New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-08
TITO BOYS ADRIFT on THE LAKE.
BLOWN OUT FROM snoRE on RATA NIGHT OF
STORM AND TERROR.

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CHICAGO July T (Specian Two boys, the elder
thirteen and tho younger ten, had trying experience
on Lake Michigan on July ard 4. The boys, Gerald
and Leslie Mahoney, live at Lakeside little village
eighteen miles north of Chicago. They had always
been in the habit of playing along the beach. on
the morning OF July they went down TO the beach
and got on board lttlo raft which they had built
Their experience after the launch of their little craft
Is best told in young Gerad's own words:
at was nice at first, ard didn't notice that We
were drifting away from shore | saw after we
were out long time that we couldn't get back, but
didn't say to Leslie for fear that 1t would make
him feel bad. Lots of pleasure boats passed In and
shouted to them to take us aboard. Some didn't
hear us but others did, and they only laughed and
wouldn't stop l think 1t was about o'clock in the
afternoon when l put whitc handkerchief on
paddle ard held 1t up in the hope that some vessel
would take In tow We were then about two
miles or so from shore. What TO do l scarcely
knew, but kept up my spirits and determined that
we wouldn't drown l was only afraid wo might
to death, unless some came to our rescue
Leslie and l padded along until dark and then we
became satisfied that were In for all night. l
anxious about mother and the children. Leslie
had nothing but his knee pants cotton shirt waist
and shoes and stockings. His face, hand and legs
were al sunburnt. but he didn't complain. lie just
kept on padding along like myself
Our greatest trials with the Storm The
lake grew dark and tho waters commenced to roll
when the wind began 10 blow. The waves washed
over our raft. and sometimes would ride through
them and be covered with water told Leslie to
hold to the boards. Before the rain began TO come
down It commenced TO lightning and We could see
where wc were But every fash blinded mo and then
I had to feel around for Leslie. When l couldn't
feel him called, and he would answer: Il am here
1t was worse wh,n the rain began. II came down so
hard that first thought It hail. Leslie had
lost his paddle, but urged him to keep tight hold
and be cheerful The storm seemed though II
would never end. The running rough, and
one wave would lift and we'd be driven through
another in the trough. We felt weak and hungry.
Leslie was getting weaker all the time and grew
hghty. Finally tho rain stopred and the lake be-
came calmer. Then Leslie fell asleep. lie was
chilled through took tie paddle in my teeth. and
unfastenlng my coat laid 1t over him. lie was ravng
in his sleep talking about home and mamma and
Jerome. That made me feel worse, but 1t gave mo
more strength and courage. Just then tug appeared
towing vessel toward Chicago. We were at the
mercy Of the wind and the lake, and saw that the
tug coming right for Us. The sky grew dark
again and the lightning flashed. / put up the hand
kcrchicf on my paddle and commenced 10 yell. \
fash Of lightning came, and know the people saw
US. but wouldn't stop. l was washed of the raft
once and stayed in the water for time My lips
commenced to bleed and great humps came out or
my chest. Ny feet sweed and ached fearfully. At
last In pure exhaustion, fell asleep.
When awoke II was daybrcak We were entirely
out OF sight OF land, but knew where land lay and
commenced to paddle for the shore. At 10 O'Clock
landed at Lake Forest
a distance OF four five miles, and then took the
train to their home The people OF Lakeside say that
nearly frantic all that dreadful night Mrs. Mahonoy
stayed on The lake shore during all that fearful