Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-07-04


steps forward toward the beach. Retrao-
ing their steps, they found that the open
ing was formed by two vast powders.
but whether they had been placed there
or whether they were the work Of ma
ture they could not determine How.
ever, they were placed in such posi-.
tion that the opening could not be seen
from the lake, and there was apparent
~ no place where anybody could land
except at the little cove where lay the
rowboat
.'Ali this time not person had they
seen. What was next to be done? That
was the question that the two men whis-
peringly discussed for few moments.
But they appeared to be Of one mind.
and having come SO far neither Of them
was inclined to turn back without see
ing the end of the adventure. They
therefore decided to take the boat and
reconnoiter. But here another surprise
awaited them. Taking one of the oars
from the bottom of tha boat, O'Brien
attempted to push it off, but instead Of
going out in straight line the boat
shot off obliquely, rounded rock and
then seemed to float along without any
means of propulsion, The men were nat
urally astonished, but they soon made
the discovery that the boat was attached
to cable and was being drawn rapid
ly through the water. Where were they
going? Peering in the direction i'll which
the boat was proceeding, they saw a
short distance ahead of them large is
land flooded by the moonlight. Several
lights were fitting about, and it APP
peared that there was somewhat OF a
connuotion. The boat rushed through
the water as though propelled by steam,
slight waves occasionally washing over
the sides Nearer and nearer the island
they approached, and now they We're
able 20 distinguish two figures standing
on the shore. These figures appeared to
be watching the boat with interest. At
the same time they were evidently haul
ing on the line that was drawing tie
craft nearer and nearer to them.
Suddenly the men in the boat expe-
rienced rapid jerk that almost threw
shore had evidently just discovered that
the boat was occupied and had immedi-
ately slaekened the line upon which
they had been drawing. There was no
time for hesitation, and the men in the
boar, seizing the oars, rowed for the
shore. The two persons were then stand
ing in the same position, and as the row
ers approached they were surprised to
see that one Of the watchers was wom-
an, and they soon recognized in her
Mary Skinner, the smuggler's daughter
The man with her was Will Blake,
and, said my companion, pausing and
turning to me, do you know where
O'Brien and his companion landed? 1t
was right here, where we are resting SO
quietly--at the mouth Of SINNERS
cave.
''But the cave was much larger in
those days--in fact, it is said to have
extended under half the island. How il
was curtailed to such limited space you
will learn.
Immediately on landing 0 'Brien APP
preached the pair and asked what they
were doing there. The girl, whoseemed
much terrified, approached O'Brien and
said in supplicating voice:
z oh, it is You, Mr., O'Brienl You
will save us, will you not?'
Save you'll calculated O'Brien.
From WHAT
From my father and Jackson. But
do not delay. Let MS go. will tell you
later on.
1.-THE girl appeared terribly fright
ened, and dragging her companion with
her made at once for the boat, O'Brien
and his mate following. Scarcely allow
ing time for the others to get seated,
she seized ar oar and pushed off; then,
drawing knife from her pocket, she
cut the cable which attached it to the
shore, ana the little craft went skim
ming over the AXE toward Owls Head,
helped by Will Blake, who was sculling
as though for life. For a few minutes
all was silence; then there arose angry
shouts from the island, and torches
were seen to wave in all direotions-men
gesticulating. Then three boats were
seen to put off from different parts of
the island and start IN pursuit Of the
little craft but the latter had got too
much of start, and by the time the
pursuers were half way across the pur-
sued had reached the beach at the foot
of Owls Head, where, leaving the boat
they hurriedly made for the woods
Gaining an elevation, they saw the pur-
suing boats reach the shore. Then there
was conference, which finally ended
in the men returning to their boats, evil
IDENTIFY satisfied that it would be impos-
sible to find the fugitives in the almost
impenetrable woods which at that time
surrounded the base of Owls Head.
After seeing the men return to the
island Mary and her companion consid-
cred what had best be done next There
were very few buildings in the vicinity
of the mountain at that time, only q few
loggers' shanties, and it was decided to
seek the shelter Of one Of these till day
light would permit them to find path
over the mountain. O'Brien, who seem
ed to know the locality very we'll, took
them by an intricate path to clearing
where there was deserted log house.
Here they made themselves as comfort