Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
CHAPTER xyIr.


CHAPTER NXIT.
THE ESCAPE FROM SOCIAL ISLAND
The boat was rapidly nearing com
pletion. They tested their work by
weighing the hull down with rocks,
but no leaks were disclosed. Each
of the eight compartments seemed
to be water-tight, and provision was
made that in case of leak the faulty
one could be bailed out
1t had been hoped to finish "The
Jumping Jupiter" by Saturday night.
but this was found impossible. a
heavy rain set in Saturday evening
and continued all day Sunday. The
day was spent in reading, and Mon
day morning found all much re-
freshed. and ready to complete the
preparations for departure. There
were occasional showers during the
day, but it was cool 1T was found
possible to work without the usual
afternoon respite. When six o'clock
came Mr.. Carmody inspected the
Jumping Jupiter and announced
that the boat was finished
Candor compels the admission that
"The Jumping Jupiter was as ugly
craft as ever stood ready to put out
to sea. In comparison, canal boat
was a model of grace, and Hudson
river raft would hesitate to recog-
nize the prototype evolved by the
builders on Social Island. The only
paint was that used in outlining the
name on the opposite sides of the
cabin. "Fhe Jumping Jupiter is
easily described. Imagine Il 4o-foot
scow supporting 24-foot cabin on
top of which there were two short
masts. These masts supported two
lateen sails made of striped window
awnings, and the sail-inallers made
no attempt to preserve any unifor-
nifty of design in connecting the
stripes. AS Mr.. Kent remarked. the
sails looked like two teams of con-
victs engaged in football scrim-
! mage"
There were thwarts for three oars
on each side of the boat. A long oar
served as a rudder and crude wind
lass supported the rock anchor But
what "The Jumping Jupiter" lacked
in beauty she made up in staunch-
ness and utility. There was no
chance for her to founder.
THE Jumping Jupiter is all right
said Mr.. Kent, as they stood off and
surveyed this marine wonder. 'But
] object to calling the Jumping Jup-
tier Il She There is nothing eff
Terminate about this boat. We will
call it a he 1t is a wonderful boat.
IT is also a submarine boat isn't it,
Vincent? o.
1T started out that way" said
Vincent, with a grin. Il hope he
won't repeat that performance.
During the evening they placed
such furniture and bedding on board
as was needed. For two days Vim.
cent and Mr. Pence had been cook
ing in preparation for the voyage.
They had provided huge joints of
roast beef, and enough bread to last
week or more. They placed in the
storeroom of "The Jumping jupiter
store of canned meats and vegeta-
bles. huge punches of bananas. paw
paws and other tropical luxuries.
Everything which would hold water
was pressed into service. Several
casks of fresh water were placed in
the hold, as also were extra stores
OF food, in case Il storm should wash
the cabin overheard, In that event
it was proposed that all should seek
shelter below and trust to luck and
a sandy beach The new dinghy was
dashed to the roof of the cabin
There was one thought which dis
turbed the prospective Noyagers,
though none mentioned it. Where
was Hestor and the SHARK" and
would he interfere with their depart
ure? Had he observed their prep
arations for escape? They could not
hope to make any effective fight
against recapture, but every man
swore to himself to resist such an
outrage to the last extremity. That
Monday night Sidney and Mr. Kent
climbed the cliffs and scanned the
sea, There was no ship or craft in
sight, but for all they knew the
SHARK" might be anchored behind
the cliffs which jetted out from the
opposite horns of the crescent which
limited their range of vision north
and south.
At a conference it was decided to