The Washington times., 1936-09-03

spend the night in French Den
First, those who had not seen the
cave wanted to visit it. There
fore as soon as the raft had beer
moored, Briant asked his com
panionS to come with him.
The cabin-boy carried one o.
the ships beacons, which gave g
brilliant light. The branches
which had been placed in front
of the cave by Briant and Doni
phan, were found exactly as they
had been left. Therefore no hu
man being, no animal, had triec
to enter French Den.
Brushing the branches aside
they all slipped through the mar
row opening. The beacon lighted
the cave infinitely better than
had the resinous branches or the
rough candles of the, castaway
We'll. there's not much room
here" observed Baxter.
"Oh, WE'LL" cried Garrett, "by
putting the hunks one over the
other, as in a cabin. -
whats the use?" asked Will
cox. 1--WE can arrange them in
order on the ground"
And then there'n not be room
to move backwards and for
wards" replied Webb.
well! we'll not go backwards
and forwards, that's ALL" an
Swered Briant. Have you any.
thing better to offer, Webb?"
mo, but. -"
But" cut in Service, "the i'm
portant thing is to have a shelter
don't think that Webb imagined
he would find a complete apart
ment with drawing-room, dining
room, bedroom, hall, smoking
room and bathroom"
'No," said Cross. "Still, there
must be place to do the cook
ing"
Il will make a place outside"
answered Moko.
THAT won't be easy in the bad
weather." replied Briant. 81 think
that the first thing to do tomor-
row is put the cooking stove right
here.
THE cooking stove in the same
place where we eat and sleep?"
asked Doniphan, in a tone of dis
gust.
well, you'll have to use smell
ing salts, Lord Doniphan!" replied
Service, who laughed outright.
I'LL do what I like, dish
washer!" snapped the proud boy,
frowning.
We'll, WE'LL" interrupted Cor
don. whether it's agreeable or
not, We'll have to get used to it.
Besides, the stove will warm the
cave. We will have all winter to
dig more rooms in the chalky
walls. But first of all, let's take
French Den as it is and establish
ourselves here the best way we
can"
The hunks were arranged in
rows on the sandy floor. Although
they were close together, those
children, used to the narrowness
of the ships cabins, did not con-
slider it uncomfortable.
This settling down occupied the
boys until the end of the day. The
big table from the yacht was
placed in the center of the cave
and Garrett, helped by the little
ones who were bringing in the
utensils, set the table for dinner.
Moko and Service did excellent
work. A fire was built between
two big stones at the foot of the
counterfort of the cliff, and fed
with dry wood brought by Webb
and Wilcox. A soup was made
with the meat biscuits. There also
were dozen cartridges, carefully
plucked and cleaned and threaded
on an thin iron rod, which were
roasted over dripping pan.
Before 7 o'clock they all gath
cred in the one room of French
Den. They sat on the stools, fold
ing chairs, wicker chairs and
benches of the Slough while Moko
served a substantial meal. The
Steaming soup, a piece of corned
beef, the roasted cartridges, bis
cults, and a piece of Chester
cheese made up for the rather
mean menu of the last few days.
Whatever the gravity of the situa-
ton, the young ones gave way to
the joyfulness of their age and
Briant was far from trying to
dampen their joy or to stop their
laughter.
The day had been very firing.
Everybody was ready to rest, but
Gordon proposed that they first
pay visit to the last resting place
of Francois Baudoin, for whom
they felt a kindly comradeship in
occupying his home.
Ito Be COntinued)
Translation from the original "Deux
| Ans de Vacances" ronVripbt IaaE hw