The native American., 1838-05-26
THE FLOE FISHING.

New England and which, driven on shore ny
Winds and waves, connect themselves with The
land and with each other, until they compose
vast fields These called, by the fishermen,
foes; and by going out upon them and cutting
holes through which to fish, they render the pc
Rod of their continuance season Of considera-
BILE profit. These fields Of ice sometimes re-
main steady for weeks, but are often, by sud-
den off-shore wind and falling tide, swept out
to sea at short warning.
During the winter of --, being exceedingly
fond Of fishing, and wishing to enjoy the sport
in all its varieties, ram5ed to the shores of
Scituate and Cohasset, equipped cap-a-pie, for
hoe fishing. | made my arrangements with a
party Of villagers, and accordingly, on the next
day set out for tie foes. The morning was one
Of those delightful ones, with which our winters
are so beautifully decked, when the sky is pure
and high as that Of summer, and every object IS
defined with intense fneness to the unobstructed
eye. Our party consisted of five Of the villagers
singular, longlimbcd being, whom they called
Derk, who seemed parsonage apart from the
rest-'.the observed Of all observers" (he was
an old whaler, believe,) and myself.
1t was early when we went out, but at our
arrival on the ice we found many persons already
assembled there. A bonfire was blazing some
sixty yards from the shore, and throwing up a
column of white smoke, which it arose slowly
in the air assumed thousand graceful curls and
fantastic shapes. The scene OH the ice was full
of life and beauty. The forms Of men and boys
were seen in all directions gliding over the vast
foes in search of air holes. The noise Of axes
and of voices, halloing and laughing, formed an
assemblage of sounds in the highest degree ex-
hilarating. Turning from this view of gaity and
life, the eye wandered far over the dark bosom
Of the Atlantic, the perfect serenity of which was
al
sea-gul.
Every circumstance was favorable, and we had
capital days sport Il like this said Derk,
as he drew in his line TO which large cod was
attached, sits real screamer; see him wsk
his tail, and his face is for all the world good
likeness of Mr.. -.'' He stopped short, with
his eye riveted on neighboring foe. There
was an uneasy expression in his face, which,
at any other time, would have excited the mirth
of by-stander. He stopped down and rose
again five or six times in quick succession,
turned to look at the sun, rubbed his eyes, and
finally gave a shout that attracted the attention
of the whole widely spread party to one point.
sBoys-Mr. Arthur, Ichabod-run for your
lives
The cause soon became apparent to ALL The
foe on which these individuals were engaged in
their sports was at the extreme outside of the
rest. The tide in falling had detached it from
the others, and it was now moving slowing and
majestcally out to sea.
There's breeze springing up,' said the
whaler, almost at the same elevation of voice,
sand they'll be among the rocks before a soul
can help them"
The lads who were on the foe had become
aware of their dangerous situation too late. The
distance of the firm ice was greater than any one
could clear at leap, and as neither knew how to
swim, there was no alternative but to remain
there until assistance could be offered them.
Had any boat been in readiness, the accident
would not have been considered in serious light
but it happened that all belonging to the village
were drawn up for the winter in small bay
more than mile from this place, and the tide
setting out rapidly, made it matter of doubt
whether one could be brought up before assistance
would be rendered unavailing.
The gaunt form of the whaler was the first
seen moving in the direction of the boats, his
enormous strides setting at defiance the attempts
of others of the party to keep pace with him;
and in few moments, the place SO lately throng-
ed with busy and mirthful sportmen, was silent
and deserted, except by few individuals, who
remained watching with intense interest, the fast
decreasing figures Of their comrades.
From a cape in view, dangerous reef of rocks,
over which, in tempestuous weather, the waves
the distance of three quarters Of mile; and the
wind, which had changed from west to northeast,
blew directly upon it. The sun, in its decline,
had become partially obscured by thin white
clouds, and thick masses of them lay along the
western horizon, with their fine sharp angles
pointed to the north. All objects gave portent
of coming storm.
Near an hour had elapsed, and we yet listened
in vain for the roll of oars. / could endure it no
longer, and set off at top speed towards the bay
A whale boat had been launched when / arrived;
strong crew were seated at her oars; had just
time to leap into her stern sheets, and moment
after she was seen by those of the fishing place
to shoot out from the covert of the bay, and make
with the swiftness of glance, towards the point
round which the foe had disappeared.
1t after doubling this point that the foe
became visible to those in the boat, driving di-
rectly upon the reef, and the long heaving swes
which began 10 roll in and break over the rocks,
gave little hope that the unfortunate youths could
survive the first shock Of striking. They hailed
our appearance with shrek of delight, and
rushing distractedly from the margin Of the ice
next the danger to the side where we were ap-
preaching, watched our advance with fearful
earnestness. "
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