Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-08-18

way, leaving at low tide long stretch
of yellow sand. To the north of that,
again, there comes another cape-Cape
of the Woods, as it was marked upon the
chart-buried in tall green pines, which
descended to the margin of the sea.
I remembered what Silver had said
about the current that sets northward
along the whole west coast of Treasure
island; and seeing from my position
that I was already under it's influence,
preferred to leave Haulbowline Head
behind, me, and reserve my strength for
an attempt to land upon the kindlier-
looking Cape of the Woods.
There was a, great, smooth swell upon
the sea. The wind blowing steady and
gentle from the south, there was no
contrariety between that and the cur
rent, and the pillows rose and fell un-
broken.
Had it been otherwise, I must long
ago have perished; but as it was, it is
surprising how easily and securely my
little and light boat could ride. Often,
as still lay at the bottom, and kept no
more than an eye above the gunwale,
I would see a big blue summit heav-
ing close above me; yet the coracle
would but bounce little, dance as if on
springs, and subside on the other side
into the trough as lightly as bird.
I began after a little to grow very
bold. and sat up to try my skill at pad
ding. But even>a small change in the
disposition of the weight will produce
violent changes in the behavior of a cor
acle. And I had hardly moved before
the boat, giving up at once her gentle,
dancing movement, ran straight down
a slope of water SO steep that it made
me giddy, and struck her nose, with a
spout of spray. deep into the side of the
next wave.
was drenched and terrified, and fell
instantly back into my old position.
whereupon the coracle seemed to find
her head again, and led me softly as be-
fore among the pillows. It was plain she
was not to be interfered with, and at
that rate, since could in no way in
fuence her course, what hope had left
Of reaching land?
I began to be horribly frightened.
but kept my head, for all that. First.
moving with all care, I gradually bailed
out the coracle with my sea-cap; then
getting my eye once more above the
igun~c!e set myself to study how it
was she managed to slip so quietly
through the rollers.
I found each wave, instead of the big,
smooth. glossy mountain it looks from
shore, or from vessels deck. was for
all the world like any range of hills on
the dry land, full of peaks and smooth
places and valleys. The coracle, left to
herself. turning from side to side,
threaded, so to speak, her way through
these lower parts. and avoided the
steep slopes and higher. topping sum-
mits of the wave.
well, now" thought to myself, cit
is plain I must lie where I am. and not
disturb the balance; but it is plain. also,
that I can put the paddle over the side,
and from time to time, in smooth places,
give her shove or two toward land"
No sooner thought upon than done.
There I lay on my elbows, in the most
trying attitude. and every now and
again gave a weak stroke or two to turn
her head to shore.
1t was very firing and slow work, yet
did visibly gain ground, and as we
drew near the Cape of the Woods,
though I saw 1 must infallibly miss
lred yards of casting. I was, indeed,
close in. I could see the cool, green
tree-tops swaying together in the
breeze, and I felt sure I should make
the next promoHotory without fail.
1t was high time, for I now began
to be tortured with thirst. The glow
of the sun from above, its thousand
fold reflection from the waves, the sea-
water that fell and dried upon me, cak-
ing my very lips with salt, combined
to make my throat burn and my brain
acne. The sight of the trees so near
at hand had almost made me sick with
longing; but the current had soon car
ried me past the point, and as the next
reach of the sea opened out l beheld
a sight that changed the nature of my
thoughts.
Right in front of me, not half mile
away, beheld the ''Hispaniola," under
sail. ], made sure, of course, that /
should be taken; but I was so dis
tressed for want of water that scarce
knew whether to be glad or sorry at the
thought. and long before 1 had come
to a conclusion surprise had taken en-
tire possession of my mind and could
do nothing but stare and wonder.
The ''Hispaniola" was under her
mainsail and two jibs, and the beautiful
white canvas shone in the sun like
snow or silver. When / first sighted
her all her sails were drawing; she was
lying a course about northwest, and
presumed the men on board were go
ing round the island on their way back
to the anchorage. Presently she began
to fetch more and more to the west
ward, SO that thought they had sight
ed me and were going about in chase.
vt last. however. she fell right into the
winds eye, was taken dead aback, and
stood there awhile helpless. with her
sails shivering.