The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-05-16
LOST In A FOG.

his cottage right on the sea-sbore.
was capital sailor and had tiny cat
boat OF my own, in which cruised up
and down the river just back OF our
home. the stream being separated by u
narrow strip OF sand beach from the
ocean.
Careless OF sunburn or freckles and
rugged in natty blue flannel sailor
costume, spent most OF my spare time
sailing and rowing and fishing and the
enjoyment and health got from those
delightful sports did me much good.
But though caught many fish in the
pretty river wasn't satisfied. want
ed the bigger ones from the great, blue
ocean and watched, with longing eyes,
the sturdy. native fishermen in their
little dories going out over the high
rolling surf and returning with their
boats filled with all kinds OF deep sea
monsters. OF course they wouldn't be
bothered with girl on their exciting
and adventuresome trips, so | had to
content myself on the safe river and
wish was a man.
But one day in September, after u
week OF wonderfully quiet weather,
the ocean became as calm and CLASSY
rs mill pond. Along the beach
where the surf usually ragged and thun-
dered only the faintest, LATEST ripples
slowly Tapped the sand.
A child could almost launch boat
and float on the still, shiny sea where
mile or less from shore the fishermen
were having royal sport as / saw
through my glass.
The longer / looked the easier IL
seemed for me mt last to realize by
ever recurring dreams OF fishing in
the ocean-providing l could get my
small and light boat across the narrow
sand strip into 1t as the men did. Soon
the temptation proved irresistible and
regardless OF consequences | deter
mined to at least make the effort.
Rowing my boat up the river where
] couldn't be seen from the houses, and
getting a 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-bye!" |
was Off alone. and after an hours hot
work at the oars, found myself an
,chored and hauling in more big fish
than l had ever dreamed Of 1t was
afternoon and not breath Of air was
stirring.
Enthused with the glorious pleasure
i was having, neither cared nor
thought of anything else. / saw not
the distant boats making for land,
never noticed the line OF gray sea-fog
creeping up from the eastern horizon
till was enveloped in it. Even then
! 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 thought where
was and felt that the sooner / got
safely ashore the better it would be. |
raised the little anchor, got out the
oars and began to pull rs quickly as
my tired arms would lot me for home.
For long time, over an hour it
seemed, rowed before felt alarmed
ut not striking the beach. / had no
compass to guide me, and the darkness
was rapidly increasing. The sea was
yet quiet, but expected the turn Of
the tide would roughen 1t. BY and by
laid on my oars to listen for sound
from the shore, which / was certain
must be near. All, but the fish flop
ping on the bottom OF my boat was rs
still as the tomb and nearly as dark.
gave halloo and another, but my
straining ears caught no reply l
shouted again and louder. No response,
and was becoming chilled. II by tho
beach, where / knew they must be
searching for me, would have been
heard and answered. Then l became
frightened and realized my danger. /
was on the ocean in u tiny boat with
out cabin-night coming on and lost
lost in the awful black sea fog.
After n momentary panic / grew
calm enough to think and take some
observations TO try and make out, IL
possible, my whereabouts. III there
had been sea breeze might have told
the direction of the land but there
wasn't. II / had known the time OF
tide, it could have helped me; but l
didn't.
Finally l concluded that In hosting
anchor had missed my bearings and
instead OF pulling toward the shore. 1
had rowed out further to sea or else in
circles like lost people always wander.
As nothing was to be gained by row.
ing. save exercise to keep warm in the
colder growing fog, 1 got out my |
WOODEN jacket from the locker. put 1t
on under my water proof. and prayed.
Now and then / gave q dispairing
..halloo."
Tired and we'll nigh exhausted ! |
soon found myself doing and was just
falling asleep when q low, distant
steam whistle started me to hope and
action. Again heard 1t, and louder,
Ahcn again apparently approaching.
o! 1t WINS steamship surely, feeling
sts way through the fog.