The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1916-04-27
ADVENTURE IN FOREIGN LAND
!. ne Happenings to Party of Venturesome Spirits
In Their Travels on Foreign Seas and Islands
Mr.. NJ.
CONTINUED from last week.
By Mr.. NJ.

took in great deal of water, but once out
side, things went better. We found from
eight to fifteen fathoms of water in the open
ing, with clear approach to it from both
sides of the reef. Wallace, who had been
heaving the lead, signaled to the yacht to
having run outside in the meantime. When
the yacht had been swung around and
started for the opening in the reef, Wallace
and pulled back into the lagoon and picked
an anchorage about 800 yards from the
beach. The yacht followed and when over
the spot selected, dropped bow and stern
anchor The long stretch of water between
us and the beach was to be the means of
saving our lives later on, but none of US
knew this at the time we dropped anchor.
The reef, which extended for mile or
n ore made fine breakwater, and the water
in the lagoon was as smooth as lake.
The sun had come out, and shining on the
beach it showed US long stretch of hard,
white sand, backed by dense growth of
palm trees and other tropical vegetation.
| Grasping the opportunity, observations
were taken, in order to find just where we
were. After working up our sight, found
we were on what is known as Angatau
Island, longitude 40 degrees, 4S minutes
west, latitude $50 , SO minutes south. There
was something else shown on the chart
beside the island and its name. That was
the words, ''hostile inhabitants.
This cheerful bit of news was kept from
| the ladies, but the male members began to
clean and oil their firearms. Jackson who
was working on our disabled engine, said it
would take at least two days to get it in
running order, and as we were in need of
fresh waite, and the cocoanuts to be seen
near the beach looked appetizing, we de-
cided to risk landing. Leaving Jackson
on board to repair the engine, with Smith
to act as anchor watch, Wal lace, Bah
cock and pulled ashore with a couple of
water casks.
On reaching the beach, grapnel was
thrown overheard, with the mooring line
made fast to the bow of the boat. This
was done in order to save time in getting
off in case we were forced to beat hasty
| retreat. The casks were hauled ashore,
and after short search spring was located.
We fill,d the casks and wandered around
picking up few cocoanuts that had been
shaken down by the recent gale; but no
signs were to be found of any inhabitants.
" eyed ashore until Smith who had been
e:t an board the yacht, hoisted the signal
X. E. O., which meant it was supper time.
We pulled back to the yacht and hauled
the water casks on board.
One of the first questions asked, was wheth
er the beach was good bathing place. All
the ladies were anxious for swim. The
fact is all of US, the men as we'll as the
ladies, wanted to 60 ashore for a swim.
But the chart told US there were hostile
inhabitants on the island, and the male
members of our party did not care to 60
swimming and have wooley head rush
out of the Jungle and tickle them in the ribs
with spear or knife. We did not care to
tell the ladies our fears and we could find
no reasonable excuse to offer for not TAX
ing them ashore.
After supper was over, and while the
ladies were in the gally washing dishes, the
men got together and decided to risk taking
the ladies ashore for swim the following
morning, providing nothing occurred dur
ing the night to make US change our minds.
Wallace and l stood watch from eight
o clock until twelve that nigh, and were
relieved by Smith and Babcock. AS we
did not know whether the natives were
aware of our presence in the lagoon, we all
kept repeating shotgun within reach of
our hands while on watch.
Nothing occurred during the night and
at daylight next morning, after carefully
examining the beach through our bin
oculars, we could see no signs of anyone
having been there during the night. While
eating breakfast, we told the ladies that we
would take them ashore that morning, but
when they saw US loading the tender with
shot-guns and rifles, their curiosity got the
better of them, aud they wanted to know
what we expected to shoot ''Oh," says
Wallace ''there are lot of wild pigs on
the island and we may get shot at some of
them
We pulled ashore to a point where there
was broad stretch OF sand between the
water and shore, but did not anchor the
boat. We had been splashing around for
nearly an hour when all of sudden there
was rustling sound in the woods near the
beach. Looking in the direction from
which the sound came, we saw large bird
rising above the trees.
Snow what frightened that fellows'
asked Babcock.
The question was answered as quick as it