Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-21

~ w SVDNl VI lIIs l ut NanSdS,
having run the gantlet Of many
dangers. seemed to have earn.
ID an approving smile from the tickle
goddess. A slight but perceptible veer.
ng Of the wind com bned with the in
reasing power of the suns rays.
wept the ocean clear of its storm
vraiths. Soon after passing the pillar
ock Courtenay thought he could make
nut the unwavering outline OF noun.
famous land amid the gray mists A
few minutes later the waves racine
alongside changed their eaden hue I'd
steely glitter which told him the foa
was dispensing. TIE 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
panorama at once magnificent and
amazing.
Almost without warning the shiu
was found to be entering the estuary
of narrow ford. Gaunt headla nds
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-
cry where unscalable and rising in sep.
arate promontories to attitudes OF per.
haps 400 feet, an inner fertilization Of
precipitous mountains flung its gla.
cicr 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
we're clothed in white their bases wore
a garment of different texture. Save
! on the seward terraces of stark rock,
| with their tide marked base of weed
covered powders, the densest vegeta-
ton known to mankind imposed eve
cry where first barrier to human prog.
ress far more unconquerable than this
awesome regions beyond. Pine for-
ests Of extraordinary density eram-
med each available yard OF space un-
I'll the tree growth yielded perforce ia
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 naughs
save the conformation Of the channel.
The change IN the wind was caused, he
found. by the northerly headland thrust
ing its giant mass 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 1t was flung OF 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 Marrow landiockeG
bay II 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 tho
bar in broad daylight was as great
trial of nerve iii its way as the earlier
onward rush in the dark.
Wind and sea had abated 80 sensibly
that the Pacific rollers raced on I'M
broken, and it was no longer 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
good head Of steam. We may have
to drop the stream anchor quick and
both bowers as WELL II Tollemachc
is doing his work properly. 60 forward
and keep a sharp lookout for broken
water. Clear off the tarpaulins, and
be ready to lower away the instant l
sing out"
Walker, who had been gazing spell
bound at the majestic haven opening
up before the ship. hurried on his err
rand. He found Tolemache seated on
an upturned bucket, in which the tact
turn one had just washed his face and
hands.
Have you seen it?' demanded
Walker gleefuly, 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 Tollemachs
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 diff'went. The'aw's
fine wiv-ah ahead. Have ye evan
seen the Tyne? Well. just shove
Sooth sheels an Tyncmouth a few hun
dred feet high-ah an you've got It.
Now, don't twy to talk or you might
cwack yo' face"
With this Parthlan shaft OF humor
he vanished toward the forecasue
whence the ubiquitous donkey boiler
through one OF its long arms would
shoot forth the stockless anchors at
the touch Of lever. Tollemache, who
had already glimpsed the coast, stroll
ed out on deck and bent we'll over the
side in order TO look more directly
ahead. He could see one-half only Of
the view, but that sufiiced.
"A respite" he grow led 10 himself
-penal servitude instead OF sudden
death"
And indeed this was the true aspect
Of things, as Courtenay discovered
when he had successfully brought the
ship past three ugly reefs and drop