Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-14


ever. After an hours rest they pro-
ceeded to climb the slope of the rock
which formed the north portal of the
gateway. 1t was a 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; a 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.
"That peak is about $50 miles
from here" said Sidney in great joy.
ut 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 long way
off, but do not believe that it can
be mqSe than $50 miles. 1t looks
like volcano. imagine I can see a
column of smoke above it. With a
favoring 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"
"It certainly looks as if you are
right" said Mr.. Kent. 81 wonder
how big this island is?"
They studied the shape of the
coast, but it gave no answer to Mr..
Kent's question. From where they
stood it was apparent no exploration
of the shore from below was posi-
BILE. Even at low tide the ocean beat
at the foot of the rocks, casting it's
spray far up their sides. In places,
the never-resting waves had worn
caverns into the cliffs. They deter
mined to make an attempt to 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 crevice of . rock.
Simon Pence is a queer charac-
ter" observed Sidney, tossing ban
ana skin over the cliff. 81 suppose
he means well, but he is what some
people call a little near"
"Did you ever hear of the time
the committee waited on him to get
contribution for some charity? 2"
asked Mr.. Kent.
Sidney had not.
ut was decided to raise a sum of
money for some deserving charity
continued Mr.. Kent. 81 have forgot
ten what it was-there are so many
OF them. At any rate, the paper went
the rounds, and they called on me
among others. signed for sum,
and glanced over the list. Morton
was down for $4,000, Rockwell had
signed for $4,000, Carmody had
| pledged s3,ooo-he is very liberal and
| charitable, as he can afford to be
Haven was down for something, and
.. l.
| ticed that Mrs. Simon Pence was on
the paper for $50. Well, the COM
mittee called on Pence. They were
admitted and explained their mis-
sion. He sighed and looked at the
list. He read it up and down, and
suddenly came upon the name Mrs.
Simon Pence. He picked up his pen
md OF l.
tee was all expectation. He handed
it back to them. What do you sup
pose they SAW"
Il am sure / cannot guess?"
He had written Mr. and before
Mrs. Simon Pence That was his
contribution. There is no way to
beat him. Let's be moving"
They made their way along the
edge of the cliffs for perhaps half a
mile, but could go no further. Re-
tracing their steps. they again stood
! on the rock overlooking "Morton's
Bay" and the ocean.
AT the same moment both gare
an exclamation and pointed out to
sea. The upper rigging of a ship
showed clear on the eastern horizon,
but she was hull down on the waste
of waters. For half an hour they
gazed at the dim outlines of masts
and sails.
"She is fully IS miles away" said
sidney as he gazed longingly at the
disappearing vessel. I'VE must erect
signal from some point like this,
and keep man on watch during the
day. If one ship passes more are
likely to, and some may come near
enough to see and understand our
signal"
Look at those Clouds" said Mr..
Kent. There comes your storm.
What time is it?'
Half past two. Those are remark
able looking clouds. 1 never saw
anything like them before. Let us
get our raft across the bay. If Vim
cent and Pence are wise they will
come back at once. We are going to
have some wind'
In the southeast a murky rainbow
of clouds extended over quarter
of the horizon. The crown of this
arch reached about 80 degrees above
the sea line. Its upper edges werel
gray, with fecks of white. Then it