The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-04-30
CHAPTEn "a

I ell an approving smile from the nckl
goddess A slight but perceptible yeei
Ing Of the wind. combined with the In
/ ereasing power Of the suns ray,
swept the ocean clear OF It's storr
wraiths. Soon after passing the pilla
rock courtenay thought he could max
out the unwavering outline OF noun
famous land amid the gray mists.
few minutes later the waves racin
alongside changed their ieaden hue I
. steely glitter which told him the 10
was dispensing. The nearer blue o
the ocean carpet spread an ever widen
Ing circle until II merged into vivi
green. Then, with startling sudden
ness, the curtain was drawn aside o
panorama at once magnificent an,
amazing.
Almost without warning the shi
was found to be entering the estuar.
Of a narrow ford. Gaunt headland
carved on titanic scale out OF the soil,
rock guarded the entrance and alread,
shut out the more distant coast line
Behind these first massive walls, ey
erywhere unscalable and rising in sep
arate promontories to attitudes OF per
baps 400 feet, an inner fertilization oi
PERCEPTIONS mountains flung Its ga
eier clad peaks heavenward to i'm
mense heights heights which In thai
region scared far above the snow line
But II the crests OF peak upon peal
we're clothed In white their bases wore
garment Of different texture. Save
on the seward terraces OF stark rock,
with their tide marked base of weed
covered powders, the densest yegeta-
tlon known TO mankind imposed ev.
erywhere a first barrier TO human prog.
ress far more unconquerable than the
awesome regions beyond. Pine for
ests OF extraordinary density cram.
med each available yard Of space un-
I'll 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 mile or more
westward OF Its twin, but he quickly
from the conformation of
the land that the latter was really the
protecting cape Of the inner waterway.
lie reasoned, therefore, that the deep
water channel flowed close to the north
srn shore until 1t was flung OF by the
relentless rocks TO seek the easier In
ct behind the opposite point.
He did not know yet whether the
'hip was entering some unknown strait
,r the mouth Of narrow landlocked
BAY. II the. latter, the presence Of
he distant glaciers and the nearer tor.
'ents warned him OF possible bar on
which the Kansas might he lost within
light Of safe anchorage. Not inspired
,uesswork now, but the skill Of the
,ilot, was needed. This crossing the
,ar in broad daylight was rs great a
rial OF nerve in Its way as the earlier
inward rush In the dark.
Wind and sea had abated 30 sensibly
hat the Pacific rollers raced on un-
,roken, and 1t was no longer a super
uman task to make ones voice heard |
long the deck.
So the captain aroused Walker with
sharp order:
Go and see II the donkey boiler has
good head OF steam. We may have
0 drop the stream anchor quick and
9th bowers as well. II Tollemache
] doing his work properly, 80 forward
nd keep a sharp lookout for broken
'ater. Clear of the tarpaulins, and
e ready to lower away the instant ]
Ing out"
Walker, who had been gazing spell
ound at the majestic haven opening
p before the ship. hurried on his err
ind. He found Tollemache seated on
n upturned bucket, In which the tacl-
irn one had just washed his face and
ands.
Have you seen III" demanded
'alker gleefully, while his practiced
res took in the state OF the gauges
! he oyerran number OF oil taps
ith nimble fingers.
"Seen whatY asked TolIemache
ithout removing his pipe.
The land, my bonny lad. Weah
unnln wight In now"
We've been doing that for hours
"Yes, but this is difr'went. The'aw's
fine wiv-ah ahead. Havey ye ev-ah
EN- the Tyne? Well, just shove
10Th shcels an Tynemouth few hun
ed feet high-ah an you've got it.
ow, don't twy TO talk or you might
vack yo face"
With this Parthian shaft OF humor
vanished toward the forecastle.
hence the ubiquitous donkey boiler
rough one OF It's long arms would
oot forth the stockless anchors at
e touch OF lever. Tollemache, who {
ID already glimpsed the coast. stroll.
out on deck and bent well over the
ie In order TO look more directly
'ead He could see one-hhlf only OF
e view. but that sufilced !
"A respite" he growled TO himself
enal servitude instead OF sudden |
ath."
And indeed this was the true aspect {
things, as Courtenay discovered ,
ben be had successfully brought the
Ip past three ugly reefs and drop '
d anchor In the backwater Of small c
eltered bay. lie speedily abandoned Z
e half formed hope that the Kansas
ght have run into an ocean water. 4
sy which communicated with smyth '
annel. The rampant Of snow clad
ls had no break. while hssty scru. 0
y of the chart showed him that the u
stern coast os Hanover island had Z
IN thoroughly surveyed Yet II was v
/ In human nature that be should v
( experience a rush Of Joy at the y
ought that by his own efforts be had Q
red bis ship and some si least OF 4
! lives iurusted 10 his care. He v
u alone when the music Of the
AIMS IN The hz~se pipes sounded 10 u