The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-06-16

than 2OO feet above the MaIGS. In6 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 p tree or
shrub was in sight. Il q
cit looks like the rocky crown of a
great stone mountain hidden in the
ocean, said the Englishmai. Half a
mile to the shore, 100 feet to the water,
At this rate of speed the wind would
smash us against those rocks like acou
pie of birds eggs dropped from the
clouds. I'VE must fall into the water
and swim ashore There is no use try
ing to save the balloon
We had better be about it, then,"
said Johnston, rising stifiy 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 go at ex-
actly the same time. y
The water was not more than 40 feet
beneath, and the island was getting
nearer every instant. The two aeronauts
swung over OH 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 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. Ugh! She
made big dip then. We'd better let go.
I'll count three, and three is the signal.
Now, ready-one, two, three!'
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
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" 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 sum
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
CO.. Of c<o T oft to- hot ,,cinf
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 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 out
till they met tie sky III all directions.
High up in the clouds they saw the bal
loon, 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
spot, and even if they did how could
we give signal of distressf"
Johnston stroEed his dark beard
thoughtfully; then he pointed toward
the shore.
"There are some driftwcod and sea-
weed" he said. With my sunglass ]
can soon have a bonfire He took
piece of punk from waterproof box
that he carried in his pocket and focus
ed the sun S rays on it. run down
and bring me Ga 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 wac
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 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 dltl SIGO . UdhO tuS1u. = IL cc
hungry as bear. There is a fine spring
of fresh water below, too, SO we won'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 invigcrafing. The
! sun sank into the quiet ocean and night
| crept OH. The stars came out slowly.
! and tie mccn rose full and red fror,
the waves, adding its beams to the flick.
ering light Of the fire on the hilltop.
Suppose we take walk all around
Oh 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-
compassed the entire island, which was
oval in shape, and were about to ascend
to the rock to put, fresh fuel on the fire
before lying down to sleep for the night,
when Thcrndyk e noticed road thai
had evidently been worn in the rock by
human footsteps.
Made by feet, he said. bending