The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-05-23
Continuation Of
CHAPTER VIII
BY . a 4. Wyss

One objection to Falconhurst
was the absence of any spring
close by, so that the boys were
obliged to bring water daily from
the tream; and this involving no
little trouble, it was proposed
that we should carry the water
by pipes from the stream close
to our present residence. A dam
had to be thrown across the riv-
er some way up stream, that the
water might be raised to a suffi-
cient height to run to Falcon
hurst. From the reservoir thus
made we led the water down by
mines into the turtles shell, which
we placed near u dwelling, and
from which the superflous water
flowed off through the hole made
in it by Fritz's harpoon. This
was an immense convenience,
and we formally inaugurated the
trough by washing therein a
whole sack OF potatoes. Thus day
after day brought its own work,
and day after day saw that work
completed. We had no time to
be idle, or to lament our separa-
ton from our fellow creatures.
One morning, as we were com
plotting our spiral staircase, and
giving it such finish as we were
capable of, we were suddenly
alarmed by hearing a most ter
rifle noise, the roaring or below
ing Of a wild beast; so strange
a sound was it, that / could not
imagine by what animal it was
uttered.
Jack thought it perhaps a lion,
Fritz hazarded a gorilla, while
Ernest gave it as his opinion, and
] thought it possible that he was
right, that it was a hyena.
Whatever it is" said l, I'VE
must prepare to receive it; up
with you all to the nest while l
secure the door"
Then arming the dogs with
their collars, l sent them out to
protect the animals below, closed
the door, and Joined my family.
Every gun was loaded, every eye
was upon the watch. The sound
drew nearer. and then all vas
still; nothing was to be seen. l
determined to descend and recon
hotter, and Fritz and l carefully
crept down; with our guns at
full cock we glided among the
trees; noiselessly and quickly we
pushed on further and fSrther;
suddenly, close by. we heard the
terrific sound again. Fritz raised
his gun, but almost as quickly
again dropped it, and burst into
a hearty fit Of laughter. There
was no mistaking those dulcet
tones-he-haw, he-haw, he-haw-
resounded through the forest, and
our ass, braying his approach
right merrily, appeared in sight.
To Jul surprise, however, our
friend was not alone: behind him
trotted another animal, an ass no
doubt, but slim and graceful as
a horse. We watched their move
ments anxiously.
Fritz" l whispered, that is
an onager. Creep back to Falcon
hurst and bring me a piece Of
cord-quietly nowi"
While he was gone. l cut a
hannhna nnd CnJs+ - hole rvorvi
down to form a pair Of pinchers,
which / knew would be Of use
to me should l get near the ami
NAL. Fritz soon returned with the
cord, and l was glad to observe
also brought some oats and salt.
We made one end Of the cord
fast to a tree, and at the other
end made a running moose. ST.
lently we watched the animals
as they approached, quietly brows-
ing; Fritz then arose, holding in
n hand the moose and in the
other ome oats and salt. The
ass, seeing his favorite food thus
held out, advanced to take it;
Fritz allowed him to do so, and
he was soon munching content
eddy. The stranger, on seeing
Fritz, started back; but finding
her companion show no signs of
alarm, was treasured, and soon
approached shifting, and was
about to take some of the tempt
ing food. In a moment the moose
left Fritz's adroit hand and fell
round her neck; with a single |
bound she sprang backward the
full length Of the cord, the moose
drew tight, and she fell to the
earth half strangled- I at once
a up, loosened the rope, and
replaced it by a halter; and plac-
ing the pincers upon her nose,
secured her by two cords fasten-
ed between two trees, and then
left her to recover herself.
Everyone fastened up to exam
inc the beautiful animal as she
rose to the ground and cast fiery
glances around. She dashed out
with her heels on every side;
and, giving vent to angry shorts,
struggled violently to get free.
All her endeavors were vain: the
cords were stout, and after a
while she quieted down and stood
exhausted and %quivering. l then