Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-06-19
BY JULES VERNE,
author 81 The Tour Of the World In 90
Days." ~, 900 Leaqites Under
the Seas Etc.

promOntory that rose almost perpendlcu-
larry from the sea on the side next the
yacht, but which seemed to make much
more gradual descent on the opposite side.
The distance between the yacht and this
promontOry did not exceed seven or eight
miles following the curve of the beach,
while in a straight line it was barely five
and Gordon was not far from right in es
timating it's height at fully three hundred
feet.
Whether this height was sufficient to
give one an extended view Of the sur
rounding country was doubtful, of course
but il would at least enable one to see
what beyond the cape: that is to say,
whether the coast extended nOrtnward or
whether the ocean washed the other side
of the prOmontOry.
1t was therefore decided that this project
should be carried into immediate execu
ton; for though Donovan saw no great use
In it, doubtless because the idea had orig
mated with Brian and not with himself,
it was nevertheless sure to produce excel
lent results. At the same time they had
decided. and fully decided, that the
"SlOughi'' should not be abandoned sc
long as they were unable to determine
whether or not the vessel had been strand
Ell upon the shores Of continental con
tinent which could be no other than South
America.
1t was necessary to postpone the excur.
sion for several days, however, for the
weather had again become foggy, and
fine rain fell most of the time. The time
was not lost, however, but devoted to jobs
of divers kinds Brian devoted his atten.
ton chiefly 10 the younger children, whom
he was anxious to make as comfortable az
circumstances would permit. so as the
weather already showed a tendency to be.
come much cooler, he set to work to pro
vide his proteges with warmer clothing.
made from the garments found in the sail
or's lockers, task in which he was ably
assisted by Mo5o, who showed himself to
be quite an expert with the needle.
Meanwhile the others were not idle.
Under the escort of Garnett or Baxter,
they often went out to gather shell-hsh at
low tide or to fish in the river; and thus
engaged in work that pleased and amused
them, they troubled themselves very little
about the gravity of their situation. The
thought of their anxious parents of course
saddeued them, as we'll rs their older com.
rades; but the idea that they might never
see those parents again never once occ
cured To them.
AS for Gordon and Brian they rarely left
the yacht: and Service, who spent most
Of his time with them. proved to be not
only an agreeable but very useful com.
pauon.
And Jaczf Well, though Jack assisted
his brother whenever he was called upon,
he scarcely answered the questions adj
dressed to him, and hastily avertcd his
eyes whenever any one looked him in the
face.
Brian did not allow himself to be seri-
iousIy disturbed by this change in his
brother Being more than fUTr years his
senior, he had always exerted a great in.
huence over him; but ever since the sail
ing of the schooner Brian could not blind
himself to the fact that Jack appeared
very much like child who was suffering
keculy from remorse. Had he been guilty
Of some grave oneuse-an ofT,rse which
he dared not confess, even to his brother?
This much is Certain-his red and swollen
eyes more than once testified that he had
been weeping.
Brian finally began to wonder if Jacks
health was not seriously affected. And if
fhe child shuuld fall i'll, what care and at
| tentiun would they be able to give him3
1t was this thought that led him to Ques-
ton his brother about his feelings; but he
| could obtain no other answer than
NO, no. there's nothing the matter with
me"
During the time that elapsed between
the 1Ith and the 18th of March, Donovan,
Wilcox, Webb and Cross devoted them
selves almost entirely to hunting, holding
themselves quite aloof from the others, rs
Gordon perceived, not without conSidera-
BILE anxiety; SO whenever an opportunity
presented itself, he tried to act as a medi-
ator between the two rival factions, and
impress the necessity of harmony upon
them; but Donovan, in particular, met
these advances with such marked GOODNESS
that the would-be peacc-maker did not
think it advisable to insist further though
he did not wholly despair of destroying
the seeds Of discord, especially as coming
events might prove far more potent than
his strongest arguments.
During the foggy days which rendered
the intended excursion to the Their end of
the bay impracticable, the hunting expe-
ditions proved exceedingly fortunate.
Donovan, a passionate lover of all manly
sports, was especially skillful in the hand
ing of rifle and proud. perhaps little
too proud, of his skill; he felt only disdain
for all other implements of the chase such
rs traps and snares, to which Wilcox gave
the preference; though in the circum.
stances in which his comrades found them
selves, it is probable that Wilcox would
he of much greater service to them than
Donovan could possibly be. As for Webb,
he was a fair shot, but could not pretend
TO equal Donovan: while Cross had none
of the sacred fire, and cOnteEted himself
with appiauding his Cousins prOwess. II
would he very unjust however, not e
make mention of the hound Fan, who dis
tiuguished herself in these expeditions.
and who did not hesitate to jump into the
waves to capture any game that fell out.
side of the reef.
1t must be admitted, however, that
among the numerous trophies of the chase
| We're many birds of which Moko could
| make no use whatever, such us cormor
| ants, guls, and grebe; but the young
| hunters shot many pigeons, geese, and
| wild ducks, whose flesh was highly es.
| teemed, while by the direction in which
! the geese flew when the report of the guns
/ startled them, it seemed more than likely
| that they lived further inland.
| Donovan also killed many Of those birds
| known as red shanks, or oyster-catchers
! that subsst principally upon shell-tish. but
| in most instances the game required a Ger.
! tain amount of preparation to divest it OF
! its strong oily flavor; and in spite of his
! willing efforts, Moko did not always sue.
| coed to the satisfaction of all concerned.
| Still, it would not do to be too fastidious,
as the prudent Gordon often remarked,
| for the yachts stores must be boarded
! with jealous care.
| On the 18th Of March the weather seemed
! favorable for the long talked of and i'm.
! portaut exploration of the promontory
| During the night a stiff breeze drove away
| the fog which had long obseured the sky.
! and the morning dawned clear and cloud
| less. The reader will doubtless recollect
/ that ii was Brian who had suggested this
| exploring expedition, and he had resolved
! 10 make it alone, not that he would not
| have been glad of Gordon's company. but
| he would have felt intolerably anxious
| about his young comrades had he not left
that friend TO watch over them.
On the evening II the 18th. after salts
| flying himself that the barometer indicated
! permanently tsne weather, Brian apprised
! Gordon Of his intention to leave at sunrise
| the next morning. A walk of ten or eles en-
| miles was no hardship to vigorous lad
! who did lot mind a little fatigue. SO one
| trip; and Gordon might rest assured that
1