The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-01

the tides, the tluX which was 1eIt
right up to the lake, raft would
arrive at it's destination without
too much trouble.
Briant had carefully noted that
the higher course Of the river Of
fered no obstacles. A new eXplora'
ton to discover the lower course
from the quagmire to its mouth
was done with a yawl. Briant and
Moko found that this course was
equally navigable. there was an
easy way Of communication be-
tween Sloughi Bay and French
Den.
The following days were EN-.
ployed in preparing the encamp'
ment on the bank of the river,
The lower branches Of two beech
trees joined to a third tree by long
spars, supported the large spare
sail, which was big enough for all
sides to hang to the ground. To
this tent, solidly moored, they
transported the beds, the utensils,
the arms and munitions, and the
bales of provisions. The weather
remained dry and the work was
done under good conditions.
BUSY DAYS
About April fifteenth there was
nothing left on board the schooner
but the heavy cargo, which could
only be removed after demoliSh-
ment, such as the pig-iron which
was used as ballast, the water
tanks, in the hull, the capstan and
the galley stove, too heavy to oe
lifted without some machinery.
The rigging, mizzen mast, sail
ya1GS, ShroudS and iron backStayS,
chains, anchors, ropes, cordage to
line rope yarns, and oakum had
been transported close to the tent.
Pressing as this work was, the
daily needs could not be neglected.
Each day Doniphan, Webb and
Wilcox spent several hours hunt
ing rock pigeons and other fowl.
The young ones gathered snellfiSh
when the tide left the reet-5ank
dry. Jack worked with his young
companions, but never joined in
their laughter.
Ard so the work progressed with
a method in which one could feel
the firm hand and practical sense
of Gordon. Doniphan accepted
from him what he would never
have taken from Briant or any
other. Altogether, peace ard quiet
ruled Ill of this little world.
Nevertheless, it was important
to hurry. The second fortnight Of
April was not so good. The mean
temperature lowered Sensibly. Sew
eral early mornings the thermom-
eter fell to zero, centigrade. Win
ter was coming soon, and with it
would appear hail, snow and
storms, so fearful in the high alti-
tudeS Of the Pacific.
The boys put on the heavy
sweaters, trousers of thick mate
rial, and wooden coats, prepared
against a rigorous winter. Cor
don's notebook classified ali those
clothes by quality and size. BrIant
especially watched the younger
ones. He was careful that they
should not have cojo feet or be
exposed to chill draughts when
they perspired. At IRE least cold
they were kept in the tent or put
to bed near a brassier fire. Sew
raj times Dole and Costar were
kept in, and Moko did not spare
the hot drinks with ingredients
from the yachts pharmacy.
After the cargo had been un-
loaded, they started to attack the
hull which was cracking in every
part. The copper Innings were
lifted carefully, for use in fixing
up French Den.
It was difficult work to take out
the boards which were nailed and
riVeted to the shell, and it was not
done without great hardships by
those inexperienced hands and
those arms Of limited strength. AS
a result the demolition was slow,
when on April IS a violent storm
came to their aid during the night.
Lightning and thunder terrified
the young ones. Fortunately it
did not rain, but several times it
was necessary to hold the tent
against the fury Of the wind.
The yacht, exposed to the heavy
seas and beaten by enormous de-
furling waves, was demolished.
The boarding wrenched out, the
frame diSlocated, the keel broken
up by the constant pounding, it
was soon reduced to the state Of
Spars. There was no reason to
complain Of this, since the retir-
ing waves carried away only a part
Of those sparS which for the most
part were caught on the pointed
heads of the reefs. The hardware
would not be difficult to find
again under the folds Of the sand.
Ito Be COntinued)
Translation from the original "Deux
Ans de Vacances," copyright, 1895, by
Celesta Hamer-J ackson; distributed hY
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