Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-03-04


ment Except for "a brief period of
morosencSs-cvincc in actions and
not in words-such had been Hes
tors attitude towards his captiyes
since the shark" rounded Cape Cod.
On the morning which opened with
the death of the Sidney
Hammond discovered the saurian
was crocodile. and not an alliga-
tor-Ilcstor was in jubilant spirits.
During the day he seemed surprised
ut certain hints dropped by his UNI
willing guests. His expression was
that of the willing host who finds
his best efforts not fully appreciated.
and who therefore redoublcs his at
tempts to please. lie was glad that
the voyage had so happily ended
glad that all had been favored with
good health, and earnest in his pre-
dictions that his guests would enjoy
themselves.
1T may seem like cgotism to call
this 'Hcstoria.'" he said. as they
were seated at the breakfast table.
but | practically dscovcref the
place, and in common with many
other explorers gave it my name.
If you gentlemen do not like the
name you can call it Ravens Haven
or 'Rockwcll's Reef or Ninccnt's
Land or anything you choose. Its
various Typographical features are
as yet not fully explored. and are
unnamed. | am going to suggest
that we honor Mr.. Morton by Civ
ing his name to this beautiful body
of water we are now on. We will
call it 'Morton's Bay"
Thank YOU" said Mr.. Morton. 81
appreciate and accept the honor"
Il have some surprises in store for
YOU" said lIestor, when the meal was
finished. I'VE will go ashore directly.
and look on something more attrac-
tive than dead alligators or croco-
diles-as Sidney insists on calling
them. All, Capt. Waters, has the tide
turned sufficiently to make land
ing?"
There is now II foot of water
at the landing" was Capt. Waters
answer. I'VE will have the gang plank
on shore in ten minutes"
The panorama unrollcd before the
gaze of the voyagers on board the
shark as she slowly headed for Il
shelving rock was one of surpass-
ing beauty. Imagine pcar-shaped
lake about mile at its greatest
width and Il mile and half in length.
walled in by rocks and crags whose
rugged slopes were softcned by tho
splendid foliage of the tropics Ma
ture, in some fantastic mood had
created this spot, and then as if ap-
palled at her work, had wrcathed il
with flowers. and chastcncd its out
lines with the harmony of fern, vine
and palm. The narrow inlet leading
TO the ocean was guarded by two
great rocks. which seemed to over
hang and threaten the intrepid sailor
who dared explore and ravish the
beauties which nestled within. These
rocks were fully 400 feet in height.
and unlike those surrounding the
lake, were free from tree or ver-
dure. Through the portal thus
formed the ocean with its deep and
glorious blue, showed in contrast TO
the dark background of these cra"s.
l he surge of the sea came yelling
through this gate. but soon lost its
power and on the further shores of
the lake its riPples came as but
the futtcr of the deep breathing of
the SEP
TIC shores were lined with boul-
icrs which had tumblcd down from
crag and peak. At intervals there
were grassy stretches of meadow.
deep enough TO form foreground
To the darker beauties of cliff or RAJ
vine. Here and there brook trickIcd
from the heights. or found its tor
tuouS way through unknown dclls.
And everywhere lavish profusion
OF flowers. The base of one cliff
was atlamc with the red of some
Hover. the name of which was un-
known 10 any of the party. To add
4" this riot Of color there were
Hooks of parrots of many and bril-
liant huea, while of humming and
hooking birds there seemed to be
millions. Overhead an eagle circled
on heavy pinions. and the waters of
the Lake were dotted with hucks of
water fowl.
About a thousand feet from the
s"uthcrn shore Of this sheet Of wa
tcr-which IIestor had named Nor
u I
was gem Of an island Basaltic
rocks reached up from the liquid
depths Of the bay. and its northern
end was crag, probably 100 feet
above the surface of the lake To
the west it slopcd gradually down.
and AZ low tide there was sand
bar. 1t was on tho inner edge Of
this bar that Hcstor had sighted the
crocodile. Tall, slender cocoa palms,
with their crowns Of graceful leaves,
nodded in the morning breeze. Can
'ho. camphor and dragon trees added
their beauty 10 this tropical bou-
quot. The base Of the rocks was hid
den i'm giant pond lilies. ivy and
other climbing plants. which fcs-
TONED the sides Of tho cliffs. a. If
struggling go Join the masses Of
flowers which ovcrhung the rocks