Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-08-07
NUMBER 81.
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About 40 years ago the Chilian gov
ernment thought that a good way to
be rid of its worst criminals would be
to transport them to the island of Juan
Fernandez. Here, under the direction
of Gillian soldiers, these poor wretches
were made to dig caves to live in. In
1854 they were taken back again,
however, and the caves have since
been slowly crumbling away.
High up on the lofty mountain
slopes, and overhanging the frowning
precipices, grow graceful myrtle trees,
with here and there stately palm.
At last the narrow ridge is reached.
What a dizzy height it is. The
narrow ridge is scarcely two yards
wide.
Here poor Crusoe used to watch
day after day throughout those weary
years of waiting.
The narrow ridge is now called "the
Saddle" because at either end of it
big, rocky hummock rises like POM
mel. On one side of these is now
large tablet with inscriptions commem-
Grating Alexander Selkirk's long and
lonely stay on the island. 1t was
placed there in 1868 by the officers of
the British ship Topaz.
The panorama from Crusoes lookout
is grand and beautiful.
For many years, and especially in
Selkirk's time, the island swarmed
with goats. The buccaneers preying
upon Spanish commerce along the
coast of South America made it their
depot for fresh meat. Then the Span
iards sent dogs from Peru and Chill,
and left them on the island to kill the
goats; but the goats separated into
small herds and lived in the inaccessi-
BILE mountains, so that the dogs turned
to the poor, helpless seals for food.
So Juan Fernandez is now full of wild
dogs as we'll as goats; but the seals
or sea-lions are becoming scarce.
In 1909 two English privateers were
beating up the west coast of South
America, and striving to reach Juan
Fernandez island in order to renew
their supply of fresh water. When
they got within - miles of the island,
small boat was sent to take peep
into the harbor to see if an enemy's
vessel lurked there.
It. was 2 o'clock in the afternoon,
and before the little boat could reach
the shore, night had set in. They
were greatly surprised to see bright
light shine out from the gloom of the
mountains. They at once returned to
the ship, fearing that, in truth, an enc
my was lying in wait for them.
During the night the two privateers
were cleared for action, and at dawn
of day they sailed boldly toward the
harbor, expecting to meet and fight
Spanish ships; but not a ship was
there! The small boat was again sent
in, and this time it could be seen from
the ship that she landed.
A long time passed, but she did not
return, and Captain Rogers grew so
anxious that he had guns fired to
recall the little boat. Soon she obey
ed the signal, but before she was along
side the ship it could be seen that she
carried strange creature-a man
darkly sunburned, with long hair and
flowing beard barefooted and bare
legged, but wearing skirt and coat of
goats skins, and having on his head q
pointed goat skin cap.
1t was Alexander Selkirk, rescued at
last! He had been four years upon
the island, entirely alone there.
After this Juan Fernandez became>a.
regular rendezvous for privateers and
buccaneers preying upon Spanish COM
merce from the East Indies, They
built forts upon the island, which still
remain, and from there, their vessels
swept down upon the big galleons
from Manila, laden with silks, and
spices and gold.
A small excursion steamer now runs
from Valparaiso to Juan Fernandez
island. The round trip is made in six
days, and three of these may be spent
on the island in fishing and visiting
those lonely but beautiful spots, which
nearly 200 years ago, were the haunts
of Robinson Crusoe."