Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-09-18

The first week in the month of August
was marked by four days ot intense cold;
and 1t was with no little alarm that Brian
saw the mercury in their ceutlgrade thec
mometer fall to thirty degrees below zero,
The purity of the atmosphere was some
thing marvellous; and, rs ofteu happens
in these sudden fails Of temperature, not
a breath of wind WIS percepuble.
During this period one could not leave
the French Cave without being chilled to
the bone 50 the Younger boys were for
bidden to expose themselves to the outer
air even for an instant. Even the older
boys went out only when it was positive
ly necessary to replenish the fire in the
stable.
Fortunately, this cold snap lasted ouly
a short time. On the 9th of August the
wind veered around To the west and a ter
rife gale burst over the island. The
French Cave did not suffer however 1t
would have taken an earthquake to shake
its solid walls; and fierce gusts Of wind
that would have driven big ships high NJ
on the beach, or overturned substantial
stone editiceS, had no effect upon this pom
derouS cliff
AS for the many trees that were blow
down. that would be lust - much worN
saved when the lads found It necessary 10
renew their supply of fuel
These gales had the effect of modifying
the temperature very perceptibly; and the
latter part Of the month of August was
mild enough to make the resumption of
outdoor work feasible. at least all outdoor
work, eNcepl fishing, for the waters Of the
river and lake were still covered with Il
thick coating of ice; but frequent visits
were made to the Snares aud traps, and the
| cook had a supply OF fresh meat con
stantly on haud,
1t was under these circumstances that
the idea of giving his comrades a little
wholesome diversion in the shape of u
skating party occurred to Brian, Baxter
had succeeded in manufacturing several
pairs of tolerably good skates; and all the
boys being more OF less accustomed to this
sport, which is very popular in New Hea-
land they We're delighted at the prospect
of displaying their skill on the surface of
Family Lake. So, ON the 25th of August,
about eleven o'clock in the morning,
| Brian, Gordon, Donovan, Webb Cross,
Wilcox, Baxter, Garnett Service Jeuk-
ms, and Jack left the French Cave and
started in search Of a large, smooth ex-
panse of ice suited to the sport
Brian took with him an old Cornet that
had belonged TO one of the yachts crew,
thinking it might prove useful in case
that any of the party should become sep
! arated from the others. They We're obliged
to go two or three miles further up the
lake before they found suitable place
the ice in the immediate vicinity of the
French Cave being very rough.
1t is needless to say that Donovan and
Cross took their guns with them; bat
Brian and Gordon, who had very little
taste for that kind of sport, were unarped,
they having accompanied the party prin-
! cipally for the purpose of preventing any
imprudence The best skaters of the PARTY
were Donovan and Cross if we except
Jack, who 'eNCetied them both, not in
swiftness perhaps, but in the skill with
which he could trace all sorts of cOmpli-
Gated figures ON the ice.
Before giving the signal for the start,
Brian called all the boys together, and
| said
Il hardly need ask you to he prudent
and TO allow no desire to excel to lead You
into danger. Even if there is no likeli-
hood of the ice giving way, there is always
| danger of breaking leg or arm. Do not
90 out of sight; but in case you should for
get and stray too far, don't forget that
Gordon and are waiting for you here.
Remember, too, that you are to rejoin us
| without delay as soon as you hear me give
the signal on my horn"
After listening to these iujunctions the
skaters started out upon the lake; and
Fnlt !,
ing the skill they displayed: for though
there We're n few falls at first, these only
seemed to increase the merriment of the
party. Jack, in particular was perform
ing marvels; and the ease and skin with
which he described curves and circles ON
the ice delighted his brother, who was re-
joiCed to see him again taking part in his
companions amusements
1t is more thar likely that Donovan,
who was such an enthusiastic lover of all
sorts of athletic sports, felt some jealousy
of Jack, who was winning such hearty
applause from his comrades, for he soon
left the rest ofthe party, in spite of Brian s
counsels, and even bcckoned Cross to join
him.
There is IA flock of ducks over there to
the east Of us, Cross" he remarked DO
you see them"
Yes
"You have your gun; have mine. Let
us start off in pursuit of them
But Brian forbade it,
Don't talk To me about Brian. Let's be
or ana at the top OF our speed"
In the twinkling Of an eye Donovan
and Cross were half mile away in hot
pursuit of the ducks that were flying over
the lake.
Where are they goingw asked Brian,
In surprise
They must have seen some game over
thereP' replied Gordon; "and their love of
sport"
Say, rather, their love of disobedi-
encel' interrupted Brian. at is just like
Donovan"
do you really think there is any dan
CERT"
at is hard to tell. 1t is always impru-
dent to stray off from the others See
how far they have gone already" he add
ed; for so rapid had been their progress
that the boys already looked like two black
specks In the distance.
1t was quite likely that they would have
plenty Of time to return as daylight would
last several hours longer; still they had
been guilty Of a great imprudence, for at