The Washington times., 1936-09-02

| the new MOON" answered Briant,
''and the tide will be higher for sew
eral days. The stronger the tide,
the more it will help us to go up
the river. If we're forced to pull
this heavy raft with ropes or to
push it with boat-hooks, we'd never
be able to go against the current"
you're right" said Gordon. 1--WE
must leave in three days at the
latest!"
They all decided not to rest until
the work was completed.
They started loading on May Sd,
carefully, so the raft should be well
balanced. Every one, according to
his strength, was employed in that
work. jenkins, IverSon, Dole and
Costar brought small things such
as utensils, tools, instruments, to
the platform, and Briant and Bax-
ter methodically disposed of them
in the way indicated by Gordon.
CHAPTER XVI
The older boys had the difficult
task of putting the heavy objects
on board. Baxter put up two
Spars, which were maintained with
four cords; at the extremity of this
kind of windlaSS they knocked
tackle, the end of which was fitted
on to a capStan, which helped to
pick up the objects on the ground,
lift them and deposit them on the
platform. BY the afternoon Of May
5th everything was in place: At 8
o'clock the next morning, when the
rising tide would reach the mouth
of the river, they would loosen the
raft.
Now a new proposition from
Gordon gave the boys more work.
Boys" he said, when we leave
the bay, we'll not be able to watch
the sea, and if a ship came in
view of the island, we couldn't
signal it. So I think we should
put a mast on the top of the cliff
and hoist a flag. I hope that it |
will catch the attention Of a pass
ing ship" al
The boys agreed and the top |
mast Of the schooner was dragged |
to the foot Of the cliff, and then,
with great effort, hauled to the |
crest of the steep cliff. The mast |
was planted Solidly, after which,
by means of a halyard, Baxter |
hoisted the British flag. while
Doniphan solemnly saluted with a
shot from his o11n
well! WE'LL" observed Gordon |
to Briant, "Doniphan has taken |
possession of the island in the
name of Britain"
IT wouldn't be surprised If 1t
already belonged to her." answered |
Briant.
Gordon couldn't help making a
wry face, for he always spoke Of |
'hiS island" and seemed to take |
it for granted that it belonged to |
the United States of America.
Everybody was up at dawn the |
next day. They took down the
tent, carried the beds onto the
raft, and stretched the sails over
them. At Z o'clock, preparations |
were completed, and the platform |
had been arranged so they could |
stay on it for two or three days |
If need be. MokO had put away |
the provisions necessary for the |
little journey without being obliged
to make fire.
At half past eight everyone |
boarded the raft, the big boys at |
the stern, armed with boathooks
or SparS, the only means which |
they had to direct it. A little be-
fore the tide began to make
itself felt, and a low cracking
sound ran along the frame of the
raft, the beams of which were
rubbing against their moorings.
But after this first effort there |
was no more dislocation to be |
feared.
attention." Briant shouted.
Attention." echoed Baxter.
They were in charge of the
mooringS which held the raft to
the bank, fore and aft.
Were ready" cried Doniphan,
who, with Wilcox, was stationed |
at the front of the platform.
The raft drifted under the &C.
ton of the tide, and the boys |
rejoiced as it moved. They were
we'll satisfied with their work |
and theirs was feeling of nat
ural pride.
Ito Be COntinued)
Translation from the original "Deux |
Ans de Vacances" copyright, 1895, by
Celesta Hamer-Jackson; distributed By
King Features Syndicate. Inc.
! |