Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1941-06-26, Page 6PAGE SIX The Ma11�;. The whole scene was one in which sublimity 'was singularly relieved by the !picturesque. The raging of the tempest ,had a •character of 'duration that rendered it easy to imagine it might ibe a permanent feature of the spot. The roar of the wind was with- out intermission, and the raging wat- er answered to its dull but grand strains with hissing spray, a menacing wash, and sullen surges. The drizzle made a ,medium for the eye which closely resembled that of a thin mist, softening and rendering mysterious the images it revealed, while the gen- ial feeling that is apt to accompany a gale of wind on water 'contributed to aid the milder influences of the ntiun- ent, The dark interminable 'forest have up out of the obscurity, grand, sombre. and intpree ire, While the sol- itary, peoular, and picture qui ,glimp- ser of life that were - caught in and abort the fort. formed a refute for the eye to retreat to when oppressed with the dere imposing- sing- o:cie es of net- vre 'They see us. ,x: {ac Sergeant, "aid thick ,%t a,.cc T(tliMeci nu ac• - conns of the gc.t. r:n,i ha.t tailtn 10 IFE....r:! •- , he r.wit. Yes, Ihert' is n.n. e.. the. north- eastern eastiont I k',o,v flint by "lis height. and'r•y the .•freers around him " "Sergeant. n would !•e worth a little jeering. if we could fetch; Met the riv- er, an come safely to an anchor, In that s,. too, we might Iand this 'Master Eau -donee. and ;•nrrify the brat.' "it would indeed: hut, as poor -a sailer. - 1 art. I tee'- iy cannel be- done. Ncthing that,a. the Ike can turn t, windward w sainst this gale: and there is no anchorage out- side i. weather like this." 3 nt,•w 't. Iset Sergeant: and ple,i.,.ttt as is t'. you lands- men, tit mast :cave it, Far myself, 1 nev-er }lar:i : it heavy weather - ..•s. ctrta.n that t'.te land i had rt. '.,.' Beadoff..-.rr ,. .aryl, t,... .... .. ,...,. ill• t, .,,:.rat cl. iitt;e, ...•d her t,.,• , ...- -..on tie ter' of tc to e::_ t' 'e the gale. :staking j.it:s rapid flight, though the • land stir. remained in tient on her larboard beam. the fort and the :groups of anxious spectators on Its ramparts were swallowed up in the mist. Then followed. the evolut- ions necessary to bring the head of the cutter up to the wind, when she again began to Wallow her weary way towards the north shore. Hours now passed (before any far- ther change was made, the Wind in- creasing in 'force until even the dog- rnaticai Cap fairly admitted it was blowing a thorough 'gale of wind. About sunset the Scud wore again to keep her off the north shore during the hours hof darkness; and at mid- night her temporary master, who, by questioning the crew in an indirect manner, had obtained some general knowledge of the size and shape of the lake, !believed 'himself to be about midway between the two shores. The height and ,length of the seas aided this impression; and it must be added that Cap iby this time "began to feel a respect for fresh water which twenty- four hours earlier he .would have de- rided as impossible. Just as the night turned; the ;fury of the wind became e great that .he found it im'possi'ble to "bear up against it, the water 'fal'ling on. the .deck o'f the little craft in each masses as to cause it to shake to the ,centre, and, though a vessel of sing- ularly lively qualities, to threaten M bury it (beneath its weight. The people of the Scud' averred that never before had they been out iv such a tempest, which was true; for, possessing a per- fect knowledge of all the rivers and headlands and ,havens, gasper wtlntld have carried the •cutter in shore long - ere this, and placed her in safety It some secure an•chonage. But "Cap still disdained to .consult the young mas- ter, • who continued 'below, determin- ing to act like a mariner of the "broad ocean. It was ane in the morning when the storm -staysail was again -got on the ,Send, thechead of the mainsail lowered, and the cutter put !before the wind. Althon•gh the canvas now ex- posed was merely a rag • in surface, the little craft nobly justified the use td the name she "bore. ,For eight 'hours did she scud in truth; and it