Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-05-06

HE WAS STRUGGLING DESPER-
ATELY.
made slow yet steady progress to-
wards the inlet. Mr.. Kent did not
reply in answer to Sidney's reas-
surfing words, but devoted ali his
energies to keeping above water.
At last they passed the danger
point, and reached the quiet waters,
where the shattered surges rolled
with a gentle swell. Mr.. Kent
glanced back and released his hold.
I'm all right" he said. "Much
obliged
Mr.. Kent struck out for the raft,
which was bobbing up and down in
the water a few rods away. Sidney
swan at his side and soon climbed
aboard the raft. He helped Mr.. Kent
to his feet. and then swan for the
paddles, which were floating toward
the rocks. He recovered them and
was again safe on the raft.
care you all right, Mr.. Kent"
asked Sidney, as he grasped the hand
of his companion and shook it ear
nestly.
81 am all right, except that have
a quart or more of salt water in my
stomach" said Mr.. Kent, who seemed
more chagrined than hurt. ''It is a
lucky thing for me that you are a
strong swimmer. I could not have
kept up. You saved my life, Ham
mond. I don't know how to thank
you for little thing like that"
Don't try" said Sidney, laughing
heartily. 81 am glad you are not in
jured. How did it happen?"
Like a fool, I did not take your
advice and dive in time," said Mr..
Kent. 81 thought the raft would
ride that wave, and so I took a
chance. It tipped squarely over
| and when I tried to jump my foot
slipped. The raft came over right on
top of me, and for a moment I was
stunned. 1 don't know how long I
was under water. The first thing
remember was when you yelled in my
ear. I knew enough to do as I was
told. In my time, have helped per-
sons out of the water, and have not
| forgotten the rules. The next wave
would have fixed me. I could not
| get my breath, and was losing my
strength"
| They soon were on shore; removed
| their garments, wrung them out, and
| remained in the shade of tree until
their clothing was dried sufficiently
to wear. Mr.. Kent would listen to
no proposition involving an imme-
date return to the bungalow, and
stoutly declared he was as we'll as
ever. After an hours rest they pro-
ceeded to climb the slope of the rock
| II 1l 1, Al Is / l
| gateway. It was 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; 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 1907 miles
from here" said Sidney in great joy.
at 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 1 do not believe that it can
] be more than $50 miles. It looks
like a volcano. I imagine can see a
column of smoke above it. With a
| favoring wind we can make the main
land in a day. This is great. We
can build boat and get away from
this island in lesS than two weeks at
| the most"
ut certainly looks as if you are
right" said Mr.. Kent. 81 wonder
how big this island tsp"
| 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-
bic. Even at low tide the ocean beat
at the foot of the rocks, casting its
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 q spring
of clear, cool water bubbling from
the crevice of rock.
Simon Pence is queer charac-
ter" observed Sidney. tossing a ban