Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-06-12

natural at their age Already they had
| almost forgotten the trying ordeal through
| which they had just passed, and the dan
gers that threatened their future had no
| terrors for them.
As soon as the younger members of the
party departed, the older boys resumed
their labors on the ship. Donovan, Cross,
Wilcox and Webb took a careful inven-
tory of the weapons, ammunition, cloth
ing, tools, and cooking utensils on board;
Brian, Garnett, Baxter and Service looked
over their stock Of wine, ale, brandy and
whisky in the hold, and as each article
was enumerated, Gordon made a note of
il in his memorandum-book, which was
already filled with notes relating to the
| schooner's cargo, for the meJhodical Amer
ican-being a born business man-already
possessed a pretty good idea of the sup
plies on hand, and it only seemed neces-
sary to verify it.
For instance, he had already satisfied
! himself that there was complete set OF
sails and rigging of every sort on the
yacht, including chains, cording and haw
sers. Had the schoOner's hull been unin-
jured, she could have been newly and
thoroughly equipped without the slightest
difficulty But though all this new canvas
and cordage could not be used for this
purpose at present, it would be of great
service in other ways, especially in the
erection of new quarters. Some fishing
tackle, consisting of hand-nets, lines and
a small seine also figured in the inventory
and very prominently, as fish must abound
in these waters. The list of weapons in
Guided eight rifles, ducking gun and a
dozen reyOlvers, while the stock of am
munition consisted of three hundred car
tridges, two kegs of powder, weighing
twenty-five pounds each, and a cOnsidera-
bic quantity of lead, bird-shot and bullets.
This supply, intended for their hunting
expeditions during the cruise of the
Slough" along the coast of New Yea
land, would be of inestimable value in
supplying them with food, provided it
was not needed to defend them from the
attacks of savages, which God forbid!
The store-room likewise contained quite
a number of rockets for signaling at
night, and about thirty cartridges and
balls for the two small cannons aboard
the yacht.
The supply of toilet articles and cooking
utensils would prove sufficient for the
young mariners needs even though their
stay upon the island should prove lengthy
one Though many of the dishes had been
broken, there were plenty left for kitchen
and table use. The supply of wooden,
cotton, flannel and linen clothing was
likewise ample, so ample, indeed, as to
render it possible for the boys to adapt
their clothing to changes in any tempera-
ture-a most fortunate fact, inasmuch as
this island being probably in about the
same latitude as New Zealand-the
schooner having pursued direct easterly
course ever since her departure from
Auckland-they might reasonably expect
intense heat in summer and some cold in
winter; and in case they should be COM
PEELED by circumstances to desert the
schooner for more secure abode, each
| lad could take with him an ample supply
of bedding, the yacht being well supplied
with matt resses, sheets, pillows and GOV
erets, which with care would last long
| time.
A long timel A word which used in this
connection might mean foreverl
GOrdon's list likewise included two
barOmeters, thermometer, Two UnIv-
nometers, several speaking trumpets, three
marine glasses, ships compass, and two
of much smaller size, a storm glass for in
dicating the approach of tempest several
DIlLloII mugs, dS W GIL do a. COilJlClC StI Vi
signal flags, and last but not least one of
those Halkett boats, made of india-rubber,
which fold up like a valise and suffice for
the navigation of Il river or a lake.
As for TOOLS the carpenters chest con-
tanned complete assortment of imple
ments of this kind, to say nothing of casks
of nails, turrels and vises, as well as cast
ings of divers kinds for necessary repairs
needles, thread and buttons was not lack
ing: and the boys ran no risk OF being de
prived Of fire for the stock of matches
and flint aud finder aboard would last
them long time.
There were also several large charts
aboard, but they were charts of the coast
of New Zealand exclusively, and cUnse-
Quently useless upon these unknown
shores. Gordon, fortunately, had brought
with him one of those large general at
lasses that include the geography of the
old and the new world: II fact, Stieler's
Atlas the most perfect publication of its
kind. The ships library also contained a
number of excellent French and English
books, many of them books of travel, to
say nothing of the two famous Robinson
books to which Service persistently
NAA'hN f'iF''ANiitlN III L'ttI tto NlttA liCbI
chung to his famous accordion, which had
escaped unframed all the perils of ship
wreck. There were also writing
in plenty; pens, pencils, ink, paper and
likewise a calender of the year 1860, in
which Baxter was deputized to efIace each
day rs it passed.
at was on the 10Th of March that our
poor 'Sloughi' was stranded upon this in
10 I,, cd
drawn II line through the 10th of March rs
well as through all the days of March that
preceded it."
Nor should we neglect to mention that
the sum of five hundred pounds IN gold
was found in the yachts strong box
money which would be of great assistance
if the lads should ever succeed in reaching
some seaport from which they could take
passage to their native land.
Gordon next devoted his attention to an
inventory of the different barrels in the
hold. Several of these barrels filed with
ale or wine had been STAYED in when the
vessel struck upon the reef, and the con
tents lost. This was an irreparabe loss,
and what remained must be husbanded
with the greatest care
Still, there was about a hundred gal
Ions of Claret and sherry, fifty gallons of
gin, brandy and whisky, and about forty
barrels of ale, containing about twenty
five gallons each.
The fifteen lads upon the 'Sloughi.' con.
sequeutly, We're in no danger of want, at
least for some time, and it remained TO
be seen whether or not the region in which
they found themselves had resources
which would enable them to economic
this reserve. II it was, indeed, an island
upon which they had been driven by the
tempest, they could scarcely hope to leave
it unless a vessel approached near enough
for them to signal it.
To repair the yacht was out of the Ques-
ton; they had neither the necessary
strength skill or tools; besides, knowing
little or nothing of navigation how could
they hope 10 make their way across the
Pacific to the shores of New Zealand?
Towards noon the younger boys returned
to the "Sloughi' in company with Moko,
who Immediately made preparations for
cooking the large quantity of shell-fsh
which they had brought back with Them
As for eggs. there must be plentyof them
for MokO had seen thousands of pigeons
in the crevices of the cliff.
THAT is good news" said Brian. zone
of these mornings we will organize
hunting expedition which may prove pro
fitabIe"
Yes, three or four shots will bring
down dozens of pigeons" replied Moko: