Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-08-28

was at least posi- bic 10 harness them to Il
wagon, which was certainly far more
agreeable To the boys than to be obliged
TO DRAG ii themselves
The wagon wtS accordingly loaded with
food, ammunition and other articles
among them big iron kettle and half
dozen empty barrels, The party started by
day-hreak. and though their progress was
not very rapid on account of the rough
ness of the road and the ratheF unruly
conduct of the llamaS, no real difficulty
was experienced until il became necessary
to make a circuit around the bog Hcro
Dole and Costar began to tire, and Cor
don, Mt Briau's request had to give them
permission to ride awhile that they might
rest lille continuing their journey.
About eight o'clock while the wagon
was creeping slowly along the edge of the
bog, the shouts of Cross and Webb who
We're q little in advance, made Donovan
rush forward closely followed by all the
others. In the bog about one hundred
yards from them was an enormous aulma
which the young sportsmen instantly re-
cognized 1t was fat and uuWletdy hip
popotamus, which in moment more was
lost To view in the thick masses OF reeds
and ruShes that covered the marsh.
"What can it beY" asked Dole. ANXIOUS
ly.
"A hippopotamus, =" replied Gordon,
"A river-horse some people would call
it," remarked Brian.
at doesn't look one bit like u horse,
said CoStar
"No," responded Service; II think the
name of hog-potamus would he much
more appropriate"
This criticism was SO just that IT DIRE"
shouts OF laughter from the little cues,
1t was II little past ten o'clock IN tho
morning. when the party reached Sloughl
Bay and halted on the very spot where
they campcd while the demolition of tbs
yacht was in progress.
A hundred or more seals were playing
in the waves or summing themselves on the
rocks. Indeed, quite number were en-
loving themselves on the beach Itself some
distance inside the reef 1t is more than
likely that they had never seen human
being before for the eldest of the party
was not acting the part of sentinel, pre-.
caution always adopted in Arctic or Ant.
arctic regions where seal hunting is a reg
ular business, yet the lads would have to
take great care not to alarm these unsus-
peCting animals prcmaturely for in few
moments they had all left the place.
AS soon as they reached Sloughi Bay the
first thing the young colonsts did was to
eagerly sean the broad horizon between
American Cape and False Sea Point. As
on their previous visit, the sea was ahso-
lutelv deserted, and they again had rea-
4. I, 4 4. "A, l,.,. .ft
uated quite aioof from the usual maritime
routes.
Nevertheless, it was by no means un-
likely that vessel might pass the island
some day or other, and in that case an OBJ
servatory on the summit of the cliff or on
the end of False Sea Point, and provided
with one of the schOoners cannon would
be much more likely to attract attention
than the flag they had hoisted; but this
would have made it necessary for some
one to remain on guard at this post night
and day and consequently u long way
from his companions, SO Gordon consider
ed the plan impracticable and Brian was
obliged to agree with him though this en-
the broad Pacific the little party started
up the right bank of the river
The return trip was marked by no Incl.
dent of Importance. In spite of the hills,
the llamaS did their duty 50 well, and the
larger boys assisted them to such good
purpose in the rough places, that they all
reached the French Cave before six o'clock
in the evening.
The next day and several days following
were devoted to the usual duties. The seal
oil was tried in the lanterns, and though
it did not give very brilliant light, it
would serve their purpose tolerably well,
and there was no danger that they would
be left in darkness during the long months
of winter
Meanwhile Christmas the day 50 joy
ously anticipated in Anglo-Saxon homes,
was approaching, and Gordon very natu-
rally desired that it should be celebrated
in suitable manner. 1t would be "a sort
of souvenir of a distant land-a message
to absent friends. Ali If they could only
have made themselves heard, how eagerly
they would have cried: 1--WE are here, all
of us. alive aud WE'LL You will see us
again. God will restore us to You"
Yes, they still cherished hope that no
longer cheered their parents hearts-a
hope OF seeing them again some day.
Gordon consequently announced that
the 18th and 26th of December would be
observed as holidays. All studies and all
tasks save those that were absolutely ne
cessary would be suspended. 1t is needless
to say that this announcement was greet.
ed with enthusiastic applause; and Moko
promised to perform wonders in the cul-
mary line on the momentous occasion.
The great day came at last With the
aid Of reamers, pennons, and flags, Bax
ter and Wilcox had succeeded in giving
quite a festive aspect to the French Cave,
and with the first light of dawn the boom.
ing Of cannon aroused the echoes Of Auck-
land Hill. An interchange of cordial good
wishes followed then came an address to
the governor Of the island made by Costar,
who acquitted himself very creditabIy In
his new role OF orator
Everyone had put on his best clothes in
.lUnOr OF The occasion. The weather too
was superb. so both before and after lunch
the lads took a walk on the shore of The
lake and played some Of the games 50 pop.
ular I'm English schools on the terrace
The little boys IN particular enjoyed them.
selves amazingly; there was no quarrelng
or dlsseusion. This, however, may have
been due 10 the fact that Brian devoted
himself almost exclusively 10 the task Of
amusing Dole COstar Iyerson. aud Jen.
kins-though his brother Jack held him.
self obstInately aloOf-while Donovan and
his satellites Wpbh Cross and WflnaY