The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-06-25
THE QUEST OF CASTLE NORTH.
The Knights Spend Pleasant Days, and
Nights, in Liberty.


St. Georges Lake, Liberty, was undertaken
last week. Sixteen members of the Castle
assembled early Monday morning at the
home of the Merlin on High street with their
| impedimenta and fishing gear. The two
| buck boards in waiting were loaded speedl-
| ly and shortly after seven the journey was
begun. At half past twelve the camping
spot was reached. Lovely St. Georges
Lake, glistening in the MONDAY sun, seemed
| to sing song of welcome to old friends as
| it's ripples Tapped the "ledge," famous in
| the memory of many of the Knights, for
many of whom this was the fourth sojourn
at this spot. Dinner was the first order,
after which the arranging of the camp oc-
| cupied all the afternoon. The four tents
! lining the shore gave the appearance OF or
derliness, due to the directions of the ener-
getic Seneschal of the Castle, Fl. M. Prem
| tiss, who as usual, journeyed from Thorn
dixie ON his "horseless" carriage. The camp
| boats arrived at 6 O'Clock and the early
evening was spent in boating near the
| camp. Shortly after 8 O'Clock the moon,
resplendent in all its fullneSs, rose from
behind neighborng hill, sending flood
of sivery glory across the now placid
waters of the lake. Whereupon we ali be-
ban to ''dote on the moon," and numerous
looms began their love calls. The demOni-
acal call of the male, very like the laugh
of a madman, (someone suggested that is
why they are called 'loons," ~ was answered
by the long -drawn-out wall of its mate.
Back and forth over the lake the cries alter
mated, and we fell asleep with this wild and
weird nature melody coming family across
from the far distant shore.
The beautiful night was succeeded by a
stormy morning. The clouds hung low
and soon began the precipitation of their
contents. Yet many of us went across the
lake fishing; all of us were thoroughly
drenched and the usual laughable expert
ence of getting dinner out-of-doors in the
rain did not seem as laughable as before
But next time it will, doubtless. The cook
and "cookees'' did well with their menu,
considering the circumstances. The menu
was:
Creamed mashed potato.
Beef a la Wilson, Rice and raiSinS,
Chocolate cake, Plain cake,
Bananas, Tea
The afternoon was spent in "drying off,
as best as possible and an appetizing fish
chowder made by our master "chOwderer"
II. M. PrentisS, warmed US all thoroughly.
About four the rain ceased, but the heavy
wind made travelling impossible. Games,
songs and boating marked the remaining
a
our blankets and the stproverbial" slumber.
Wednesday morn came cool and fair.
Four O'Clock found us all astir and fishing
for the elusive salmon, but without success.
Several bass were landed, however. Dur
ing the morning there was much sport
about the camp, one of the Knights who
seemed to be afflicted with spinal
MaginniS'' as it was dubbed by the boys,
being the center of an admiring throng
for an hour or so. Needless to say, the
spinal trouble seemed to disappear and his
sprinting about the camp put him in good
trim for Tournament Day. The afternoon
was given to row up the Lake to Liberty
village and a climb up Haystack Mt A
stiff wind made a choppy sea which gave US
a hard and exciting row. Climbing Hay
stack was an arduous task, which was well
repaid by the glorious view from its sum-
nit. To the northwest lay the lofty peaks
| of the White Mts. looming large in the clear
atmosphere that had succeeded the rain of
the previous day Almost at our feet to the
eastward lay Quantabocook and far on the
eastern horizon, Mt. Desert. Closer by was
Bluehill and directly over in Montvile lay
the hill called "Hogback." At the foot of
the mountain st. Georges Lake with its
long arms stretching here ard there, its
lovely waters studded with thickly wooded
islands, made picture we will never forget.
Far across the lake our four tents showed
up, a patch of white amid lovely shades of
green, and with our glasses we could distin-
guish things about the camp very readily.
Some of us climbed the ''target" erected on
the hill by the U. S. Geological Survey, and
| then all returned to the village and back
across the Lake in time for supper. The
remaining hours of daylight we angled and
trolled for the willy fish, and the camp
was early asleep after strenuous
| day. Sun up found US up and fishing ever
lastingly fishing. After delicious break
| fast and morning devOtiOns, we had visit
from snak e, which was promptly corralled
as nature specimen for the museum of
one of our number. Numerous pictures
were taken, and dip in the cool waters
livened many of the Knights. A novel sail
ing craft appeared among our fleet, being
rugged with a sail made of blanket. A
good breeze blowing down the lake, her
maiden voyage to Liberty was made in good
season, though her return was somewhat
delayed by head winds. For the afternoon
the camp divided into various parties, some
going by shore to points of interest, Others
across the cove to our swimming pool. The
great feature of the day was the early even
ing expedition to the top of Haystack for ar
all night out-of-doors. At O'Clock the
| fleet sailed away from the ledge, the Admi.
| raj Lord Merlin in command on the flag
ship, 'Tronsde." Sir Seneschal was on the
"Constitution," while Sir Raleigh CON-
manded the "Kearsarge" with Sir Bleys as
fleet lieutenant. The Admiral led his fleet
into the Georges river in single column and
up to Liberty, where landing was made
without opposition. Strapping our outti,
over our shoulders, the landing party was
soon storming the hill. The summit was
soon reached and the trailing glOres of the