The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-07-22
The Quest Of Castle Charming.

The remarkable quietness of the
Fourth" this year was due to the fact
that Castle Charming, 1445, K. 0. X. A.,
was off to the woods at Pitchers Pond
on its first quest. The First Parish par
sonage was to be the point of assembly.
About dusk Saturday evening the neigh
borhood witnessed procession of wheel
barrows, carts and knights. Guns were
discharging, fire-crackers exploding, dogs
were barking, while every now and then
the knights gave a lusty cheer. The
meaning of this menacing throng became
apparent to the unlocking citizens as the
knights drew up at the back door of the
parsonage and began unloading tents and
bundles of bedding amid the occasional
rattle Of tin plates and spoons. For two
weeks Tom Randall had yearned to in
vite his friend, Dana Southworth of
Castle North, but the Merlin looked very
thoughtful and assured him that it could
not be. However, secret arrangement
was made with Mrs. Southworth and
Dana's bedding was packed with the rest,
unnoticed.
Sharp at six o'clock Monday morning
Mr. Charles Logan drove up with COM
modious hayrack; the knights had been
standing around for an hour; Teddie
Starrett got up at two O'Clock and had
written letter to his mother before
starting. Out near the Muck, Dana was
seen trudging along, ostensibly to his
aunt's farm. He was offered a Gift
from a half dozen threats. Then the
surprise and cheering when he remained
in the rack as he passed the farm.
Mr. William Randall was on the site
when we arrived and at once all hands
fell to work under his direction. Several
trees were felled; space was cleared
for three sleeping tents and a commits
sary tent, and a stove erected upon the
shore. Three boats were placed at our
service by Messrs. Albert C. Burgess,
Ralph H. Howes and VIM. H. Quimby,
while fourth was rented. The meals
were prepared by the Merlin, assisted by
relays appointed for each day. If sleep
was thought of the first night, an OBJ
server would not have suspected it. Two
heavy downpours of rain made the ex-
perience like ''real camping"
The fishing was good. Out of the cor
ner of his eye, late one night, the Merlin
watched group of sunburned, scantily
dressed savages sitting around a camp
fire devouring broiled fish, baked pota-
toes and doughnuts. He kept up his
pretence of sleep so as not to dampen
the zest and relish.
The swimming was glorious; the mill
pond was ransacked for turtles-all of
which were returned to the pond without
any lectures on humaneness. Mr.. VIM.
H. Quimby took the boys down to the end
of the pond in his gasolene launch, and
from there they began ''hike" to the
top of Knights mountain. The view
over the bay was superb. Several pic
lures were taken of the group by Donald
Clark and Kenney Burgess.
One accident occurred. Kenney was
stung upon the forehead by a hornet.
That night at supper we rolled on the
ground in side-splitting laughter as Ken
ney took his place on little rock, his
plate on his lap and face pulled out be-
yond all recognition.
Ghost and smuggling stories were much
in demand each night and the Merlin's
imagination was kept busy. Towards
the close of the week a beseeching pc
tition was presented for "just one more
week." but the pressure of other duties
made it impossible.
For several days a series of rowing
contests were held, each tent forming
itself into crew. Saturday morning
camp was broken, the tents and baggage
were piled high by the roadside in reaGi-
ness for the hayrack. Then just one
more race, and afterwards one more
"dip'' was enjoyed. Then call aboard"
was sounded and the quest was over.
The knights arrived safe and sound,
with the exception of Kenney's "bee-
bite. The party consisted of Frank
Hazeltine, Donald Clark, Tom Randall,
Rudolph Wiggin, Ralph Wiggin, Joseph
Haley, Kenney Burgess, Roy Ellingwood,
Robert Heating, Dana Southworth, Harry
Starrett, Frederick Starrett, and Rev.
Adolph Rossbach.