The Republican journal., 1902-11-27

pected to keep sharp lookout for
American or other war-craft and with
the international signal code ascertain
the character of the vessel and lmme-
diately dispatch the results over the
wires to Portland, with which the sta
ton is connected.
A strong soutnerly breeze had sprung
up while we were making a tour Of the
island, and the sea was now pounding
in on the boulderS and rocks on the
southern side of the island with terrific
force In the far distance, notwlth
standing the bright sunlight could be
seen a heavy bank of fog and the moan
and rumble of the sea increased our de-
sire to sail. Bidding farewell to the
light keeper and his family, and the
life saving crew, friends we had made
in our brief stop, and with the deepest
regret at giving up the bounteous fish
dinner nearly ready, we repaired to the
wharf and the white sails of the Glide
were soon drawing freely as we ran off
before the wind, the breeze growing
stronger as we reached the open sea.
A large flock of sheep are feeding on
an island as we sweep by, and on
another a summer residents cottage
attracts our attention, the cottage look
ing most inviting. Dix Island, with its
unused granite quarries, attracted us
moment, for we had taken the inside
course to Owls Head and from there
would shape our course to Ninalhaven,
which we planned to visit ere our re-
turn home Otter Island, Sheep and
Monroe Islands, were quickly passed
and we were viewing the opening by
Owls Head when we were called from
lunch by Captain DecroW. Another
yacht was seen lying in the lee OF Otter
Island and we were about to take in our
topsail, by special request OF the
squire when the other yacht was
observed getting under way and by the
direction of Captain Decrow our work
was stayed. The other yacht seeing
our approach got under way, and from
brush" She was smartly rugged lit
tie craft, about the size of the Glide,
and had happy party on board. At
her helm was an old seaman who look
ed the picture of a Yankee skipper, and
as she ran out and squared away beside
| us the mainsall was peaked a little
more and Captain Decrow directed that
we should make the run under full sail.
The yacht held her own well for a
| time and we easily read her name,
| Spray, although her hailing place could
| not be discerned. Twice our way was
| impeded by an excursion steamer but
when we reached the open, near Owls
Head and squared away to make the
| run to Elnalhaven, after jibing over,
when some of our goods were precl-
pitated into the sea and we found our
selves in the lee scuppers, the other
boat was some distance astern, and
with the toots of fog horn in the
hands of Captain Ding" the race was
given up, the Glide easily proving the
| better boat.
1t was hardly noon when we left
! White Head, and the run across the bay
was quickly made and we were soon at
anchor at Vinalhaven. Our first stop
was at Hurricane Island where pleas
ant time was spent in looking over the
| granite quarrieS and selecting curios
| These quarrieS We're once the scene of
great activity and were operated by
General Davis Tillson, who opened
them up in 1870. Few people reside
here now: some two hundred perhaps,
who are divided between fishermen and
granite cutters.
Returning on board the yacht we con-
| llHutu Jul odll W V IldllldNtIi, named
for Sir John Vinal of Boston and incor-
principal places in the inland town and
spent some time in looking over quar-.
ries where some massive pieces of Stone
have been quarried for Washington, ID.
| c., and Philadelphia buildings, beside
many public buildings throughout New
England. In the distance, where the
''sky and water seemed to meet" only
broken by here and there an island. the
weather looked bad; the wind was fresh
and heavy sea rolled in. Our good
skipper was getting impatient and had
already taken in the topsail and flying
jib, with the expectation of breezy
run home.
We did not feel inclined to hurry,
however, and first paid visit to the
boat building shops of Leroy Coombs,
who has built many of the yachts owned
by the summer visitors in Maine. Plen.
ty of work was found in progress. and
Mr. Coombs had then in frame the
yacht he was building for the Roberts
Brothers of Reading, Mass, who spend
their summers at Northport
After we had been RECALLED on boiled
Holsters we joined our craft again. and
as the shades Of darkness were fallinp
made sail for home, postponing the re-
mainder of the cruise to future day
Thus far the party had had no thrilling
experiences, but in leaving the harboi
we were nearly ran down by large
steam yacht, whose pilot was not sure OF
his BEARINGS, and the big boat jostled ur
alongside of the Glide, giving us a
thorough drenching.
The wind was fresh and the mast anC
shrouds creaked as the yacht pitched
into the heavy sea, and the darkness OF
night was about us. A southerlv al
this season of the year is usually yer,
strong and it gave signs of a storm
Captain Decrow said little, but expert
enced with the coast as he was, anc
knowing the strength OF his yacht, hi
guided her in mastery manner. A
course had been laid for the homewarG
trip through eastern Penobscot Bay. an(
after we passed Crabtree Point. North
Haven it seemed calmer and we gained
courage.
The rising moon was breaking through
the riffs of clouds and it was welcome
sight after the darkness and heav,
breeze. Islesboro had been reached
and the lights of the many summer res
idents Of Dark Harbor showed out witt
pleasing brilliancy. Hughes Point and
Ryder's Cove were soon left behind