The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-13
THE JOURNAL JUNIOR, MINNEAPOLIS,


will But let 60 to work at once on our shelter
A site selected well back from the river, and
the spring. where the ground fairly level -Four
stout posts cut and driven into the ground my
two Of fifteen feet apart, and parallel
with the bank and the other two ten feet farther
back directly in line with the first pair The front
poles were cut off about eight feet from the ground
while in the left at height of six and
half feet.
Three sides of the rectange thus formed
closed by driving stakes into the ground in similar
manners 'front.' side facing the river, only
partially fenced in, space about four feet vide beng
left for doorway. These walls strengthened
by vines in the poles; and then roof con-
etructed of saplings covered with layer of sods
put the whole its front and back edges ex
tending two feet beyond the walls OF the build
ing.
After a window had been cut in each end of the
structure its walls plastered with thick coating
of mud and thus fairly tight dwelling secured
Several attempts to make door for the hut proved un
successful and was finally decided to hang of the
blankets which they had brought from the mountain IN
the opening at night
Within the rude shelter five hunks constructed,
and filled with soft gathered from the adjacent
trees the little party Of housebuilders regarded
their handiwork complete had taken nearly three
days of hard work to accomplish the task but as the
swords of Mr. Barton and Mr. Todd were the only tools
they had to use the work. they felt the building
after all, erected quite expeditiously.
The campers turned their attention to boat
building and found it quite different thing from their
previous undertaking The professor decided that
would be the best craft for their purpose but after
ing days fell tree large enough for the dugou
and breaking of the swords in the attempt all hope
Of constructing it was abandoned.
Rods suggestion of raft seemed the only
available PLAN and accordingly it promptly adopted
From the outset too it promised to be successful
since it could be made of smaller trees After little
consultation it decided to construct it OF three sod
rows of logs the first and third tiers lying lengthW1se
while the second, middle tier them. For
tunately goody portion Of the material needed for
their found lying along the banks Of the
saved toers from the long and hard task OF telling
Trees but furnished them with lighter and drier logs
which they had but to cut off at the proper length and
drag or float down to the clearing.
It is not to be supposed that the amateur shipbud-
ers made mstakes they obliged to correct their
errors number of times But patience and experience
at length won the day, and the time when they
knew that the raft would be assured success.
Leaving the professor and Mr. Todd to complete it,
the lads since they were skilled than the elder
members of party in the of the primitive
their command devoted portion of each day to hunt
ing Admaxla lead they secured the surrounding
hills and forests adding not little to the small stock OF
provisions they possessed In fact they supplied all
the used in the for they were care
fully outstanding that which they brought from the
plateau their when the sail down the stream should
begin.
toward the latter part of their stay in the clearing that
an incident which gave to Rod and Todd
poruny to repay the debt of gratitude which the latter
The three boys being less successful that day thar
usual had in consequence wandered farther away from
their encampment their custom. Still they kept
the river sight, knowing that long they did
they in danger of becoming lost. Admaxla was
the PAGES ahead of his companions whe1
caught sight of animal just ahead of him. Rails
ing hand to his companions in signal that they shoue
remain where they were, he cautiously advanced.
In a moment he disappeared from sight around al
intervening trunk and instant later his listen
ing associates heard the sharp twang of his bow h
his at his prey Then there to thei
startled strange snarlng cry, followed by tn
sound of falling body Close upon this there aros
piercing human shrek
With beating hearts Rod and Todd rushed forward
and emerging into small opening between the hug
trees Admaxla lying the ground, while upon hi
apparently feess form there crouched large jagua
which greeted their coming with fierce growls and
lashing tail.
(To Be Continued)