Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-08-24
THE RECEDING ISLE.

Captain Brown drank a mug Of fresh
ale and was silent for q few moments
Ibid ever tell you the story OF the
vanishing islandP' he asked suddenly of
the waiting and listening crowd.
''ThAt was q strange experience and one
do not care to go through again. have
read somewhere Of what they call mi
rage Of the desert, where thirsty travellers
imagine they SEQ green trees and running
water. The island Of which speak must
have been something Of that kind, only 1t
was ut sea, and sailors are not in the habit
Of seeiGNA land where there Is only water.
"ItwHs 80 years ago, when was second
mate on Portland brig engaged in the
China and Japan trade We were coming
home from Yokohama aroun& the horn
and had storms and contrary winds from
the time of leaving port until we were
driven thousand miles out Of our course
into the South Pacific at the time when
we ought to have been nearing home.
Then, to cap the climax Of our troubles,
we were becalmed In those burning hot
seas for q week
"When at last bit Of breeze prang up
and we were able 10 make sail, we were
out Of provisions and water. We had been
on half rations of both for two weeks, and
that, added to the terrible heat, had worn
out every man on board. We had scarcely
enough strength left to handle the sails
when the breeze came, and, according to
the charts, we were hundreds Of miles
from the nearest land and out of the track
of all trading vessels
1T was a gloomy outlook, and our only
hope was that we might be sighted by
some vessel out Of her course like our
selves, or that the favoring winds would
take us to land before every man on board
died Of heat and thirst 1t was early
morning when the calm was broken by a
breeze from the east. During the day the
wind continued to freshen, and we went
flying along, with all sails set, at good
rate of speed.
but the heat was terrible. The sky
was a dull lead color, and the sun was
like great ball Of fire hanging right over
us at noon. The crew lay about on deck
in the shade Of the canvas, painting for
breath. There was not drop of fresh wa
ter on board then, and already our lips
were dry and parched, and the tongues Of
some Of the men were swelling. Scarcely
q word was spoken on board for hours,
and the men were fast losing all hope.
about 4 O'Clock In the afternoon tho
lookout shouted, Land ahead' Instantly
every man on deck sprang to his feet, and
the sight that met our gaze caused great
cheer to go up from the parohed Threats of
the men who had been despairing mo-
ment before.
dead ahead, and apparently not more
than 10 miles away, great island, COW
cred with green trees, rose right out Of the
sea. 1t seemed to be many miles in ex-
tent, and we knew when we saw the green
trees that we could find plenty of fresh
water there if we could hold out to reach
the land.
"The captain, however, looked puzzled.
He went to his cabin and studied the
charts for long time. When he came
back on deck, he shook his head and said
he could not make it out. According to
the chart, we were moro than 900 miles
from an island of any kind, but there were
the wooded hills the green trees and
long stretch of sandy beach right before
our eyes.
''It was clear that this island had been
overlooked when the charts were made,
One of the men went up in the rigging
and from there said he could make out
large stream of fresh water flowing down
from the center of the island.
"Our course was directly toward the
mouth of this stream. Every man on
board now crowded to the deck forward
and Toasted his eyes on the beautiful Is
land, but it was not long until a shade of
anxiety began to pass over the faces Of the
men.
AT the speed at which we were sailing
we should have reached the island in little
more than an hour from the time it was
first sighted. But now an hour had passed,
and green hills and sandy beach looked to
be just as far away as ever.
1.-THE captain ordered soundings made,
and when he discovered that bottom could
not be reached he looked very grave. Still
the ship was kept on her course, with all
sails set. But another hour passed and
then another, and still the island seemed
to be the same distance away.
by this time many Of the mon were in
Il high fever from the excitement and their
great thirst, and they had again thrown
themselves on the deck and given away to
despair.
1.-THE sun went down, and darkness
came on, leaving the green island mere
black spot on the sea to mock us. The
captain ordered the ship kept on her
course and all the men who were able
were put on deck forward to keep sharp
lookout for breakers that would warn US
when at last we should get close to the
mysterious green island.