The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-01
.co9YE5sT. 1857. sfTHF MERRIAM oo'f'AN'

Inc DallOOu EluANoA4s S~AA' - -
minutes the car glided along. not more
than 200 feet above the waves. The is
| land was now quite near. 1t was bar
rem mound of stone, worn into gullies
and sharp precipices by the action Of
the waves and rain. Hardly tree or a
I shrub was in sight.
1T looks like the rocky crown of a
/ great stone mountain hidden in the
ocean, " said the Englishman. Half
mile TO the shore, 100 feet to the water.
AT this rate Of speed the wind would
smash us against those rocks like cou-
pie Of birds eggs dropped from the
clouds. We must fall into the water
and swim ashore. There is no use try
| ing 10 save the balloon "
Eve had better be about it, them"
said Johnston, rising stiffly and holding
to the ropes. IF we should go down in
the water with the balloon, we would
( get tangled in the ropes and be asphyx-
lated by the gas. We had better hang
down under the basket and let 60 at ex-
actly the same time.
The water was not more than 40 feet
INutHlus anu llit lSldDu was SNNAibS
nearer every instant The two aeronauts
swung over on opposite sides of the car
and, face to face, hung by their hands
beneath.
II dread the plunge" muttered
| Thorndyke. Il feel as weak as a sick
kitten. am not sure that can swim
that distance, but the water looks still
enough.
81 am played out, too" grunted the
American, red in the face. But it
looks like our only chance. Ughl She
made big dip then. We'd better let 60.
| III count three, and three is the signal.
| Now, ready-one, two, threeP'
Down shot the balloonists, and up
bounded the great liberated bag of gas.
wildly from side to side The aeronauts
touched the water feet foremost at the
same instant, and in half minute they
rose not ten feet apart.
"Now for it," sputtered Johnston,
shaking his bushy head like swim
ming dog. Look, the shore is not very
far. p" Thorndyke was saving his wind
and said nothing, but accommodated his
stroke TO that of his companion, and
thus they breasted the gently rolling
pillows until finally, completely ex-
hausted, they climbed up the shelving
rocks and lay down in the warm sun
| shine.
Not a very encouraging outlook, ]"
said Johnston, rising when his clothing
was dry and climbing a slight eleva-
ton. There is nothing in sight except
waste Of stone. Let's go to that point
aud look around. "
The ascent was exceedingly trying,
for the incline was steep and it was at
times difficult TO get firm footing.
But they were repaid for the exertion,
for they had reached the highest point
Of the island and could see all over it.
AS far as their vision reached there was
nothing beyond the little island except
the glistening waves that reached ont
till they met the sky in all directions
High up in the clouds they saw the bal
loon, now steadily drifting with the
wind toward the south.
1--WE might as well be dead and done
with it,, grumbled Thorndyke. "Ships
are not apt to approach this isolated
spot, and even if they did how could
we give a signal of distress!"
Johnston stroked his dark beard
thoughtfully; then he pointed toward
the shore.
"There are some driftwood and sea-
weed" he said. with my sunglass
can soon have n bonfire. He took q
piece of punk from waterproof box
that he carried in his pocket and focus
ed the suns rays on it. Run down
and bring me an armful of dry seaweed
and wood" he added, intent on his
work
Thorndyke clambered down to the
shore, and in a few minutes returned
with an armful of fuel Johnston was
blowing his punk into flame, and in
a moment had a blazing fire.
Good" approved the Englishman,
rubbing his hands together over the
flames. "We'll keep it burning, and j,
may do some good Then smile OF
satisfaction came over his face as he be-
gan TO take some CLANS from his pocket
PLENTY Of these fellows down there
and they are as fat and juicy as can be
Hurry up and let's bake them. I'm al
hungry as bear. There is fine spring
Of fresh water below, too, so we won
die Of thirst. -
They baked the CLANS and ate then
heartily and then went down to tn,
spring near the shore. The water wa
deliciously cool and invigorating. TIL
sun sank into the quiet ocean and nigh
crept on. The stars came out slowly
and the moon rose full and red from
the waves, adding its beams to the flick
!. ering light Of the fire OH the hilltop.
Suppose we take walk all aroun,
on the beach," proposed the English
man. There is no telling what w
may find. We may run OH to something
that has drifted ashore from som
: wrecked ship"
Johnston consented. They had en-
: compassed the entire island, which wa
: oval in shape, and were about to ascen
: to the rock to put fresh fuel ON the fiji