Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-02-24
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII. N..
OF THE GREAT STRAIT WE FOUND
OURSELVES IN, AND HOW THAT
SUBTLEROGUE, THE NATE. SEEMED
STILL TO TRIUMPH.
BY this time some showing of what
the captain had prophesied rs to
change OF weather began to appear.
The sun was now pretty high, but it
did not strike down with its usual heat,
a thin, whitish, almost imperceptible
haze floating between, and presently
I noticed that the northern sea line
was a little darkened SO that the hori-
ION itself was not SO sharply cut as it
had been. The air, too, had a changed
feeling-a little damper, as might say,
and with more of the ocean smell in it.
1 now surmised that we We're to catch
bit of blow, though not hurri-
cane, and that the wind would pres
emily shift to the north. What sort of
business we could make of it Heaven
only knew, and it was with no little
stirring of apprehension that finally
gave over my studying and directed
a more general look around. The long
boat was still travelling southwest, and
no other sail was to be seen. There was
the same easy sea, not so deeply blue
as before the thin veil came over the
sun, but raising scarcely crest, and
swinging and sinking in diminishing
water hills and valleys. The raft
climbed up and slid down in the fash
ion that such continuance must, dash
ing a bit of spray over us now and
then, but yet making some Roadway,
| and in this sort we continued for per-
haps two hours. BY that time we had
all thought it best to get into our oil
skins, Mr.. lynn likewise discarding his
wig, and in lieu of it drawing on little
knit cap, like a nightcap, and when at
last it was quite bit past noon got
| out and served dinner. OF course, it
had to be eaten cold, but we added
little brandy, and it relished well, and
after this nothing happened till early
night.
The wind had swung little into the
north, giving token Of what was to be
expected, and the sea was coming up
a bit, but as yet had made no heads
of dangerous size. The sun was setting
red, but with topping of gray clouds,
and the air was growing chilly, though
| it could not yet be called cold Iswept
| the sea line once more for a sail, but
| without success, whereupon, feeling
| weary and a bit discouraged, | flung
myself down and drew piece of canvas
| over me. I heard Mr.. lynn stir about
a little-I say heard, for l had covered
| my head for the moment-and pres
| emily knew that he had gone aft to
relieve the captain at the helm. had
a strange sort of quiet. secure feeling
| come over me. then, in way as though
I had no further care of this business
and scarce needed to feel fear. and in
| moment I was lapsing from that into
| a browse ] was called back to myself
by loud tone of talking, and on throw
ing back. the canvas found Mr.. Tym and
| the captain on their feet and looking
with great seeming of eagerness to-
ward some point in the western sea-
board. flung the canvas wholly from
me and sprang up.
The sea had darkened even in the
few moments had been under the cam
vas, and only pale, lemon-colored
! streak in the west remained OF the
| sunset. The raft canted and made its
downward slide Just as l got steadi-
ness of my legs, and I could only whlsk
my eye, so to speak. over the shoulder
of the crest, before we had dropped
| into the duskiness of the hollow. But
| in that glimpse / saw what it was that
nv companions had discovered. Against
| the yellow western band stood out q
| black dot, which could only be sail!
My heart gave a great jump, and
could have shouted, but in the end
contented myself with saying two or
three times profoundly: THANK
God!" and with that stood quietly on
my straddled legs, waiting for the next
rise of the raft. My companions had
given over their talking. and seemed
to be holding themselves in patience.
as was, only that. think, Mr.. lynn
spoke to me as stood about for my
balance, and so drew his notice. The
raft swung to the top of the crest, and
as it tipped for the next slide we all
looked eagerly for the black dot.
There it was, as distinct as ever, and
beyond any manner of doubt the mar
row-wise view of ship! We cried out
in a kind of cheer, and I then fell to
asking with eagerness how long she
had been in sight.
II raised her but moment since,'
answered the captain. "She showed
first as you see her, and must therefore
be bows-on. But, pray you, pass me
my glass, and I will see what further
can be made of her"
Ihastened to fetch his glass from his
box of instruments, and when the next
lift of the raft was he brought it to
bear.
Mr.. lynn and hung on his words,
for it was an anxious moment, and
presently felt vast relief when he
broke out:
Eyes, large ship, and bows-cu. She