Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1941-07-10, Page 6PAGE SIX THE SEAFORTH NEWS • ',1r'T�';nea` yaisti 4d,"1"4,9O The prospect was iudead, little to which 'wee rid by one w'a:i overheard encaur t;,e hope. fly this time the by the others. "•I ant afraid none at Scud was witthin a mile of the shore, Ius coI d .'n e to reach1 forte" tit on which the gale was ,blowing al "It would he a risky path, 'Mad,el, right angles, with a violence that for- and a crooked one; though some 'of bade the idea of showing any addit- your sex have undergone even paws lona! canvas with a view to claw off. than that in this wilderness, fiat, jae• The small portion of the mainsail act- per, either you or I or both of us. ugly set, and which merely served to must man this 'hark canoe; \label. s keep the head of the Scud so near the only chance will lie in :getting through wind as to prevent the waves from the threakere int 'that." breaking over her, quivered under the "I would willingly man anything to gusts, as if at each moment the stout save Glebe]," answered Jasper, .with threads which held the complicated a melancholy smile 'ibut no human tfaforic together were about to be torn asunder. The drizzle had ceased, but the air, for a hundred feet albove the surface of the lake, was filled with dazzling spray, which had an appear- ance not unlike that of a Ihrilliant mist, while albove all the sun Was shining gloriously in a cloudless sky. Jasper had noted the omen, and had foretold that announced a .speedy ter - hand, Pathfinder, could carry that canoe through yonder breakers in a gale like this. I have hopes from an- choring, after all; for once 'before have we eared the Scud in an ex- tremity nearly as great as 'this," "If we are to anchor. Jasper," the Sergeant inquired, "why not do it at once? l -very foot ae lose in -drifting now- would conte into the distance we mutat-tan to :the gale, though the next shall probably drag when rhe anchors houror two must decide their fate. are let go." Between the cutter and the shore the Jasper drew nearer to the Sergeant, view 'was still more wild and appall- and took his hand, pressing it earnest - Mg. The 'breakers extended nearly ly, and in a way to denote strong, al - half a mile; while the water within their line was white with foam, the air above them was so far tilled with vapour and spray as to render the land beyond hazy and indistinct. Still it could be seen that the latter was high, not a usual thing for the shores of Ontario,—and that it was covered with theverdant mantle of the interm- inable forest, ,While the Sergeant and Cap were gazing at this scene in silence, gasper and his people were actively engaged on the forecastle. No sooner had the young man received permission to re- sume his old employment than, ap- pealing to some of the soldiers for aid, do towards saving the Scud s'ha'll be he mustered five or six assistants, and done." set about in earnest the ,performance The Sergeant 'hesitated, for he was of a duty which had been too tong de- too much of a disciplinarian to fly h laved. On these narrow waters an- in ,the face of 'orders. He disliked u chore are never stowed in -board, or the •appearance of vacillation, too; b cables that are intended that would and when he had a profound respect have been necessary Stn a vessel at for his kinsman's seamanship. While sea. The two bowers were soon ready be was deliberating, Cap came .from tb to be let go, ranges of the cable- were the Post he had some time occupied, (nerirauled, and then the party ileus- which was at the side of the pian at c ed to look aihrntt them, No thanes the helot, and drew nigh the .group. n for the better had r.ccnrred, hut the 'Waster Eau-dnutc," said he, as .atter -was falling ;lowly in, and each noun as near enough to be beard. it sant rendered it more certain that have conte to inquire if von know- any most incontrollable feelings. 'Sergeant Dunham," said he sole- mnly, "you are a gond man, though you have treated pie harshly in this :business, You love your daughter?" I ""That you cannot doubt, Eau- dc.uce," returned the Sergeant 'husk- ily, 'Will you give her -,give us all—the only chance of life that is left " "What tveuld you have Inc do, ;boy, what would you 'hare me do? .I have acted according to nn judgment hith- erto—what would you have me do?" "`Support me against Master Cap for 'five minutes, and all that man can 4'et' gi all in 'notiln on ,the"forcca;tie rad kedge sit thruav feoni t;..'! 10,r. !'te feariut nature „ the t'rif was 11, 1,‘ gr;t•rnt even to Mabel' Cyr., for the ttco haw set's rant out lik ru,5'1 71 e.. ,1s .non t., they straighten I ta ,',frit -trait. both ancit,r t t o, ate e :slat• evae .riven e '.'•. metre to the 'hcttt r.ennls. J A ii, -.11t to -k to snvih , ereft _writ ground -tackle of -a:'•, 'sister than comment and it ;t't i,tnte, {rein the mem .1 le -ter 'tent sto the helm '.r ri'iiu'u $rad to seta eel the !A.n 1'le. stretched ahem to •r paled •-ars of iron. •' !'