The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-07-10
ANNUAL QUEST
OF Castle North, No. 1853, X. 0. X. A.
ST. GEORGES LAKE, LIBERTY, Me,
June % %. 1918.


A campers life is the life for me.
With apologies to Robin Hood.
1t was with such joyous spirits and eager an
ticipation that the Knights of Castle North
made preparation for their annual quest" to
the Lake. 1t was the fifth trip for the Gas
tie, but the ninth in the history of the boys of
the North Church. AS early as three thirty
a. M Monday the first lad arrived at the rem
devious and by SIX thirty the last baggage had
appeared. By seven the impedlmenta was
loaded on the wagon. we had boarded the buck
board and were on cur way to the spot which
has many happy associations for the boys.
1t was glorious morning with clear skies and
a cool and bracing wind blowing The road
side was lovely in places with great cumps OF
wild roses. Here and there we found the wild
iris in bloom, while the fields were gay with
daisies and buttercups. Old and familiar bird
friends greeted us on the way. The kingbird
flew before US from VIE to wire as If sauelly
challenging our progress. The song sparrow
sang his beautiful melody from the same
perch, but unafrad at our passing, remained
to let us observe and praise him. The phoebe
called to US from the trees to let US know he
saw us at least we found pleasure in thinking
SOY while in the woods now and then we heard
the downe woodpecker busilyhammerng,a re-
hinder to us that we too would soon be en-
gagged busily in the work of settling our camp
with axe and hammer. The lovely bobolink
fitted from place to place in the fields, an old
friend whom we were glad to greet. Several
attractive streams made US think of the elu-
sive ard beautiful trout lurking in their pools,
and had time allowed we would have been
glad to have tempted them with our bait.
By noon we came to the old camping
ground, in thought having been prepared
for week of living close to Nature
Dinner was prepared at once, and was hum
griy devoured. The tents were soon pitched
and the camp put into proper shape. Then
we all rowed over to the old swimming hole
and eagerly looked for the "Do Rah." raft
creation by some of the boys last year, but
she was not to be found. The winters storms
had shattered her, but the "hole" was still
there and who that ever knee d swimming
hole did not love it. We had glorious swim
and then came back to supper. The lake was
placid and beautiful in the early evening and
we enjoyed the boating and fishing very much
The right was cool and kindly breeze kept
the flies from troubling much. The waning
moon arose late from behind a bluff across the
lake In the deep woods behind US whip
poor-wiii was heald clearly. Out on the lake
she looms We're calling and answering and amid
all this reaceful setting we settled ourselves
to rest. Early in the morning we were afoat
fishing but with little success. Perhaps our
successes of other years have led to ex-
pect too much, but somehow we feel that
nothing short of salmon will satisfy US. 1t
may be this year will teach us another lesson
of fishermen's luck, but then we will have the
pleasure anyway of at least expecting sal
mon. After breakfast we went up the lake to
Liberty to purchase supplies and after return
ing went for our morning dip. hot baseball
game occupied the first of the afternoon.
Judging by the yells and howls it was great
success. The winners were great winners,
the losers were great losers, and that in itself
) splendid thing. Today we had treat of
fruit provided by our generous Seneschal, Mr..
H. Nj. Prentiss, whose inability to be with US
We greatly regret. We were also recipients of
his kindness on our journey out on Monday
and We often wished that he might be with US
that we might show him afresh how much we
all think of him. Wespent some time working
at our camp register today, the ledge before
the tents, wherein is carved the initials of all
the boys who have been here to camp, together
with the date. To-day we added 10 to the dates
already carved there. Could the old '-regis-
ter speak, what tales it would tell of Their
days Sometime some one of our number
must write for US an article called, Tales from
Ghe Ledge" 1t would be full of interesting,
stirring and humoro us incidents. After the
ball game, which ended in score OF fifteen to
ten IN favor of the team captaned by Wood,
we went for our afternoon dip. During the
@ate afternoon the SKIES began to look dubious
and freshenlng eastefiy wind told US of
coming rain. By p. m. stiff breeze was
blowing and the rain came down, first with
tltfull gusts and then in torrents. But we were
safely in bed, our tents were secure and the
GOATS hauled up on the ledge. The waves
dashing on the recks We're Natures song to
our red spirits this night ano to their bab-
bling melody We fell asleep. The night was
cold and the morning grey and foreboding.
But The WING had shifted, and by nine o'clock
the skies were clear and beautiful day fol-
lowed. An exciting baseball game was the
chief event of the m orning, resulting in score
Of nine to eight in favor OF Spears team
Twelve innings were required to settle the
contest. The water was very rough through
out the morning and the fishing poor, though
we did land few bass. Shortly after dinner
q side hillwinder,'' one of the strange
creatures of the wooos and own cousin to the
far famed ''lumkum- shisch" made its appear
ance on the shore and our Merlin succeeded
~ ''snapshotting" it, So that next winter
when we tell the tales about the marauder,
71e hope to be able to produce its photograph
'siiat the ncredulous may believe. We had
inc dip at the swimming hole and were all
photographed in the water. Exploration of
the hill back of the camp took up the remain
der of the afternoon. After an early supper
we rowed up the lake to the village. Just
before reaching the outlet we met the Hon. l..
e. Morse cruising in his motor boat, who took
cur two boats in tow and brought US to the
landing at the village. We climbed Haystack
for the never Liring view from its summit and