The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-09-17

To add to their distress they saw that
they were on the northern bank Of an.
other river flowing into the Chattahoochee,
probably the Flint, and so could get no
farther without boat They found dry
hummOck and passed . Woeful night. Hun
ger, with all Its horrors, was preferable to
being stranded In a swamp without means
TO continue their journey.
A day was passed wandering about the
swamp, and at nightfall they saw q boat
across the ChAttahoochee. Some limbs
and driftwood were Spliced together with
grapevines, to serve as q raft, and with
this Wilson, half sunk in the water, man
aged to get across. To bis Joy the new
boat was the best Of all. and without sin.
gle qualm Of conscience, now that the joke
was on some one else, he conhscated Il,
took Wood on board and started full speed
down the river.
When hunger pressed again Wood 70
mAined behind to guard the boat while
Wilson foraged the shore. He didn't get
much that was edible, but finally found
some fish lines and hooks, and the problem
Of living was solved. Fish was abundant.
Although compelled to devour It raw, they
ate large quantities, and doubtless the Iind
Of fishing tackle saved their lives. Farther
down stream they secured matches. and
later on q quantity Of sweet potatoes.
They kindled fire in spot Of primevAl
wildness and roasted and broiled>and ate.
Wilson says the only drawback to happi-
ness was the fear that the banquet might
be too much for them. He determined 70
draw the line when they had eaten enough
for eight men, and persuaded Wood 10 hold
up spell and cook for future needs. After
"a
and brUiled Gsh they surveyed their stock,
and 1t looked 20 good that they fell to and
ate some more. Then they slept, and after
that resumed the oars.
Finally they reached Appalaehicola bay.
A long search for q stanch sea vessel was
fruitless, for fishing smacks and such craft
are not left lying about 30 recklessly a.
rowboats, and they set out In their slight
skiR upon voyage that would have ap-
palled them, but for the fact that they
cOurted death on the ocean In preference
to the doom that lay behind them. Should
the sea swallow them II would be fate
worthy Of brave men and their enemies
would be outvitted The water was 90
rough that the skill sank out Of view Of
passing vessels, and after rowing beyond
sight Of land they reached the long, bare
island that shelters the harbor late in the
afternoon. They made for that and 1T
upon an oyster bed, which absorbed all
attention for time.
Shortly they noticed, beyond the Island,
what appeared 10 be = clump Of bare trees,
and . little later, TO their Joy, made ont
smokestAeks among the trees. Next the
old dag lazily swung into view and the
happy fellow8 could hardly restrain the
impulse 70 jump into the water and try 70
swim 10 the deet. They rowed swiftly 70
up the ships ladder, nearly naked, except
for scant covering Of swamp moss that
bad replaced their worn out garments.
They were forlorn looking vagabonda In
deed, but the very daring Of their voyage
70 sea in an open boat confirmed their re-
mArkable story and their welcome by the
0eet oficers was - hearty e. the oceaslon
demanded 0noha1 L KftHHA