Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-18

~ all the things necessary for such an
extensive trip as we had planned?
Each one of us generously offered to
do his third of the walking provided
The other two would look after the bag
gage. Our opinions differed SO widely |
as to whose duty it was to carry the
pack, that the club was in danger of |
an untimely dissolution, when new |
idea presented itself like an inspira-
ton from above. Why not go, for a !
couple of thousand miles at least, in a
row-boat? Our situation was most IA i
vorable for the carrying out of this
plan, and in travelling one must play
the skillful general and take advan-
tage of every circumstance. We start
from Waterloo, Iowa, which is situated
on the Cedar River. The river has a
fair current and depth, no rapids, few
dams, and would bring us to the Mis-
sissippi without much difficulty.
All favored this design and it was
Immediately fixed upon. 1t would give
us an easy means of conveying our
baggage, and as nothing special was
depending on our speed it would bring
us to the mouth of the Mississippi in
good time perhaps seven or eight
weeks. Since it would be impossible
to cross the Gulf in row-boat or on
foot, we would take steamer to Vera
Cruz, wander thru Mexico. Central
American, and into South America in
definitely.
Such being decreed, we provided
ourselves with boat. She is not a
new craft, but after being painted and
repaired she is in good order. She is
sixteen feet long by about three in
width pointed at both ends and fiat
bottomed. We have painted her black
and named her the ''Vagabond." We
have also tent with nine-foot CEN
ter pole and twelve by twelve base.
The rest of our outfit consists of
supply of weapons-shot gun, rifle
winchester Repeater, 38 caliber) re-
volvers and knives; good store of am.
munition, collecting apparatus and
bedding.
We have deemed it right and fitting
to furnish the public weekly reports
of our proceedings, the duty of franz
ing which reports naturally devolves
upon the secretary of the club. real
lie that this is a very critical task, and
have not undertaken it without many
misgivings.
We discussed at some length the
question of how much latitude should
be allowed the imagination OF the sec
rotary in making out these reports.
Easton vigorously advocated strict
adherence to the truth, maintaining
that the levity of romance was neneath
the dignity of such an organization
as ours. The writer, who is more con
sentative and has greater regard for
public opinion, took opposing ground
and commended tharthe reports should
be OF a somewhat free and unclrcum.
scribed character. He fatters himself
that he presented some strong argu-
ments for his side of the case.
How dare we. he reasoned, DO a
thing so utterly unprecedented as 10
tell the strict truth to our fellow pc
ings concerning our adventures IN dls-
tant lands? Has not every traveller
from Herodotus to-but delicacy for
bids me to mention the name OF any
living writer-seen and heard and
done a thousand things that every
sane man knows to be-. Impossible
What would the world think of us Il
we should tell the truth? Would we
not be held up to public derision al
barbarians, simpletons, men devoid o.
good taste and good breeding? Would
not our friends at home blush for ouI
Ignorance and our enemies laugh us to
scorn?
Then there was further objection
and very serious one. The secreta
nv had been largely engaged for long
time past in writing advertising mat
ter; how could he descend all at once
to the bare and simple TRUTH? Ht
might come to it by slow degrees, bu
to put sharp and sudden check OF
his imagination and begin all at once
to tell things as they really are woult
ne too violent a shock and might hay'
fatal consequences.
We finally struck q compromise.
was settled that the secretary shoui
; tell the truth, as far as his former hat
its of life would permit, regarding tn
most important matters to be related
: and that, to preserve the reputation Q
the club, he should be allowed Gel
tain amount Of prevarication on II
different matters, provided he wa
; honest about it and gave the publ
, fair warning. The difficulty was thu
peaceably adjusted.
It is sincerely hoped that the reade
who follows us thru our devious wal
J derings may meet with many thing
| that are fresh and strange to him; mi
nv that the traveller on the comm &C,
: highway would never observe. W
: are in search neither Of amusemeI
! nor adventure, but knowledge, and t
} share with others what we may a.
t nuire will be not unpleasant duty.
Morton p. Peck.
: MILITIA TAKES RIFLE PRACTICE