Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-11

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 We're astounding. Besides
a 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
| 10 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 small scale as you
could find on 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 We're utterly unskill-
ed. 1t was all Percy barrow.
L was toward the last engaged in
screwing on fixture for the genera
ton of acetelyne gas.
| barrow" said |, there's one thing
you've overlooked You forgot to
bring cupola and a 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 a 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 Darrow, 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, | believe, he had taken Now
that all the work was finished. the
doctor put in Il 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 | stared at each other
blankly.
What for, SIR inquired the assist,
ant
Il hat come to be undisturbed." an,
nounced the doctor, with owl-like, leu.
tonic gravity, "and l 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.
NO use," he shrugged in complete
return, to his Indifferent manner
"Stockade it is. Better make it OF
fourteen foot logs slanted out. Dig {
trench across, plant your logs three oil
four feet, bind themi at the top. That's
his specification for il. Go at it,
But" 1 expostulated,' whats the
use of It? Even if the men were dan
gerous that would just make then
think you did have something t.
guard"
Il know that. Orders" replied Per
!, cy Darrow. -9r
We built the stockade in q day
When it was finished, we marched It
the beach, and never save in the three
instances of which shall later tell y6l
! Il IN,
+ day we washed our clothes and moved
ashore with all our belongings.
, Pm not going to have this crew
aboard" stated Captain Selover posi-
lively. I'm going to clean her" H,
, himself stayed, however.
>. We rowed in, constructed hast!
!; fireplace of stones, spread our blan
:. kets and built an unnecessary fire nea
: the beach.
"Clean herr grumbled Thrackles
r my eyer
|. I'D rather round the cape,' growle'
l. Pull hopelessly.
IL Come, now, it can't be as bad as al
a that l tried to cheer them. 1T can
p be more than week or ten days jol
e even if we careen her"
You don't know what you're talk
n ing about said Thrackles. IT'S wors
/ than the yellow jack It's six weeks a
e least. Mind when we last 'cleane'
a her?" he inquired of Handy Solomon
e You can kiss the book on it." re
n piled he. "Down by the line in tina
d little swab of a sand island. My eye
but don't remember! l sweated M
4 liver white"
They smoked in silence.
v That's a main queer contrivance o
7. the professionalism stOckade-like,
:. ventured Solomon after a little.
II ''He doesn't want any intrusion"
1t said. ''These scientific experiment
a are very delicate"
5, "Quite like" he commented noncom
!. mittally.
re We slept on the ground that night
and next morning, under Captain Sci
3 overs directions, we commenced tn
l. task of Tightening the ship. He de