Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-06-25
PERSISTED IN THE oUicKSAND.
Terrible Fate of Sailor Before the Eyes
Of His Companions.

Terrible Fate of Sailor Before the Eyes
Of His Companions.
There were a number of drummers
telling some of their experiences at
a New York hotel. Many stories OF
more or less interest had been related,
when one OF the men present said:
The most thrilling experience that
l ever had occurred about seven years
ago. had just recovered from a Sc
we're illness. and my firm wished me to
go to Southern California and get COM
pletly rested before l took up my
trunks again for the road.
What you want friend said, is
to get on one of the coasting schooners
and inhale Pacific Ocean ozone while
you sleep the quiet hours away Act
ing upon this hint. found. after some
search. vessel that pleased me. l
took some of my traps aboard and for
several days l led life OF ease and
quiet.
lone day we lay becalmed off long
shelving beach. which apparently was
about half mile in width, and then
high bluffs. which rose almost straight
up. barred the progress inland. 1t
was beautiful place to look upon. and
as our drinking water was not OF the
freshest, the captain thought it would
be good idea to send ashore and see
if some fresh water could be obtained
The little dory was lowered. and
two sailors started for the land with a
water barrel. 1t appears from the
story afterward told that one OF the
sailors suggested that he go ahead and
prospect while his companion attended
the boat and kept it away from the
beach, which at that point was quite
rocky.
The sailor walked slowly inland,
picking up a she'll or stone here and
there. entirely oblivious OF the great
danger which surrounded him. The
sand appeared the same over the entire
beach, but was soon observed that
something was wrong. The sailor
cried out for help in manner which
there was no mistaking-the man wa'
in desperate trouble.
'His companion rushed forward t.
help the man who was founderins
about, every nerve strained to its ut
most. He was in a shifting sand, ant
there was no help for him. He real
lied his great danger now, and will
prayers and entreaties he called on hi
cOmrade for the aid which could no
be given. for the companion OF tn
doomed man had stopped at SAT
distance, afraid to advance and shocked
with the horror of the situation.
I'VE on the vessel could plainly Sc
and hear all that TRANSFERRED, and ca
truthfully say that never wish to hay
another such experience The poo
fellow sank lower and lower, but $
slowly that was tempted to try an
put an end to his suffering with a bulle
from the captains rifle. His shriek'
,, his wild clutching at the air, his piteou
appeals to Heaven and man for bel
are still fresh in my mind.
He sank lower and lower. No
his body only is above the soft but tel
rible mass; his head only can now t
seen; now all but his eyes and Wild
clutching hands are left, and finally
hand raised above the sand and tn
, disappearing the tragedy ended. III
awful overwhelming of a man, slow
but not the less surely, was the mo
horrible experience that ever ha'
, and have been in a hotel fire and
, railroad smashup. What those shit
. ing sands contains Heaven alone know
' for whatever touches them is irrevoc
bly, doomed