Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-14

meg muslSmelon. These, with fresh
water from a spring, were sufficient
to stay their hunger.
This is the first Robinson Crusoe
meal we have had" said Mr.. Kent.
| There is not much of the romantic
in my disposition, but 1 rather like
this sort of thing for change. But
only for change. would rather be
cast away in a bungalow with cleo
trlc fans and cooking range, than
on desert reef with shotgun and
naked savage. To my mind, old
Robinson Crusoe was in mighty hard
luck"
1t would not do to leave the deer
behind; there being no place to hide
it where wild animals could not reach
the carcass. and it was agreed that
Mr.. Kent should guard his trophy
and attempt to shoot some grouse,
quail or other game, while Sidney
completed the search for an outlet
through the jungle. Mr.. Kent said
he would take chances with a shot
gun, and agreed to fire twice in rapid
l
Sidney started for the cliffs and
promised to return within two or
three hours.
He scaled the rocks and again
stood on the height overlooking the
valley. The bluff extended far as he
could see, but as Sidney continued
south he found that it gradually de-
creased in height until it finally came
to the level of the park" The
edge of the jungle was irregular,
but at no place was he able to pene-
trate it distance exceeding 200
yards from the edge of the cliffs.
Gradually he worked to the east
Here the jungle was not so thick,
but yet it was impossible to force
a way through it.
Thus Sidney toiled along. At times
he saw deer, and could easily have
shot them, for they were absolutely
fearless, and seemed devoured by
curiosity. He was startled once by
the sound of swapping twig be-
hind him, and turned only to see a
splendid spotted deer not two rods
distant. Sidney threw up his hands
and ''shooed" him away. The buck
ran few yards and stopped, but
did not follow up his study of human
species.
Suddenly Sidney came upon the
reservoir He had made the circuit
of all that part of the park south
| of. the brook. 1t did not take long
| to complete the survey of the re-
naming portion. The "park' was
an island in jungle, which would
yield a passage only to an AK. He
reioined Mr.. Kent, who proudly ex-
hibited an assortment of game,
which spoke well for his marksman-
ship. He had several grouse and
three splendid pheasants.
Sidney told what he had learned,
and they started for the bungalow.
The birds were strung across the
back of the deer. 1t was heavy
load and they took frequent rests.
With faces and hands scratched, and
necks and cheeks sunburned, they
reached the bungalow about five
o'clock in the afternoon.
The colony was in Juror of ex-
citement. Mr.. Pence was in great
peril! In fact. he might be dead!
Mr.. Rockwell hurriedly explained
what had happened as he ran with
Sidney and Mr.. Kent to the stone
pier, where Mr. Carmody and others
were launching raft which had been
constructed in great haste. Mr..
Pence announced, when he reluctant
ly Started along the beach, that he
would not remain away later than
noon. He said he might be back
sooner, since the chances were that
the tide would rise so high as to
render his later return difficult and
dangerous. He did not appear in
camp at noon, and half an hour later
Mr.. Carmody took the marine glasses
and went to the beach. Out near
the gate to the bay he saw Mr.. Pence
standing on rock, seemingly looking
into the water. He saw Mr. Pence go
ashore and disappear for time in a
thicket. Then he returned to the rock
and remained for nearly an hour. Mr..
Carmody thought from his motions
that he was fishing, but It was
learned he had taken no tackle with
him. Mr.. Rockwell, Mr.. Haven and
others came down to the beach and
watched the figure across the bay.
They We're equally mystified. At
last Mr.. Pence again disappeared.
In few moments he reappeared,
and frantically waved a handker-
chief on the end of stick, as an
evident signal of distress.
During this time, those on the
stone pier noted with alarm that the
tide had risen, so that it was impos-
sible to walk along the beach at the
base of the cliffs. 1t was at once de-
cided to build raft and rescue Mr..
Pence. For someJ time he had not
been seen, neither had the flag of
distress been waved from the rock.
Rough paddles were chopped from
pieces of lumber, and the raft was
launched with Sidney Hammond,
Vincent, Mr.. Carmody and Mr.. Nor
ton as the life-saving crew. The tide
was strong against them, and it was
half an hour before they approached