Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-08

Jerking Of stays. by the middle OF the
next forenoon the breeze came on again,
and n few hours later Assoteague light
was made. A heavy squat became Inn
mnent and Captain Dick prudently put
the schooner about and ran into Toms
Cove. under Assoteague light which
doomed up impresslyely Ike q monument,
although a mile and a quarter inland.
The tourists were stOrm-bound here for
three days. Tho time between storms
was passed I'm wandering along the beau
tlful beach, surf bathing. pursuing the
agile crab gathering seashels, and seek
Ing out tho succulent, philosophic oyster
in his native lair, interspered with an
occasional visit to the lighthouse. the
curious and interesting equipments OF
which we'll repaid the climb Of 100 feet
I'd the winding stairs 10 tho lantern, not
to mention tho magnificent panorama OF
ocean, Islands. inlets, and mainland
spread out beneath the feet of the adj
mlrlng visitors from this lofty elevation.
While lying I'm here at Assoteague the
attention OF the party was attracted by
a peculiar looking steamer, which was
working around in tho cove on some
mysterious errand, which involved tho
sending out of a couple OF long rev.
boats. somewhat heavily manned. In
quiry OF Captain Dick developed the fact
that the steamer was engaged in the
menhaden or alewiye fishery. These lit
tie fish appear on the surface Of the
water at intervals. IN schools Of countless
thousands, sometimes shimmering on
the surface for acres. They are worth
less for food purposes, but are taken In
large seines, and after being boiled, tho
oil is extracted for commerce. and tho
refuse sold for fertilizer. on Monday
-f.f- % fI..
small boats belonging to the schooner,
and with AIr. Bell TO accompany him,
and Edgar for motive pOwer-for the
Colonel IS great on labor-saving con-
trlvances-was roWed over alongside the
fishing boats from the steamer, 70 OBJ
serve their proceedings. on approach
ing they were hailed with CHEEKY Want
any baits?" from one OF tho
boats. mo" sung out the Colonel, care
lessly, "Pye just brought few boys
from tho mountains down here. to give
them a little outing on salt water and
as they've never seen anything Ike this,
l thought I'd row 'em over and give 'em
n look" As BIr. Bell was the only "boy"
present except the Colonel himself, no
didn't know just how 20 take II, but
finally concluded 10 divide the honor
with the other boys" on the schooner
which he did on his return.
The crew Of the rowboats were good
natured and communicative, and inform
Ell the visiting delegation that they esti-
mated the haul Just made at 2O,eO nsh.
and that there were fully 10000 on board
the steamer at that time. A visit 70 tho
steamer developed the fact that her open
amidship space was full OF fish 10 the
gunwales, like a farmers wagon with a
load of wheat, and there was no DISPOSE
ton on the part OF the visitors 70 doubt
the statement as to the 10000.
DID NOT ARRIVE
Arrangements were made with some
Chlncoteague fishermen TO take the party
out fishing on Wednesday morning early,
but as the fishermen did not arrive,
whlle a favorable wind did, the anchor
was raised and sail made at A. NJ,
with Atlantic City as the Objective
The fishermen put in an appearance an
hour and a half late, and when the
schooner was well out 10 sea; but 1t
was then too late. and the schooner was
kept on her course, very fortunately, as II
afterwards proved, for the breeze fresh
ened into a wind, and the wind Into a
gale before the day was many hours
older. This was the nearest approach the
fishermen had TO getting any fishing,
although an occasional bluefish was
taken during the succeeding cruise by
means Of long lines trolled astern.
Captain Dick had informed the party
that he would arrive of Atlantic City
after dark; and that, If the wind per-
raitted. he would lie off and on before the
city until daylight, and then go in, as
IL was not safe TO attempt TO take the
schooner in during the night, but the
wind did not permit. All the afternoon
IL blew a perfect gale from east-southeast,
before which the schooner flew at the
rate OF at least ten knots an hour. The
wind. coming az It did. from the illmit-
able expanse OF tho open ocean, kicked
I'D considerable sea, over when the
broad. bluff schooner jumped and pitched
and wallowed at tremendous rate. As
the wind was directly on shore the cap
tain. in starting, made considerable oiiing,
and the whole days run was made from
fifteen to twenty-five miles out at sea-
a large part OF the afternoon no land was
In sight at all At 3 u. NJ. the snip was
of Atlantic City, and some ten or twelve
miles out. The city presented a beauti-
ful appearance with It's miles OF electric
lights. strung along the beach. Ike lines
OF living diamonds
Captain Dick would allow no one 70
sleep on deck this stormy, squaily
night, so the adventures made the best