Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-04-01

HE WAS STRUGGLING DEsPER-
ATELY.
made slow yet steady progress to-
wards the inlet. Mr.. Kent did not
reply in answer to Sidney's reas-
surfing words, but devoted all his
energies to keeping above water.
At last they passed the danger
point, and reached the quiet waters.
where the shattered surges rolled
with gentle swell. Mr.. Kent
glanced back and released his hold.
I'm all right" he said Much
obliged"
Mr. Kent struck out for the raft.
which was bobbing up and down in
the water few rods away. Sidney
swan at his side and soon climbed
aboard the raft. He helped Mr.. Kent
to his feet, and then swan for the
paddles, which were floating toward
the rocks. He recovered them and
was again safe on the raft.
Are YOU all right, Mr.. Kent?"
asked Sidney, as he grasped the hand
of his companion and shook it ear
nestly.
IL am all right, except that I have
quart or more of salt water in my
stomach" said Mr.. Kent, who seemed
more chagrined than hurt. cit is
lucky thing for me that YOU are Il
strong swimmer. l. could not have
kept up. You saved my life. Ham
mond. don't know how to thank
YOU for little thing like that"
Don't try" said Sidney, laughing
heartily. Il am glad you are not in
Jured. How did it happen?"
Like a fool, | did not take your
advice and dive in time" said Mr..
Kent. II thought the raft would
ride that wave, and so L took
chance. 1t tipped squarely over
and when | tried to jump nv foot
slipped. The raft came over right on
top of me, and for moment | was
stunned. | don't know how long /
was under water. The first thing I
remember was when you yelled in my
ear. | knew enough to do as | was
told. In my time, | have helped per-
sons out of the water, and have not
forgotten the rules. The next wave
would have fixed me. | could not
get my breath, and was losing my
strength"
Ihey soon were on shore; removed
theIr garments, wrung them out, and
remained in the shade of a tree until
their clothing was dried sufficiently
TO wear. Mr.. Kent would listen to
no proposition involving an immc-
date return to the bungalow. and
stoutly declared he was as well az
ever. After an hours rest they pro-
ceeded to climb the slope of the rock
which formed the north portal of the
gateway. IT was long, hard strug-
gle over the rocks and through brush
and briars. But they kept on and
at last stood on the summit of the
crag, 400 feet above the ocean.
Look at that" exclaimed Sidney.
He pointed in the direction where
there was cleft in the ridge of hills
to the northwest There showed the
faint outlines Of a distant giant
mountain peak; pyramid whose top
was white with eternal snow.
See that mountain peak" he ex-
claimed. Mr. Kent's eyes were not
so good as Sidney's. but he soon
made out the outlines OF mountain.
mat peak is about $50 miles
from here" said Sidney i'm great iov.
1T must be on the mainland Of Mex
leo or Central America. There are
no ranges on any islands with peaks
like that. We are within sight OF
shore. That mountain is q long way
Oft, but ] do not believe that il can
be more than $50 miles. II looks
like volcano. ] imagine I can see n
column Of smoke above il. With
taVoring wind we can make the main
land in day. This is great. We
can build boat and get away from
this island in less than two weeks AT
the most"
1T certainly looks as II YOU arc
right said Mr. Kent. u wonder
how big this island is?"
They studied the shape Of the
coast but IL gave no answer to Mr..
kents question. From where they
stood IL was apparent no exploration
OF the shore from below was possi-
bic. Even at low tide the ocean beat
AZ the foot Of the rocks, casting lis
spray far up their sides. In places.
the neverresting waves had worn
caverns into the cliffs. They deter
mined to make an attempt 10 reach
the northern ridge Of hills by skirt
ing the brow Of the cliffs. but
postponed this until after lunch
con. This they ate with good
appetite, and luckily found spring
OF clear, cool water bubbling from
the creyice Of rock.
Simon
ter observed Sidney, tossing ban