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

limit reached by Donovan and his conpan-
ions in their hunting expeditions. At
least half the distance being now trayersed
if no obstacle presented itself, he counted
upon reaching the promontory by eight
o'clock: but in proportion as he neared the
goal, his progress was attended with
greater difficulties. The beach between
the reef and the cliff became more and
more narrow, until it dwindled to tiny
strip upon which the waves broke anxrily.
Instead of the firm and elastic sand that
lay between the forest and the sea in he
vicinity of the river, Brian now encoun-
tered only huge piles of jagged rocks md
heaps of sea-weed-a most fatiguing walk,
and what was still more deplorable, a de-
lay of at least two hours.
Nevertheless, L must reach the cape be
fore high tider' Brian said to himself.
This part of the beach was covered by
the last high tide, and the next one will
certainly extend to the base Of the cliff.
If | should be obliged to retrace my steps
for any distance or to take refuge upon
some rock, shall reach the cape too late.
must get there, at any cost, before the
tide overfows the beach,"
And the courageous youth, shaking of
the fatigue that was beginning to stiffen
his limbs, FASTENED on
In many places he was obliged to draw
off his shoes and stockings to cross the
pl4ces where the water was fully knee
deep: and when he found himself again on
the surface of the reef, he met with sever.
al severe falls which would have proved
serious in their consequences but for the
skill and agility with which he saved him.
self
1t soon became evident that it was in
this part of the bay that aquatic game was
| most abundant. The air fairly swarmed
with pigeons and ducks. Two OF three
pairs of seals were also sporting in the
waves. These last manifested no fear,
and did not even try to hide themselves in
| the water; hence one might naturally in.
| fer that as these animals did not distrust
/ man, they supposed they had nothing to
| fear from him, and that for many years al
| least they had been unmolested. Brian
also concluded from their presence that
| this coast must be in a higher latitude
| than he had previously supposed. and that
| the schooner must have followed south.
! easterly instead of an easterly course.
| This opinion was confirmed when Brian
| on at last reaching the base of the prom
| ontOrv. perceived a large flock of those
| ptN2AinS WHICH tlI!GuG Ctlo &auttt1 liz
| regions. They rose up into the air by the
| hundred at his approach, awkwardly flap
! ping their wings. which they use much
! oftener in swimming than in flying. The
! discovery of these birds, however, was of
! Importance only in fixing the latitude of
the region, for their flesh is too oily and
rancid for table use.
| 1t was now about ten O'Clock, so the
reader can easily imagine the difficulties
that Brian had encountered during thu
| last few miles of his walk, and thoroughly
| tired and nearly famishcd, he deemed il
| advisable to rest awhile before attempting
| the ascent Of the prOmontory whose rocky
crest lowered fully three hundred feet
| the level of the sea.
Brian accordingly seated himself on &
| rock out of the reach of the rising tide
! which had already reached the reef. Ar
| hour later it would certainly be possible
| TO IN k ones way around the base of the
| prOmOntOry without great danger of being
! swept away by the waves; but he had no
cause for uneasiness now, and in the at
| ternoon, when the tide had again receded,
he would have no difficulty in returning
the same way he had come.