The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1911-08-10
Off the Banks
By Charles DAILY Douglas

! ~ my varied ire Is COuuecIeu with
fishing excursion off the Newfound-
land banks / owned yacht. and as
soon as ! proposed the trip to my
friends, had no difficulty in finding
/ plenty who were willing and axious to
accompany me. chose a round dozen
choice spirits, who knew had the
necessary qualifications to make such
an excursion pleasant happier
party never set sail from any port
than the yacht carried on this oc-
casion. Singing, music, storytelling.
and playing filled up the hours. and
when we met around the Widespread
table the hilarity was renewed We
had rather . iisagreeable 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 al last lulled. the sea
grew tranquil and the captain report
ed that we should be off the fishing
grounds the next morning | we'll re-
member che ;iiis,0aaded 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 captain?'
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
We ran into a fogbank about daylight
and we don't seem likely TO get out Of +
it till the weather clears. fog is
about the last thing l expected to find !
up here at this season of the year; +
hut here we are right in it | hone |
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 I
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, shivering 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 companionabie, 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
forward hold. told him there was
one. remembered one foggy night
in the Grecian Archipelago when it
sounded dolefully all night over my
head. and prevented my sleening and
that the company the next morning
had voted the thing a nuisance, and
directed it to be taken down be
lieve it had never been hung since
Wen have it put up and set it go
ing at once, said the captain, as he
turned away 1T is probably an over
as we are far out Of the
and there's not wind
enough to give Roadway to anything
with sails But we'll set the thing
going. for perfect safety. Ho. there. 8
forward Hoist up the big bell from
he hold. and hang il on that fixture t
BY the mast"
re turned away 70 see that his or
iers were executed. and at that in {
slant our doom fell upon us, without q
4 cry, noise or any warning what
ever to herald it
The great. high bow Of one of the
ocean steamers appeared as suddenly +
rs though she had risen from the sea.
II descended from the skies. and
truck us amidships with crash that
left the little yacht completely in
vain
The two halves of the Inflated yes
led amidships
/ heard = shriek-a prolonged cry II
# horror and despair mingled with
he rush of the water and the putting
# smoke as the steamers engine was
! was conscious OF a tire
nendous shock, a blow. and a great
lack mass gliding above me. and !
vas conscious of nothing further IN o
il woke TO life in the saloon Of the r
teamer lying on sofa. with
rowd Of sympathetic gentlemen and Il
aides about me applying restoratiyes d
nd chatting my hands
Except a few bruises I was not in
lred in body and was walking the
eek of the steamer soon after with
UGH mingled feelings Of thankfulness d.
Or my own escape. and bitter grief
u the fate Of my poor companions, as '''
O words of mine can describe IS
] have been awakened IN rne dead
+ night from a peaceful slumber to p'
nd the roof over our head blazing in ht
sheet OF fame; ! have been hurled al
..a