The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-12-14
A PERILOUS BOAIp RIDE
Dr.. WilSus In a Prail Craft on MadlJ
Tossing BilloHs.
The INDIAN And his SIXTH SENSE
Sentiment ON the Pass.
ing OF she Old Year and the Rapid
Approach OF the New-Lifess Tasks,
Duties and Uncertainties.

cUioh iAkihA t1EkALDs- writ
ing you, have had quite an interesting
experien 'e. was called professionally
to visit the wife Of Mr.. Beam on the even.
ing OF November %. This was during
the late storm on the coast. Mr.. Beam is
in charge Of the weather bureau on Ia
toosh Island, distance ofseven miles fro m
Neah Bay. was put 10 light canoe
with two Indians in charge to be deliy-
cred at Tatoosh Island. The wind was
blowing seventy-two miles an hour. The
ocean waves were prodigious. Our little
craft rose and fell like a bubble on the
water. Many times we were entirely sur
rounded by immense waves and we could
see nothing but water. never felt so
helpless in my life. But trusted to God
and my saltwater tillicums Lighthouse
Jim and Muscles) to take me through the
storm and they did it, although jim lost
his hat and our little canoe was half full
OF water when we reached the island.
tell YOU will have warm place in my
heart for my dusky friends as long as
live and l think will meet them in that
other reservation where storms never
come. remained with my patient over
night and was pleased to see her improve.
| had the pleasure, too, Of seeing the
lighthouse, with its big lamp that con-
sumes nine gallons of oil per night. The
fog horn machinery and the little ma
chine to measure the velocity of the wind
were all objects of interest and curiosity
to me. The Tatoosh lighthouse and
weather bureau is the most westerly OF
any station in the United States govern.
ment service and is situated on rocky
island OF about nineteen acres. They
have telegraph ser ii % connected with the
main land by cable. Mr.: Beam is an
excellent man for the place. He tells me,
however, that these Indians have sixth
sense and that sense relates entirely to
the weather.
These Indians are making big prepara-
tons to have great potatch and dance
on Christmas. The Quillehutes, Hoes,
Clallams and Makahs join in these festiv-
tiles at Neah Bay, and always have blu
fun.
We are having plenty Of rain and
cloudy weather. hope we will be able
to see the stars on Christmas night, for
was it not star that led the wise men
and the shepherds to the Bethlehem
manger on that famous night in the year
A. D.? That Was long time ago. but
time comes and goes very rapidly. A
little handful OF days and it will be 1894.
The year has almost gone, and with i.
many glorious throng OF happy dreams.
Its mask is on each brow; its shadow in
each heart. In its swift course it waved
its scepter DER the beautiful and they are
not. 1t laid its pallid hand upon the
strong man, and the mighty form is
fallen, the flashing eye is DINNER. And,
as the year closes. memory takes me
backward-back to the time of childhood
think of the friends that started cut in
the great battle OF life with me. Nearly
all have gone to the other side. Some
went little way and our paths diverged
and we have lost sight OF each other.
Among the last of the friends to bid me
goodbye before coming here was the late
DR.. VIM. 6. Coe. He. too. struggled
with all the strength he had, but the bur
den was too heavy, and will not see him
again until we meet in the sweet bye and
bye in that land that is fairer than day
And 80 time will 30 on until the little
worker in your breast, gentle reader, and
mine stops work. But il We shall have
done our duty when that time shall come
We will have lived just long enough; for
life is not measured so much by years as
it is by the deeds done in the name Of
Him who taught us to do unto others as
We would like them to do to US. The fol-
lowing lines will tell you how l feel
about it,
Upon this western shore tonight I'm sitting
The shore that slopes to touch a boundless sea-
And watch the white ships inward, outward
fitting,
And wonder when my ship viii come for me-
And where it lives and whittier 1t is going
only hear the winds OF memory blowing.
Upon this western shore tonight I'm straying,
The shore that slopes to touch boundless sea,
And watch the pillows upwa.d, downward
swaying.
But do not care how near the tide may be,
Or, II the waters touch my feet, not knowing,
Al. -.
ALBERT WILGus, M. d.
NEAH BAY, December z.