The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-06-06
Continuation of
CHAPTER VIII

creeperS together to form tn
walls to the height of about 81
feet; the rest, up to the roof, W
formed merely of a lattice-worl
of laths to admit both air an,
light. Within we divided the housI
into three parts; n subdividet
into stalls for the animals; a sec
ond fitted with perches for the
birds, and a third, simply furnish
ed with a rough table and bench
es, to serve as a sleeping apart
ment for ourselves, when We
should find it necessary to pay
the place a visit. In a short time
the dwelling was most comfort
ably arranged, and as we daily
filled the feeding troughs with
the food the animals best liked,
they showed no inclination to de-
sert the spot we had chosen for
them.
Yet, hard as we had worked,
we found that the provisions we
had brought with us would be ex-
hausted before we could hope to
be able to leave the farm. l there
fore dispatched Jack and Fritz for
fresh supplies.
During their absence. Ernest
and I made a short excursion in
the neighborhood, that We might
know more exactly the character
of the country near our farm.
Passing over a brook which
flowed toward the wall Of rocks.
we reached a large marsh, and as
We walked round it. l noticed
with delight that il was covered
with the rice plant growing wild
in the greatest p%rofusion. Here
and there only were there any
ripe plants, and from these rose
e number Of ruffled ous a.
which both Ernest and l let fly.
Two fell. and Fangs. who was
with Us. brought them 10 our
feet AS We advanced. Knips
skipped from the back Of his
steed Juno and began to regale
himself OF some fruit, al a short
distance off; We followed the lit
lie animal and found him devour-
ing delicious strawberries. Having
enjoyed the fruit ourselves, We
filled the hamper Knips always
carried, and secured the fruit from
his pilfering paws with leaves
fixed firmly down
I then took a sample Of the rice
seeds 10 show the mother. and
We continued our journey.
Presently We reached the bord-
ers Of the pretty lake which we
had cen beyond the swamp. The
nearer aspect Of it's calm blue
waters greatly charmed us, and
still more so the sight of num-
bers of black swans, disporting
themselves on the CLASSY surface,
in which their stately forms and
graceful movements were reflect
ed as in a mirror. 1t was delight
full to watch these splendid birds.
old and young swimming togeth-
in the peaceful enjoyment OF
ife, seeking their food, and pur-
suing n another playfully in the !.
!
l could not think Of breaking :
upon their happy, beautiful ex- d
by firing among them, but :
our dog Juno was by no means
considerate; for all at once
heard a plunge, and saw her drag I
out Of the water a most peculiar t
looking creature, something like a r
small otter, but not above twenty t
inches in length, which she b
would have torn to pieces had il
We not hurried up and taken it
rom her. o
This curious little animal was d
# a soft, dark brown color. the il
ur being of a lighter shade IN a
the body; its feet were fur a
lished with large claws, and also Il
completely webbed, the head "
mall, with deeply set eye and Il
'ars, and terminating in a broad p,
lat bill like that of a duck. Il
This singularity seemed to us
10 droll that we both laughed at
heartily, feeling at the sane time CT
much puzzled to know what sort p'
u animal it could possibly be. II
'or want of a better, we gave it
name Of the Beast with a W
and Ernest willingly under re
ook to carry it, that it might be de
tuffed and kept as a curiosity. W
After this we returned to the
thinking our messengers nc
night soon arrive, and sure CO
nough, in about a quarter Of an ed
our Fritz and Jack made their tn
ppearance at a brisk trot. and &c
ave q circumstantial O Of ",
heir mission. su
] was pleased TO see that they fo
ad fulfilled their orders inteui- n
carrying out my inten- IN
4ons in the spirit and not blind. IN
to the letter. a.
Next morning we quilted the va
nm (Which we named Wood m,
.nds), after providing amply for or
e wants of the animals, sheep. ro
'ats, and poultry which we left oil,
ere. f;e
Shortly afterward, on entering co
wood, we found it tenanted by eft
enormous number of apes, who tr,
assailed US with show. b,