Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-09-22
For the Delaware Gaze
VOTES OF TRAYEL.
On THE GREAT LAKES,
OnnAonn hnr 1QRk .

st sri za September, 1860. }
It was dreary, driszly evening when
we set forth from the port of Cleveland
in the stauneh little propeller 8 Roeset"
for Detroit. Gloomy, shapeless clouds
obscured the September sky, and dark,
misty vapors hung here and there like
spectral shadows over the rippling bosom
of the lake. The soft breeze which crept
stealthily among the shrouds of the mer
chantmen seemed burdened with the gull
ty secret of mischievous gales that were
20 hold wild carnival during the night
Though a novice in such matters, and
possessing but little, if any, of the instinct
or weather-WisdOm of an old shipper, yet
Icould not divest myself of the involun-
tary conviction that the gathering dark
ness would be rife with elemental war.
The last glimmering light that defined
the Ohio coast finally faded out in the
distant gloom, and my heart spoke deep
and earnest farewell to the glorious Buck
eye State. 1t was not an auspicious time
for that important ceremony, for the heav-
ems already began to weep and the wind
to chant its solemn tones around the
decks of our little craft. In the cabin
the lights burned dimly and the company
was not of that congeneial character
which imparts cheerfulness to a lonely
Wanderer To seek ones state room and
such circumstances. the natural and the
only course. Accordingly it was not
long until forgetful of the 'ys and griefs
of this world,
tsBlnded alike TO sunshine and TO rain p
[ was lost in that happy unconscious-
ness which is one of Gods best gifts to
mortals.
This continued until the wee small
hours" when / was awakened by the
shrieking of wind. the beating of rain, the
hurrying to and fro of the crew, and the
| loud expressions of fear by the female
passengers. Looking from my window /
beheld vast, fOaming "white-caps' roll
ing down upon the Rocket" in immense,
in gulping volumes. The little vessel
struggled bravely with the watery mon
sters and evineed degree of pluck" and
hardihood which gave confidence that
it would master the situation. Far out
in the driving mist the dark forms ofoth-
Ter storm tossed wanderers doomed up
| grimly against the frowning heavens.
/ There was comfort in having company,
though it were no better than that which
man feels in having brave comrade at
his side during battle. 1t is no less con-
sOling to know that others share our dan
gers than our sufferings.
Standing upon terra JfrnlG | had often
before watched Erie's mad billoWs spen-
ding their strength In wild dashing a
\ gainst the breakers. Then their sheeny
E surf had beauty in it, and while | gazed
with satisfaction upon their grand, re-
sistless march shOreWard | felt that
there was music in their roar. But now
the case was different, and felt myself
to be helpless suplicant to the mercies
of the deep. The snowy spray cleaned
with a sort of gastly ferceness and re-
minded one of the foam at the mouth Of
the hungry fends of the prairie and the
wilderness. The giant billows one after
another heaved their huge volumes
against the sides of our little ship and
seemed each maliciously intent on en-
gulphing her in the depths of the an
CRY waters.
1t was wild, weind night Gale sue
ceeded gale in quick succession, the
green waves foamed and seethed like tor
tured spirits, the wind moaned in fran
tic urnest and the rain kept httully dash
ing in binding volumes against the cabin
windows. am sure there was no one
on board who did not wish for the day.
1t came, at last, all
''dlm aud sad,
And chilled with early showers.n
We had now reached the Detroit river,
and the sight of the hospitable shores on
either hand, removed all the gloomy fore
, bodings bred amid the stormy darkness
BY 7-30 a. m. we were safely arrived in
the harbor of Detroit, our gallant little
vessel having stopped here to discharge
some freight. The city looks clean and
business-like, and its appearance we'll sus-
tains its reputation of being one of the
most handsome and prosperous in the
west, Opposite on the Canadian side, il
Windsor, thriving village surrounded
by fertile, well-improved country. Bui
lie is a small and insignificant place com.
pared with the noble and classic "city oil
the States" How many national remin