The Washington times., 1936-09-24

who only thought of completing
the organization Of his colony on
Chairman Island. The presidency
of Briant was to be especially
marked by the efforts which would
be made to get back to their own
land.
The first fortnight Of August
was marked by four days Of ter.
rible cold. The thermometer fell
to twenty degrees below zero. The
younger boys were forbidden to
leave French Den and the older
ones only went out in cases Of alb
Solute necessity.
Fortunately, this cold weather
did not last long. The wind
veered to the west. Sloughi Bay
and Wreck Coast were assailed by
terrible storms, but they marked
an end to the extremely cold
weather. The temperature began
constantly to rise and the last
fortnight of August was easy to
bear. Briant was able to begin
the outdoor work. except the fish.
ing, since thick ice still covered
the river and the lake.
Finally the inclosure had new
guests. There we're broods Of
cranes and other birds; and the
llama had five little ones, which
Service and Garnett took under
their special care.
Under these circumstances
Briant had the idea of big skat-
ing party. With a wooden sole
and a blade of iron, Baxter was
able to make few pairs of skates.
The boys were delighted.
CHAPTER xxx
The morning Of August 25th,
1861, Briant, Gordon, Doniphan,
Webb, Cross, Wilcox, Baxter, Gar
nett, Service, Jenkins and Jack,
left their small comrades with
Moko and Phann at French Den,
while they sought a smooth, large
stretch Of ice on Family Lake.
Briant took one Of the horns of
the Sloughi to call the boys if
some of them went too far. Close
to Traps-Woods the colonists
found a place big enough for an
army of skaters.
Doniphan and Cross, Of course,
had taken their guns. to kill some
game if the chance presented
itself.
The most skilled skaters we're
Doniphan. Cross, and more eSpe-
cially Jack, who excelled in the
speed and precision with which he
could trace complicated curves on
the ice.
The skaters rushed forward.
Jack was marvellous going back
wards and forwards first on one
foot and then on two, standing,
crouching, describing circles and
ellipses with perfect regularity.
And what satisfaction it was for
Briant to see his brother take
part in the games with the
others!
Doniphan was jealous of Jacks
success. which all were applaud
ing. AS a result it was not long be.
fore he SWerved from the shore
in spite of Briant'S specific warn
lngS. He even beckoned Cross to
follow him.
"Hey, Cross" he cried, "I can
see a flock of ducks over there. ..
towards the east!. DO you see
them?"
eyes"
We've got our guns Let's
go"
In the twinkling of an eye, Doni-
phan and Cross had covered half
a mile, chasing the flock of birds
flying over Family Lake.
Where are they going?" asked
Briant.
"They must have seen some
game over there" said Gordon,
"and the hunting instinct. -"
"Or the instinct of disobedi-
erce!" replied Braint. "It's Doni-
phan again!"
do you think then there's
something to fear?"
well, who knows, Gordon? It's
always risky to go too farl. See
where they are already"
Dominican and Cross were like
two little dots on the horizon. It
was risky thing to do. At this
time of the year a sudden change
in the wind might bring storms or
fogs.
Ito Be COntinued)
Translation from the original 'Deux
Ans de Yacances." copyright 1888. By