La Junta tribune., 1902-07-26
AOvts1ust w,ra a SEA MONSTER.
ny RrcnAxn Hnsnr I.AArkls.

was living in Florida, near the city
OF Jacksonville. Jacksonville is
on the st. Johns river, some
twenty-five miles from its mouth,
and we lived but stones throw
from the river. 1t was usually the
place most sought, and for some
years Of my boyhood days, Il was
my occupation, self imposed, to
catch fish, the chills and fever,
and an occasional "licking," as !
whiled away the time on the water.
In the days of which write
was but nineteen years Of age, and
OF an adventurous turn OF mind.
The termination of some OF my
escapades resulted more seriously
than anticipated. Many tirles
! regretted my temerity, but the
anticipation and the opportunity
OF relating my adventures to an
admifing host OF friends. was more
in my mind than the dangers
might encounter. i he fact is, it
was more to have foundation for
an exaggerated tale, than anything
else that led me into so many
scrapes. Even to this day | doubt
the exact trnthfulness of some
things that once seemed SO real
from constant repetition.
But the tale am about to relate
closed the time OF my residence in
the "Land OF Flowers, and con
seqnently the many happy days
for myself, and the many unhappy
ones for my parents, whose solicit
tude aud anxiety for me Made
them borrow trouble.
1t was in the month of Novem.
Der. and the waning year found
me restless and dissatisfied.
had been cooped up in stuffy lit
tie store all summer. Guns, fish
ing tackle, ard ammunition, were
the wares we sold, and | was Just
aching to get out of doors once
again, and try the efficiency of the
trappings and tackle with which
had equipped myself. succeed
ed in securing leave Of absence,
and was soon ready FOR a trip.
My younger brother was to ac-
company me, and in staunch
little sailing craft we had stored
the utensils, and camping outfit.
together with our guns, tackle,
and ammunition, and were off.
A good stiff breeze favored us, and
with the tiller in hand | settled
down to solid comfort. Having
early acquired the habit OF smok-
ing, this formed good part OF the
enjoyment Of such trip. There
was plenty OF good things to eat
we had brought along, and now
awaiting camp appetite"
One that has habituated himself
to river craft never loses his first
love, and to once more put his
hand upon the tiller is to have
sense of mastery that is satisfying
So now felt, and would have
been glad to have known | never
had another day OF hum drum
store life before, but 10 have had
the means to have gratihed my
taste, in this direction, would have
been all would have desired.
We did not get off until after
dinner, and onr intention was to
make the run to the rivers mouth
by night, expecting to spend most
of our time camping by the sea
shore. Fish was plentiful, oysters
in season, and we knew where we
could find plenty of squirrels, and
possibly a chance for wild turkey.
But our fair breeze only held up
for about two hours. and with its
waning the tide began to turn,
and We crept along but slowly.
There was no chance now for US
to make it before midnight, but we
cared but little, and were not 60
ing to trouble ourselves in the
least. We had two good pairs of
oars in the boat, but it will be a