! ' n,' e, e;' do'i' Mester ,lac !" gaga.; ceeetimed tap, as soot t, he at recited the• trink which had been r' tyed hint, '!!rise ie not wel dam., sir, I artier -You to crit. and t' tech tit, cutter ,withent a moment',, delay." No roe, hottcver, seemed disposed eempiy with 'his order; for so lone a 'Esso--di,uce SRN' fit to enmmand, his 0.111 .people were disposed to obey: Finding that the men remained pas- ive, Cap, who believed they were in the utmost peril,turned fiercely to ;Jasper, and renewedhisremonstran- ces. "Yost dal not 'head .for your :pret- ended creek," added he, after dealing in some objurgatory remarks that we do not deem ie necessary to record, 'shut steered for that 'blteff, where ev- ery soul on tboard would have 'been drowned, had we 'gone as'hore," "And you wish to cut, and put ev- ery soul a'dhore at that very spot!" Jasper retorted, a little drily. -Throw a head -line overboard, and ascertain the drift!" Capp now 'roared to the people forward, A sign front Jasper sustaining this order, it was instantly obeyed. All on deck watch- ed, with nearly breathless interest, the result of the experiment. The lead was no sooner on the bottom, than she line tended forward, and in albout two minutes it was seen that the out - ter had drifted her length dead in to- werds the bluff., !Jasper looked grave- ly, for he well 'kneww nothing would hold the vessel did she get within the vortex of the breakers, the first line of which was appearing and disap- pearinig about a cable's length directly under their stern. "Traitor!" exclaimed tCap, shaking a :finger at the young commander, though passion choked. the rest, ""You must answer for this with your life," he added after a short pause. "If I were at Che head Of this expedition, Sergeant, I would hang him at the end of the stain -boom, least he escape drowning." ";Moderate your feelings, 'brother; be more moderate, I (beseech you! Jasper aopears to have done all for the 'best, and matters may not Ibe so bad as you believe them," "IW 'hy did he not run dor the creek e mentioned?—'why has he Ibrougth't s here, dead to windward of that l•eff, and to a spot where even the rea'kers are only of ,half the ordinary width, as if in a'hurry to drown all on oard?" ""I headed 'for the ;bluff, for the pre- ise reason that the breakers are so arrow at this spot," answered Jas- er mildly, though hitt gorge had ris- e at the language the other held rho,: 'brea'kers?" tl do not, : ir, 1 think she wm'uid fill t aal ,,vamp if driven into the first line s of them; tl ;un certain she wotild nev- e er reach the shore on .her thottotn, if - -fairly entered. I 'hope to keep her s clear of them altaeether. n "With a drift of her length in a t initiate " The lacking of the anchors docs art a !tYet fairly tell, cur do I even hope drat they will entirely bring her tip.,' 1)1t abet, then, d„ you rely To moor a craft, head and -tern, by faith, hope, and charity 1 "'No, sir, 1 trust to the •tinder -tow', I headed for the hlttif thecau•e 1 knew • that it was 1ronger at that point than at any other, and Ihecatt e we could get:nearer in with the land 1 without entering the breakers," This was said wit's spirit, though area ny 'Particular .show of res- entment. Ile effect an ;Cap was mark- ed, the feeling' that was uppermost g being evidently that of surprise, "Under -taw!" 'he repeated; "who the devil ever 'heard of saving a Wessel from going ashore !by the under- tow?„ "This may never happen on the ocean," 'jasper answered modestly; ""but we have (known it to happen here." "'The lad is ".right, brother," put in the ISengeant; "'for, though I do not well understand it, 'I hare often heard the sailors of the lake speak of Ruth a thing; We shall do well to 'trust to gasper in this strait." Cap gnumb:led' and swore; bet, as there was no remedy, the avas compel- led to acquiesce, jasper, being now raided on to'ex'piain what tine 'm'eant by the under -tow, gave this account of the matter. The water that was driven nip on shore Iby the gale was necess- arily compelled to find its level by returning to •the lake Iby some secret channels. This could not be 'done on fie sunf!ace, where thofh wind and waves were constantly urging it to - ward's the land, and it necessarily formed a sort of lower eddy, by means of which it flowed ibaok again to its ancient and (proper bed. 'This inferior current had received, the name of the ander-tow; and, as it would necessarily act on 't'he (bottom of a vessel which drew as mnaich water as. the Scud, gasper trusted to the aid of this reaction to keep his cables from parting. I'n short, the upper and lower currents would, -in a manner, counteract 'each other, ,Simple and ingenious as was this theory, 'however, as yet there was little evidence of its (being reduced to practice. The drift continued; though, as the kedges and hawsers with ,which the anchors were backed Rook the strains, it became sensibly Less, At length the man at the dead announced the joyful intelligence that the anch- ors had ceased to drag, and that the vessel had 'bro'ught nip! At this precise moment the ,first line of breakers was albotit a hundred feet astern of the