The bridge was then completed by wedging the frame K under the ends of the D frames, and also placing a stick across each tower under the joints of the D frames.  We planned to run our gravity railway across this bridge, moving our platform and trestle to the opposite bank; so instead of flooring our bridge with slabs, we fastened ties across at intervals of 15 or 18 inches.  These ties were sticks 3 inches in diameter, which were secured to the D frames.

[Illustration:  Fig. 320.  A General View of our Cantilever Bridge.]

[Illustration:  Building the Cantilever Bridge over Cedar Creek.]

A Serious Interruption.

We were just preparing to lay the tracks across the bridge when we met with a serious interruption.  Mr. Halliday had told us that a few days before our arrival that summer Mr. Smith, the owner of the island, and another man had paid a visit to the place.  Jim Halliday himself had rowed them over, and learned from their conversation that Mr. Smith was trying to sell the island, and that the stranger, a Mr. Gill, was a prospective purchaser.  All summer long we had been dreading the return of this customer, though, as time passed without his putting in an appearance, we almost forgot the incident.  But now, at the end of August, just as we had about completed our cantilever bridge, who should arrive but this very man Gill and three other men with a large tent and camping outfit.  It was a sorrowful crowd of boys that watched the wagon with their belongings ford the shallow water over to our island.  We felt that the island was ours by right of discovery and occupation, but we were powerless to force our claims.  And what if they did not insist on our leaving the island?  It would not be the same place with strangers around to meddle with our things.

Dispossessed.

But the new owner of the island was even more of a boor than we had anticipated.  As soon as he landed he wanted to know what we were doing on his property, and peremptorily ordered us off.  Bill answered that we were camping there, and politely asked if we couldn’t stay out the summer.  But Gill would not listen to the idea.  We must get off the island that very day or he would see to it that we did.

I tell you it made us boil.  We were just itching to give the pompous little man the sound thrashing he deserved, but knew that we would stand a very small show against his three powerful companions.  At any rate, we were determined not to leave at once.  Instead, we repaired to Kite Island, taking our belongings with us.  Then we cut away the suspension, spar and pontoon bridges, so that we would not be annoyed by any of the Gill crowd.  We were resolved that they should not benefit by any of the things we had built.