The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1891-05-08
LOST IN A FOG.


home, tho stream being separated by
narrow strip Of sand beach from the
ocean.
Careless OF suaburn or freckles and
rugged In u natty blue flannel sailor
costume, ! spent most Of my spare time
sailing md rowing and fishing, and the
enjoyment and health got from those
delightful sports did mo much good.
But though caught many fish in the
pretty river wasn't satisfied. want
ed the bigger ones from tho great, blue
ocean and ! watched, with longing eyes,
the sturdy, native fsher,aen in their
little dories going out over the high
rolling surf and returning with their
bonts filed 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 u man.
But one day In September after a
week OF wonderfully quiet weather,
the ocean became MS calm and CLASSY
Us n mill pond Along the beach
where the surf usually ragged and thun-
Gered only the faintest. LATEST ripples
slowly Tapped the sand.
A child could almost launch a boat
and float on the still. shiny sea where
mile or less from shore the i,sbe, men
were having royal -rorL rs | saw
through my glass.
The longer looked the easier il
seemed for me mt last TO realize by
| ever recurring dreams Of asiiing in
the ocean-providing / could get my
small and light boat across the narrow
sand strip intoi ms themen did. Soon
the temptation proved irresistible md
regardless of consequences deter
mined 10 at least make the effort.
Rowing my boat up the river where
! couldn't be seen from the houses. and
getting dozen boys who were there
grabbing, 10 help push. we soon had
the Foam out of the river aclos
the sand and into the dear old ocean.
With n "liurrnh boysl Good-byein
was OF alone and after an hours hot
work ut the oars. found myself an
chorcd and hauling in more big fish
than ! had ever dreamed of. II was
afternoon and not breath OF air was
| stirring.
Enthuacd with the glorious pleasure
| was having. neither cared nor
thought Of anything else. saw not
the distant boats making for lind.
never noticed the line of gray sea-fog
creeping up from the eastern horizon
til was cnveloped In IL. Even then
| only got my waterproof cloak from
my locker. put 1t on and kept fishing,
for the fog was warm and didn't chill
me.
Suddenly II seemed 10 grow darker
and thicker md then | thought where
| ] wns and felt that the sooner | got
safely ashore the better it would be-
raised the little anchor. got out the
oars aud began TO pull ms quickly ms
my tired arms would let me for home.
For n long time. over nm hour It
seemed, rpwcd before felt alarmed
at not striking the bench. Ind no
compass to guide me, and the darkness
was rapidly increasing. The sea was
yet quiet but expected the turn of
the tide would roughcn II. by and by
! laid on my oars 10 listen for II sound
from the shore which ! was certain
must be near. All. but the fish nop.
ping on the bottom Of my boat, was H.
still ns the tomb and nearly ns dark.
gave halloo and another. but my
straining ears caught no reply |
shouted ngain and louder No response.
and | was becoming chilled. II by the
beach, whore | knew they must be
searching for ne, would have been
heard and answered. Then | became
frightened and realized my danger
was on the ocean In n tiny boat with
on; n cabln-night coming ON and los,
lost In the awful black sea fog.
After momontary panic grew
calm enough TO think and tako some
observations to Try and make out. N
possible, my whereabouts. II there
had been yea breeze might have told
the direction Of the land bu, there
wasn't II had known the time Of
tide, /, could have helped me; but !
didn't
Finally concluded that In hoisting
anchor Ind missed my bearings and
instead OF pulling toward the shore, |
Ind rowod out further 10 sea or elise In
circles like To-, people always wander.
A. nothing was 10 be gained by row
Ing, save exercise 10 keep wnrn In the
colder growing fog. got out my
wooden jacket from the locker. put II
ON under my water proof and prayed.
how and then gave dispairing
'hnlloo."
Tired md well nigh exhausted
soon found myself doing and was just
failing asleep when low, distant
steam whistle started me 10 hope and
action Again ! heard II, and louder
then again apparently approaching.
o. II WIS steamship surely, feeling
lis way through the fog.
Would II come near nough To hear
my cries md nave-or would I, run me
| down.
Nearer nearer II cnme. but not 80
close M TO hurt or holp mo. Nninly
| shouted, and dcspniringly. heard
| the deep. fearful sounds die away.
Then knew ! had rowcd and drift
cd far out 10 sen, md In the line OF
passing vessels.
nigh, have known TINT before,
bccnus, wnyos were making, mud my
little boRt was dangerously rocking
and Tipping. ! dared not fall usloop
now. for unless held the boht'R bow
hchd on. It would soon awnmp and
drown me,
Even doing my hes, might not keep
me ni'oai much longer NJ tho son wns
evidently rising
had often honrd thu, drowning was
not only painless death nut pleas
mn, one, aud although that was some
sort Of consolation, rtlll II WIS inr from
cheering.
wns loo young To die, and yc, N
/ .,,tu,d ua N | uuHi npuu ppIlHit