Barton County democrat., 1904-06-03
CHAPTER XXI.

r
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.
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
| a craft ever stood ready to put out
| to sea. In comparison, a canal boat
| was model of grace, and a 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. ''The Jumping Jupiter is
| easily described. Imagine 4O-foot
scow supporting a 24-foot cabin on
| top of which there were two short
|
lateen sails made of striped window
| awnings, and the sail-makers 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-
l.Eicts engaged in a football scrim-
mage"
! There were thwarts for three oars
| on each side of the boat. A long oar
| served as 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
I object to calling the Jumping Jup-
tier a she There is nothing eff
| Terminate about this boat We will
call it he 1t is a wonderful boat.
| 1t is also a submar rine boat, isn't it.
| Vincent?"
''It 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
Il week or more. They placed in the
storerOOm of ''1'he Jumping Jupiter
a 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 a 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 voyagers.
| 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 ietted out from the
| opposite horns of the crescent which
limited their range of vision north
and south.
At conference it was decided to
put out to sea about IL o'clock the
following forenoon, unless the wind
and weather absolutely precluded
| such risk. At this hour the tide
| was favorable. since it swung with
strong current to the north. They
aimed to circle the island to the
north and head straight forthe main
land; which in their opinion was not
| more than $50 miles to the west OF
southwest.
by the way" said Sidney, have
you and Vincent put your idols on
board The Jumping Jupiter'?"
Il have made a special conpart-
ment for them in my stateroom,
| said Mr.. Pence. I'VE will put them
| on board tomorrow morning."
$50 the good ship Jumping Jupi-
| ter is to be treasure ship, is hep
said Mr. Kent .sHow about that