Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-28

~ INV lDS run l0p BunIlPI OF many
dangers. seemed TO have earn
ed an approving smile from the tickle
goddess. y slight but perceptible veer-
ing of the wind. combined with the in.
creasing power of the suns rays,
swept the ocean clear Of its storm
wraiths Soon after passing the pillar
rock Courtenay thought he could make
out the unwaveriug outline of noun.
famous land amid the gray mists. A
few minutes later the waves racing
alongside changed their leaden hue to
a steely glitter which told him the fog
was dispensing. The nearer blue of
the ocean carpet spread an ever widen
ing circle until 1t merged into vivid
green. Then. with startling sudden
ness, the curtain was drawn aside on
a panorama at once magnificent and
amazing.
Almost without warning the ship
was found to he entering the estuary
of narrow ford Gaunt headlands
carved on a titanic scale ont 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
aratc prOmontories to attitudes of per-
haps 400 feet. an inner fertilization of
PERCEPTIONS mountains flung its Gla-
cier clad peaks heavenward to i'm
mcnse Observation-Disclosures whicletn that
region scared far above the snow line.
But If the crests of peak upon peak
were clothed in white their bases wore
q 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 10 mankind imposed ev-
erywhere first barrier to human prog
rcss far more unconquerable than the
awesome regions beyond. Pine for
estS of extraordinary density cram
med each available yard of space un-
til the tree growth yielded perforce to
harder Alpine moss and lichens. This
lower belt of deepest green ranged
from eco 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, lac
found, by the nOrtherly headland thrust
ing its giant mass q mile or more
westward of it's 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 deer
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 n0x know yet whether tho
ship was entering some unknown strait
or the mouth of a narrow landlocket
bay. If the latter, the presence OF
the distant glaciers and the nearer tor
rents warned him of possible bar or
which the Kansas might be lost within
sight of safe anchorage. Not inspired
guesswork now. but the skill of tho
pilot, was needed This crossing the
bar in broad daylight was as great &
trial of nerve III its way as the earlier
onward rush in the dark
Wind anu sea had abated so sensibly
that the Pacific rollers raced on un
broken, and it was no longer q super
human task to make ones voice heard
along the deck.
SO the captain aroused Walker will
sharp order:
Go and see If the donkey boiler has
gcod head of steam. We may have
10 drop the stream anchor quick ant
both howeis as well. If Tolieinach.
is doing his work prQperly. 20 forwar,