Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-02-12

the buildings, and the rest formed a
pack train carrying all sorts of things
from the shore to the valley. The men
xrumbled flercely at this, but Captain
Selover drove them with slight regard
for their opinions or feelings.
You're getting double pay" was his
only word. Earn itr'
They certainly earned it during
those three weeks. The things they
brought up were astounding. Besides
q lot of scientific apparatus and chests
of chemical supplies, everything that
could possibly be required had been
provided by that omniscient young
man. After we had built long, low
structure, windows were forthcoming,
shelves, tables, sinks, faucets, FORCES,
burners, all cut out, fitted and ready
to put together, each with its proper
screws, nails, clamps or pipes ready
to our hands. When we had finished
we had constructed as complete a
laboratory on a small scale as you
could find on a college campus, even
to the stone pillar down to bed rock
for delicate microscopic experiments
and hot and cold water led from the
springs. And we were utterly unskill-
ed. 1t was all Percy Darrow
l was toward the last engaged in
screwing on fixture for the genera
ton of acetelyne gas.
'Darrow," said l, there's one thing
xyo,Ysya ouarlonLod ynr, ~
bring cupola and gilt weather
cock for this concern"
After the laboratory was completed
we put up sleeping quarters for the
two men, with wide porches well
screened, and square, heavy store
room. BY the end of the third week
we had quite finished.
DR.. Schermerhorn had turned with
enthusiasm to the unpacking of his
chemical apparatus. Almost immedi-
ately at the close of the freight car
rying he had appeared, Juggling his
precious chest, this time suffering the
assistance of barrow, and had camp
ed on the spot. We could not induce
him to leave, so we put up a tent for
him. barrow remained with him by
way of safety against the men, whose
measure, 1 believe, he had taken. Now
that all the work was finished, the
doctor put in sudden appearance.
Percy said he, now we will have
the defense built"
He dragged US with him to the mar
row part of the arroyo just before it
rose to the level Of the valley.
Here we will build the stockade de-
fense," he announced.
barrow and l stared at each other
blankly.
what for, SIR" inquired the assist
ant
81 hat come to be undisturbed," an
nounced the doctor, with owllike, Teu-
tonic gravity, land will not be dis
turbed.'
barrow nodded TO me and drew his
principal aside. They conversed ear
nestly for several minutes. Then the
assistant returned to me.
mo use" he shrugged in complete
return to his Indifferent manner.
'Stockade it is. Better make it Of
fourteen foot logs slanted out. Dig a
trench across, plant your logs three or
four feet. bind them at the top. That's
his specification for 1t. Go at it."
But" L expostulated. what's the
use of it? Even if the men were dan
gerous that would just make them
think you did have something to
guard
81 know that. Orders" replied Per
cy barrow.
We built the stockade in a day.
When IT was finished, we marched to
the beach. and never save in the three
instances of which shall later tell you
did 1 see the valley again. The next
day we washed our clothes and moved
ashore with all our belongings.
I'm not going to have this crew
aboard" stated Captain Selover posi-
lively. I'm going TO clean her" He
himself stayed. however
We rowed in. constructed a hasty
fireplace of stones. spread our blan-
kets and built an unnecessary fire near
the beach.
Clean her" grumbled Thrackles.
"My eyer
I'D rather round the cape" growled
Pulz hopelessly.
Come, now, it can't be as bad as all |
that" I tried to cheer them. 1T can't
be more than a week or ten days Job. [.
even If we careen her
You don't know what you're talk I
ing about said Thrackles. Its worse T.
than the yellow jack. It's six weeks at
least. Mind when we last cleaned .
herr" he inquired Of Handy Solomon. /
You can kiss the book on it." re- /
piled he Down by the line in that /
little swab Of a sand island. My eye. I
but don't l remember. 1 sweated my
liver white"
They smoked in silence.
that's a main queer cOutrivance Of
ne perfesscr's-that stockade-iike,-
rentured Solomon after a little
He dossE't want any intrusion .
said These scientific experiments
are very deIicak- .
quite Ike he commented nOncom- .
We slept on the ground that night.
and next morning. under Captain Sci .
overs Directions. we commenced the .
ask Of tightening the ship. He de
isiled the niger and PsrIosa for spe-
-ial duty .
-I-Il just see to yOur shore auarters-T
1a squeakpl- You empty ner.~