Connecticut western news., 1912-08-29
BOY SCOUTS CAMP
Experience with Hostile Roisterers
 and Roaming Cattle.


 The start of the Boys Scout hike was made from Canaan, August 15, at about II o'clock. There were IA at the start, each with Fequipment. The burdens were for the most part carried in bags slung on the scout staff and carried be- tween the boys in pairs. The grub and some of the equipment was brought within about two miles of camp by MT. Allayn Fuller in his auto. Genuhec- tions.to MT. Fuller.
 It was 10 mlles between Canaan and East In'jy" pond. We stopped twice on our hike, once for lunch and once for the most refreshing bath have enjoyed since.
 Arriving at the Camp site we busied ourselves building "lean-to'' and mak- ing ready for night. The boys built two lean-to's" and some elected to sleep in an old stable. Thursday and Friday nights we made shift at thls camp not wiGhstanding the racket of camp of roisterers nearby with kegs of some thing. One of these campers, who swayed around our camp. fire for awhile, had heard that MT. Gillette was the scoutmaster and said that although he '' never touched a drop" he would be shamed past all recovery if "Misser Zhelette," knew that he had brough Int keg of beer out in his wagon to the other fellows. He knew it was wrong, but what was a fellow to do when they asked him as a frien' to just bring 1t I~s. kr drink-no need to try, for they knew well 'nough that he twas total ab- stainer."
 This crowd kept us reminded all night long of civilization and its refine ments.
 When we left Canaan we were told that there were three boats at our dis posal on the lake. These other campers allowed us only one of these, a great scow with no oars and almost too un- wieldy to move through the water. The boys made paddles and in this boat they made shift to fish and get water from brook emptying into the lake almost half 8 mile away on the opposite shore. On Saturday afternoon a gentleman" who seemed to be the head cockalorum of the camp was overheard by some of the scouts to say in substance that he wasn't goin' to have every Thomas, Richard and Henry using his boat but would take it across the lake.
 It was then decided that the Boy Scouts must seek pastures new. felt the parents would not wish to have their boys in such an atmosphere. So we hurriedly decided to move. In half an hour we were on the march and by about D. m., we were at Gibson's Mill near Harmon Pond.
 It was an and enjoyable change from the sordid, unwholesome aE- mosphere of "East In'jy" Pond to the cheery, kindly wholesome air Of Glib. sons Mill. Here were four generations living in two houses-Mr. Wm. Gibson @ kindly patriarch of 93; his son. George Gibson, in his 70's; his granddaughter, Mrs. Oruikshank and hls great-grandson David. They all welcomed us as if we had each and every one been lifelong friends.
 We made our camp in the pines, on a rocky hill back of the mill. Having made our beds and got everything ship shape, we ate a pan of beans which Mrs. Abbe had sent us that day, when Whit joined our ranks. then we built 8 great campfire, and, sitting around it, told storles, and enjoyed as fine a camp even | turned in and were soon in the Land of Nod, when l awoke at the sound of cow bells almost over me and saw two COWS outlined against the sky. smelling of Bert Fitch, who had bunked in near by. There is 8 diversity of opinion as to the COWS intention. Some say that the COWS took Bert for bag of salt, others, that having lost her own offspring. she wished to adopt him. Anyhow, our mascot, Don, the dog, was making a great to-do, and as there was danger that the dog might stampede the cows across our prostrate forms, I rose and by the light of matches, Don and I drove the COWS off peIl-mell. But there now arose shrieks on the night air. Our genial and glittering soda clerk, alias "Pannycakes, rent the air with loud cries for a light. Geo. Laffargue, Master of the Lantern. had not awakened, but on being reused, said process taking some minutes. his light refused to light. At last, however, this was effected and the camp was concentrated, as 1t were, under the trees.
 Later the rain drove us down the hill to the saw-mill, boys and baggage. The camp in the mill was a unique expert ence to all of us. Several of the Scouts did their good turns in various ways around the mill and barns. Some milked, some helped saw up slabs. and all did what they could to show our kind hosts that they appreciated what was being done for them.
 All went well until Tuesday after noon, when several Scouts and I went swimming. Whit Abbe had a chill which rendered him unable to walk and gave him intense pain. We then had the best test of Scout craft that I have ever seen. Two boys started on run to the nearest telephone to Southfeld One went for Scout staffs to make a litter. AS soon as these came, three coats were stripped off and in an incred- ibly short time Whit was on a stretcher and being carried by willing hands to the mill, half-mile away. Arriving there, Mrs. Jane Knapp, who is staying with the Gibsons, and who has been a trained nurse, felt his pulse, gave him a stimulant and hot water bottle, and by the time MT. Laffargue's auto arrived he was able to sit up.
 l wish to especially commend Scouts