Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-08


tackle to be brought out and the monotony of
the calm was broken. For two days the club
had been trying to get to New Inlet. but there
was great expanse of shallow water to over
come ana a narrow and crooked channel. which
was not known even to the oystermen must
be found in order to get there.
We had almost given up the hope of reach
ing New Inlet, when little sail boat came
alongside, in the sternI of which sat white
bearded old man, who. after finding out who
we were. told us that if We would strike out
and go as far as we could toward New Inlet we
could get within signaling distance of the life
saving station. and his son, who was keeper,
would gladly come and sail the schooner into
the inlet We got a brisk breeze most timely
with this information, and long before we were
in sight of New Inlet At one time during the
sail we were out of sight of land nothing but
tine waste OF water stretching out ON every
hand. yet We could have waded ashore, il we
had had the endurance. without getting wet
above our waists. The Roxana drew but two
and a half feet of water, yet for miles we were
dragging the bottom. We came to anchor five
miles off shore. and our captain hoisted our
only tablecloth to the masthead for a flag In q
few minutes the stars and stripes shot up to
the top of the flag staff at the life-savng
station. about five miles off. Then the South
Mountain Fishing Club assembled on deck and
took turns at the glass to discover any move
ment which would indicate the coming Of re-
lief. Having got in as far as we had, there was
get out again without assistance. and the New
Inlet was beyond our reach. At the end Of
half an hour there had no boat left the shore,
and presently the flag was hauled down.
AN AMBASSADOR.
A moment Of dependence settled over the
club. but happy thought struck them, and it
was decided that the diplomatic major should
take his most insinuating manners and such
other things as he might think necessary and O
AZ Hn N1rrlN H. HI
but that would have somewhat disturbed his
toilet. besides involving fatigue, and the mate
volunteered to pull him over in the yawL When
they had covered half the distance a sail boat
came out from around the point and after q
good deal of beating about overhauled them
The rest of the club on the Roxana watched the
conference through the glass and from
the time 1t lasted concluded that the
major was making use Of all his
diplomacy. Finally the two boats were
seen TO drift apart; the yawl tnrned back to-
ward the Roxana and the sail boat turned away.
1t looked to those on board as il tho Roxana
had been deserted and distinguished member
Of the club suggested that he always thought
the majors skill as a diplomat had been over
estimated. 1t was long pull for the yawl and
q long time before the envoy came up along
side. Every member of the club piled the
major with questions as they reached out their
hands to pull him on board. He slowly settled
himself IN comfortable position, took off his
coat, wiped his glasses with the deliberation Of
a born diplomat and then said he guessed we
would get there all right. In his own good
time he informed US that we had signaled the
wrong station. but that Capt. Midget Of New
Inlet had been telephoned for and would prob
ably come to our assistance. He gave US the
further encouraging information that the water
was not very deep around there and that Capt
Midget was the only man on earth, as far as he
could tel, who knew the channel. Weary hours
went by. The winds blew up, then died into a
calm and fresh breeze sprung up again. The
sun slanted off into afternoon, and still there
were no sails in sight.
RELIEF AT LAST.
Just when We felt completely deserted the
skipper. who had been looking long and earn
estly through his glass, said there was a sail
bearing down toward us, but the wind was
dying out and coming very slow. 1t might be
Midget or it might not, but we waited. having
nothing else to do. The winds died out and
the tide began to run low. The men on the
SAIL boat were pulling hard toward us. We
could see the white suits Of the life-saving
service and great shout Of welcome was sent
up when they got within hailing distance.
IL was Capt Midget and No. 6. In about two
minutes they were in command Of the Roxana.
Inc anchor was up. the sail boat strung behind
and the crew and life savers were pulling US
through the shallow water. If we did not
make 1t soon there was no telling when we
would get out. for the tide was sinking rapidly
happily, a breeze sprung up IN half an hour
and the prettlest OF sailing that was ever seen
was done by Capt Midget. The channel which
he alone knew, was scarcely wider than the
boats length and doubled on itself and twisted
and wound about through its whole course.
Before stlff breeze the Roxana shot along
changing her course about every minute
lodging the shoals, turning at an angle here