The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-13

lle rlNer- Tor Which purpose most OF Us
hurried at once down to the shore The
indications were even less ia orable
than on the previous day-the boat had
slipped down, or been pushed INTO the
riyer, and was frozen fast; ; for twenty
or thirty yards from the bank the ice
was quite thick; and beyond this the
mush ice was still sweeping down the
stream, every hour becoming more di.ii-
cult and dangerous TO attempt passing
through. A drift-wood fire was built,
aud we gathered around it to watch de-
Ntopments and await the appearance OF
the terrymen. The lunch box was next
opened, and despite all evil fore bodings
! 9. the future, we really enjoyed our
Sew stale provisions. with an occas-
yhal mouthful of snow more than one
could suppose possible under such cir
lcumstances. The trains were three
jhours behind time, and the stages cor
responding late, arriving about noon,
lwith the passengers Of the previous day
land several others. Not until they
wolk OF loosening the boat and cutting
channel through the solid ice-an op-
Grafton watched, with the greatest in
thirty-siX hours without washing our
faces. and eighteen without square
meal"
Three hours were spent in this way.
during which time we listened to one
and another relating travelling expert
ences and ''hair breadth escapes" until,
when at last, the stages were driven
upon the boat and the passengers in
vited to 'climb in,'' not one seemed
ready to venture. To an artists eye
the scene might have possessed it beau
ties, but to those of US gathered around
drltt-wood fire upon that sandy beach,
sheltered from a piercing north wind
only so long as we remained near the
overhanging cliffs at the bend of the
river, with the boat becoming every mo-
ment more clogged with floating ice
the wind blowing a perfect hurricane
just a little way out; dark lowering
clouds above, broad expanse of surging
waves before, and miles of unbroken
prairie behind us; with six sullen In
dian ferrymen, and heavily ladened
boat. Well, [ suppose we were excu-
sable in failing to appreciate the land
scape or becoming enthusiastic on the
subject OF its beauties. Them that
don't go this time needn't 'spect to for
a week." shouted one of the boatmen.
I'VE don't make but this one trip,
mind ye," warned another. Still no
one moved to trust themselves upon the
foot plank he was vainly endeavoring to
steady. go on; We'll risk you max
ing second trip if you come back from
the first" replied dignified elderly
gentleman of the party. If they even
succeed in starting the boat with the
load now on (and L doubt even thaD as
soon as they get beyond the channel
they will be unable to control it. and |
sweep down until caught on a sand
bar" The earnestness of the speaker
even those who had begun TO
parley with the men. Il know whereof
| speak--one year ago tonight / was |
one Of fifteen who persisted on trying
to cross at this Wcll-known dangerous |
ferry. The river was about as it is now.
Just out there" pointing little below |
where we stood, mine OF the party were
drowned and the rest rescued the next |
morning more dead than alive. Our |
boat clogged with mush ice, hung and
in trying to loosen it capsized, and a
but were swept away by the under-cur-
rent"
Even as he spoke it became evident
the boat must be relieved of part of
its load, or it could not be started. The
horses were unhitched and brought to
shore, the ice again cut in two at three
places, and every energy bent to the
task of pushing from the shore. And
now again the lunch box was opened, |
and one and all invited to partake of the
fragments left over from breakfast. A
second invitation was not needed, and
soon not a crumb was left. In about
an hour and a half a shout from the
boatmen announced their safe arrival,
and in less time the return was accom-
plished. This time the load consisted
Of five horses and about twenty passen-
gers, and though twice hung upon sand
bars, and almost capsized by the great
blocks of ice striking against it while in
this perilous position by all moving
several times in a body from one end of
the boat to the other, were enabled to
work it off gradually. True, none
breathed easily until again on shore,
when the remainder of the journey was
safely accomplished, and our destina-
ton reached little after dark.
NATz V. RO-BARD.