Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-10

|
the solemn islands and shores. On our
right lay the Michigan shore, high and
sandy. with the dark eminence called the
Sleeping Bear, conspicuous on the ridge.
No land spectators have set foot here yet.
A few Indian dwellings, with evergreen
woods and sandy cliffs, were all. Just
here, Mr.. d. pointed out schooner of his
which was wrecked in a snow-storm the
preceding November. She looked pretty
and forlorn, lying on her side in that des-
olate place, seeming a mere plaything
thrown in among the cliffs. "Ah" said
her owner, with sigh, ''she was a lovely
creature. and as stiff as church." Two
lives we're lost. Two young Germans,
stout lads, could not comprehend the orders
given them to put on all their clothing,
and keep themselves warm. They only
hali-dressed themselves-'The cold took
Them and they died. The rest tried to
make fire by friction Of wood, but got only
smoke. Some one found traces Of dog
| in the snow. These were followed for
three miles, and ended at an Indian lodge,
where the sailors were warmed, and kindly
| treated.
During the bright morning of this day
we passed the Fox and Beaver Islands.
The captain was in fine spirits, though
there was no longer any prospect Of reach
ing Mackinaw in time for the festivities
Of the day. This island is chiefly known
as principal station Of the great north
western fur trade. Others know it as
the seat Of an Indian mission. Others,
again, as frontier garrison. 1t known
to me as the widest and tenderest little
piece of beauty that have yet seen on
on Gods earth 1t is small island, nine
miles in circumference, being in the stra,
between the Lakes Michigan and Huron.
and between the coasts Of Michigan and
| Wisconsin.
Towards evening the Wisconsin coast
come into view, the strait suddenly mar
rowed, and we were about to bid farewell
to the great lake, whose total length we
had traversed, after sweeping round its
southern extremity. The ugly light ship,
which looked heavy enough, came in to
view about six o'clock-,he first token Of
our approach to Mackinaw. The Office Of
the light-ship is to tow vessels in the dark
through the strait. We were too early for
this; but perhaps it performed that office
for the two schooners whose white specks
of sails had been on our southern horizon
all day. Next we saw white speck be-
fore US: it was the barracks Of Mackinaw,
stretching along the sides Of its green hills,
and clearly visible before the town came
into view.
This island looked enchanting as we ap-
preached, as think it always must, though
we hadhhe advantage Of seeing first steep
ed in the most golden sunshine that ever
hallowed lake or shore. The colors were
up on all the little vessels in the harbor.
The national flag streamed from the garri-
son. The soldiers thronged the walls Of
the barracks; half breed boys we're pad
ding about in their little canoes, in the
transparent waters, the half French, half
Indian population Of the place we're all
abroad in their best. An Indian lodge
was on the shore, and picturesque dark
group stood beside it. The cows were
coming down the steep green slopes to the
milking. Nothing could be more bright
and joyous.
The houses of the old French village
are shabby looking, dusty, and rooted
with bark. There are some neat yellow
houses, with red shutters, which have
foreign air, with their porches and flight
Of steps. The better houses stand on the
first Of the three terraces, which are dis
tinctly marked. Behind them are SWELL
ing green knobs; before them gardens slo-
ping down to the norraw slip Of white
beach, SO that the grass seems to grow al
most into the clear ripping waves. The
gardens were rich with mountain ash, ro-
ses, stocks, currant bushes, springing
corn, and great variety Of kitchen veg
etables. There were two small piers, with
little barks alongside, and piles Of wood
for the steamboats,. Some way to the
right stood the quadrangular of mssiona-
ry buildings, andthe white mission church.
Still farther the right was shabby preC-
ipce down to the lake; and beyond the
blue waters. While we were gazing
at all this. a pretty schooner sailed into
the harbor after us in fine style, sweeping
round our bows SO suddenly as nearly to
swamp little fleet of canoes, each with
its pair Of half breed boys.
We had been alarmed by declaration
from the captain that he should stay only
three hours at the island. He seemed 10
to have no intention of taking us ashore
this evening. The dreadful idea occurred
to US that we might be carried away from
this paradise, without having set foot in
it. We looked at each other in dismay.
Mr.. d. stood our friend. He had some
furs on board, which were to be landed
He said this should not be done TIL the
morning; and he would take care that his
people did it with the utmost possible slow
ness. He thought that he could gain US
ar additional hour in this way. Meantime,
thunder-clouds were coming up rapidly
from the west, and the sun was near its
setting. After much consultation, and an