Marshall County Republican., 1860-06-21
Sweatland's Adventure.
A THRILLING STORY OF LAKE ERIE

1t was beautiful morning in Septem
Der. 1917. and Solomon Swaziland. O
Conneaut. on the Ohio shore of Lake Eric
had risen at the earliest dawn to enioy hi
favorite amusement of hunting deer. Thi,
exciting sport he had been accustomed Il
follow In connection with friend anG
nelghbor, who. by the aid of dogs, would
drive the deer into the lake, where Sweat.
land would pursue them in his canoe and
shoot them without difficulty. On the
pre- .ent occasion he had left his cabin
without his coat or waistcoat, to listen for
the baying Of the dogs as they drove the
deer.
lhe welcome sound soon greeted his
ear. and he was surprised to find that a no.
bic buck had already taken the water, and
was some little distance out in the Lake
In the enthusiasm of the moment he threw
his hat upon the beach, jumped into his
canoe, and put off after the animal with
every nerve thrilling with intense interest
IN the pursuit. The wind, which had
been blowing steadily from the south dur
ing the night, had now increased to a gale:
but he was too intent upon securing the
valuable prize, which was breasting the
waves IN advance, to heed the dictate of
prudence
The race promised to be long one, for
the deer was q powerful animal, and was
not to be easily beaten by log canoe and
a single paddle. a considerable distance
from the land had been attained, and the
canoe had already shipped heavy sea be. |
fore he overlook the deer, which turned
and made for the shore. Upon lacking to
pursue him, Swaziland was apprised of his
danger by the fact that, with his utmost
exertlons, he not only made no progress in
The desired direction, but, on the contrary.
was drifting further ont to sea. He had
been observed in his outward progress by
MS neighbor. as well as by his own family.
md as he disappeared from sight consid-
'rable apprehcnsions were felt for his
safety.
The alarm was soon given in the neigh
and it was decided by those com
,etent to Judge that his return was impos-
'lble. and unless help could be afforded
nm. ne was doomed to perish at sea. Ac-
mated by those generous imprlses which
'ften induce men to risk their own lives to
ave those of others, three neighbors--
'lessrs. Gilbert. Cousins and Belden-
ook light boat and started in search of
ne wandcrer. They met the deer return
ng, but could see nothing of their neigh s
or and friend. S
They made stretches off shore in the
robable range of the fugitive, until they :
cached distance of somefive or six miles e
rom the land, when meeting with heavy h
ca in which they deemed it impossible for b
canoe to live, and seeing no sign of it T
n the vast expanse of waters, they reluct- O
ntiy, and not without difficulty and dan e
er, returnedto shore, and Swaziland was il
iven up as lost. Meantime the object of h
ielr seach was laboring at his paddle, h
! the vain hope that the wind would Il
bate. or that aid might reach him from W
le shore. r rts3aas9 s.i.. -asn .fs n
One or two schooners were in sight in m
'e course OF the day, but notwithstanding W
made every effortto attract the attention b
their crews he failed to do so. For st
ng time the shore continued in sight, and W
he traced its dim and fast receding out fl
ne, and recognized the spot where stood kl
$ cabin, within whose precincts were the as
erished objects of his affections, now II
'ubly. dear from the prospect of losing 10
EN- forever, he felt that the last tie which ca
lited him in companionship with his fell hi
W men was abo-t to be dissolved, and the la
orld, with all its busy interests, forever ht
dden from sight hi
Fortunately he possessed a cool head W
d stout heart. which. united to a con- sp
ierable share of physical strength and w
durance, eminently fitted him for any sa
lergency. He was a good sailor. and sh
experience taught him that while there ey
IS life there was hupe.'' That experience frt
ught him also. as tho outline. of the far ar
shop disappeared from sight, that his wi
ly exIs1ient was to endeavor to reach tn
. Canada shore. q distance of fifty miles. on
It was now blowing q gale. and the sea on
IS evidently increasing, SO that it requir- w
the most increditable exertion on his fel
rt to trim his uncouth vessel to the dc
ives. He was obliged to stand erect, le,
d move cautiously from one end to the WI
her, we'll aware that one lost stroke Of fo
paddle, or tottering movement would oy
ing bis voyage to sudden termination- go
uch of his attention was likewisa reouir- hil