shall
not allow anyone else TO do so when the
lives of all of US are at stake"
I'VE have as much at stake as you have"
1tiOTleu DouONdhs duu HoH We art I'll
land again"
But we are not yet on land, unfortun-
ately," replied Gordon. Donovan, don't
be so obstinate. Let US wait for fayora-
bic opportunity to use the yawl."
Gordon fortunately succeeded in his role
of peace maker between Brian and Dono-
van as had happened more than once al
ready, and his comrades finally concluded
to be guided By his advice.
The tide had now fallen about two feet,
aud Brian. feeling that it would be we'll
to gain more accurate knowledge of the
coast climbed the foremost and proceeded
to examine 1.-THE cOaSt-carefully with
the aid of his glass. There seemed to be
an opening through the reef, marked on
either side by jagged rocks; and if they at
tempted to reach the shore in the yawl ii
would be advisable to follow this channel,
but at the present time the water YVES still
too turbulent and the boat was sure to be
dashed against some rock
After spending nearly half hour in
careful scrutiny of the shore which showed
no signs of being inhabited, Brian descend
ed from his lofty perch and proceeded to
make known the result of his observations
TO his comrades. Though Donovan. VIII
cox, Webb and Cross pretended not to
listen. it was very different with Gordon
who paid the closest attention, and finally
asked
at was about six O'Clock when the
"Sloughi" got aground, wasn't it, Brian!"
Yes"
'And when will it be low tidei'
about eleven O'Clock"
"Then that will be the most favorable
mr. fp "a
and we had better prepare for it by taking
a little nourishment If we are obliged to
swim for the shore we must not do it too
soon after eating"
piece Of excellent advice which might
have been expected from this prudent
youth They proceeded therefore to par
take of a light breakfast consisting of jam
and crackers. Brian, however, devoted
himself principally to watching over the
little boys, for Jenkins, IversOn, Dole, and
Costar, with the light-heartedness peculiar
10 their years, were beginning to feel com
pleteIy treasured, and would perhaps have
INDUCED too heartily as they had eaten
nothing for twenty four hours"
The repast concluded, Brian returned
to the bow where, leaning over the yes
sells side, he again began to gaze at the
reef
How slowly the water subsidized Thai it
was subsldng was apparent however, III
as much as the Obliquity of the yachts po-
stiOn was becoming more and more
marked MOko, having lowered the sound
ing-line found that the water was still at
least eight feet in depth. This being the
case, he did not think il at all likely that
the water would rcCcdc enough to enable
the party to wade ashore, and he felt it
his duty to say as much to Brian, though
he did it secretly in order not to brighten
any one.
Brian held n whispered consultation
with Gordon on the subject, and both of
them understood perfectly that the high
wind, though it had now yeered round to
the north, would prevent the water from
subsidng us much rs usual.
what are we to do?" asked Gordon.
81 do not know do not know" replied
Brian. "EIow unfortunate it is not to be
able to decide-to he only II child when
! one ought 90 be a maup
Necessity must be our teacher" replied
Gordon. Don't despair, Brian, but let us
act with prudence"
Yes, but we must act If we have not
| left the yacht before the next turn of the
tide-if we should be obliged to spend an
! other night on board-we are lost"
"Ehat is only too evident, as the yacht
is sure to go to pieces; 50 we must leave
her ut any cost"
! yes, at any cost, Gordon"
Would it not be advisable to build
| sort of raft"
81 did think of that, but unfortunately
| almost everything that we could use for
| such purpose was washed away during
! the tempest. The yawl remains. but we
| may not be able to use that on account of
! the heavy sea The best thing we can do,
| perhaps, is to get II rope across the reef
| and fasten it securely to a rock on shore.
! We may then be able to tow the yacht to
| the shore"
'Who will take the rope ashore?"
Il will responded Brian, promptly
! 81 will help you"
| "No; shall go alone"
! "Will you use the yawl?"
"There would be too much danger of
! losing it, Gordon. We had better reserve
! that as a last resource"
| Before carrying this dangerous project
! into execution. however, Brian resolved
! to take one useful precautiOn. There were
several life preservers on board, and he
| ordered the smaller children to put them
pt lbI III GtiSe luSN SiOulNl bG
! obliged to leave the yacht while the water
was still too deep for them to gain foot
! ing, these life-preserverS would keep them
| ahoat and the older boys could then push
| them toward the shore steadying them
! selves meanwhile by means of the rope.
| 1t was now quarter past ten o'clock. In
| three quarters of an hour the tide would
| be at its lowest. At the yachts bow the
| water did not appear to be more than four
| Or five feet in depth, but it did not seem
| likely to subside more than few inches.
| About sixty yards further on, it is true,
! the water was much more shallow, as was
| apparent from its darker hue and the
! rocks that projected above its surface.
! The greatest difficulty, consequently, con
| sisted in crossing the deep water a short
! distance ahead of the yacht; still. if Brian
| could succeed in stretching his rope and
| fastening it firmly to one Of the rocks, this
| rope would enable them 10 reach the shore
| in safety. and perhaps even enable them
! TO transport a stock Of provisions and in
| diSpensahle articles sa.J!y to land
| Though the attempt would be fraught
/ with considerable danger, Brian was firm
! ly resolved to intrust it TO no one but HIM
/ self, and proceeded to make his arrange