Freedom to Play: We Made Our Own Fun

A TRIP ON A STEAMER

A TRIP ON A STEAMER Summer Days, Family Herald and Weekly Star August 2, 1911 Helga Erlindson (13) Reykjavik, Man. On Victoria Day last year a party of girls of my own age embarked on a large steamer. The weather was calm and, as the boat glided near the river’s bank, we could enjoy the beautiful scenery. At first it passed many houses that were situated on open plains and could be seen well from afar. We saw many trees such as pine, spruce and maple growing on the bank. At last the boat landed at an island. Here we disembarked and the captain promised to pick us up when he came back after going a little distance to get lumber. On this isle was a little cottage with ivy climbing up to the roof. In front was a little garden decorated with flowering plants. The cottage had once been occupied by an English family who had lately moved to England. For a long time we wandered up and down this lovely little island, which we knew not the name of, but determined to call it “Gull Island” as the wild sea-gulls were so numerous there. At last, being tired of wandering we sat down under the shade of a large pine tree to eat our lunch. A little rivulet flowed rapidly onward just before our feet. There were plenty of birch trees there so each of us made a cup out of the birch-bark and drank from its fresh waters. When our meal was over we went to explore the cottage. Again we went to roam until it was eight o’clock in the evening, and we were getting uneasy about the steamer. We thought the captain had forgotten his promise and left us alone on the isle. Hours passed on and it was now quite late so we went into the house to rest. At first we were afraid we could never get away from the isle, but as we were tired after wandering about all day we soon fell asleep. At four o’clock next morning we were awakened by the captain who had been delayed at the lumber mills. We got safely home, but we never forgot the good time we had wandering on lovely “Gull Island.” 44 Freedom to Play ...