The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-12-21

board. 1t would have been useless to
try to go about and pick him up in
such boiling waters. I threw a line
to him, but he failed to grasp it.
I suppose it was the ugliness of con-
tentiOn that led me to keep on without
turning back, though l would be no
better off for the time being by return
ing than going forward l was tempt
ed to the former course, but as soon
as l got past the tide races I struck
calm water, and, with a favorable
breeze and boiling sea behind me, it
looked easier to go forward than back
ward. The demon was Turing me on.
1 had sailed no great distance when
the wind began to blow a gale-it
seemed to me from all directions at
once. I found anchorage at the foot
Of a mountain, where there was a
dead calm. But I had not got half
rested when down came gust of wind
called in that region williwan.
have given these samples Of what
l experienced all along my voyage
through the strait to show what l en-
countered from winds and waters. My
chief danger in making the passage
was the SavageS. They inhabited
both the north and south shores. and ]
was obliged to look out for them on
all occasions. I had brought several
rifles along, and, having met a man in
MOntevideo who had had experience
in the strait, he advised me to provide
myself with a stock Of tacks to scat
ter on deck at night, in case I and my
crew should both be asleep at the same
time, to warn me if we were boarded
by savages. After losing my only man
overheard these defensive weapons
seemed to me to be doubly valuable.
The first sight I had Of the Fuegans
was one morning when 1 was sailing
in smooth water in narrow passage
between the northern mainland and an
island. l saw canoe padded by saw
ages heading to cut me off. In dry
weather l kept rifle on deck and now,
laying my hand on it, brought it to my
shoulder and fired a shot across the
bows of the canoe. The Fuegans stop
ped padding and approached no near
er the line on which I was sailing.
I hoped to be able to get through the
strait without killing any one, for the
spirit Of cupidity was enough for me
to contend with without exciting re-
venge. / was much relieved, therefore,
when l saw that | had scared off enc
mics who, in order to appropriate what
[ possessed, would not have hesitated
10 murder me if they could.
One evening when laid up in calm
water | was taken ill. l took the pre-
caution before getting into my bunk
10 protect myself against boarders by
scattering tacks over the deck. l had
brought with me a supply Of medical
stores and a few surgical instruments.
The former to be used in case of sick
rIess, the latter of accident. Among
The liquids was one to be taken in
drops diluted with water. | didn't
know what it was, but did know that
it was very fiery.
During the night l heard a yell on
deck. l knew that savage had step
ped on my tacks but had little doubt
that it would drive him and those who
might be with him back to his canoe.
And it did The savages knew that
must have been warned Of their COM
ing by the cry and, dreading the con-
tents Of my rifle, took themselves
away. The rest of the night was
passed in quiet. .
The next morning l was still ailing
and unable to sail on. Not daring to
remain in the cabin. where l could not
see the approach of an enemy, | took
a mattress on deck and lay there. l
also removed my cabinet containing
my medical supplies and set it on the
deck beside me. One thing l neglect
ed to do-that is. lay rife beside me.
1 thought of doing so. but at the time
was seized with violent pain. which