was al- most with the velocity of the gulls that wheeled wildly over her in the tempest, apparently afraid to alight in the 'boillng caldron of the lake, The dawn of day brought little change: for no other horizon 'became visible than the .little circle of drizzling -sky and water already described, in which it seemed as if the elements were riot- ing in a sort of chaotic confusion. During this time the crew and pas- sengers of the cutter were of necessity passive. jasper and the pilot remain- ed ,below: but, the motion of the ves- sc' 11,ying "became easier. nearly all tite rest were on deck, The morning meal had been taken in silence, and eye met eye. as if their owners asked each other. in dsmtb show, 'what was to be the end „f this strife in the el- enlents. Cap. however teas perfectly composed. and his face Ihri;ghtened, his step firmer. and his whole air snare assured. as the storm increased. making larger demands on his profes- sional skill and personal " spirit. He stood on the forecastle, his arms crossed. balancing Itis 'body with a seaman's instinct, while his eyes wat- ched the caps of the seas, as they brake and glanced past the reeling cutter, itself in such swift motion as if they w -ere the scud .flyin:r athwart the sky. At this sublime instant one of the hands ,gave this unexpected cry of "A nail-' I'nere w•as -o much of the wild and solitary character c'1 the ;wilderness a t t Ontario. that eine scarcely ex- w.e'l to meet "with a vessel on its aters. The Send herself, to those who were in her, resembled a man threading' the forest alone, and the meeting ,tai like that (if t.\"i, . 0,ttart• , :atcr- i,tncttt'' :11,- .broad can+gcy t. at 1111 11 r;"cert•d 5.0 m,uly nil: - „f ,1- . ,,ere- of tilt , t'ttinent of :\we I i- peculiar state of the twc:,tit- er -erred to increase the romantic, 5151-1 supernatural appearance of tit passage. Cap alone regarded it with practised eyes, and even he felt his iron nerves thrill under the sensat- ions that were awakened thy the wild features of the scene. The strange vessel was albout two cable's length ahead of the Scud standing by the 'wind athwart her bows, and steering a course to render it probable that the latter would 'pass within a ,few- yards of her. She .was a full-rigged ship: and. seen through the misty medium of the tempest, the most experienced eye could detect no imperfection In her gear or construct- ion. The only canvas she had set was a close reefed amain -topsail, and two small storm -staysails, one forward and the other ai-t. Still the power of the wind pressed so bard upon her as to' bear her down nearly to her Ibeani- ends, whenever the hull was not right 'by the buoyancy of some 'wa've under her lee. Her spars were all in their places, and by her notion through the water, which might have equalled four knots in the hour, it was apparent that she steered a little' free, '''The fellow roust know his ,posit- ion well,” said Cap, as -the cutter flew down towards the -ship :with a velocity almost equalling that of the gale, "for he is stan'ding'boldly to the southward where he expects to ''find anchorage or a haven. No man in his senses would run off free in that fashion, that was not driven to scudding, like ourselves, .who did not !perfectly un- derstand where he was 'going," 'IWe have made an awful run, cap- tain," returned the man to whom this remark had Ibsen addressed. 'That is the French eking' s ship, `'Lee -my - calm (ff.e iMont•calm), and she is THE SEAFORTH NEWS standing in for the Siagara, where her owner has a garrison and a port: We've made an awful run of id" -"Ay, bad luck to him! tErenchnian- like, he skulks into port the moment he sees an Enlish bottom." "It might the well for ars if we could fallow him," returned the man, shale. ing .his head despondingly, °'for We are 'getting into the end of a they up here at the head. of the lake, and it is uncertain wise -flier we ever .get out of •" tt agpfnl" • Pon'h, man :pcsnh! \Ve 'have ,plenty of sea -room, and a gond 'English hull (beneath ars, We are no 'JolutnyCCrap- aud. to hide. -ourselves behind a ,point or a fort on account of a ;puff of wind. Mind yaur helot, sir!" The order was given on