The Monitor-register. [volume] (Woodstown, Salem Co., N.J.) 1892-1972, 1896-11-27
BIG JOHN.
BY FRANK H SWEET.

there is, perhaps, none Wider nor more
desolate or more inhospitable than the
vicinity of the Bay of Exploits, on the
northeast shore. Here the wind is always
foil of snarls and growls, and the fog is
thick and black, and the Jagged fan like
rocks which steal treacherously out
under the surface of the water are a
menace to coast vessels and effectually
isolate the fisherman from the outside
world. But the people are contented and
happy, and as far as they know, prosper
GUS. They have fish and CLANS and
Holsters to eat, and rough clothing enough
to keep them from freezing. And, If
sometimes they go hungry, they are sure
to forget it 10 the feast to morrow, or the
next day, OF the pext, or in that exbil-
arsting time when schools of fish return
to the coast. Often there are weeks OF
continual rough weather, when the winds
shrek, and the waves lash themselves
against the rocks: and at such times the
fishermen haul their boats above tide
water and utilize the hours in mendine
seines and in making lobster pots and
traps
1t was during such week as this that
the pleasure yatch Explorer" lost her
course and wen. to pieces on the rocks
south of Wellington Island. The sea
was high from long continued gales. and
the air was thick with snow and frozen
particles of spray; but the first signal OF
distress brought the fishermen out in
their boats. and though one of them
never returned. all the passengers of the
"Explorer" was brought safely to land
and apportioned among the households OF
the little balmet.
The next morning these rescued pas.
sengers went down to the beach in storm.
coats aud listers and gazed out across
the boiling expanse of water toward
where the yatoh had been, and then
looked 81: each other with disquiet faces.
There was left Of the Explorer" now
only few broken aud twisted pianka
scattered along the baach Il tidesmark
90 they bad learned that the wilderness
of snow covered hills and valleys behind
them were impossible at this season.
WELT" said a short, fat man, lugu.
briously, cit isa clear case Of niatak4s
charity. II there is choice between
drowning and an unmixed. UNMARRIED,
indefinite diet Of fish. lis most assnredly
against the fish. What do yon say, my
:s q person addrszqss III; dsons
mar, 81 middle age, and evidently the
bead hooked down indui-
gently.
eIt is sad thing, Doctor, to
meet case of utter apbjsction ia
appetite, be said. Fer my part,
preferRsh diet to- being diet for fish.
Aud really it seems almost 700 bad ttsat
those brave fellows should fssp seps 20
the trouble Of ing you last night.
All bat it was grand sight. tiioneh.s
his eyes kindling. Il have led foriorn
hopes on She battlefield. but never where
she odds we're so terrible as tbs kissing,
whirllng, laundering sea. Aud that
reminds me, we have not yet thanked the
grand old white haired man who was
the guarding spirit Of the nshermen. i
have ! shrewde 4idea that for him we
would not be here now
He turned TO = boy who was Watching
them Nth big round eyes.
)
my lad the one with the long white
hair ?"
Qus, cest q Big John. Helikels out
fees6in,.s' s3ss
Not in this sea 9'' 4; AZ
The boy nodded. 81.
Gle don't mind it, non. nonp lowering
his voice, where. other folks drown, he
go. plenty think him spelled .
s.What ~
Spelled . ha' MT, you know. Hon
pars san eef be have the spell be no fear
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