The Sauk Centre herald., 1898-06-09

4
| than 200 feet above the waves Ihe is
land was now quite near. 1t was bar
rem mound of stone, worn into gullles
and sharp precipices by the action OF
| the waves ard rain. Hardly tree or
| shrub was in sight
cit locks like the rocky crown of
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 10 use try
! ing to save the balloon. "
Eve had better be about it, then, "
said Johnston, rising stiffiy and holding
to the ropes. eff 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 go at ex-
actly the same time. I"
| The water was not more than 40 feet
beneath, and the island was getting
nearer every instant The two aeronauts
swung over on opposite sides of the car
and, face to face, hung by their hands
beneath
| 81 dread the plunge" muttered
Thorndyke. 81 feel as weak as a sick
kitten. I 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. Ugh! She
made big dip then. We'd better let go.
I'll count three, and three is the signal.
Now, ready-one, two, threen'
Down shot the balloonists, and up
bounded the great liberated bag of gas.
The basket and dangling ropes swung
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 a swim
/ ming dog. Look, the 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-
/ hausted, they climbed up the shelving
rocks and lay down i'll the warm sun
! shine.
| mot very encouraging outlook, !"
said Johnston, rising when his clothing
was dry and climbing a slight eleya-
ton. There is nothing in sight except
a waste Of stone. Let's go to that point
and look around. y
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
I, the glistening waves that reached out
! till they met the sky in all directions
High mp in the clouds they saw the bal
] Icon, now steadily drifting with the
wind toward the south.
''We might as well be dead and done
/ with it, grumbled Thorndyke. "Ships
are not apt to approach this isolated
1 spot, and even if they did how could
we give a signal of distress?'
Johnston stroked his dark beard
/ thoughtfully; then he pointed toward
/ tie shore.
'Ihere are some driftwood and sea-
! weed, he said. with my sunglass /
! can soon have a bonfre'' He took a
! 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
Thcrndyke clambered down to the
shore, and in a few minutes returned
4 with an armful of fuel Johnston was
blowing his punk into flame, and in
a moment had blazing fire.
Good approved the Englishman,
rubbing his hands together over the
flames. ''We'll keep it burning, and it
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 anu le6 . Udk6 Uil6Iu. III as
hungry as bear. There is fine spring
/ of fresh water below, too, so we won't t
| die of thirst -
/ They baked the CLAIMS and ate them
heartily and then went down to the
! spring near the shore The water was
/ deliciously cool and invigorating. The
sun sank into the quiet ocean and night
crept on. The STARS came out slowly.
| and the moon rose full and red froln
the waves, adding it's beams to the flick
ering light of the fire on the hilltop.
Suppose we take walk all around
ca the beach, " proposed the English
man. There is no telling what we
may find. We may run on to something
that has drifted ashore from some
wrecked ship
Johnston consented. They had en-
ccnipassed the entire island, which was
oval in shape, and were about to ascend
! to the rock to put fresh fuel en- the fire
before lying down to sleep for the night,
when Thorndyke noticed road that
had evidently been worn in the rock by.
human footsteps.
Made BY feet;;,' he said, bending