Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1891-05-09
LOST IN A FOG.
Experience Of an Eighteen-Year-
Old Girl on tho Ocean.

OlO S1r1 on inc ocean.
When l was eighteen years of age
was a strong, handsome girl, ardently
fond OF the water. My father was
rich, and. during the summers we
lived in his cottage right on the sea-
shore. I was 4 capital sailor and had a
cruiscd up aud down the river just
separated by a narrow strip of sand
beach from the ocean.
Careless Of sunburn or frecl1les and
rigged in 4 natty blue flannel sailor
costume spent most of my spare time
sailing and rowing and fishing and the
enjoyment and health l got from those
delightful sports did me much good.
But though caught many fish in the
pretty river l wasn't satisfied. I wanted
the bigger ones from the great, blue
ocean and I watched. with longing
eyes, the sturdy native fishermen in
their little dories going out over the
high rolling surf and returning with
their boats filed with all kinds of deep
sea monsters. OF course they wouldn't
he bothered with girl on their excit-
ing and advcnturesome trips, SO had
to content myself on the safe river and
wish l was n man.
But one day in September, after 4
week OF wonderfully quiet weather.
the ocean became as calm and CLASSY
as a mill pond. Along the beach where
the surf usually ragged and thundered
only the faintcst, latest ripples slowly
Tapped the sand.
and float on the still, shiny sea where a
mile or less from shore the fishermen
were having royal sport, Us I saw
through my glass.
The longer I looked the easier it
seemed for me at last to realize my ever
recurring dreams Of fishing in tho
ocean-providing I could get my small
and light boat across the narrow sand
strip into it as tho men did. Soon the
temptation proved irresistible and re-
gardless of consequences I determined
to at least make the effort.
Rowing my boat up the river where l
couldn't be seen from the houses, and
getting Il dozen boys, who were there
grabbing, to help push. we soon had the
Foam out of the river, across the
sand and into the dear old ocean. With
= ''Hurrah, boys! Good-by!" Twas off
alone, and after an hours hot work at
the oars found myself anchored and
hauling in mere big fish than l had
ever dreamed of. 1t was afternoon and
not Il breath of air was stirring.
Enthused with the glorious pleasure
I was having l neither cared nor
thought OF anything else. l saw not
the distant boats making for land,
never noticed the line Of gray sea-fog
creeping up from the eastern horizon
till was cnvcloped in it. Even then l
only got my waterproof cloak from my
locker, put it on and kept fishing, for
the fog was warm and didn't chill me.
Suddenly it seemed to grow darker
and thicker, and then l thought where
I was and felt that the sooner l got
ashore the better it would be. 1 raised
the little anchor, got out the oars and
began to pull as quickly as my tired
| arms would let me for home.
For q long time, over an hour It
seemed, rowed before felt alarmed
| at not striking the beach. l had no
compass to guide me, and the darkness
| was rapidly increasing. The sea was
yet quiet, but l expected the turn of
| tide would roughen it. BY and by
| laid on my oars to listen for Il sound
| from shore. which l was certain must
be near. All, but the fish Hopping on
| the bottom of my boat, was as still as
ti,e tciilc a.it nearly us ttdrk. gave
halloo and another, but my straining
| ears caught no reply. l shouted again,
| and louder. No response, and l was
| becoming chilled. If by the beach,
| where l knew they must be searching
for me, l would have been heard and
answered. Then I became frightened
| and realized my danger. l was on the
| ocean in tiny boat without a cabin
night coming on and lost-lost in the
| awful black sea fog.
After a momentary panic grew calm
enough to think and take some observa-
tions to try and make out. if possible.
my whereabo If there had been al
sea breeze l might have told the direc-
| ton OF the land, but there wasn't. # l
had known the time of tide 1T could
have helped me, but didn't.
Finally l concluded that in hosting
anchor had missed my bearings, and
instead of pulling toward the shore l
had rowcd out further to sea or
else in circles like lost people always
wander. AS nothing was to be gained
by rowing, save exercise to keep WEN
la the colder growing fog, got out my
wooien Jacket from the locker. put 1t