The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-09-05

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lands, stores of acorns for the
pigs, and grass, willows, and
canes, to be manufactured during
the winter into mats, baskets,
hurdles, and hencoops.
Many a shower wetted us dur.
ing these days, and We had scare
ly time to hurry back to Rock
burg and house cattle and
possessions before the annual
deluge began.
Never before had this dreary
season seemed so short and pleas
ant; with Jenny among us, the
usual feeling of WEAKNESS and dis
content never appeared; the Eng
lish language was quickly acquir-
ed by all hands, Fritz, in partic-
ular, speaking ii so well that Jen-
ny declared she could scarcely be-
lieve he was not an Englishman.
She herself already spoke French,
and therefore easily learned our
native language and spoke it
fluently before We were released
from our captivity.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Many wondrous tales were told
or read in turn by the boys and
Jenny during the long evenings
as we sat drawing, weaving, and
plating in our coy study. In
fact this winter was a truly happy
time, and when at length the rain
ceased and the bright sun again
smiled upon the face OF nature,
we could scarcely believe, as we
stepped forth and once mor felt
the balmy breath of spring, that,
for so many weeks, we had been
prisoners within rocky walls.
All was once more activity and
life; the duties in field and gar
den, and orchard called forth the
energy of the lads, while their
mother and sister found abundant
occupation in the poultry yard
and house.
Our various settlements and
stations required attention. Fal-
%conhurst, Woodlands, Prospect
Hill, Shark and Whale Islands
were in turn visited and set in
order. The duty of attending to
the island battery fell to Jack
and Franz.
They had been busy all day re-
pairing the flagstaff, 'Tehoisting
the flag, and cleaning and putting
into working order the two guns.
Evening was drawing on and
u days work over; the rest of
us were strolling up and down
the beach, enjoying the cool sea
breeze. They loaded and ran out
their guns, and padding off with
an empty tub in the cajack, placed
it out at sea as a mark for prac-
tice. They returned and fired,
and the barrel flew in pieces, and
then, with a shout of triumph,
they cleaned the guns and ran
them in.
Scarcely had they done so
when, as though in answer to
their shots, came the sound of
three guns booming across the
water from the westward.
We stopped. speeches.. Was it
fancy? Had we really heard guns
a strange ship? Or had the
again fired? No! there were
the lads leaping into their canoe
and padding in hot haste toward
Us. They, too had heard the
sound.
A tumult of feelings rushed over
us-anxiety, JOY, hope, doubt,
each in turn took possession if
our minds. Was it a European
vessel close upon our shores, and
we about to be linked once
more to civilized life? Or did
hose sounds proceed from a Ma
lay pirate, who would rob and
murder us! What was to be the
result of meeting with our fellow
beings; were they to be friends
who would help us, enemies who
would attack US, or would they
prove unfortunate creatures in
iced Of our assistance? Who could
ell?
Before we could express these
thoughts in words the cajack
touched shore, and Jack and
franz were among us.
did you hear them? Did you ,
them?" they gasped. What
hall we do? Where shall we go?"
20 Fritz" continued my young
st son, at must be a European
hip. We shall find her. We shall
ee u Fatherland once more"
nd in an emotion of joy he
rasped his brothers. hands.
Till then j knew not what a
for civilized life had been
reused in the two young men
the appearance of their Euro
can sister.
All eyes were turned toward
lie. What would / advise?
"At present." l said, 1--WE can
o nothing, for night is drawing
a. We must make what prepara-
ons we can, and pray for guild
nee"
In the greatest excitement we
to the house, all talking
and till late no one could