Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-10-09

Kate rose to her feet.
Evans is over there with Cope and
Rock" replied Walston, He will have
to accompany us whether he wants to or
not: if he refuses, I'll find way to make
him listen to reason"
What has become of Kate" inquired
Forbes. do you think she succeeded in
Getting to land'"
"Kate3" replied Walston. "Oh, we've
nothing more to fear from her. I saw a
wave wash her overheard just before the
boat struck upon the rock. She went to
the bottom long ago"
Its good thing, after ALL" was the
heartless response. she knew too much
about u.s."
She wouldn't have known long" snarl-
ed Watson, in a tone that dispelled all
doubts in regard to his intentions.
In few minutes, and while the tempest
was still raging, Walston and his com.
panions departed, supporting Forbes and
Pike, whose lettering limbs would not
sustain them unaided. and taking with
them the scanty stock of provisions that
remaned-fve or six pounds of salt meat,
little tobacco, and two or three bottles
Of gin.
AS soon rs they were well out of the
way, Kate rose to her feet; and it was
time, for the tide was now coming in, and
she would soon have been swept out to sea.
The reason why Donovan, Wilcox,
Webb, and Cross found the spot deserted
when they returned to bury the dead is
now apparent. Walston and his party
had proceeded eastward. and Kate, taking
the opposite direction, was uuconsciously
vending her way toward the south end OF
Family Lake.
She reached that point on the afternoon
of the 10th nearly exhausted with hunger
and fatigue, little wild fruit being the
only nourishment she had partaken OF,
and after walking all that night and all
the next morning, she at last fell half dead
beneath the tree where Brian subsequent
ly found her.
The disclosures made by Kate were GER
tainly of a most important nature. Seven
unprincipled men, capable of any crime,
had gained n foothold upon this island,
where the young Colonists had lived in
complete security up to the present time.
If they discovered the French Den would
they hesitate to make an attack upon itf
UnQueStionably not. They would have
too great an interest in securing posses
sion of the provisions and weapons it con
tanned. and especially of the tools, without
which they would be unable to repair
their boat for use and in case of an at.
tack, how could Brian and his comrades,
the oldest of whom was only about fifteen
years OF age, and the youngest barely ten,
hope to offer any etfectual resistance?
h, g 81 l.
ened to Hates story may be cas- ly tplag
incd.
Brian's first thought, however, was chat
If the future really had any such dangers
in store for them Donovan, Wilcox, Webb
and Cross would be the first sufferers, for
how could they be on their guard, ignor-
ant as they must be of the presence of
the "Severn's' crew on that very part Of
the island which they were now expIoring'
Would not the firing of a single shot suf-
fee to reveal their whereabouts to Wal
ston and betrav them into the hands of
scoundrels who would show them no
mercy?
"Some one must 90 to them" said
Brian. They must be warned immedi-
Rtely."
And brought back to the cave added
Gordon. at is even more important now
that we should be together, in order that
we may be prepared for an attack from
those villRiusr'
ayes; and as it is necessary for our com
rades to return, am sure that they will
do so. ! am going for them"
You, Brian"
"Yes, Gordon"
"But howP"
81 Shall 80 in the yawl with Moko. Wa
can cross the lake and descend the river
rs we did before; and we shall be almost
certain to flnd Donovan at the mouth Of
the stream"
when do you intend to starti"
"This evening, rs soon as it becomes
dark enough for US to cross the lake with.
out being SEEN"
Cant 60 with You, brother" asked
Jack. umidly
mo: for we must all return in the yawl,
and there will be barely room for six of us
in that boatw
1t really seemed to be the best plan pos.
sible under the circumstances, not only
for the absent ones, but for the rest of the
little colony; and they had no time to lose
II they all wished to be at the French Cave
within twenty-four hours.
All idea of raising the kite was Of course
abandoned. 1t would be he height of i'm.
prudence now. 1t was not the crews OF
passing ships that would be appraised OF
the presence Of the youthful colonists. but
Walston and his accomplices. Indeed,
Brian even thought it would be advisable
to take down the signal they had erected
on the summit OF Auckland Hill.
They all remained close prisoners In the
cave until evening. Kate listened with
great interest to the story Of their adyen'
lures; and it was evident that this excel.
lent woman would be a great help and
comfort TO them If they should remain to-
gether upon the island.
Already, too, in memory OF his favorite
romance, Service had proposed to call her
Friday-as Robinson Crusoe called his
companion Of inperishabIe memory-as It
was also on Friday that Kate first came
70 the French Cave
BY eight o'clock all the preparations for
departure were completed. Moo, whose
affection end admiration for Brian were
bOundleas, WAS delighted at the prospect
Of accompanying him on this expedition: