Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-09-17
THE CALIFORNIANS,
Copyright 1891 by the Authors Alliance.
By JULES VERNE.

"A mast7 No; it only seems to be the trunk of tree;" answered Willis, and then reaching for his glass he took closer look at the object designated by | French.
 You're right, Zach, it is mast and think can see a scrap of a flag torn by the wind. Yes, it must be signalI' 'In that case we would do well to bear in with the point"
 'I think so, too," replied Capt. Will lis, and he gave the order to bear for the island at half speed. This was done at once and the Molly's Hope began to approach the reefs, which encircled the island about three hundred feet out. A violent sea was beating against them, caused not only by the high wind blowing but also by the force of the current which was driving the swell in | that direction.
 The character of the coast soon be- came plainly visible. It was wild, bar ren and desolate, with no trace of yer dure. One this side of the island, how ever, there were no signs of pieces of a wrecked vessel, no shreds of rigging, no fragments of the hull. The staff erected on the extreme end of the promontory might be made of piece | of bowsprit. As to the shreds of bunting which the wind was blowing out, it was impossible to discern their color.
 "There are castaways therep' cried Zach French.
 Or there have beenI' replied the mate
 "There is no doubt that some vessel has run on this island" said Capt. Will l lis.
 Yes, added the mate, land that the crew of some wrecked vessel have taken refuge there, as testified by that signal wonder. And it may be they have not been able to get away, for it's rare that vessels bound for Australia or for the nCies pass within sight of Browse isl- and"
 q suppose you intend to go ashore, captain,' asked Zach French. Certainly, Zach," replied Willis, "but up to this moment haven't ob- served any point where a landing would be possible Let us coast around be- fore we decide. If the island contains any castaways they will be sure to see us and hoist signals"
 And if you don't see anyone" asked Zach, 'what will you do then?"
 "We shall attempt to make landing as quickly as possible" replied Willis, "even if it turns out to be a desert isl- and; yet we may find some evidence of a wreck, and that's very important matter for us."
 l "And who knows but" began Zach | "You mean, Zach, that it's possible that the Dreadnaught may have run l upon this island, quite off the route which she was to follow2"
 "Why not, captain?"
 "While it's extremely improbable" [" answered Capt Willis, that's no reason why we should not try to make a landing and get at the truth of the matter"
 Browse island is about six or seven miles fn circumference, as was shown when the Molly's Hope had made a tour of it, but at no point on it's shores was there anything like a harbor or even an inlet in which the steamer could take shelter for a few hours. It was soon discovered that it would be neces- l Sary to lower away some of the steam CTS boats, and even then they had not as yet come upon any safe landing | place.
 | While searching the beach with his | glass Capt. Willis finally discovered a break in this precipitous shore line, a sort of cut hollowed out of the main body of the island, through which a | creek reached the sea. After taking a look at the place himself Zach French ventured the opinion that he could make landing there. The coast seemed to be less precipitous and its outline was broken at rather a sharp angle. There was also a narrow opening in the line of reefs evidenced by the absence o1 | breakers.
 In a short half hour the steam launch was lowered away, Capt. Willis himself being in command of it. With him were Zach French and others necessary to man the launch. Out of caution . two rifles, two hatchets and several re volvers were taken along. During the captains absence, the mate was to keeI the Molly's Hope in position in the open roadstead and reply to any signal: which might be made.
 At half past one the steam launch put off and headed for the shore, distan about a mile As she entered the mar row passage, countless sea fowls filled | the air with shrill cries. In few min utes the launch struck gently on { sandy beach pierced here and there with pointed rocks. Capt. Willis witl
 Zach and the two seamen landed a once, leaving the boat in charge of the
 engineer and firemen with orders tC
 keep steam up. Passing through th' gorge, down which the stream reached
 the sea, the four men soon found them
 selves upon the island ledge. Som'
 hundred or more yards away there wa
 a rocky elevation commanding a view r of the beach. 0 Willis and his men at once set out fo
 this point, and having scaled it witl
 some difficulty were thus enabled to ge ' a complete view of the island. In con
 formation 1t resembled the shell of = huge tortoise, the jutting point repre-
 senting the animals tail. In spots ther
 were slight layers of soil covering thi body of the island. From the top O D this high point Capt. Willis and his me- | hapt their oaze in avery direction. N