The Normal Record. June 1905

              THE NORMAL RECORD 25
for about half a mile until we came to a trail leading down off the ridge into
the meadow, which we knew the deer had made. Jumping a log, which we intended to hide behind some moonlight night and watch for deer, we went about
fifty yards to an old pine stub.
After looking around we decided that this old stub was just the place
so we scraped a shallow hole at the roots of it and chopped off a few chips, which
we laid in the bottom. We then put in our salt and after covering it up we
started for home, after we had obliterated all traces of our presence that we
could, back along the way we had come.
It had steadily grown lighter all this time and when we got back to the
milking corral the cows were up and waiting to be milked as they mooed softly
to their calves. Just as we were climbing over the fence of the calf pasture,
and as we paused for an instant on the top rail, a meadow lark farther down the
fence sent forth his clear, loud, sweet notes and was answered far and near
by others. Looking we saw the sun just peeping over the tree tops of the rkjge
to the East of us and lighting up the top of the grand old snow-capped mountain.
"As the sun his beacon red lighted up Mt. Burney's head,
The sweet toned meadow lark's far heard call, echoed through the upland
meadow."
A TRIP AROUND SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Allen  Hodgson.
@N the ninth of August 1904, a party of eight, myself included, were granted
permission to take a trip around the Bay of San Francisco on the Government launch "Thomas", accordingly at six o'clock on that morning
we were at Dock Thirteen waiting for the gang-plank to drop. We were not the
only fortunate holders of the necessary permits, so when at half past six, the
"Thomas" was ready to start an eager, excited party of men, women and children boarded the boat.
The Thomas is under the control of, and used entirely by government
officials, for running errands between San Francisco and the various ports about
the bay. It has a magnificent parlor, luxurious state-rooms and an immense
dining parlor. These are for the sole use of the military officers and their wives,
and below them are store-rooms and smaller cabins. After spending some time
in making a tour of the steam launch, we climbed a narrow flight of stairs to
the upper deck, just as the vessel was leaving the wharf a stiff breeze was
blowing, and the waves were sent high up on the sides of the boat as we moved
rapidly along. In about fifteen minutes we made our first stop at the Presidio.
Here several men wearing the uniforms of commissioned officers were taken on
board and a number of soldiers were landed, under the charge of an inspector.
After unloading a few heavy boxes, we were soon on our way.
Our next stop was at Alcatraz, the government station, where is located
the United States military prisons and stronghold, As no passengers other than
Government officials are allowd to land here without a special permit we were
forced to remain on deck. Alcatraz is a small and very rocky island. Its steep
banks rise from the water at almost right angles to it and are very high. At
the island's base on the side facing the ferry is the dock, risng but a few feet
above the water. Freight of all descriptions is placed here and this is carried
to and from the vessels by prisoners in light tan colored suits with a large black
P marked on the back of their coats. Just to one side of the landing is a long,
narrow building.    You can quite plainly see for what It is used by the many