Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-06-19

\ piece OF meat and Il few draughts from
his flask appeased his hunger and thirst,
while his brief halt afforded him time for
reflection. Alone and far from his com.
rades he endeayored to review the situa-
ton calmly, and to decide upon the course
best calculated TO insure the safety and
welfare of all. The stand Donovan and
several others y ere taking caused him
considerable anxiety, not on his own &C
count, but because he foreSaw that it mi ght
be the cause of q very unfortunate division
in tie party, though he resolved to strenu-
ously oppose any act that seemed likely to
endanger the safety Of his companions
Then he thought of his brother Jack. who
was also causing him considerable anxiety.
1t seemed to him chat the lad was con.
cealing some fault that he had commit
ted-probabiy prior to his departure
and he resolved TO insist so strongly upon
au explanation on this subject that Jack
would be obliged to give him a satisfac-
tory reply.
Brian rested for nearly an hour in order
to fully recover his strength, then began
the ascent.
Situated Mt the extreme end of the bay,
this promontOry, which terminated in
sharp point, was of very peculiar geo
logical formation, apparently a crystalli-
cation of igneous origin made by the action
of volcanic forces. The huge pile of rock
that formed the end of this promontory
was not really connected with il, though
it had that appearance from a distance;
besides, it differed widely from it i'll it's
nature, being entirely of granite. instead
of calcareous qualifications similar to
hose that border the English channel
Brian also observed that il was separated
from the cliff by narrow raft, and that
beyond, the beach extended northward as
far as the eye could reach.
The ascent was quite difficult, it being
necessary for Brian to drag himself up
from rock to rock, while the rocks were so
large that it was often almost impossible
for him to reach the upper edge. But as
he belonged to that class of children who
may properly be called Misunderstanding
clways eyinced a strong taste for that
amusement, and having acquired remark
able boldness, suppleness. and agility in
it, exercise-he finally reached the sum-
mil, though not without more than one
fall that might have proved fatal
Lifting his glass to his eyes, Brian gazed
eagerly toward the east As far as the
eye could reach the country was fiat The
cliff and its plateau sloped gradually to-
ward the interior. Beyond, there were a
few slight eminences, but not enough to
Sensibly modify the aspect Of the country,
which was covered with forests that con-
cealed the course of the rivers which must
be flowing seward The surface was
level as far as the horizon, distance,
probably, of about twelve miles. so il was
impossible to see whether the sea washed
the land upon that side: hence to ascertain
whether this was indeed a continent u an
island it would be necessary to make a
more extended exploration III an easterly
direction.
Toward the north, too. the coast-line
extended in straight line for seven OF
eight miles; then. beyond another long
narrow cape 1t again receded, outlining an
immense sandy beach that gave one the
impression of vast desert.
Southwark, beyond the cape at the other
end of the bay, the coast ran from north
east to southwest, bordering huge marsh
which contrasted strikingiy with the
desert wastes TO the north.
Was this an island or a continents
Brian was utterly unable to say. At all
events, if it was an island, it was very
large one
Turning his face westward. where the
sea Eliltered with dazzling brightness be.
meath the oblique rays of the sun, which
was now slowly descending toward the
horizon, he raised his glass TO his eyes and
eagerly surveyed the wItery eXpause.
'Shjpst" he exclaimed. Some ships are
passingg' For three black specks were
indeed visible on the surface of the spark
ling water at distance of certainly not
less than fifteen miles.
What excitement seized Brians Was he
the victim of an illusion or were there
really three vessels in sights
He lowered his glass, and after wiping
it carefully, looked again.
The three black specks really seemed to
be ships whose hulls Were only visible; but
it was impossible to determine their ma
ture, though the absence of smoke indi-
Gated that they were not steamers.
Instantly the thought occurred TO Brian
that even IL these were ships they were
too far off for any signal to be noticed.
and as it was scarcely probable that his
comrades had seen the vessels. the best