account "of the menacing appearance of the ap- proaching passage, The Scud was now beading directly for the fore- foot .of the Frenchman; and, the .dis- tenee "between rite two vessels having diminished t'n a hundred yards, it .was tnootcn•tarily questionable if there was room to pass. "Port, sor, port 'shouted Crap. "Port your htilm and .pass astern 1" - The crew of the Frenchmen were seen assembling to windward. and a few muskets were .pointed, as if -to or- der the "people of the Scud to keep off. Gesticulations we -re observed, but the sea was too twild and menacing -to ad- mit of the ordinary expedients of War. The water was dripping from. the muzzles of two or three light ;guns -on thee -rd the ship, lout no one thought of loosening them 'for service in such tentptest. Her black sides, .as - they emerged ,from a wave, glistened and seemed to frown; but the wind howl- ed chi -rough her rigging, whistling the thousand notes of a' ship; and the hails and tries that escape a French- man with so- mach readiness were in- audible, "'I.et film halloo himself hoarse!" Brawled Cap. 'This is ro weather to whisper secrets in. 'Port, sir,: port!" The ratan at the helm ohey ed, and the next send of the sea drove the Scud tlivw-n upon the quarter of the ship, so near her that the old marin- e". himself recoiled a step, in a vane cxnectation that. at the next surge elitnd, site would drive how: foremost directly into the planks of the other vessel. Part this w'an not to he rising from the crouching posture she had taken, like a panther about to leaf,, the cutter dashed forward, and at the next instant she was glancing -past the stern of 'her enemy, just clearing the end of her .spanker -"boom with her own lower yard. The young Frenchman who com- manded the. 1lfontcalut leaped on the taffrail; and, with that 'high-toned ctnurtesy which relieves the act he raked his cap and smiled a salmt- ation as the Scud shot past. There w•: rc bonhomie and good taste in this act of courtesy, when circumstances allowed of no other communication,: but they were lost on Cap, who, with an instinct quite -as trne to his race, shook his fist menacingly, and mut- tered to himself,— ".\y, ray, it's ri—d lucky for you I've no armament .al 'board here, or I'd -end yon in to itc w" l'iLi1711-\\'in- 4. fitted, Sergeant. he's a hnnt- ":ll. -Twits cit i', brotl.cr Cap," returned the other. .,,-Scrim tr. 't:o:'! from the military salntr -which his pride as a soldier had induced him to return,— "twas civil, and that's as much as you can expect. 'from a iFrenchman. \\'htat he really nteatit thy it 110 one can- say," "'Ire is not beading up to this sea without an object, neither. (Well, •let him run iti, if can get there we will keep the lake, like hearty English mariners." This sounded gloriously, but Cap eyed 'with envy, (the \glittening :black 1 1 I o�, n he \lan'tcalm, hull her 'wav- ing1 in,, topsail and the misty tracery of her .pars as she grew less and less distinct, and 'finally disappeared in the drizzle, in a form as shadowy as that of some unreal image. 'Gladly would. he have followed in her wake had he dared; for, to own tate truth, tite prospect of another stormy night in the midst of the wild waters that were raging around him 'brought little con - 'solution: Sall he had too istunh 'pro- fessional pride to 'betray his uneasin- ess, and those under his came relied on his 'knowledge and resources, With the implicit and blind confidence that the ignorant ,are apt to feel, A "few ]tours succeeded, and dank- ness came again to increase the perils of the Said. A lull in the gale,. how- ever, had induced "Cap. to come by the wind once store, and t'hroug'hout the night she cutter was lying -to as 'be- fore, 'head -reaching as a •natter of course, and occasionally nearing to keep off the land. It is "unnecessary to dwell on the incidents of this night, which reseinlb'led those ,of any other gale csf wind. There were the "pitching .of thevessel, the hissing of the wat- ers, the dashing -of spray, the shocks that menaced annihilation •to the 'little craft as she Inhrnged into the seas, the undying howl of the wind, and the fearful drift. The last was the most serious