Scnd, even appearing to approach nigh nearer as , the .foam ;vanished nd returned on the raging surges. aster sprang forward, and, casting a lance over the bows, he smiled in rinm'ph, a: he pointed exultingly to he cashless 'Instead of resembling bars of iron in rigidity, as before , they -ere curving downavards, and on the seaman's senses it was evident that ne cutter rose and fell on the seas as site could pat gam an mc• h ti, wind• epee nearby where this cutter can be 'i "-a-d beached The moment 1,as arrived One i. ttg, earnest survey of the lake when we are driven to -this hard alter- ended. Japer .gave new orders in a nativ e. e ntiliar mariner to prove ;how much j That instant of indecision an the he thought that the time pressed. Two part of Ir,,, secured the triumph of I , • kedge_s "fere got on deck and has- Jasper. d-ookin:g at the Sergeant, the sere were bent:to them; inner end, young man received a nod that ae- ref the howlers were bent, in their strred him of all he asked, and be lost turns". to the crowns of the anchors not one of those moments that were 'get mate to ;he so very precious, Shalt 'I take the helm," he inquir- ed of Cap, "and see if we can reach a creek that lies to leeward "(Do so, do so," said the other, Hem- ming to clear his throat; for he fell oppressed Iby a responsiibility that weighed all the heavier on his should- ers on account of his ignoranee. "Do so. East -donee, since, to be frank with you, I ,can see nothing ;better to ;be done. We most beach or swamp," Jasper required no more; springing aft, 'he soon had the tiller in. :his own hands. The pilot tvas prepared for what was 'to follow; and, at a sign from his young commander, the rag of sail that had so long tbeen set was taken in. At that moment, Jasper, evatc'hing his 'tine, put the helm 'up;the head of a staysail was loosened forward, and the light cutter, as 11 conscious she was now under the con - voice of prayer was heard on board tial of .familiar hands, fell off, and the Scud, • soon 10 the trough of the sea, This and everything was got ready to threat them overboard at.the ,proper moment, These preparations complet- ed. Jasper's •manner changed from the. excitement of exertion to a look of calm but settled concern. He quitted the f re castle, where the seas -erre dashing inboard at every plunge of the vessel. •the duty just mentioned having 'igen executed with the !bodies of the crew fregaiently buried in the water, and walked to a drier part of the deck, aft. Here he was met Iby the Pathfinder, who was standing rear 'Mabel and the.Quartermaster. Most of those on ,beard, with the ex- ception of the individuals who have already sheen particularly mentioned, were (below, some seeking relief from physical suffering on their pallets and others tardily !bethinking them' of their sins. For the first time, most rprolbalbly, since her !keel had dipped into the limpid. waters of 'Ontario, the "Jasper," commenced his friend the guide, "I have ,been of no use this morning, for my gifts are of little ac- count as you !knew, in a tee rel like this; but,should it Please God to let the Sergeant's daughter reach the shore alive, my acquaintance with the forest may still carry her through in safety' to the garrison," "'Tfs a fearful distance thither, Pathfinder!" Maibel rejoined, the party being so near together that all perilous instant was passed in safety, and the next moment the 'little ves- sel appeared flying down towards 'the breakers at a rate that threatened in- stant destruction. The distances had become so short, 'th'at five or six min- utes sufficed for all that Jasper wish- ed, and be put the helm dawn again, when the (heave of the Scud carne asp to the wind, notwithstanding 'the tar- b'nlence of the water as ;gracefully as the deck 'varies its line of direction a 'Do you mean to tell an Gild seaman .. ke me that this cutter could 'live in tl ,slur carie in iyith the ease of its a tide•-w,ty, when tht grower of t wind is relieved ihv the co•tnttenactit pressure of the ,rater. 'Tie the ander—toe !" eta exclaim with delight, fairly bounding alot the deck eo steady the helot, in ord that the cutter might ride still nasi "Providence has iplaced 115 directly this current, and Imre is no :sing any danger." "Ay, ay, Il'rovide'n -i i.. a good sea- ntau," growled •Cast "and often helps lttdelgrs out of difficulty". L'nder-to or ntpiper-tow. the ,gale has 'abated; at forttutately tor 11.5 a11, the aneho have met with :good holding-+groaui Tien th+s d ---d fres!! water has nnnatnrttl way with it " Men are seldom inclined to quarr with good 'fortune, hut it is in distre that they grow clamorous and eniti a7. 