The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-05-24

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Thank God, we are safe!"
That night the wind died down, the
rain ceased and the angry waters Of
the Orinoco, the Coroni, the Apure, the
Caura and the Arauca, that had
brought desolation to the land, began
to grow calm and then to subside; and
when, after a sleep.ess night, morning
came to our castaways, it was with
bright skies and balmy winds; but the
Orinoco was a hundred feet above its
highest level, and running with a ter
rible swiftness past the island upon
which they had been thrown.
CHAPTER XXI.
The Island of the Clouds.
THE first thing to be DONE" said
Medworth, when the bright skies of the
morning brought revived hopes and
sustaining courage to the hearts Of
himself and his two companions, lis
to examine this mountain and see just
what the dangers are, and what our
chances are Of keeping life in our
bodies, for there is no doubt we are de-
stined to remain here many days"
"You are a brave young American"
replied the wife Of Salvarez, land we
will do whatever you think is best. II
was by your courage and shrewdness
that we escaped from drowning in the
c%averns, and also from the royalists.
We are willing to leave everything to
you"
Yes, everything" added Jacinta,
looking unutterable things at him.
What do you know of this island?"
asked Medworth, speaking calmly and
avoiding Jacinta's eyes.
VERY little" replied Dona Maria.
1.-THE Island Of the Clouds is very little
understood by the people. We have
heard many strange things concerning
it, horrible stories of mystery and
death; but | never knew Of any person
who has been here, so | do not know
the truth. That it is a strange place,
you have already learned by our ex-
perience in the whirlpool. Last night,
when my soul was sick with horror,
and all things looked black for us. I
remembered all the evil tales l had
heard about the island, and %shuddered
at the thought of landing on it.; but We
have passed the night safely, and the
bright sunlight Of this morning has
driven away most of my fears. And
what Is there in the forests or noun
tains of Venezuela that a true daugh-
ter Of the Republic should fear? With
your strong arm tc defend us, and
your cool head to guide, l feel safe in
deed, and when the food subsidies We
can, no doubt, manage to reach the
mainland and get to a village. Indeed,
| only wish l were as sure Of the gen.
erals safety as l am of my own"
Medworth, who knew nothing of the
forests Of Venezuela except what he
had read, the reports Of travellers in
the Orinoco valley, a small proportion
of which could be looked upon as true,
hoped that Dona Maria's confidence
was not misplaced; yet he could not
help feeling a shade Of doubt, for he
had read of panthers and boa construct
ors, either of which would prove a
formidable enemy.
Before we do much exploring" he
said, 1--WE need something to eat. |
am nearly famished, and you, ladies,
must be greatly exhausted by your
long fast"
But there should be other things to
eat here than animal flesh" said ia
cinta. Cannot W. find bananas, plan
tains, or other vegetables or fruits"
Good" said Medworth. q never
thought of that. / will look"
He left them and started off TO look
for something to eat, agreeing not to
get beyond easy call.
Il never knew that bananas grew on
mountains" he said to himself.
But then he reflected that the noun
tain, being surrounded by the warm
waters Of the Orinoco, had probably as
warm a climate e the water level as
the valleys inland, and without pay
ing much attention to TIE general to-
biography Of the island, he trudged on,
looking for bananas.
Fortunately, before he had wandered
far from his companions, he found
three banana trees, one twenty, one
fifteen and another small one, ten feet
in height. The two larger and older
trees were laden with the delicious
yellow fruit. Arthur took his knife
from his pocket, and with some little
difficulty cut a stock containing about
forty large and luscious bananas.
With these he hurried back to his
companions.
II have been fortunate indeed" he
said. "See, here are some bananas and
enough more where they came from to
keep US a year If we are compelled to
remain here that long,"
When they had finished their well
come morning repast, Medworth said:
1T Is now necessary for me to make
an exploration Of the island. The slope
we are on now is rather steep, but
where the banana trees grow seems to
ha tho h~aUipuipu ~ q plotaou oud no.