Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-06-24
MARIE
I/./:HII,lA;A ALMOST pERSuADeDf1c.
cop+RioHT. 1887. on vHE MERRIAM COMPANY.

than 200 feet above tho waves The is.
land was Low quite near. 1t was bar
rem mound of stone, worn into gullics
and sharp precipices by the action of
the waves and rain. Hardly tree or a
shrub was in sight.
1T looks like the rocky crown of n
great stone mountain hidden i'll the
ocean, said the Englishman. Half q
mile to the shore, 100 feet to the water.
At this rate Of speed the wind would
smash us against those rocks like a cOu-
pie of birds eggs dropped from the
clouds. We must fall into the water
and swim ashore. There is no use try
ing to save the balloon"
1--WE had better be about it, then, !"
said Johnston, rising stifily and holding
to the ropes. "If we should 60 down in
the water with the balloon, we would
get tangled in the ropes and be asphyx-
lated hy the gas. We had better hang
down under the basket and let 90 at ex-
actly the same time.
The water was not more than 40 foot
beneath and the island was getting
nearer every instant. The two ucronauts
! swung over Oh opposite sides Of the car
and, face to face, hung by their hands
beneath.
II dread thc plunge" muttcrcd
Thorndyko. II feel as weak as II sick
kitten am not sure that / can swim
that distance, but the water looks still
enough"
II am played out, too,' gruuted the
American, led in the face. But it
looks like our only chance. Ugh! She
made IL big dip then. We'd better let 20.
III count three, and three is the signal.
Now, ready---onc, two, threc'
Down shot the balloonists, and up
bounded the great liberated bag Of gas.
The basket ard dangling ropes swung
wildly from side to side The aeronauts
touched the water feet foremost ut the
same instant, and in half IL minute they
rose, not ten feet apart.
"Now for it, sputtcred Johnston,
shaking his bushy head like swim
ming dog. Look, tie shore is not very
far 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-
haustcd, they climbed up the 81, living
rocks and lay down in the warm sun
shine.
mot very encouraging outlook, y
said Johnston, rising when his clothing
was dry and climbing a slight clcva-
!, IN it,1, 4 ~
waste of stone. Let's 60 to that point
and look around
The ascent was exceedingly trying,
for the incline was steep and it was at
times difficult to get firm footing.
But they We're repaid for the excrtion,
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 glistcning waves that reached out
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 MS we'll be dead and done
with it," grumbled Thorndyke. "ShiIs
are not apt to approach this isolated
spot, and even if they did how could
we give Il signal of distressi''
Johnston st1oked his dark beard
thoughtfully; then he pointed toward
the shore.
"There are some driftwood and sea-
weed," he said. with my sunglass I
can soon have bonfire" He took
piece of punk from waterproof box
that he carried in his pocket and focus
cd the suns rays Oh it. Run down
and bring me an arnful Of dry seaweed
and wood" he added, intent on his
work.
Thorndyke clambered down to tho
shore, and in few minutes returned
with an armful Of fuel. Johnston was
blowing his punk into fame, and in
moment had blazing fire.
"Good," approved the Englishman,
rubbing his hands together over the
flames. Wen keep it burning, and it
may do some good" Then smile OF
satisfaction came over his face Us he be-
gan to take some clans from his pocket.
"Plenty of these fellows down there,
anu tDcy ulc uS lat anu JUN do >oh bS'
Hurry up and let's bake them. I'm as
hungry as bear. There is fine spring
of fresh water below, too, so we won't
die Of thirst"
They baked the CLAUS and ate them
heartily and they went down to the
spring near ito shore. The water was
deliciously cool and invigor:ting. The
sun saEx into the quiet Ccean and night
crept Oh. 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 around
on the beach," proposed the English.
man. '"There is no telling what we
may find We may run Oh to something
that has drifted ashore from some
wrecked ship"
Johnston consented. They had en-
compasscd the entire island, which was
oval in shape, and were about to ascend
to the rock to put fresh fuel Oh the fire
before lying down to sleep for the night,
when Thorndyke noticed road that
had evidently been worn i'll the rock by
human footsteps.
Made by feet" he said, bending
down and looking closely at the rock
and raking up handful Of white sand,
"but whether the feet Of savage OF civ
| ilized mortal | can't make out"