Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1910-10-14
Off the Banks
By Charles DAILY Douglas

soon as l proposed the trip to my
friends, ! had no difficulty in finding
plenty who were willing and axious 10
accompany me- chose round dozen
choice spirits, who / knew had the
necessary qualifications to make such
an excursion pleasant A happier
party never set sail from any port
than the yacht carried on this &C.
casion. Singing, music. storytelling.
and playing filed up the hours. and
when we met around the Widespread
table the hilarity was renewed. We
had rather disagreeable passage TO
the banks. with frequent rains and
smart gales, but our skipper and crew
were perfectly reliable, and we had
as little apprehension of disaster as Of
any other misfortune.
The winds at last lulled. the sea
grew tranquil, and the captain report
ed that we should be off the fishing
grounds the next morning well re-
member the unbounded mirth and fun
of that night We got out our tackle
and overhauled it in order to be fully
ready for the sport; and when that
was done. with the cross-fire of jokes
and quips that accompanied it, We
made merry with song. story and 9th
er cheer till far into the morning.
When we went to sleep it was with
the highest anticipations OF the com
ing sport.
Good weather, | hope. captain2"
was the cry that saluted the latter as
he appeared at the breakfast table
next morning.
I'm afraid / can't say much for the
weather at present" was the reply.
I'VE ran into fogbank about daylight
and We don't seem likely to get out of
it till the weather clears fog is
about the last thing | expected to find
up here at this season of the year;
but here we are, right in it. | hope
it'll clear, however, during the morn
ing"
Somewhat disappointed at this in
telligence, we ate but little. and then
went on deck. | thought | had seen
fogs before in different quarters of the
world, but never had witnessed any
thing like this. The air was cold,
raw, and heavy with moisture, and
the fog so dense that we could hardly
see the length of the yacht. A servant
was sent below for shawls and cloaks.
and we sat aft. shiyering in our wraps.
and feeling as gloomy as was natural
under the circumstances. One of US
produced some cigars, which were
passed around and lighted and under
the influence of the weed, we grew
more companionable, and even began
to propose small bets as to the hour
the unwelcome fog would lift.
The captain now came aft, and
asked me if there was anything like
A fog-bell among the rubbish in the
1ne. | remembered one foggy night
n the Grecian Archipelago when it
sounded dolefully all night over my
read. and prevented my sleeping, and
hat the company the next morning
lad voted the thing a nuisance. and
directed it to be taken down. | be-
ieve it had never been hung since.
We'll have it put up and set it go
ng at once said the captain, as he
urned away. 1T is probably an over
'recaution. as We are far out of the
teamer-track, and there's not wind
nough to give Roadway to anything
Nth sails. But we'll set the thing
ding. for perfect safety. Ho, there.
onward. Hoist up the big bell from
he hold. and hang it on that fixture
Y the mast"
He turned away to see that his or
ers were executed, and at that in
tant our doom fell upon us. without
cry. noise. or any warning what
yer to herald it.
The great. high bow OF one of the
,ean steamers appeared as suddenly
) though she had risen from the sea,
r descended from the skies and
ruck us amidships with a crash that
eft the little yacht completely in
vain
The two halves of the Inflated yes
i rose up fore and aft, and she set
I'd amidships.
] heard shriek-a prolonged cry
horror and despair mingled with
e rush of the water and the putting
smoke as the steamers engine was
versed ! was conscious OF a ire
endous shock. a blow. and a great
ack mass gliding above me, and
rs conscious of nothing further UNI
] woke TO life in the saloon of the
Gamer. lying on sofa. with
ovid OF sympathetic gentlemen and
lies about me. applying restoratives
d chatting my hands
Except a few bruises was not in
ed in body, and was walking the
elk OF the steamer soon after. with
,h mingled feelings OF thankfulness
my own escape. and bitter GRIEF
the fate of my poor companions. as
words of mine can describe
have been awakened in the dead
night from peaceful slumber 10
4 the roof over our head blazing in
iheet of flame; | have been hurled
h train OF cars down steep EN-.