Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1900-04-14

favor; so ere long the mast was ship
ped and sail hoisted to lessen the
labor of the rowers.
We were anxious for the dense bank
Of purple cloud TO clear away. that we
might have a more extensive view OF
the horizon, and perhaps discover a
sail. but the enyious vapor seemed to
darken and 10 roll before US. or rather
before the wind that bore US aft after
Il.
About midday. when we were paus-
ing on our oars, breathless and pant
ing with neat. drenchsd with perspira-
ton. which ran into our eyes and
trickled down our breasts, and when
visions Of iee-water ard bitter beer
came tantaliziagly % memory-for sea
and sky were equally not, as the for
mer seemed 10 weller and become oily
under the blaze OF the latter--a sharp
winged bird that SKINNED past us sud-
denly caught the hollow eye OF Hislop,
who, thought was sleeping.
DO you see that bird, Tom9' he
exclaimed, half starting up from the
stern-sheets; 1t IS a man-of-war
Bird"
What then, slr?"
We must be near land" replied the
mate
Land" reiterated every one in the
boat their voices expressing Joy. sur
prise or iucFedulity.
rs It BrazIi2" asked Tattooed Tom.
with amazement in his singular face.
Il DO not think 50, said HIslop.
passing hand YEARLY and rehectlyely
over his pale forehead. "Brazil-t Is
impossible. by the last reckoning
made before that SpaDiard wounded
me. But Heaven only knows where
We may have dritted 10 since them"
THE wind and currents may have
taken US many hundred miles from
where the last observation was made. ="
added Carlton.
"But | am convinced that we are
near handbook at the sea-wrack that
passes US now; and we must Do out
Of the track OF the Gulf-weed." con
/ tinued the mate With confidence.
And may never see the More
again II that amt land now. looming
right ahead through the fog bank"
exclaimed Tom, starting up and shad-
/ ing his eyes from the sun with both
hands. as he peered lnteEtly westward
AS the reader may imagine, we all
/ gazed anxiCasly enough In the dirce-
[ tion Indicated by the old seaman. and
a swell Of rapture rose ia the breasts
/ OF all when something .u tho form OF
headland OF blul c0uld BE- distinctly
I seen right ahead bearing due west.
/ about seven miles distant. standing
| out from the bank gf yapur or loom
( ing Hike a darker shadow within Il.
[ This appearance never changed in
outline, but remained stationary. and
every uoment became more defined
/ aad confirmed.
I Explanations OF JOY now broke from
US, and We congratulated each other
1 on making the land 70 soon and 20
unexpectedly without enduring the
miseries which so frequently fall 10
/ the lot OF those who are cast away.
as we were, n an open boat. at sea.
But what land Is it," was the gen
eral inquiry.
Another allowance " grug was sery-
ed round; the oars were again shipped
We bent our backs aud breasts sturdily
to the task. and at every stroke al.
most lifted the boat clean out OF the
shining water 10 our eageruess to reach
this suddenly discovered shore.
This had such an effect upon Mare
Hislop that, though weak and sinking
as he had been. he begged that he
might be allowed to steer the boat 4
little way. while Tom f.ambourne kent
a bright lookout ahead. to watch FOR
any ripple or surf that might indicate
the locality Of treaeherous coral rec,
as such might prove dangerous 10 q
large and heavily laden craft like ours
with every stroke Of the bending
oars the land seemed to rise higher and
more high.
Ere long we could make out IL,
form clearly. It was bold. rocky ana
mountainous. and as tho mist dlspers.
ed or rose upward into mid air. w.
could see the dark brown Of the blum
and some trees strar aspect wifi
dropping foliage on lis summit wer,
clearly defined. as they stood between
us and the blue sky beyond.
we soon made out distinctly that t,
was large island The shore va,
somewhat level to the northeast ant
in the center lowered an almost nor
pendicular mountain of vast height
the sides Of which seemed covered uI,i
furze, gorse and brushwood
Elsewhere It's dusky and copper.co,
. ored rocks started sheer ont Of M
sea- whose waters formed zone =
: snow-white surf around their base
We headed the boat to tho nor,h
east. where the shore seemed more an
) proachable. and as We pulled along :,
: but keeping fully three miles on W
! saw high craga, deep ravines. sbad
0 woods and dells IN the Interior. THONG,
4 no appearance Of houses. Of wigwaro,
= or of inhabitants.
Many speculatlons we're now Won
! tured as to what island this mich, 5,
D MAY it not be land that has novs
4 before been diacovered?" I sp,o.n....