Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-03-12

1t times the rail of the bulwarks all but
NY on the waters. "A row of wrctched
nortals stretched on their steamer chairs
and rolled up like mumnies in their rugs
testified to the fact. that there were 9TH
ers who believed in fresh air, but some
who had had the courage to get out were
so frightened at the swoopinE of the ship
over aud down into the waves. as with
irresistible force they came steadily on
and almost over us that they regretted
their valor. When the porter had tied my
chair to the rail settled myself to the en-
joyment of the occasion This was some
thing like-the deathly faintncss was gone
the intoxicating effect of nature in her
grand works was beginning to hll my
spirit and make me glad to be alive. |
was about to send down to the stateroom
for M companion when | was surprised
by familiar call and before mo, cling
ing to the bulwark as it slowly sank to
meet the oncoming wave she stood i'm ac-
custoned guise. but pnIld and distressed.
gentleman at my side instantly put her
into his chair without waiting for core
mony letting pity do its gentle work and
one could not refuse such kindness on
such an occasion.
We were due at port Mt o'clock in the
afternoon, and refreshing ourselves with
fruits, iced tea and sea biscuit from time
to time. were resigned. according to our
N'~''uf moods, for tho few remaining
hours of our voyage. But 3 o'clock came
and we had not sighted land: the wind was
blowing "a gale the sea growing heavier
every hour, and the conviction that we
might have 10 remain on board another
night began TO grow.
Then we remembered that the sun had
not been seen since we left New York
that sailing by compass alone was called
dead reckoning"-wh chance could
there be for striking the little coral reef
OF our destination in the midst of this
seething iniinity Of waters?
In happy confirmation of the power OF
man over the power of nature, at about {
O'Clock comes the glad cry: "The lightr'
the light" and shining through the dark
ness and over the tumut of the waves, IT
cheered us with its message of hope. The
icast experienced could realize that the
idea of making port in such a gale would
be FOOLISH but when we find In the course
OF two or three hours that we have an
chored in still water and can go to sleep
with the moonlight streaming through the
port-holes. we find ourselves most uncom-
monty comfortable and resigned
Pilot on board with early morning, we
are moving towards the harbor; but words
fail to say how marvellous the change in
the surrounding elements. Is this the
same watery ocean-black and forbldding-
over Wnich we have been coming? Is II
not rather the blue of our bluest June
sky transposed to the element over which
we now glide? Some way things are UNI
real; we have lost our bearings and must
wait Tor REIMBURSEMENT. A notice appears
on the cabin door: lowing to the state OF
the tide, this steamer will not reach the
dock TIL O'Clock this afternoon Passen-
gers going ashore by tender do so at their
own risk and expense"
once more the anchor swings overheard
ana IN the midst of this opalescent sea We
rock at peace. Why should we rush
ashore, when here is beauty and novelty
10 interest and absorb our thoughts?
fathcr let us stretch ourselves in the
sun ana give our bruised and aching
ocuies chance to recruit Only about 81
or our 200 fellow passengers were of the
same inlhd with ourselves, so that when
at last we stepped ashore at O'Clock d.
m, we found the greater part of our com.
Pahy on the dock TO meet us. Only "A
hours peh!nd time. but what lifetime OF
experience we had shall say suffered OF
enjoyed. NJ. +. G.. NJ