The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-08-09


life, though he had all the grit of vet
eran. L answered his looks by tellin,
him to rig sail, while Ire-charged M
six shooter. We were not long dom!
either. l had my oar rugged, and wa
making what way could sculling.
We were waiting as calmly as pos
sible to see what would turn up in GU
favor. Suddenly my partner startled
me by clapping his arms and Growing
like cock. l looked at him in perfec
establishment. He answered my lool
| by saying: We are all right now, ole
boy, here comes a breeze"
And there it was, sure enough, an(
with every appearance of being a strong
one. Anybody who likes may bet, witt
a certainty of winning, that [ drew /;
long breath when the breeze first strucl
the sail and started our little boat ahead
II came not a moment too soon, as one
Of the canoes had reached within range
and sent several shots after us, which
struck the water too close to the boa
to be at all amusing to us.
As soon as the wind became reliable
we commenced leaving them, and as
thought it would be the only chance
would have, l gave them parting IA
vor with my six shooter, Zone of Colt,
first make-a twelve ranged pistol-ont
that | had had for a number of years,
and believe it counted, as it raised {
row among them; if it did, it was sheel
good luck. Be that as itmay, they saw
that we were gaining on them and chou
ship" leaving us to go on our way re-
joicing, which we certainly did.
But we were not out Of trouble yet
The friend that took us away from the
Indians, seemed to wish to have some
sport with us on its own account.
commenced gradually to freshen with
slight, drilling rain, and gloomy APP
pearance generally.
I When night set, we were twenty-five
miles from a harbor, with wilder wealth
er than | ever care to see again. w,
promised ourselves, if we ever reached
Whatcomb, never to try trading will
indians again, as it did not seem to be
our forte. We would have given al
we possessed to have had a larger boa
under us. However, we were in 1or it
and had to make the best we could O
our situation. The night was pitcl
dark not a star to be seen, or ANYTHING
else to guide us on our course, nothing
but the angry waves beneath and tn,
inky darkness above. The only thinl
[ had to steer by was the wind, which
was dead aft, and by keeping the boa
before it, l knew that l would make
small bay about FIVE miles south O
Whatcomb, where could beach the
boaton the sand.
The wind had been freshening unit
it was blowing a stiff gale. l had beer
carrying sail so long Crying to make q
harbor before q sea would rise, tina
would prevent US from making land
ing) that | could not take the sail il
without a certainty Of capsizing thC
boat. | was carrying entirely too mucl
sail far the gale. l was Just in that fl
that it was certain death to attempt tc
take the sail in, and almost as certain
death to carry it, and was feeling any
thing but pleased at my prospects, wheI
crash went the yards Of the sail. L
broke far enough above the masthead to
make a snug reef of it. In all probabil
! lty the breaking Of the yard saved oul
lives. Now pledge my word to any
one who feels interested that when
found the DANA above was a benefit
| felt more like growing than like cry
ing.
My partner sat forward-frst eyeino
the sail, then me; but as it was toe
dark to see the expression of his face
and as he made no remark, good or bad.
| was left entirely in the dark as to his
feelings. | asked him, after we got on
shore, and stood drying our clothes by
burning tree, what his feelings were
during the run. He simply remarked
that as l had made the sea my home
in the early part Of my life, he knew ]
could manage so as to get the boat
ashore, if it could be done.
About half an hour after the i'm
promptu reefng was done, he told me
he could see the land and thele it was
about two hundred yards from us, with a
heavy surf breaking on the beach.
told him to get the painters all ready,
coiied up, so as to jump and run high
up on the beach as soon as the boat
would strike, in order to keep the IN
dertow from taking her out again, as
she would be sure to capsize.
AS soon as he was all ready, watch
ed my opportunity, and swung the boat
dead before the sea, on a big roller
and as she struck over she went, with
me under her. When the boat went
out it left the boad high and mot dry.
As soon as | could sputter, | called to
my partner to haul me out from under
the boat; and in a short time we had
things pretty comfortable CONSIDERING
the circumstances.
Next morning we got to Whatcomb
and gave up all idea of trading with the
Indians; and in few days, started for
the gold regions on Frazer. l had the
satisfaction, when leavidg Frazer, some
four months after, of meeting at Port
Roberts The Sheriff of Whatcom county.
who had just finished putting hempen
cravats round the necks of three of the
same party of Indians who had given
us such a scare. They were convicted
Of the murder of the y. S. surveyor
Hunt, alb out three months before NV
scrape with them.
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