The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-12
TALE OF MAROON
The Experiences Of a Hunting PARTY
at Cross Tides.

AAe experiences or a Hunting Party
at Cross Tides.
Five young Savannshians went on a
hunting expedition up the river Saturday
night. and thAreby hangs a tale.
The party was a rather mixed one. IL
consisted of an Irishman, a Hebrew. a Ger.
man, a Frenchman ana a Swede. A darkv
rowed the boat. The expedition Left the
west Broad street slip, after putting dog
on board, with large hearts and great homes.
When the boat reached Ham Island the
rain began pouring and the dog wanted to
go home, but the hunters soon silenced bis
cries by "ducking." The ram came dow
10 a deluge, and it looked as il there would
be squaL All hands went to work 70
put things in shape for the expected blow
The provisions were put under cover in
stanter. The river had on a ''choupy sea ~
and some on board who had never exDe-
rienced life on a maroon showed their svIY,
pathies with the dog,
The darby who had charge Of the aors
was the happest one of the party. and AN
investigation proved that he had a good
load OF whisky on. The experienced hands
informed the others of the situation. and
the latter were just in the mood To kick
themselves for venturiug out on sncS a
stormy night with a half intoxicated
derky.
The rain continued to come down in tbe
meantime. The boat was making pretty
good Roadway and the darkey began to
sing.
The green hands couldn't help themselves.
Ihey dld not dare move and kept an eve on
their guns, which they were not anxious to
loose. All OF a sudden heavy, black mist
Ioomed up In front Of the boat and the man
at the bow yelled out: "We're going TO
drown" He mistook the mist for an OBJ
struction and began to mutter his prayers.
All hands looked at the supposed island
but vigorous search failed to discover
land. After that scare the Young man
didn't have any more TO say. The man at
the stern fired both barrels of his shotgun
into the air and the young man in the bow
fell overheard.
I'm a goner," he cried, Justify, as he
struck the water with terrific splash. He
was rescued with rope and pulled back into
the boat. be said he wanted to 90 home at
once and begged the others TO put him on
terra trma and he would walk back 70
Savannah. The boat was too far out. hoW-
ever, and the pilot said it would be a dan
Rerous thing to try and land. So the young
man was compelled to remain on board and
face what he thought was certain death.
lie grabbed the hawser in the bow and held
on with deathlike grasp. Nothing there
than collision with steamboat or the
boat going TO pieces on a rock.
The party intended to row into Back
river around the bend near Ham Island and
the pilot made for that point. The tide was
high end strong. The wind WAS blowing a
gale and the pilot didn't care whether he
won't to the bottom or not The bend was
reached and then began the greatest danger.
Any one who has gone into the Back river
Igln -
danger that turks In the rocks at cross tides.
but the pilot told the party that he could
get through without auy trouble. He was
taken at his word and the boat headed for
the cross tides. As the tides come togeth.
or there the water is tossed in high waves.
The force of the water as 1t divides is ter
rife and the boat and its contents we're
tossed about like chip. The tides carried
the boat upon government jetty and for a
time the boat and Grew lay on one side with
the boat full head In the rocks.
AS the tide receded and came back the
boat rose aud fell with terrific "thump."
The provisions began to get reckless aud a
portion Of them went overheard Every
body got paddles or substitutes and worked
for dear life. They finally man
aged to paddle into smooth
water and. as the young man
In the bow expressed it, were saved from
"hIeIJ grave. Inc pllOb got MS snare OF
| abuse, but he bad nothing 20 say. He had
had scare and was more careful as he
piled the oars again.
The party camped in a deserted house for
the night, and was glad of shelter. In the
morning they started in to slay all the
game they could find. Five of them fred
at lonely raft" duck and all that was
| found of the duck was his head and feet,
which were given to the dog. The
dog turned up his nose at the
proffered breakfast. The hunters
| killed some game, but the dog ate the most
| Of 1t. A consultation was held on the bank
| of q rice field as to what should be done
with the canine, and the hunters unani-
| mously agreed upon a sentence OF death.
| One Of them put strong rope around his
neck and tied him to a tree. The hunters
drew up at 100 yards from him and the
word fire was given. Five shots followed,
! and the rebellious canine met a militar :
| death without the benefit Of clergy. After
numbering the dog one of the 'green
| hands" fired at q buzzard, installing him for
q turkey. The expedition returned to the
| city yesterday morning, wet to the skin
and covered with mud, but with better
idea Of what hunting is and how it should
| be done.