The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-08-01

the ostrich would gallop straigh
ahead; close his right eye an
he turned to the left, close hi
left and he turned to the right
shut both and he stood stool
still.
| was justly proud of my con
trivance, but, before l could reall.
test its utility, l succeeded il
manufacturing one to my liking
and in properly securing it; il
was something like an oldfashion
ed troopers saddle, peaked before
and behind-for my great feal
was lest the boys should fall,
This curious-looking contrivance
placed upon the shoulders as near
the neck as possible, and secured
it with strong girths round the
wings and across the breast, to
avoid all possibility of the saddle
slipping down the birds sloping
back.
l soon saw that my plan would
succeed, though skill and consid-
cradle practice was necessary in
the use of my patent bride. 1t
was difficult to remember that to
check the courser's speed it was
necessary to Slacken rein, and
that the tighter the reins were
drawn, the faster he would fly.
We at length, however, all learn
ed to manage Master Hurricane.
and the distance between Rock
burg and Falconhurst was travers-
ed in an almost Incredibly short
space of time. The marvellous
speed of the bird again revived
the dispute as to the ownership
and | was obliged to interfere.
Jack shall retain the ostrich"
said I, "for it is most suited to
him; he is a lighter weight than
either of you his elder brothers,
and Franz is not yet strong
enough to manage such a fleet
courser. But he is SO far to be
considered common property, that
all may practice ON him occasion
ally; and, in a case of necessity,
anyone may mount him"
Our field work was by this time
over. The land had been plowed
and sown with wheat, barley, and
maize. On the other side of Jack
al River we had planted potatoes
and casava roots, and all sorts
of other seeds had been carefully
sown.
We had not neglected the os-
eggs, and n day Fritz
introduced me with great glee to
three little ostriches. But alas,
the little creatures were not des-
tined to enjoy life long. One died
almost as oon as it was Matched,
and the others, after %tottering
about on their stilt-like legs for
4 few days, followed it's example.
l 0 found time to turn my
attention to the bears skins,
which required preparation before
hey would be fit for use as
Gather. They had been sailed and
Tried, and now required tanning.
had no tan, however. This was
lnfortunate; but not to be deter
ed from my purpose, | determin-
d to use a mixture of honey and
water in its place.
The experiment proved success
III. When the skins were dried
hey remained flexible and free
rom smell, while the fur was soft
nd glossy.
This was not the only result
# the experiment, for the honey
water which | boiled appeared so
lear and tempting, that it struck
ne that | might prepare from it
n excellent drink. l put by some
f the liquid before making use
f it as tan, and reboiled it with
utmeg and cinnamon. The prep
ration, which much resembled
mead. was pronounced
elicious, and the mother begged
ne to brew a large supply. AS
ur cellar was now well stocked
nth provisions for the winter,
nd II other preparations were +
ompleted, ] was able to turn my
ttention to details Of lesser i'm
ortance. The boys had been
lamoring for hats, and as my
uccess in so many trades had
urprised me, ] agreed to turn
after for the nonce. With the
at skins and a solution of India
| produced a kind of felt,
rhich | dyed a brilliant red with
ochineal, and stretching this on
wooden block | had prepared,
passed over it a hot iron, to
mooth the nap, and by next
orning had the satisfaction of
.~esenting to my wife a neat lit
e red Swiss cap, to be lined
nd finished by her for one Of
le boys. The mother admired the
reduction immensely. and lining
with silk, added yet more to
s gay appearance by adjoining
with ribbons and ostrich feath-
RS, and finally placed it upon
lie head of little Franz.
So delighted was everyone with
10 hat, that all were eager to
3 similarly provided, and begged
Ie to manufacture more. l read
y agreed to do SO, as soon as