The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-17

Fortunately, celery grew abun
Lake, and it continually took tn
The nets, that had been
stretched on the left shore of the
river during the winter, had been
transformed into hunting nets.
On them they caught partridges,
grouse and bernicles, kind Of
Antarctic sea goose that evidently
came from lands beyond the
island.
Wilcox and Webb also captured
some agoutis, a kind of rabbit as
big as hares. of which the white
flesh. a little dry, is something
between rabbit and pork. When
they were found in their burrows
a light whistle brought them to
the surface where they were
caught. Several times the young
hunters brought back number of
furry animals, which had an odor
similar to that of the skunk.
How can they live with such a
smell around them?" asked young
Iverson.
"Oh, we'll! they're used to it"
said Service.
The river furnished some fish
and Family Lake gave much
larger ones, among them some
fine trout. When the time came
for the salmon to go up river,
Moko would get fine catch OF
those fish which could be sailed
to assure an excellent food for
the winter. Baxter made some
bows and arrows, the bows from
the pliable branches of ash trees,
and the arrows from reeds, rein
forced with a nail at the point,
which enabled Wilcox and Cross
to kill small game OCCASIONALLY.
Gordon was always opposed to
the use of their munitions, but a
circumstance arose in which he
had to consent.
On December Doniphan took
him aside and said:
Gordon, we're infested by
iackals and foxes. Every night
they destroy our snareS and the
game which has been caught in
them! We must try and do
something, once and for ALL"
Cant you lay some traps"
asked Gordon, seeing where his
comrades talk was leading.
"Traps" said Doniphan, who
had lost nothing of his con-
tempt for them. Traps! 1t
wouldn't be so bad if it was
jackals, but you can't catch fox
in a trap. It's too cunning.
Some night our Enclosure will be
raided and nothing will be left
of all the fowl in the poultry
yard"
"Well, since it's absolutely nee
esSary," said Gordon, I'll allow
a dozen cartridges. But above
all try to shoot only when you're
certain not to miss"
"All right! Gordon. You can
rely on it! Tonight we'll make
such a kill that those animals
won't be seen again for a long
time!"
At II o'clock that night Doni-
phan, Briant, Wilcox, Baxter,
Webb, Cross and Servoce posted
themselves near a covert close
to Traps-Woods on the side of
the lake. They hid themselves
between tufts of wild heather.
The night was very dark.
The absolute silence, unbroken
by the slightest breath of wind,
enabled them to hear the foxes
creeping on the dry grass.
CHAPTER XIV
A little after midnight Doniphan
signalled the approach of pack
of foxes crossing the covert to
drink at the lake.
The hunters waited impatiently
until about 20 of them had gather
ed. They approached cautiously,
as if suspicious of an ambush. Sud
denly, at Doniphan's signal, the
boys fired a thick hail of tiny but
deadly shot.
At dawn a dozen of them we're
found dead. The kill was repeated
for three consecutive nights and
the colony was soon free from the
dangerous visits. Another reward
was about so fine, beautiful, silver
grey skins which we're used for
carpets and clothes, all of which
added to the comfort of French
Den.
On December IS, 1860, an expe-
dition to Slough Bay took place.
The weather was splendid. Cor
don decided that everybody should
go, a decision which the young
ones welcomed with joy.
BY starting at dawn they prob
ably could return before night. If
delayed they could camp under
the trees.
The principal object was to hunt
seals and with good reason. Con-
siderable lighting material had
been used the long winter nights,
and was nearly exhausted There