MODERN CRUSOES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2406, 22 January 1909, Page 6

MODERN CRUSOE S .

TWENTY DAYS ON A LONELY ISLAND.

Eighteen Scottish .sealers from the island of Lewis have just met with adventures such as one reads of in “Robinson Orusoe. In small boats, on a day when the sea was calm" as a lake, the. men set out for the island of North Rona, fortyfive miles distant. They drew up their boats in the only safe landingplace, and -the whole hand at once set out to hunt the seals. They found hundreds: of Ahem and, getting between them and the sea shore, killed 320, and secured the skins. Preparations were made to return, home tlie next day, but during the night the weather broke, and instead of Jaunchin<y their boats they had to haul them 100 vards further up. So rough; wa-s the weather that the sealers set about building temporary shelters. Crusoc*llke they carried all they could from the boats, and soon.; had. two comfortable houses bu ilt. I heir beds were made of grass. For. Lie first few days the men were well provided, but they took the precaution oi putting themselves on-short rations. Fox. light and lire they used seal-bbibbei. The provisions -at hist gave out., and the men killed a sheep, of winch there are a few on the.island, and caught the sleeping sea-birds on the rocks. Twenty days passed before, the weather was fit,'for the men to take to their small boats again. "They are now safe at home, greatly to the delight of their wives and families,