danger; for, although exceed- ingly 'weatherly ander her canvas, and totally without top -hamper, the Scud was so light, that the combing of the swells 'would 'seem at •times to wash iter down to leeward with a velocity as great as that of the surges them- selves. During this night Cap slept sound- ly, and for several flours, '1'Ite clay was just dawning when ire felt • him- self shaken by the ahouirler; and arousing -himself. he found the Path- finder standing at his side. During the gale the guide had appeared little on deck, 'for his natural modesty told trim that seamen alone should inter. fere with the management of the wea- sel; and he .was M1willin'g to short 'he sante reliance on those who had charge of the Send, as he expected those who followed through the for- est -to manifest in his own skill but he now thought himself justified 'n interfering which he did in his own unsophisticated and peculiar manner. 'Sleep is sweet, Master Can," said he; as scan as the eyes of the latter were fairly open, and his conscious- ness had sufficiently returned, -- "sleep is sweet, as 1 know- 'from ex perience,'htit life in sw"ericr .iti", I. n't. ahmtt pent, and say if this i, exaeily the moment for a coimnancler 10 he Off tris feet." "How now? bow now, Meets - Pathfinder?" growled "Cap. in the fir -t ntontentis cif his awakened faculties. ":\7'e you. too. getting n11 the side ,t. the-_rrnnhlers? \Chi's a•1t,mt• :I admir- ed wonr saeacity its running throu_', the worst shoals withc til a compass; and since 'We !lave bren afloat, your meekness and su'lmtissiot have been as pleasant as your con•tidenee on you own •grotutd. i little -expected such a summons "front you." "As "for myself, Master Cap, I fee] I have nay 'gifts, and I (believe they'].] interfere with those of no other man; hitt the rase may the different with Mabel Dunham, Site has cher gifts, too, it is true; hint they are not rude hke ours, hot gentle and womanish, as they ought to he. It's on her ac- count -that l speak, and not on my own." ay, 1 'begin to understand. The girl is a good girl, my ,worthy friend: but she is asoldier's daughter and a sailors niece, and ought not to be ton tame or too tender in a gale. Does she show any fear?" "Not shel not she IMalbel is a W0111 - an, but she is reasonable and silent. Not a 'wor(' have I heard froin her Concerning our doings; though 1 do think, Master Cap, she would like it (better if Jastper Eau-douce were put into his proper plaice, •and things were restored to their old situation, 'like. This is human natur' " "dill warrant it—girl-like, and 'Dun'ham-like, too, Anything is (better than an 'old uncle, and everybody knows more than an old seaman. This is human nater', (Master Pathfinder, and d— me if "I'nt the elan to sheer a fatlioni, stadboard or port, for all the human hatter' that can ibe found in a minx of twenty—ay, or" t(tlow'ering his voice a little) '"for all that can be paraded in his '\ Majesty's 55th regi- ment of'foot. I've not Ibsen at sea forty years, to come sp on this "bit of fresh water to be taught human .nat- ttr'. Row' this "gale holds out! It (blows as hard at this moment as if Borcas had just clapped his handsupon the bellow's, And what is all this -to lee- ward?" trilibibing his eyes)—:'landl a sure as my tlatlte is 'Carp—and high land, too," The 'Pathfinder made no immed- iate answer; hut, shaking his head, he watched the expression of itis cont- paniott's 'face, with a look of strong anxiety in his own. "Land, as certain as this is the Scud!" repeated 1'a;'; 'a lee shore, and that, too, 'within a league of us, with as pretty a fine of dtreaker. as one eotild :find tut the beach of inn: Island!" "And is that encouraging? or 1s it disheartening?" inquired the Path- finder. Iia! me nua'giess — dishearten• ing•!