A Launch Trip.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 7 January 1916, Page 3

A Launch Trip.

After having a good time on land at Christmas, we determined to have as good a one on water at New Year, so made all preparations and on the eventful morning got a fair start, albeit with the engine running a bit funny in consequence of a shaft bent by the boat runningovera log. However, things went alright and by good luck or good management, we picked our way through shoals and snags and eventually arrived at the Lake, still going strongly, when suddenly, about half a mile from shoie paralysis overtook the engine and things came to a standstill. The quack engineer we had on board thought that too many weeds had got round the pushing apparatus so proceed to clear them. Then he tried to start the engine again, but not a kick could be got out of it. After sweating away for about an hour, he came to the conclusion it was about time the show got a move on, so ordered out the oars, which consisted of one paddle and several pieces of board out of the bottom of the boat. By dint of hard pushing and much grunting the boat was at last beached, and after a substantial lunch the aforesaid quack engineer proceeded forth to conquer the trouble. He examined the alimentary canal, and found it in good working order with a good supply of food. He tested for rheumatism and appendicitis, and for a nervous breakdown. The result of his investigations was a verdict that the troubls was a nervous one, but that the particular seat of the trouble could not be located. He then came to the conclusion that perhaps the overland route might suit better than that by water, but first set out on foot for assistance from a friend whose house appeared on a point not far away. The friend, all sympathy, came police to the rescue, but after the patient, could say that the case was too for him, and that the he could do was to tow V maimed one to the nearest Bway station. investigation showed that the trouble was, as aforesaid, a nervous affection, for although the brain was in good working order and the nerves doing their duty well, when it came to translating the nervous energy into action there was a complete failure, so it was decided to lay the patient up until a professional could be got to diagnose the case. Then ensued the usual wait for the train which is always behind time when particularly wanted to be in time, but as the party was light-hearted, the wait was not a weary one, and when at last the journey was done, the party could look back on a day spent enjoyably, even if not in the way anticipated.