Sunday, September 8, an enjoyable trip was planned from Long Point across to the Main Ducks Island. It had been advertised in the local papers and about thirty were out for the trip. We left the land at 9 a.m., arriving at the Island around 11 o’clock. We found a hearty welcome and certainly enjoyed the day on this unusual island resort.

I wonder if the outside world really knows what this Island is like. Do they know that there is a main street to parade up and down on? There are villages on both sides of the harbor. You certainly couldn’t get lonesome—there is too much going on all the time.

The party was invited to Mr. Cole’s fine residence, which is furnished in the best of taste. Here we took our lunch baskets and the hostesses furnished tea and coffee. Following lunch the party joined up for a tour of the island.

The island contains 1,135 acres, and is two miles long by a mile wide, and at least half of it is covered with timber of all sorts except pine. I would say that there are 200 acres of cleared land, producing hay and other crops. The rest of the island is in its natural state.

Suddenly as we went along someone called out: “Look! In that clump of bushes! Don’t you see his horns!” And there were two or three lovely deer. We saw several as we drove along.

But suddenly, Bang! One of our tires blew—too much load aboard, but the walking was good, so on we went.

Going on to the northern side of the island, Mr. Cole, who was leader, took us down a hillside where there is a huge blue granite stone. Cut in the stone, in plain figures, were the numbers 1768. There were other markings but with the wear of the years these cannot be deciphered.

It appears that at this date a French vessel, loaded with soldiers, came ashore here, the cove being on the western side. By the big stone,it is said, a man’s body was found and money has been supposedly buried here. Many have dug for it.

Further on we come to a round, cleared strip of ground which our guide tells us was the old threshing floor where oxen or horses used to tread out the grain.

On again! We come down to the government light-house, at the extreme western end. This is a large all concrete and steel building, 85 ft. from the ground to the last floor; or over 90 feet over all. There are many glass reflectors at the top and bottom, with a 10-inch bull’s-eye in the centre. The bull’s-eye provides the flash, there being 3 or 4. bullseyes on the 3 or 4 sides of the light. The machine is driven by winding up

heavy weights. In a separate building on the ground level, is installed a device similar to a broadcasting system for getting in touch with vessels and with Kingston. Then, there are two huge fog-horns, one always ready for instant use. The operator blew one of them for us, and the blast was terrible; it could be heard for miles. Even the hulls of old shipwrecks seemed to tremble at the awful din. Yes, we saw hulls of vessels and boilers and other debris, since l the water was low and there was no disturbance.

Then we turn to come back along the south shore. Here we see Mr. Cole’s race-track and his thoroughbred ponies. I counted twelve or more. He makes a specialty of breeding ponies. What with over 100 deer and his racing ponies, no wonder they have speed on the island.

On the way home the guide pointed out the grave of an unknown woman. I buried her there many years ago—she came ashore dreadfully mangled, and we never found out who she was, he related. A little further along we buried the bodies of two men who were washed ashore. They were later claimed by the U. S. and taken up to be returned to relatives there.

Passing a large white ash tree, with a long hollow trunk, the guide related how when his son was a young lad, a team of skittish horses had run away with the lad, the wagon climbing the tree. I thought the boy was dead, but he was only unconscious and came around soon, the father explained.

We saw hundreds of beautiful white gulls circling about the island. They made a beautiful sight.

And so back to Main Street, which was very attractive with its large fishing fleet, boats, reels, etc. Mr. Cole has a large fishing tug, equipped with a 3-cylinder Diesel engine.

At four p.m. the bell tolled and the thirty excursionists again left the Island for the 18-mile boat trip to the mainland. It took one hour and 45 minutes. Our boat was a large

fishing craft, 48 feet long and ten feet in the beam. The lake was just as smooth as could be with never a ripple. As we left the harbor we saw the old Indian Head rock formation. It is unique.

We were sorry to reach land and realize that a very pleasant experience had closed. But we intend to return next year if the trip is to be made.