The Washington times., 1936-09-18

no longer had, over there in Auck-
land, the hope to see them again
one day!
Gordon announced that Deem
Der Is and IS would be holidays
at French Den. AL work would
be suspended. This first Christ
mas on Chairman Island would be
what it is in Europe and America
the most important day of the
year.
It is easy to imagine what kind
Of reception was given to this an
nouncement! Naturally there
would be a Christmas banquet,
and Moko promised marvelS Of
culinary art. Service and he held
mysterious conferences on the
subject, while Dole and Costar,
their natural greediness sharp
ened in advance, tried to learn
the secret Of these deliberations.
The kitchen was sufficiently well
stocked to supply everything that
could be needed for the great din
ner.
Christmas Day
The great day arrived. Outside,
above the hall door, Baxter and
Wilcox artiStically arranged a
series of flags, pennants and bun
tings of the Slough, which gave
a festive atmosphere to French
Den.
Early in the morning the great
noise of a cannon shot woke the
coloniStS. Doniphan had fired it
in honor Of Christmas.
The younger ones ran to offer
the older boys their wishes for
Christmas and the New Year,
which were affectionately re-
turned. There was even a COM
pliment addressed to the chief of
Chairman Island, recited by Co
star, a task which he fulfilled
nicely. They put on their best
clothes for the occasion. The
weather was splendid. Before
and after lunch they had walks
along the lake, and games on
Sport Terrace. They had found
on the yacht all the equipment
necessary for popular English
games. They had marbles and
balls, tennis recquets, golf sticks
and mallets, footballs, bowls and
everything necessary for the IA
nous game of cricket.
The day was well spent. The
young ones especially had a won
derful time. Everything went
well. There were no discussions,
no quarrels. At last dinner was
announced by another cannon
shot. The young boys came
merrily to take their places at
the banquet served in the store
room.
In the center Of the table,
which was covered with a white
linen cloth, was a Christmas tree
in a large pot, surrounded with
foliage and flowers. On the
branches were hung little flags
of England, America and France.
Moko had surpassed himself in
preparing dinner and both he
and Service were proud Of the
compliments they received. They
had stewed jack-rabbit, a dish
OF cartridges, roast hare, stuffed
with aromatic herbs, a big crane
with wings lifted, beak straight
ened up, like a dressed pheasant,
and three cans Of preserved veg
etables, a pudding-and what a
pudding! shaped like a pyramid
with it's raisins and traditional
fruits and tea and coffee. So
they magnificently celebrated
Christmas on Chairman Island.
Finally, Briant proposed a toast
to Gordon, who answered by
drinking to the health Of the
little colony and to the remem-
brance of the absent families;
and then Costar, in the name
Of the younger ones. thanked
Briant for the devotion of which
he had given them so many
proofs.
Briant was deeply moved by
the hurrahs in his honour
hurrahs which didn't find a re-
Spouse in the heart of Doniphan.
CHAPTER XVI
A week later the year 1861 be-
gan in the middle of the summer
on Chairman Island.
ITO Be COntinued)
Translation from the original 'Deux
Ans de Vacances." copyright, 1895, by
Celesta Hamer-Jackson; distributed by
C,-~+1'c~t