Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-07-03
WHITE MARIE
ALMOST PERSUADED ire
cooSRieuT. 1887. ~ TAe MERRIAM cor.p4

COPYRIGHT. 1887. eN Thf MERRIAM CofAP"aT.
that distance, but the water looks still
enough"
Il am played out, too, grunted the
American, red i'll the face But il
looks like our only chance. Ugh. She
made big dip then. We'd better let 60.
III count three, and three is the signal.
Now, ready-one, two, three!'
Down shot the balloonists, and up
bounded the great liberated bag Of gas.
The basket and dangling ropes swung
wildly from side to side The aeronauts
touched the water feet foremost at the
same instant, and in half a minute they
rose. not ten feet apart.
Now for it," sputtered Johnston,
shaking his bushy head like a swim
ming dog. Look, the shore is not very
far" Thorndyke was saving his wind
and said nothing, but accommodated his
stroke to that of his companion, and
thus they breasted the gently rolling
pillows until finally, completely ex-
hausted, they climbed up the shelving
rocks and lay down in the warm sun
shine.
mot very encouraging outlook, -
said Johnston, rising when his clothing
was dry and climbing a slight eleva-
ton. ''There is nothing in sight except
a waste of stone. Let's go to that point
and look around"
The ascent was exceedingly trying,
for the incline was steep and it was at
times difficult to get firm footing.
But they were repaid for the exertion,
for they had reached the highest point
Of the island and could see all over 1t.
As far as their vision reached there was
nothing beyond the little island except
the glistening waves that reached out
till they met the sky in all directions
High up in the clouds they saw the bal
loon, now steadily drifting with the
wind toward the south.
1--WE might as we'll be dead and done
with it," grumbled Thorndyke. "Ships
are not apt to approach this isolated
spot. and even if they did how could
we give signal Of distress:''
Johnston stroked his dark beard
thoughtfully; then he pointed toward
the shore.
'There are some driftwood and sea-
weed" he said with my sunglass
can soon have a bonfire" He took a
piece Of punk from waterproof box
that he carried In his pocket and focus
ed the SUMS rays ON it Run down
and bring me an armful Of dry seaweed
and WOOD" he added, intent on his
work.
Thorndyke clambered down to the
shore, and in a few minutes returned
with an armful Of fuel. Johnston was
blowing his punk into flame, and in
a moment had q blazing fire.
Good" approved the Englishman.
rubbing his hands together over the
flames. "We'll keep it burning, and it
may do some good" Then smile Of
satisfaction came over his face AZ he BE-
gan to take some CLAIMS from his pocket.
PLENTY Of these fellows down there,
and they are as fat and juicy as can be.
Hurry up and let's bake them. I'm as
hungry as a bear. There is fine spring
Of fresh water below, too, 30 we won't
die Of thirst.
They baked the CLAIMS and ate them
heartily and then went down to the
spring near the shore. The water was
deliciously cool and invigorating. The
sun sank into the quiet ocean and night
crept on. The stars came ont slowly.
and the moon rose full and red from
the waves, adding its beams to the flick
ering light Of the fire ON the hilltop.
Suppose we take a walk all around
on the beach, proposed the English
man. "There is no telling what we
may find. We may run ON to something
that has drifted ashore from some
wrecked ship"
Johnston consented. They had en-
compassed the entire island, which was
oval in shape, and were about to ascend
to the rock to put fresh fuel ON the fire
before lying down to sleep for the night,
when Thorndyke noticed a road that
had evidently been worn in the rock by
human footsteps
made by feet" he said, bending
down and looking closely at the rock
and raking up handful of white sand,
"but whether the feet of savage or civ
ilised mortal I can't make out"
Johnston was Q few yards ahead Of
him and stopped 70 pick up something
Offering in the moonlight. It was a
tap from the heel of q shoe aAd was Of
solid silver.
'sCivilized, 1" he said. holding it out
TO his companion, land Of the very
highest order Of civilization. Who ever
heard Of people rich enough to wear sill
yer heel taps!'
"Are you sure it is silver!" asked the
Englishman, examining it closely.
"Pure and unalloyed. See how the
stone has cut into it and feel ita
weight"
"You are right, I believe" returned
Fhorndyke as Johnston put the strange
trophy into his pocketbook, and the two
adventures paused moment and looked
mutely into each others eyes.
1--WE haven't the faintest idea Of
where we are" said Johnston, his tone
showing that he was becoming mort
Respondent 1--WE don't know how long
we were unconscious in the balloon, MOI
where we were taken in the storm. w
may now be in the very center Of the
north polar seas-this knob may be the
very pivot ON which this end Of the
earth revolves.
The Englishman laughed. mo dan.
ger; the sun is too natural. From the
poles it would look different.
II don't mean the old SUN that you
read 80 much about, and that they
make 80 much racket over at home, buI
another, Of which we are the origina.
discoverers-a sun that isn't in OLE
Soils beat at all, but one that revolvel
sound the earth from north to south ant
dips in once day at the north and thu
south poles. Seer"
The Englishman laughed heartily
and slapped his friend ON the shoulder
II think we are somewhere In tn,
Atlantic. but your finding that heel tai
does puzzle me-"
1--WE are going to have an adventure
beside which all others Of our lives will
pale into insignificance. Ifeel it in my
bones See how evenly this road ha,
been worn, and it is leading toward tn,