The morning call., 1894-06-03

there. That the vessel was a relic of a
past age never entered my head for a
moment, because it vas constructed on
perfectly modern lines and the wood had
yellow appearance, indicating that 1t
had not been cut very long. | am some
thing of a sailor myself, and the first
glance told me that it was the work Of
some modern shiDbuilder; but that only
made the mystery greater.
Going close | made a careful eXamiua-
ton of my strange find. 1t proved to be
perfect brig of about 400 tons that had
never in the water. Everything about il
was of the best style of workmanship and
showed plainly that the builder had put
forth his best effoIts. The keel was laid
fiat on the sand and the starboard side
placed up against small reef of rocks.
The port side was supported in the usual
manner.
"CIim bing onto the deck by small rope
ladder found everything in shhD shape.
The decks were as clean and white as a
man-of-war's, and every rope was in place.
Entering the cabin l found everything
neat and clean and several hunks with
bedding ready to sleep in. Such a thing.
however. would have been impossible, as
the heat was simply unbearable, and 1 had
to go to the door, gasDiDg for breath, be-
lore L had completed my investigation.
The more L looked the more in terested and
mystifed l became. 1t was plain the brig
Hdu DGGu UuilI WDer6 Su6 was DnE nv
whom, and for what?
Il spent the whole afternoon climbing
over the vessel. l went into the rigging
and looked over the surrounding country.
but could see no sign of a human being.
When night came on l concluded to camp
near by, but had no sooner got fixed COM
fortRblY when a voice from somewhere
called Good evening" You may be sure I
jumped. as my nerves were feeling a little
weak through my strange afternoons ex-
perieuce.
There was no need to be alarmed
though, for good-uatured looking man
with gray hair and beard was smiling at
me. VI course at once concluded that he
knew something about the brig. l was
right. and IN few moments be explained
the whole thing TO me and also showed to
what ends foolish idea will drive man.
He said that his name was Frederick
Evans, that he was shipbuilder by trade
and one OF the California pioneers of 40
he had never made big strike, but had
always kept prospecting, and when the
water rose in Salton Lake a few years ago
he was at work in the mountains around
Death Valley. 1t was then that be got it
into his head that the water would eventu-
ally reach that locality and he was deter
mined to have the first vessel to float in
the new sea. Evans was not a poor man.
but had enough money to hire a couDle of
men to help him lay the keel of the vessel,
put in the masts aud do the other heavy
work. AT first the work was pushed
rapidly. but when The water commenced TO
reeede Evans took things easy and did all
the work himself, because he thought the
water would net come again for year.
He has been disappointed every year
since, but still thinks that Death Valley
will become a sea and he is ready for it.
Il was we'll treated by Evans" said Mr..
Traver in concluding. He tOek me to his
abode, which was deep cave few feet
from the brig. with delightful tempera
ture. l staid with him two days and found
him a well-educated man and very inter-
esting, but when [ left him his last words
were. When the water rises 1 will be
ready for it,