The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-03-07

ene viciniIy Oh our DOotS; but we had lit
tie to fear from the animals, for the
American wolf is a sneaking and despic-
able brute at best, and any thing but
the ferocious creature depicted in fiction
and in the popular works of natural his
tory.
Our final expedition was made on the
twenty-sixth of March. For some days
the weather had been balmy and mild,
with bright skies and occasional warm
showers. The bluff-sides back of the
settlement were bare; the swamps were
overf1owed, the wealds and ridges in
closed ponds and miniature lakelets:
our OWL highway was a watercourse
half yard deep. Though the sun had
disappeared from the lake, the ice, to
all appearances, was as solid and firm
as in mid-January, and we ventured
upon it in all confidence of its security.
AS was our custom, we drove to the
scene of operations in pung drawn by
pet roam mare of mine, somewhat re-
markable for speed and intelligence.
She was especially chosen for this duty
because OF the docility and affection
mediate vicinity of her master.
This day every thing seemed to go
wrong with US from the outset The
sleigh broke down when we were half a
mile out, necessitating return for re-
pairs. JEANNE" manifested decided
inclination to disobey her driver, and
several times attempted to face back,
SHE'D. once or twice all but baked, and
generally behaved in a most incompre-
hensible manner. The sky clouded over,
the air became moist and heavy and a
stiff breeze, accompanied by a drizzle,
sprang up in our teeth.
Arrived at our destination, the Gus
tomary blue of the waters of the lake
was observed to be replaced by dingy
greenish hue in which the snatches
were Immediately lost to sight, though
ordinarily they could be traced in their
downward course for dozen fathoms.
After lapse of six hours we had only
two great blue-cats to show for our
trouble-hideous monsters, for which
no one had any use, since these fish are
wholly unsuited to civilized Stomachs.
Old and weather-wise fishermen are
wont to prognosticate a rapidly-ap-
preaching storm when these creatures,
whose proper home is along the bottom,
are observed near the surface. The
Commodore was imbued with all the
superstitions peculiar to his calling, but
he dared not raise his voice in warning,
knowing the ridicule that he would in
cur by so doing. Finally the wind
abruptly shifted out of the northeast to
nor'-west, and blew screeching gale.
Meanwhile nothing would satisfy the
restless importantly of the roam, which
continually stamped and shrilly whin-
MED. Petting, blanketing, food alike
were of no avail; she even rejected the
Commodore's proffered tobacco, an I'M
heard-of bit of self-aenial, as she was in
ordinately fond of the weed. At last,
when for the second time she had seized
my coat in her teeth as if to draw me
away, imagined that she was i'll, and
demanded that we eat lunch and then
Immediately depart for home.
AS we sat along the pungrail dis
cussing sandwiches and ''ill-luck,"
Junior" who CHANGED for the moment
to assume an upright position within
the vehicle, suddenly dropped back
with pallid face and working lips, and
gasped ''Heaoen help us, telloaos! We
are all adrtttr'
Il knowed hit! I knowed all the
time them catfish want snoopin' round
fer nothin'" shouted the Commodore,
leaping to his feet. catching the mare
by the bride, and deftly whirling her
between the thills. At the same instant
l sprang to the sleigh floor, altogether
incredulous of the truth Of the alarm
That we could be afloat did not seem
within the bounds of possibility. But,
alas! it was too nearly true!
The numerous rivers and streams of
the coast, swollen by rains and melting
SHOWS. had for days been pouring con-
ntly-increasing volumes of warmer
water into the lake, increasing it's tenn
perature and disintegrating and honey
combing the ice from beneath, until a
gale was the one factor required to in
sure the disruption of the rotten mass.
I quickly realized our peril, for to the
north and east all was open water, which
had approached to within hundred rods
of our position. Its advance had been
unobserved, owing to our preoccupation,
the noise of the storm and line of hum
mocks that INSTRUCTED our vision. Two
miles away there had also opened be-
tween US and the shore broad line of
water, extending toward the south,
terminating no one could tell how or
where.
There was not moment to lose. Once
adrift in the lake hope must be aban-
doned. Apparently the field on which
we were was yet stationary, but the
broad channel moving southwark was
rapidly cutting us away from the inshore
ice. There was bare possibility of es-
cape to the south if we could reach Stur-
geon point nine miles away. This point
is spit that juts out into the lake for
a league or more, and below the surface
is prolonged as far again as a barely sub
merged reef.
Upon this point is Government light
house Of the Sfe-saving service, and we
had a faint hope that from there we
might receive some aid, though we
knew that both the light and the sta
ton were abandoned, save for two care
takers. Even the life-boat was away for
repairs.
AS we tumbled into the sleigh "Jean-
ME- sprang away without waiting the
word of command, going down the lake
st the top of her speed, as if animated
by the thoughts and fears of the men
behind her.
On we sped, pale and silent group.
The tall, white tower of the lighthouse
rose but slowly to our vision, and still
more laggardly lifted its bulk against
the gray of the southern horizon; and to