The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-04-07

goddess. A slight but perceptibie veer-
ing of the wind, combined with the In.
creasing power Of the suns rays,
swept the ocean clear of it's storm
wraiths. Soon after passing the pillar
rock Courtenay thought he. could make
opt the unwavering outline of noun
famous land amid the gray mists. A
few minutes later the waves racing
alongside changed their leaden hue to
steely glitter which told him the fog
was dispensing. The nearer blue of
the ocean carpet spread an ever widen
ing circle until it merged into vivid
green. Then, with startling sudden
ness, the curtain was drawn aside on
q panorama at once magnificent and
amazing.
Almost without warning the ship
was found to be entering the estuary
of a narrow ford Gaunt headlands
carved on titanic scale out of the solid
rock guarded the entrance and already
shut out the more distant coast line.
Behind these first massive walls, ev-
erywhere unscalable and rising in sep
arate promontories to attitudes Of per-
precipitous mountains flung its gla-
c1er clad peaks heavenward to i'm
mense heights-heights which in that
region scared far above the snow line.
But If the crests of peak upon peak
were clothed in white their bases wore
a garment of different texture. Save
on the seaward terraces Of stark rock,
with their tide marked base of weed
covered powders, the densest vegeta-
ton known to mankind imposed ev-
erywhere first barrier to human prog
ress far more uncoHquerable than the
awesome regions beyond. Pine for
ests of extraordinary density cram
med each available yard of space I'M
til the tree growth yielded perforce to
harder Alpine moss and lichens This
lower belt of deepest green ranged
from 500 to 1000 feet in height, as
conditions were adverse or favorable,
and waterfalls abounded.
Courtenay, after an astounded glance
at the magnitude and solemn grandeur
of the spectacle, had eyes for naught
save the conformation Of the channel.
The change in the wind was caused, he
found, by the northerly headland thrust
ing its giant mass q mile or more
westward of its twin, but he quickly
discovered from the conformation of
the land that the latter was really the
protecting cape of the inner waterway.
He reasoned, therefore, that the deep
water channel flowed close to the north
ern shore until it was flung off by the
relentless rocks to seek the easier in
let behind the opposite point
He did not know yet whether the
ship was entering some unknown strait
or the mouth of a narrow landlocked
bay. If the latter, the presence of
the distant glaciers and the nearer tor
rents warned him of possible bar on
which the Kansas might be lost within
sight OF safe anchorage Not inspired
guessWork now, but the skill of the
pilot, was needed. This crossing the
bar in broad daylight was as great a
trial of nerve in its way as the earlier |
onward rush in the dark.
Wind and sea had abated so sensibly |
that the Pacific rollers raced on I'M
broken, and it was no longer a super
human task to make ones voice heard |
along the deck.
So the captain aroused Walker with |
a sharp order:
go and see if the donkey boiler has
q good head of steam. We NAV have
to drop the stream anchor quick and
Doth bowers as well. If ToIlemache
is doing bis work properly, 60 forward
ana Keep sharp lookout for broken
water Clear off the tarpaulins, and
be ready to lower away the instant l
sing outs
Walker, who had been gazing SMELL
bound at the majestic haven opening
up before the ship hurried on his or
rand. He found Tollemache seated on
an upturned bucket, in which the tact
turn one had just washed his face and
hands.
Have you seen it?' demanded
Walker gleefully, while his practiced
eyes took in the state Of the gauges
as he overran a number of oil taps
with nimble fingers.
seen what?'' asked Tollemache
without removing his pipe.
THE land, my bonny lad. We-ah
wunnin' wight in now"
We've been doing that for hours"
Yes, but this is di6'went Theaw's
tne Wiv-ah ahead. Have We ev-ah
seen the Tyne? Well, just shove
Sooth sheels an Tynemouth few hun
dred feet high-ah an you've got it.
Now, don't twy to talk or you might
cwack 20 face"
With this Parthian shaft of humor
he vanished toward the forecastle.
whence the ubiquitous donkey boiler
through one Of its long arms would
shoot forth the stockless anchors Mt
the touch of lever. Tollemache, who
had already glimpsed the coast, stroll
ed out on deck and bent well over the
side IN order to look more directly
ahead. He could see one-half only of
the view, but that suficed
"A respite" he growled to himself