St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1897-11-20

was literally l'crne upon the wings Of
the wind.

was literally l,crne upon tho wings Of
the wind.
I had never tr canned Of skating II
such speed. II was wonderfully ex-
hilorating. and yet few on through
the darkness in fun knowledge that
should probably be knocked senseless
or killed outright il thrown by any
ridge or other such obstruction as I
wus likely to encounter.
But no obstacle was in my way. For
quite an hour was blown along in this
fashion. and I think that had trav-
ersed more than Is miles when heard
small roaring sound ahead that sent
shiver to my very backbone. AT the
same time the Ice grew rougher and
serrated with wavelike ridges. Itried
to check my speed; wheeled; was
flung down and slid fafbefore Istopped.
Looking astward, I saw the dark hori-
ron much closer, for the white plain
was cut sharply at point net far In
front, as if a black curtain had been low
cred from the skies. From behind this
curtain came the roar.
I had Instantly OWNED the truth. The
bay wns not wholly frozen. 1 had AZ
rived at the edge Of the ice.belt, and the
dark water Of Lake Huron was heaving
and focming right before The.
~he moon, Though hidden BY dim
clouds, gave = faint sort OF hall light
that showed me the whole scene-the
vast frozen plain to right and left, and
in front, the appalling, inky, tHfious
expanse. White.cAppea pillows were
running high before the gale; and
heard An astonishing roar OF wind and
water. And had come within ten rods
OF. the brink. Not only so, but
seemed to be out on point OF peninsula
Of ice, with open water to the west al
well a. to the south Of me. Such near.
ness to the open water scxred me.
must try to get Farther away. 1t was
conceivable that the rough ice edge
under me might break ap under the
force of the gale
I dropped on my hands and kneen.
aud Started to run on all fours, the
points Of my skates rasping into the ice.
The horrible roaring behind inspired
me with . sort Of panic. For a couple
of hundred yards scrambled on, and
then the effect OF exertion and excite
ment began to tell. was seized by
sudden exhaustion. and collapsed.
It YVES showing faster now; noticed
that the front Of my pilot skating-coat
was thickly covered with white. The
fakes drove through the air with the
speed and sting Of arrows, but turned
my back on them, md stretched out on
the ice-t0 die. as IMAGINED. did
not feel that I had energy enough to
get to my feet, even to save my life.
It did not seem 20 cold now. began
to feel drowsily comfortable. and sus-
pected that I was freezing to death
and didn't much care.
could for awhile feel the snow beat
ing incessantly on my face and shoul-
ders. for was in 4 sort OF doze, but not
wholly unconscious. Presently the
snow ceased falling. I lost count OF the
lapse OF time, but I was suddenly
awakened by . heavy blow, as II a plank
had fallen across my body. I came to
myself in an instant,and on raising my
head found myself completely imbed-
ded in snow.
l was not particularly cold now, and
the queer. numb feeling in my legs was
gone. could hear the roaring of the
storm outside, end began to realize that |
the thin. flying snow had needed only
such m obstacle as my body to form a |
very respectable drift, at the bottom Of |
which was inferred, and which had ar
rested the freezing process.
As I thought Of this, another dun
thud sounded upon the top Of my
sepulchre. I sat up with some difficult |
ty. threw the snow aside, and looked
about.
I realized in q moment what had O.
CURED. The wind had shifted from |
east OF north to west of north, and |
under its influence massive billowx
were now rolling on the western edge
OF my peninsula. Now and then 4 crest |
OF breaker. blown bodily OF by the
gale. would fall with resounding crash |
far up on the ice. Without doubt. it |
was such an event that had awakened |
me. and just in time, for 1t was certain
that the ice about me would soon h |
up.
jumped up and struck out, With
the new direction OF the wind. 1 knew
that I was saved. Icould not return To |
Parry sound. but Penetanguishene and
Midland lay IS miles down the coast.
and with the gale at my back I fancied
that it would be easy to cover that dis
tance.
It was not 50 easy Is had IMAGINED.
Al the sounds Of crashing and rendiny
ice died away behind, I found myseif
weak and weary. My legs ached. nv
back ached, my head ached. would |
have given worlds to sit down and rest
the one thing which I dared not do.
Snow retarded me slightly, too, though
it was mere thin. hurry6ng, scurryinr.
loose layer, except where occasionally
collected as drift by some slight OBJ
stacle.
need not. however, describe the tor
ture Of that IS miles skating. Had it |
not been for the good wind pushing be
hind. must have dropped b. the way.
As IL was, I was half dead and two
thirds unconscious when I saw the elec-
trio lights Of Penetanguishepe shining
on the sky across Christian island.-I
Companion.
Heart 00ngeR.
The rain fell suIlenly. Truck horses
plodded along the sod0en street. pa
tiently, heavily.
Gladys DE- We're stood at'the window
boxing out on . sloppy and dismal |
world. The Loneliness Of the day