Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1890-03-01
Adrift On The Ice

The stream which flows through the
village of Sterling, and empties into
Lake Ontario near Little Sodus Bay,
is locally famous for two things
muskrats in the winter, mullet in the
spring. For miles about, the farmers
boys are equipped with steel traps for
the one and spears for the other, and
many are the dollars that the lads
gather from the sale of fur and fish.
Norm Jerritt and 81 Colby were es-
pecially noted for their success in cap
turing the furry and scaly inhabitants
of Big Creek. These boys were neigh
bors, both living upon a crossroad
which runs from North Sterling to the
lake and within a stones throw of Jim
Currie's bridge. From that point it is
a trife over a mile, as the stream
winds and turns until it reaches the
open water of the bay.
Halfway between the bridge and
the lake the creek passes through a
piece of marshy lowland, flooded at
highwater, and known as letters
swamp. This swamp was the best
point in miles for trapping. Below,
the water grows deep and the current
swift again, with occasional riffs and
sand bars. Along this portion of the
stream was the finest spearing.
One afternoon in early April Colby
and Jerritt stood together upon Curry's
bridge discussing a round of their traps
before dark, for they were partners. :"
The day was cold and dull, but the
strong south wind was blowing and a
faint mist filled the air, sure precursor
Of the first soaking spring rain. Until
this time winter had held full sway,
for the season was late, and the creek
was still confined in icy letters, while
over hill and valley the snow lay like
a great dirty blanket, with ragged
edges. But a change was at hand.
Colby stamped his heavy boots upon
the soggy planks of the bridge floor
and was about to move away.
"Well ?" said his friend.
ooh l think you're right. It's goin'
to break up an we'd better get our
traps in at once. I'll meet you at the
beech-tree at five, if you say So
"All right I'll be there Bring a
lantern, for it will be dark before we're
through" said Jerritt.
81 WILL replied the other, and they
separated.
The beech-tree stood upon the shore
near the upper end Of letters swamp.
AT the appointed hour the two trap
pers met at its foot.
The rain had begun in earnest now,
and was falling in long slanting sheets,
driven eastward by the moaning wind
which was still blowing sharply. The
boys however, were heavily clad and
did not mind the water. 81 carried his
lantern, already lit, for the dusk was
creeping up from the east.
Lets get 'em all" said Jerrit, re-
ferring to the traps "if this rain keeps
up the ice will be out by morning and
the whole swamp flooded"
"That would never do" said Colby /;
''for we can't get at some of those which
are set near the centre of the swamp
except on this ice. If the spring food
once comes they are gone sureW
That's why | say we had better
take them all out at once" returned
Jerritt, as they prepared to begin their
round.
Eyes, we must get 'em all, assented
his friend. 1--WE have seventeen,
haven't WEI"
eyes, seventeen" said Jerritt, "and
it's going to be some work to find them
all in the dark, too. Come on p
They began their work by following
the shore line of the swamp and taking
up the traps as fast as they came to
them, which they tied together and
carried upon their shoulders. In this
way they collected eleven, and three
muskrats.
When they stood again at the beech
tree two hours had passed, the rain
was increasing, and both boys were
thoroughly wet and tired. The dim
lantern cast but narrow circle of
light about them, and even within that
circle the prospect was dismal enough,
while beyond it black night reigned,
and the steady cry of the hurrying
wind mingled with the splash Of the
rain upon the water-soaked ice were
the only sounds which met their ears
Far away to the west a single window
CLEANED DULY.
"Bah It's nasty work" said Colby,
shaking himself like great dog; ''we
oupht to have nickad nm the trans ont