Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1916-07-20
CASC0 BAY YARNS
New Book by Williams Hayne

view Book by Williams Haynes.
Casco Bay Yarns"-it suggests
the retired sea captain on the wharf
and the old fisherman in his Gory.
There is smack of the salt sea
breeze in it and the whisper of the
pines over the rocky lodges against
which the surf breaks white and
foaming. 1t hints of pirates buried
treasure and of the smugglers' hiding
place. of shipwrecks and of mermaids,
and it reminds us of deep sea fishing
parties and jolly picnics.
"Casco Bay Yarns" is the title of
new book by Williams Haynes. in
it the author has kept all the prom
lses of his suggestive title.
Probably no two readers will agree
which of the yarns" is best. There
is the story of Captain Ed Linscott
the old lobsterman, who suspected
the boys were tampering with his
pots. Next comes the tale of the
superstitious John Sylvester of Bal
ley's Island, who consulted an Indian
fortune teller where he should dig for
pirate gold and then--but it would
not be fair to tell what befell him.
Orr's Island people will probably say
that the delightful love story with the
unexpected turn at the end which is
laid on their island is the best. The
Cruise of the SouSe" is the humorous
record Of camping trip Mr.. Haynes
and his brother-in-la law, Kemp Batch
elor made two summers ago in a tiny
boat that suffered alternately from
asthma and hiccoughs"
Hardly true yarns" but no less
interesting, are the chapters in which
Mr.. Haynes tells in his fascinatingiy
interesting style the story of Casco
Bay. This is the first time the ro-
mantle history of the Bay has been
collected. Mr.. Haynes spent many
weeks in the Maine Historical So
ciety Library gathering his material,
and he gives remarkably complete
sketch of Bav
The book tells something interest
ing about every important island.
Even those familiar with the Bay
will find new facts in these pages.
How many, for example, know that
the Bay was named by Capt. John
Smith who visited it in 1914? He
called it by its Indian name "Auco-
CISCO" meaning the nesting place of
the herons," and the English settlers
contracted "Aucocisco" to "Casco."
To pick at random in the book
Lanes island was once an Indian
burial ground; Bustin's Island chang
ed hands over the card table, Peaks
Island was named for a man who
never saw it: but Cousins Island is
still called for it's first settler, and
Chebeague has its Indian name, mean
ing sweet water; Moshier's Island
was first owned by an adventurer
from London and Bailey's was settled
by deacon from Massachusetts.
The splendid illustrations, taken
from the authors own photographs,
are not the least attractive feature
of the book.
Williams Haynes, the author, is
frequent contributor of short stories
and nature studies to leading maya
zines, and several of the yarns" first
appeared in periodicals.. Their col
lection in book form will enhance his
literary reputation, and the book is
a distinct addition to the literature of
the Pay. Mr.. Haynes knows the Bay
from Portland to Cundys Harbor and
he is keenly alive to all it's beauties.
He has wildly reconstructed the past
and pictured the very spirit of the
present. "Casco Bay Yarns" is
book everyone who knows Casco Bay
will want to own.