The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-04-11
Continuation of
CHAPTER FIVE

GO4O1g Pl OfChg III lokNs q I'LL 1AAe
almost inexhaustible treasure t.
us. Ironmongery, plumbers tools
lead, paint. grindstones, car
wheels, and all that was neces
sary for the work of a smiths
forge, spades and plowshares
sacks of maize, peas, oats, and
wheat, a hand-mill, and also the
parts of a saw-mill, so carefully
numbered that, yer we strong
enough, it would be easy to put
it up, had been slowed away.
So %bewildered were we by the
wealth around us that for some
time we were at a loss as to
what to remove to the raft. 1t
would be impossible to take ev-
erything; yet the first storm
would complete the destruction of
the ship, and we should lose all
we left behind. Selecting a NUM-
Der of the most useful articles,
however, including of course the
grain and the fruit trees, we
gradually loaded our raft. Fishing
lines, reels, cordage, and a couple
of harpoons were put on board,
as well al a mariners compass.
Fritz, re%collecting our encounter
with the shark, placed the har-
poems in readiness; and amused
me by seeming to picture himself
a whaler, flourishing his harpoon
in most approved fashion.
Early in the afternoon, bokh
our crafts were heavily laden, and
we we're ready to make for the
shore. The voyage was begun with
considerable anxiety, as, with the
raft in tow, there was some dan
ger of an accident.
But the sea being calm and the
wind favorable, we found we
could spread the sail, and
progress was very satisfactory.
Presently, Fritz asked me for
the telescope, as he had observed
something curious floating at a
distance. Then handing it back,
he begged me to examine the OBJ
ject; which l soon discovered to
be a turtle asleep on the water,
and of course unconscious of our
approach.
do, father, steer toward it,"
exclaimed he.
l accordingly did so, that he
might have a nearer look at the
creature. Little did l suspect what
was to follow. The lads back was
turned to me, and the broad sail
was between us, so that l could
not perceive his actions; when,
all of a sudden, l experienced a
shock, and the thrill as of line
running through a reel. Before |
had time to call out, a second
shock, and the sensation of the
boat being rapidly drawn through
the water, alarmed me.
Fritz, what are you about?"
cried I, you are sending us to
the bottom
q have him, hurrah! have
him safe!" shouted he, in eager
excitement.
To my amazement, | perceived
that he really had struck the tor
toise with a harpoon; a rope was
attached to it, and the creature
was running away with us.
Lowering the sail and Selling
my Ratchet, l fastened forward,
in order to cut the line, and cast
adrift at once turtle and harpoon.
Father! do wait!" pleaded the
boy, there is no danger just yet!
! promise to cut the line myself
the instant it is necessary! Let US
catch this turtle if we possibly
can"
"Ny dear boy, the turtle will
be a very dear bargain. If he up I
sets all our goods into the sea, {
if he does not drown us too.
For Heavens sake. be careful! )
will wait a few minutes, but the I
minute there is danger, cut the
AS the turtle began to make
for the open sea, l hoisted the S
sail again; and, finding the OPP S
position too much for it, the crea- 7
ture again directed its ours
landward, drawing us rapidly az T
ter it, The part of the shore for s
which the turtle was making was
considerably TO the left of our a
usual landing place. The beach q
there shelved very gradually, and .
at some distance from land we
grounded with a sharp shock, but {
fortunately without a capsize.
The turtle was evidently great I
ly exhausted, and no wonder, !
since it had been acting the part
Of a steam tug, and had been {
dragging, at full speed. a couple q
1f heavily laden vessels. Its in S
was to escape to land; {
,ut l leaped into the water, and
up to it, dispatched II
With my ak. Such was its tena- E
ity of life, however, that 1t did
lot cease its struggles, until I
ad actually severed IT'S head
-om It's body. q
As we were by no means far n
ON Falconhurst, Fritz gave no S
of our approach by firing on