Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-06-12
4 TWO YEARS VACA TON.
BY JULES VERNE.
Author of "I'he Tour Of the World In 50
Days" $50, 900 Leagues Under
the Seas" Etc.

In about ten minutes the lads had trav.
ersed the wood, which increased in density
as they neared the rocky cliff which rose
abruptly to height of nearly two hun
dred feet Might there not be at the base
of this cliff some opening in which they
might find shelter until a more careful ex.
animation of the region would enable
them to venture into the interior with
safety? a cave here, protected by the for
est from the sea-winds and beyond the
reach of the waves even in the widest
storms, would have been blessing in
deed; but, unfortunately, in this steep wall
of rock Brian and Gordon could discover
no cave, nor even any crevices by which
they could succeed in climbing TO the
brow of the cliff. Consequently to reach
the interior they would probably be
obliged to make their way around the base
of the promOntory which Brian had prev
iously noticed.
Both lads next proceeded in a southerly
direction along the base of the cliff for
about half an hour This brought them
to the right bank of the winding river.
Though this bank was shaded by beauti
full trees, the other skirted a country OF
entirely different aspect, perfectly fiat and
tnliTGlS destitute Ol FtIuu
Disappointed in their expectation of
reaching the summit of the cliff, from
which they would doubtless have been
able to survey quite large area of coun-
try Brian and Gordon returned to the
yacht.
Donovan and some of the other boys
were strolling around among the rocks,
while Iyerson. Jenkins, Dole, and Costar
were amusing themselves by picking up
shells.
Brian and Gordon made known the re-
suit of their exploring expeditions: and it
was decided that it would not be advisable
to abandon the schooner for the present.
Though its keel was badly shattered, and
it was by no means in an upright position,
it would serve as a temporary refuge from
the inclement weather in spite of the dam
age it had sustained. AS for the cooks
galley, that had not been injured in the
least-a fact which afforded the younger
members of the party great satisfaction
they being particularly interested in the
matter u cuisine.
It was really fortunate that these lads
had not been compelled to remove their
stores from the vessel. Even admitting
that they had been successful in their at
tempt, the work would have been attended
by terrible fatigue. Had the schooner re-
manned on the reef there would have been
little chance Of saving these necessarieS OF
life; besides, the sea would soon have de-
molished the yacht. Fortunately the I'M
usually high tide had carried the Slough"
safely over the reefs and landed her high
and dry upon the beach, and though she
was no longer in navgable condition,
she was at least habitable. 1t was likely
that under the united action of the sun
and rain she would eventually become SO
diapidated as to afford but inadequate
shelter, but before that time came the
boys might be able to reach some village,
or if the island proved to be uninhabited,
discover some cave in the rocks near the
coast.
For the present ut least it was advisable
to make the yacht their dwelIing-pIace. so
a rope ladder was placed on the starboard
side, by means of which even the smaller
children could easily reach the deck.
Moko, who knew something about cook
ing, set about preparing II repast. assisted
by Service. Every one ate heartily, and
even Jenkins, !verson, Dole and Costar