The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-11-14

GbreaCherOuSly out under the surface
OF the water are a menace to coast ves-
sells, and effectually isolate the fisher
men from the outside world. But the
people are contented and happy, and,
IS far as they know, prosperous. They
have fish and CLAIMS and Holsters to eat,
and rough clothing enough to keep them
from freezin@ And, If sometimes they
70 hungry, they are sure to forget it
in the feast Of tomorrow, or the next
day, or the next, or in that e~xhilarating
time when schools of fish return to the
coast. Often there are weeks of contin-
nal rough weather, when the winds
shrek, and the waves lash themselves
against the rocks; and at such times
the fishermen haul their boats above
xide-water and utilize the hours in
mending seines and in making lobster
pots and traps.
1t was during such a week as this
that the pleasure yacht Explorer lost
her course and went 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 broughtthe fishermen
out in their boats, and though one of
them never returned, all the passengers
of the Explorer were brought safely to
land and apportioned among the house
holds Of the little hamlet.
The next morning these rescued pas
sengers went down on the beach in
storm-coats and ulsters and gazed out
cross the boiling expanse of water to-
ward where the yacht had been, and
then looked at each other with dis
quoted faces. There was little left of
the Explorer now-only a few broken
and twisted planks along the beach at
tide-mark-and they had learned that
the wilderness of snow-covered hills
and valleys behind them were impassa-
bic at this season.
''Well," said a short, fat man, Iugu.
briously, sit is a clear case of mistaken
charity. If there is a choice between
drowning and an unmixed, UNMARRIED,
indefinite diet Of fish, it is most assur.
edly against the fish. What do you
say, my lord?'
The person addressed, a tall, hand
some man, of middle age, and evident
~ the head Of the party, looked down in
diligently
1T is q sad thing, doctor, to meet a
ase Of utter subsection to Appetite =
he said. "For my part, Iprefer fish diet
to being diet for fish. And really, il
seems almost too bad that these brave
fellows should have gone to the trouble
OF r~escuing you last night. Ali but it
was a grand sight, though" his eyes
kindling. 81 have led forlorn hopes on
the battle field. but never where the
odds we're so terrible as that kissing,
whirling, laundering sea. And that re-
minds me, we have not yet thanked the
grand, old white-haired man, who was
the guiding spirit of the fishermen. l
have a shrewd idea that but for him
we would not be here now"
He turned to a boy who was watching
them with big, round eyes.
sCan you tell me where the old mar
ts, my lad-the one with the long, white
hair?'
''Big John. He likely out feeshin'."
s-Not in this sea?"
The boy nodded.
"He don't mind it," lowering his
voice; where other folks drown, he
90. There's plenty think him spelled"
sWhat?"
"Spelled-by a ha'nt, you know. Eef
he have the spell he no fear bein' kill.
But who are you?" bluntly.
Robert EsIeigh."
''The fat man called you my lord"
"Oh, that is just a name they call
some Of the people in my country. But
come, ladies and gentlemen to his
party, "this weather il too harsh for
unnecessary exposure. Suppose you re-
turn to shelter. and leave me to wander
about the village awhile. Iwish to meet
and thank each of the fishermen for
last nights work, and, II possible, to
snake some arrangement for our de-
parture."
He stood for q few moments longer.
gazing out at the raging sea, then, with
the boy accompanying him, walked
down the beach to where several fisher
men were hauling q seine which they
owned IN common.
He walked from one to another, talk
ing about the work, about the weather,
about their struggle Of the previous
night And little by little he learned
that there was scarcely a point on the
whole Newfoundland coast as lonely
As this BAY Of Exploits; that the fishing
neason had been good, and that the sup
ply su1ted down, would be amply sufa-
cient to keep them all until herrings re-
turned; that it would be discourteous
20 oner payment for their entertain
menti and lastly, that they might have
TO remain a week, a month, two months,
according 20 the weather and the advent
of tho maiiboat. During the summer
kAis link with the outside world ID
peared every two weeks. but in bad
edther. IS q old h~oatnender said:
f came when # came.
the good weather was now ar