'Most on hoard were disposed ;believe that they lead !been sated fr shipwreck leythe skill and lcnowled of Jasper, without regarding the t Minns of Cap, whose .remarks ,wet now little 'heeded. There was half an hour •of tune ainty and tlanlhe it is true, d'tu•in which ,period the lead 'was'antxiousl watched; and then a feeling of sem!ly- came over til, and the weary slap without dreaming of instant death, CHAPTERl'VIII'I It was near noon when 'the gad (broke; and then- its force albated a suddenly as its .rioeence •;tad risen. I less titan tyro hours after 'the win fell, the sunface of the lake, thong still agitated was no longer ta+bitteriit with foam; and in doable that time the entire elieet 'presented Che ordin ary scene of ,disturbed -water, that wa unbroken Iby the violence of a tent pest. Still the waves carate rolling in cessantly towards the shore, and th ines of ;breakers remained, 'thoulgh ,t'h spray had ceased to fiy; the connbin of the swells was more moderate, ant all that there was: o: violence proceed d .from the impntlsion of wind which ad abated. As it was impossible to make 'head against :thee sea that was still up, with he Light opposing air that blew ,from he eastward, all thoughts of getting rider way that afternoon were aband- oned, Jasper, 'who had now quietly re - tinted the command of the Scud bite - ed himself, however, in thealyin'g,irp he anchors, which were lifted in suc- ession; the kedges that 'backed then ere weighed, and everything .was got readiness for a p' "ntpt departure, s soon as the state of the 'weather would allow, In the meantime, they tvho :had no concern' with these duties ought such means of amusement as eir peculiar ,circumstances allowed. As in •common with those who are reused to the confinement of a vessel ahel cast wistful eyes toward the ore; nor 'was it long before she ex - eased a mirth that it were possible to rad. 'The ;Pathfinder was near her at e time, and be assured her that thing would the easier, as they ;had bark canoe on deck, which wasthe possible mode of conveyance do through a surf, After the nisual tehts and misgivings the 'Sergeant as appealed to, aryl tie proved to favourable and preparations to rry the 'w:hint into effect were int- ediately made. 'lt l he tg' ed tg er CC. in er ud Dr. F. J. 11. Forster, Specialist in rs Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and <d. Throat, will be at the Clinic the .first i71 Tuesday in. every month from 4 to 6 p.m,.Free well -baby clinic will be' held on the second and last Thursday au every month from 1 to 2 p.m._ THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1941 PROFESSIONAL CARDS MEDICAL SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr, E. A. McMaster, M,13„ Graduate of University of Toronto. Paui L. Brady, M.D„ Graduate of University of Toronto. The Clinic 1s fully equipped with complete and .modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptic equipment. t'1 to atti :e P - •e rr- !4 1' r - n d Inta 1 e e g e It u 9 c w it a .y 5 Ith u !1I sh pr la th no a he go do •v be ca rat "Should I marry a girl who can take a joke?" "That's tate only kind you'll get," ouster 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, on The alaege pond. A arm from Jas- ,. tt JOHN A. GORWILL, R,A"M,D, Physician and Surgeon In Dr. H. H. Ross' office. Phone 6J PR. 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 Dye, 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 Clinlc first Tuesday in each month. -63 Waterloo St, Stratford, Telephone 267. AUCTIONEER GORDON M. GRANT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can bo made for Sale Date at the Seaforth News, or by writing Gordon M. Grant, Goderioh Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed. F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction ser 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, phone 14 on 661; MR. 4, Seaforth, 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 satisfactiop guaranteed. Watson & Reid REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (successors to James Wateon) MAIN ST, SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies, The McKillop Mutual Fire Insurance Co. HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Wm. Knox, Londesboro Vice President, W. R. Archibald Seaforth; Secretary Treasurer, M. A Reid, Seaforth, AGENTS F. McKercher, R. R.1, Dublin; Join, E. Pepper. R. R,1, Brueefield; J. F Prueter, Brodhagen; James Watt Blyth; Wm. Yeo, Holmesville, DIRECTORS Alex Broadfoot, Seaforth; William Knox, Londesboro; Chris Leonbardt, 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 business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post offices. His mother-in-law had written M. say that she was on her way to live with thein for the duration of the war. As site approached the house she saw a large crowd. Pushing her way to the front she gasped when she saw what damage a midnight fire had done—at the heap of bricks and charred furniture, "Dear me," she said, her face livid, "I didn't think he'd go as far as that." "I tried counting sheep, but it was no good—I simply couldn't get to sleep," said the clothing manufac- turer to his partner. "I told you," the latter replied, "it was not good unless you counted up to a thousand." , "I counted ten thousand," said the manufacturer. "I sheered them, combed the wool, had 41 spun and made into suits, took 'em to market and lost $200. I didn't get a wink of sleep." Want and For Salle Ads, 3 weeks SOc • 111