Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1889-12-13


and could run her very nicely with the
help Of boy. We also had several row.
boats, and there was scarcely a pleasant
evening that | did not row some of the
family out. There was fine bay in front
of the farm, and unless the weather was
very boisterous this water was always
safe.
On the evening of December 10, 1865,
the brig came into the bay to load with
cargo, and she anchored almost opposite
the house She had fine new yawl, in
which the Captain came ashore, and it
appeared that Howe and the women folks
were greatly taken with it. Early next
morning was told to get this yawl ready
for sail down the bay to the small
island, where picnic dinner was to be
eaten. The party, when ready to start,
consisted of Howe, his wife, and an
eighteen ycarold daughter named Bessie,
a miss of thirteen named Ransome, who
was on a visit, and little Ben Howe, who
was only five years old. Two ladies from
The next farm above were to have gone
with us, but Il merciful Providence de-
tanned them at home. 1t was touch and
go whether we should make the trip
without them, but it was finally decided
to go in order not to disappoint the young
folks. | had filled the water kcg and
taken a big lunch basket aboard, and
when VIC moved away there was Just
breeze enough to fill the sail and Jog us
along at about three miles an hour. A
more perfect morning | never saw, and
the oldest sailor could not have suspic-
Toned change.
We reached the island all right re-
manned there until 2 o'clock F. NJ, and
then started for home. At about
O'Clock the sky hazed up and the wind
died almost away, and as the tide would
begin to run out at became somewhat
anxious. My sailor experience warned
me that there would be change of wind
and weather, and was impatient to get
away. Ono trihe and another detained
US until the hour named The people
enjoyed themselves immensely, and it
was not for me to say when we should
start, although did throw out hint or
two that suspected change of weather.
All were in good spirits when we finally
got away, and as the yawl was a good
sailer she crept along at fair speed un-
til the wind suddenly fell as fat as you
pleased. We were then opposite the
ocean inlet, which was mile broad, and
we began to drift out with the tide |
had a pair oars in the boat, and Mr..
Howe took one and | the other and we
pulled away to cross the space. As he
was not strong man, and had had no
practice In rowing, we made no gain,
and, to make matters worse, he lost his
oar overheard and it was swept away.
We were three miles from the brig,
and was getting ready to hoist signal
when the sky darkened up with sort of
fog, shutting us in, and the wind breezed
up directly off shore. Had it not been
for the strong tide l could have beat back
into the bay, even in the fog, but l was
soon compelled to tell Mr.. Howe that we
were being drifted and driven out to sea.
The news at once unnerved him, and
his words and demeanor alarmed all the
others, who began wailing and lament
ing. Little Ben was an exception. He
was not only too young to understand
the danger, but he enjoyed the novelty
OF the situation. He crept back to the
stern-sheets, stood between my knees to
steady himself, and whispered:
81 shan't cry, Jack. Only wish my
dog was here!"
After we had driven over the bar,
which always forms at every inlet, the
breeze freshened still more, and had to
run off before it, although l double
reefed the sail. Had | attempted to
beat back to the coast line l should have
got among the rocks and reefs which
lined it for miles and miles. There was
room in the inlet to beat up against the
tide, but it was now so dark that | could
hardly see the bow of the boat, and |
had no compass and could have run only
by dangerous guesswork. In heading
dead out to sea expected nothing worse
tnah W nave w pass lue nlShC oh INT
water. By morning, at least, the brig
would know that we had met with a
piece of ill luck, and would stand out
to pick us up. And, too, the wind
might go down with the sun OF veer to
favorable quarter. Therefore, while Mr..
Howe cursed his foolishness in ever step
ping foot into the yawl, and while the
women covered and wept. l was encour-