The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-02-22
For the Gaseste.l
RIDING THE SURF.


A NioHr ADVENTURE on LACE SuprRioa.
Sept. 9th, l848.
While we were Whiting for the wind to
hull, sufficient to admit OF our crossing the
channel from La Pon,e 10 the main land,
the day wns pretty well spent, and before
the channel was fairly crossed the sun had
set. Evening and nigh, with its stars still
saw Us busily plying our paddles coas,ing
along low sandy island on our right, neay-
ly joining with the main land. I, was our
intention 10 cnmp at the mouth OF bad Riv.
er, some IL miles from our starting point.
The night swell % is common after q
windy day was still strong, und its boarse
and monotonous dash on the islund. beach
forbid US TO effect a landing with safety
short Of GU. destination.
As the mouth Of the river lies in a low
sandy plain, with crooked outlet, and no
striking landmarks TO guide US, our roy
dgeurs became doubtful, and were earnest
" discussing the suhjec, in French, when
the canoe being suffered TO &c, too near the
shore, we were aroused by sudden uplifi
--ovr canoe tossed like n bubblc--,he wa
ter splashsd over US, and tho foaming surge
having nearly effected our upset, foamcd
oil shore wnrd.
!. was now time to bcstr ourselves-thc
next swell would have ..knockcd US into a
cockcd-ha." to a dead certainty and sen,
us bag md baggage to the shore Us drift.
wood. Blu. the danger quickly perceived,
wns as quickly avoided, the canoes head was
turned from shore, and cutting through the
threatening hiilow bv few strokes Of the
paddle We were on, OF immediate danger.
But still we were by no means relieved
from our dilemma. To tind the mouth Of
the river 10 certainty, was on, Of the
question; to miss it in its vicinity, would
cndangcr our getting in involved the seve-
rer breakers, caused by tho projecting sand
bars at its mouth. Three alternatives
were presented. One was to continue our
courso some ID miles farther 10 the mouth
Of Montreal river, and run the chance Of
missing il. to be dashed upon the rock lined
shore in its vicinity. There was too much
real danger in this
Another ALTERNATIVE was 10 stay all night
OF the Lake, bu, this our hall.frozen aud
shivering condition peremp,oriIy forbid.
There was but one other coursc--and
that was selecting rs iar MS tho darkness nj.
lowed the mos. favorable landing place,
trust our canoe to he horne ashore By the
surge. On this horn Of the dilemma we
chose to hang our hopes.
To perform, took less time than TO come
to a conclusion, the canoes head was turn
cd to the shore and KEEP. as far rs possible
even with the course of the pillows.
"lou must get ready for a ducling,r
said the foreman, and in due accordance
with this not very pleasant intima,ion we
made ready-cs,ra coats were thrown of,
matches secured in dry place, aud all
made fast, Tie hoarscr dash or the break
ing pillows on the shore bid US comc on in
not very musical accents, aud on we came
under the cover Of darkness, -ncarer.-
length rolling bilow tipped up out stern,
and almost pnn.ing the how under water
lifted us up Shooting along like ball, To
sink down again, and see our powerful We.
hclc roll foaming along to break on the
hench-"Paddic AWAY, and keep in the
wake OF this wave or the next will I'LL us,
and the paddles flew. The pursuing wave
as if afraid Of loosing bis prey, seemed 10
urge on apacc, and >. times appeared al.
most 70 overhang our heads,-all was the
work Of momcnt,-we struck the sandy
beach each man sprung out, and LAYING
bold of the canoe lifted her upon the broken
swell Of the pursuing wave out Of danger
A roaring camp fro Of drift-wood, with
a cup Of ten, agrecably closed the adycn-
turc, and stretched out to its genial warmth
with the music Of the dashing surf in our
ears we slept. e. G. p.
THE DOINGs OF DEMOCRACY.