— why, neither.. No, no, there is nothing encouraging about it; and a, for disheartening, nothing ought to dishearten a seaman, You never _tt 'Vila artrned or afraid in the woods. my friend??" "I'll not say that. VII not say that. When the danger is 'great, it issty gift to see it, and know- it, and to try to a Void it: else would my scalp long since hate been drying in a "\lint'.' wigwam. On this lake, howcrrr, I can see no trail. and I ,feel it my duty to submit: though I think se 011.11 t t.. rctnettt h"•r tilt re is-ach „ ;"crura1 as "\iahe; 1)mthaut n,t 6,.:,r 1. I,.rt !herr her father. an,1 !tt -,rill ttatara•l- -w fee" r',. ,is .an "We o•.i.t;. situ te'!, I ',e- lit when he to l res, ; -ti t Counter Check Books We Are Selling Quality Books Books are Well Made, Carbon is Clean and Copies Readily. All styles, Carbon Leaf and Black Back. Prices as Low as You Can Get Anywhere. Get our Quotation on Your Next Order. The Seaforth News SEAFORTH, ONTARIO. THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1941 PROFESSIONAL CARDS MEDICAL SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr, E. A. McMaster, M.B„ Graduate of University of Toronto. Paul L. Brady, M.D., Graduate of University of Toronto. The Clinic Is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thareuptie equipment, Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the nest Tuesday in every month from 4 to 6 p.m. Free well -baby clinic will be held on the second and last Thursday ie every month from 1 to 2 p.m. JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M.D. Physician and Surgeon In Dr. H. H. Ross' office. Phone 6.1 DR. F. J. R. FORSTER Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto, Late Assistant New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospitals, London, Eng. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month from 2 to 4 p.m. Also at Seaforth Clinic first Tuesday in each month. -63 Waterloo St., Stratford. Telephone 267. AUCTIONEER GORDON M. GRANT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron, .Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at the Seaforth News, or by writing Gordon M. Grant, Goderich Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed. F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction• eer for Perth and Huron Counties Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell, Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office. HAROLD JACKSON Licensed in Huron and Perth Coun ties. Prices reasonable; satisfaction guaranteed. For information, write or phone Harold Jackson, 658r12, Sea forth central; Brucedeid R,R.1. Alp EDWARD W. ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for Huron. Correspond- ence promptly answered, Immediate arrangements can be made for" Sale Date by calling Phone 203, Clinton. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed. Watson & Reid REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. The McKillop Mutual e. Fire Insurance Co. HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS Prc<sident, Wnt. Knox. Londeebero Vire ('resident, W. R. Archibald Seaforth; St et eters- Treasurer, M. A Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. Mcdiercher. R. R.1, Dublin; Jobs E. Pepper, R.R. 1, Brueefleld; J. Ir Prueter. Brodhagen; James Watt Blyth; Wm, Yeo, Holmesville, DIRECTORS Alex Broadfoot, Seaforth; William Knox, Londesboro; Chris Leonhardt, Dublin; E. J. Trewartha, Clinton; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. R. Archibald, Seaforth; Alex McEwing, Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clinton; Hugh Alexander, Walton. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other bu§ihess, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post offices. what d can "gather from the two hands on the forecastle? They tell ane the cutter cannot carry any more said, and iter drift is •so great we shall go ashore in an hour or .two. IP lydpe their fears have deceived them?" (Cap made no reply; but the (gazed at the 'land with a rueful face, and then looked to windward' wibh an ex- pression of ferocity as if he would gladly have iuiarrelled with the nvea- t'her, may 'be wed!, brother," the 'Ser- geant continued, "to send for (Jasper ansi consult' him as to what is to be done, There are no French 'here to dread; and tinder -a11 ci'rc'umstances, the boy will save 'u -s from drowning if possible," "'Ay, ay, 'tis these 'cursed 'circum- stances that thave done all the mis- chief. But itt the fellow ,come; let him come; a dew well-managed questions twill !bring the truth out of him, I'll warrant you.