The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-08-18
avs Great Adventure Tale by Jules Verne

shore had any trace Of human
beings. One could see neither
houses nor hutS. Perhaps the
aborigines, If there were any,
preferred to reside in the int
rior, where they would be less ex-
posed to the storms.
IT do not see any trace Of
smoke" said Briant, lowering his
telescope.
There's not a single boat on
the beach," observed Moko.
How could there be any, since
, there is no port, replied Donl-
phan.
ut is not necessary that there
should be a port" said Gordon.
Fishing vessels can take refuge
at the mouth of a river and it is
possible that the storm would
have obliged them to return up
stream towards the interior"
Gordon was correct, but what
ever the cause, one could not see
any kind of boat and this part
Of the coast seemed to be devoid
Of inhabitants. Would it be
habitable at all, in case the
young castaways had to remain
there for a few weeks? That was
the most important question.
Meantime the tide was slowly
receding. It was important to
be ready for the instant in which
the reefs would offer a practical
BILE passage.
It was nearly 7 o'clock. Every.
one busted himself in bringing
necessary articles on the deck
of the yacht, leaving the others
to be gathered when the sea
would carry them to the shore.
All the boys gave a hand to the
work. There was a large amount
of provisions, canned goods, bis
cults, sailed and smoked meat.
They tied these goods up in
bales to be carried ashore by the
bigger boys.
Brlant and Gordon attentively
observed the movements of the
sea. The boiling Of the surf was
beginning to lessen. 1t was be-
coming easier to note the lower
ing Of the water along the jutting
rocks. Meantime, the schooner
was feeling the effects of the low
tide by giving a stronger list to
StarbOard. It was even To be
feared, if this increased, that the
ship would lie on her side, for
she was Of very slender shape,
having a very high keel like rae
ing yachts. In this case, if the
water came over the deck before
they could leave it. the situation
would be extremely gave.
How regrettable it was that the
skiffs had been carried away by
the storm! With those boats ca
pable of holding them all. Briant
and his companions could have
attempted right now to reach the
shore. What a help skiffS could
be in contracting the land and the
Slough! In them the boys could
have transported all the useful
objects which they would now
have to leave on board! The fol.
lowing night, if the Slough were
broken up. what would this flot-
sam be worth, after being bat
tered on the reefs? What re-
NAMED of the provisions probably
would be spoiled completely by
the salt water. These ship
wrecked boys would then be re-
duced to the sole resources of this
unknown land!
Suddenly cries were heard from
the forepart Of the yacht. Baxter
had made an important discovery.
The yawl, which they thought
was lost, had been caught in the
cordage Of the bowsprit. This
yawl could carry only five or six
people, but since it was found in
tact. it would prove serviceable in
case they could not get over the
rocks with dry feet. It was neces-
sary, however, to wait until the
tide was at it's lowest ebb. Never.
theleSs, a hot discussion followed,
in which Briant and Doniphan
quarreled.
Doniphan, Wilcox, Webb and
Cross were preparing to throw the
yawl overheard when Briant came
to them.
What will you do with it?" he
asked.
Just what we like" answered
Wilcox.
yawl?"
EYES," answered Doniphan, land
it will not be you who will pre-
vent U.s."
1T will be me-" replied Briant.
ME and all those whom you want
to abandon"
Abandon? How do you get that
way?" replied Doniphan haught-
lily. II do not wish to abandon
anyone. Once on the shore, one
of us will return with the yawl."
And if it cannot come back?"
asked Briant. who had some trou-
BILE in keeping himself we'll in
hand, "if it breaks on the rocks?"
Let's get in it! Let's get in it,"
answered Webb, who had just
pushed Briant back. Then, aided
by Wilcox and Cross, he lifted the
boat to push it overheard.
Briant seized it by one end.
You'll not get in it," he said.
That's what Well see!" roared
Doniphan.
you'll not get in it," insisted
Briant firmly. "The yawl must he