Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-04-15
CHAPTER XIX.
PLANS FOR ESCAPE

MT. Kent was the first to awake
1t was noon when he shook off the
urowsy god and plunged into "A bath
He emerged feeling better. and soon
dressed and entered the club room.
He found that none of his fellow
castaways were awake. After n
search IN the Storeroom he provided
himself with a rod, reel and com
plete fishing equipment. Armed
with dip net he went to the brook.
and as Sidney had predicted found
no difficulty in catching a pail full
of minnows. 4 few minutes later he
was drifting over the bay on the
raft.
1t was not long before he located
n school of pike and bass. the latter
much resembling the northern weak
hsh. Before the minnow had been
lowered ten feet. one of the bass
made rush for it. He struck hard.
and for three minutes Mr.. Kent vas
busy and happy man. The reel
sang a CHEEKY song, for the bass
was game and did not tamelv sur
render. At last he was in the land
Ing net and from thence he went
Into the willow basket.
In less than an hour Mr.. Kent had
caught a dozen bass and pike. which
averaged four pounds. 1t was a fine
rfcel of fish. and Mr.. Kent padded
back to the stone pier in high salts
faction with his piscatOrial prowess.
lie justly regarded himself as the
Nimrod and the Isaac Walton of the
rolony.
1t was not so much fun cleaning
these beauties. but Mr.. Kent had
completed the task when he was
Joined 10y Mr.. Haven. Together they
prepared the late breakfast and at
four o'clock all were seated around
the table. They pronounced the fish
excellent and gave Mr.. Kent a vote
OF thanks promising him dccora-
ton ON their return TO civilization.
All adjourned to the Veranda and
Mr.. Chrmody brought mp the subject
of building a boat with which TO es-
cape 10 the mainland Sidney Ham
mOnd said il was useless 10 continue
She exploration Of the island. In his
opinion il was about ten miles long.
running north and south. and prob
ably four or five miles wide. The
|snow-cappcd mountain undoubtedly
belonged 10 the range forming tho
backbone Of MpXico and Central
America. IL was slGi.icnt to know
that they were no, ,ASrc than $50
miles from the mainland Sidney
suggested that a man he detailed to
watch the ocean each day from the
gateway TO the bay. and volunteered
his services for the morrow IT was
decided TO erect n flagstaff at this
point and float white flag from il
as signal of distress.
I'VE will begin the building of
boat or raft tomorrow" said Mr..
Carmody. the chairman Of the com
uRttce Of escape. 81 have my plans
practically completed and / viii sub
init them 10 you now for approval.
rejection or modification. Nv -ug-
gestion is that we build "a raft i'm
the form Of a houscboat. doubt
II we have the materials with which
20 construct q lifebOat, with pointed
bows and stern. Again. such q boat
"A not nearly as safe as raft.
from what Hammond has learned.
J nm Of the opinion that any number
on ships pass 20 the east Of us AZ q
distance not exceeding % miles
While our objective point is the main
land. we must calculate on the pos
kibility If being blown to the east.
Cpe Gulf Of Mexico and the Carib.
be"n sea are throngcd with ships
Of al kinds II is likely that this
Island lies "A little Off the regular
course Of traffic, but we are certain
to sight some vessel in short order.
Therefore ] favor craft which will
have more Of safety than Of speed"
THAT is my idea exactly" said Mr..
Morton. II believe we will bc picked
mp inside Of IS hours at the most
We must construct raft or house
bont which can survive any ordinary
storm. Even II the waves do beat over
1t occasionally, our plight viii be