Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-02-16
L [.

: Behind blind" of brush built i
the low bushes on the edge of til
beach, a man crouched, waiting for
shot at the sea birds that came out O
the distance and quickly disappeare,
!. with a whirr of wings.
As he scanned the horizon his atten
ton was arrested by vessel unde
full sail in the offing. She drove be
fore the smart breeze, but in zig-Za;
fashion that told of something wrong
The sportman watched her intently un
It'll a flock of ducks caught his eye
They were within easy shot and h
fired, bringing down two. Then ht
looked again for the vessel, but she
was gone.
The winter twilight crept on apace
and the duck-shooter prepared to leave
the beach, with a last look at the So:
to catch, if possible, another glimpse
OF the Grant craft.
| He saw nothing, and was about tC
turn away when he discelned two
black specks appearing at intervals on
the crest Of the long rollers about 4
mile off the beach. They were boats
coming straight for the shore.
! Nearer and nearer they came, rOWed
| by suong arms. Three men were in
, the nearest one, and four in the other.
When they had nearly reached the
| line of surf the man on the beach shout
ed u warning. His voice was lost in
the noise of the surf.
| On and Oh they came, until the first
boat reached the surf line. The rowers
| bent to their oars in an endeavOr to
shoot through the surf. The frail craft
! Then she was in the trough Of the sea
would she rise again? The watcher
stood breathless. She rose bottom up.
| The other boat followed close The
men in her threw something overheard.
| 1t was less ballast or death with them
and they worked desperately.
Again they piled the oars, and rising
surf line in safety to the shallow froth
| covered water inside.
The four men jumped out, and tall.
keen-eyed fellow, evidently their leader,
asked:
What place is this?''
Barren Island,'' was the reply. "Some
people call ii Coney Island"
WELL we want shelter. We're drench-
ed and you've seen how close our call
was. l spose our poor mates are done
for, boys" the speaker continued, adj
dressing his three companions. Lets
see if we can find their bodies"
The wrecked boat had come ashore,
but she was empty. One of the sailors
a brawny negro-tpped her up and
looked under her.
where's the nearest house, asked
the tail man.
"Johnson's is the only place near
here" the sportsman replied. IT'S on
the other side Of the island. I'll show
you where"
"Al right. But wait till we get what
little stuff we saved and stick it into the
sand till we can come back for it,
The men splashed into the shallow wa
ter and took from the boat three heavy
packages wrapped in old clothes. These
they put into hole in the sand made
with an oar.
''Now, then, We're ready said the
leader, and the party moved off in the
rapidly approaching darkness.
There was light shining from the
window of the Johnson house when they
reached it.
II must leave YOU" said their guide.
II live in Gravesend. My names
Williamson-Nicholas S. Williamson.
What might your name be-"
The tall man knocked at the cottage
door, and answered, as woman appear
ed:
MY names Gibbs. Me and my mates,
Wansley, tn niger, and Dawes. and
Brownrigg, the young fellow, want shell
ter. We're from the brig Vineyard. She
sprung leak, and we couldn't keep her
free. She sunk not more than ten
miles from here. The cap'n and mate
are lost. They was in t'other boat"
and the woman babe him enter. Inside,
as Mrs. Johnson prepared supper, the
story Of shipwreck was told in detail to
John Johnson, their host, and his brother
William, both honest fishermen.
Next morning the four sailors departed
for Sheepshead Bay.
Entering the little office Of the chief
hotel Gibbs approached the desk and
addressed Landlord Samuel Leonard:
I'VE want a coach an four, mate,
said he, ito go to New York. We've
been shipwrecked, but kin pay for 4
turnout"
The landlord eyed the quartet critical
~ and said he had no conveyance ready.
Lose everything?" he queried.
Bout ALL replied Gibbs; saved
our kits. Left 'em in the sand over on
Barren island for a day or two. We've
got money enough to pay you, though,
and Gibbs held out handful Of Mexican
dollars.
.'Sit down." said the landlord; ''they'D
| be a coach to New York tomorrow
morning"
Gibbs and his fellows looked around
the room and the landlord went out. In
about half an hour he returned, and
with him were four other men.
I'VE want you," said the first OF the
men to enter the room. You're sus
piciouS characters"
A pistol was thrust in Gibbs face
while the other men seized Wansley
Dawes, and Brownrigg, who were to-
much surprised to offer resistance.
I'm the sheriff. explained the MAJ
with the pistol, when Gibbs was secure
ly handcuffed, land here is a warran
signed by Justice Van Dyke"
III.