Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-06
NEARING LONG ISLAND.


NEARING LONG ISLAND.
AS we neared Long Island Mr.. Harral dis
covered that we were heading in the direction
of Port Jefferson, but the narrow entrance
to the harbor was fully a mile to the wind
ward. To reach this point would be val
liable test of the possibilities of kite sailing,
and we accordingly lay as close to the wind
as our aerial pilot would permit. The wind
however, doubtless affected by q terrific
thunder storm during which, by the way,
we entirely lost sight of the kite, suddenly
shifted, and the best we could do was to
STRIKE the low, sandy peninsula at the end of
the bay. Naturally, we came up on the
beach ''all standing" but havkTg quickly
paid out hundreds Of feet of line it was with
out unpleasant shock.
At the first blush the predicament seemed
to be an ugly one and it would have proved
so, If the happy thought had not occurred to
lift the little boat bodily across the beach
and trust to the kite to do its share of the
work. The experiment was tried, and the
ease with which the dainty craft moved over
that sand was a revelation. In ten minutes
we were afloat again and skimming over the
tranquil waters of the land locked bay.
The amusing part of the adventure remains
to be described. After sojourn in Port JEFF
ferson of two or three hours we prepared to
return as we came, the wind havi lg sufficient
ly shifted as we thought to enable us to
reach point somewhere near home Mean
while, with the assistance of several of the
people of the town. the kite had been drawn
in and folded up, in order that we might row
to place down the harbor from which we
could steer through the headlands into the
sound. The idea did not occur that two of
US would be utterly unequal to the task of
sending mp our flyer and securing it once
more to the boat.
When we reached the point Of embarka-
ton, therefore, we found ourselves in another
predicament. There was a good deal Of
study over the matter when finally Mr.. Har-
raj, always fertile in expedients, said: Il
think I have it. Well lay the kite and tail
on the beach. as we did in starting from
home, and stretch the line to the boat, which
we will haul up stern first. Then wen pile
rocks at intervals on the line to hold it down.
I'll send up the kite, and as it takes the wind
run along and knock oil the rocks. You can
JON me with your weight, and when we reach
the boat you jump TO the bow, make fast the
line, I'll shove off, and away We'll go" I'm
fortunately the theory was better than the
application of it. The programme was car
ried out and The plan worked splendidly until
the last rock was reached, when one of the
party (he shall be nameless. bending over to
remove it, let go his hold the line. But
the other did not, and in a second more he
who held on was lifted from his feet aud was
sailing through the air like flying fish,
frantically kicking at nothing and trying to
touch ground.
Let gol Let go!' shouted the one left
behind as he stood with open mouth looking
at the queer spectacle, and let go il was, with
a drop into ten feet of water. There was a
splash and g splutter and fugitive balloon,
and from that time until dark We were en-