96 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Feb. 19, ml 



w 



PART II. 



IContiniml frnw Pn{i<t 78 1 



E botli crawled out, on deck in the morning about 5 o'clock 

 and found a flat calm with indications of rain. Anxious to 

 lat kind of a place Wading River was like, we pulled in and 



see what , ^ ^, v - . , ■ 



made fast alongside an old schooner which was tied up. We were 

 busily engaged in cooking breakfast when Tom called mr atten- 

 tion to an old man who was leisurely paddling a skill in the 

 inlet. When he arrived alongside we discerned that he had been 

 fishing, judging by the net which hn had in the stern of his dilapi- 

 dated boat. He had the appearance of a typical Long Island 

 farmer and fishermen. His face was bronzed and wi'inkled, and 

 he wore the funniPSt beirri I bave ever seen. It grew out from bis 

 chin to about a foot in leneth, and while it only covered a .■small 

 part of the lower jaw, it bushed out at the extremities and as- 

 sumed the form of a feather duster. 



He said "Good morning, boys," with a regular Down ISast twang. 

 We returned his salute, and inquired how he iiad succeeded in 



^^t\ior, poor, very poor; tbere's all I got this mornin'," said he, 

 pointing to a solitary weakfish. "Got a few mossbunkers, but 

 them's no use to me. The sharks play hob with my nets whenever 

 I do get any ftsb. Ther&'a one I ketched last week (motioning 

 toward the beach where the carcass of a phark about 12ft. long 

 lay). Lots of them varmints around these parts. By the waj', I 

 see your boat when I came out this mornin' an' wuz wonderin' 

 what you were doin' round here. S'pose you're havin' a crtiise, 

 though, like them yaotiting fellers down at the Port." 



Tf^m said that we were going to Greenport and had come from 

 New York. 



'•Wal, it the weather keeps good thar's nothm' to hinder; but 

 seems t' me that's a small craft to knock about the Sound in. 

 Goin' around to-day?" 



We said that we were if we got any wind from the right quarter. 



The old man seemed to be in no hurry to pi-oceed, he appeared 

 to be quite taken up with our boat and ansioua to talk witl\ us, 

 and, like all such clmracters I have met, good natured a.nd pleased 

 to give all the information capable of. We invited hiin on board 

 find conversed with him for a iialf how. We asked him about 

 the shore from here on to Plum (iut and his reply ran thus: 

 "Well, the beach runs purty straight from here to the pint, yon 

 better keep a mile or two off shore though for a little way. as 

 there are some rocks off that point yonder, that is near the sui'- 

 face at low tide. After you pass them you can keep within forty 

 rods of beach all the way down. But it the wind is from south, 

 an' off the land, I'de advise you t'keep a mile or so off all along 

 down, as the wind 'II be steadier than it would in under the blaff. 

 'Frald your otiauces of getting around are somewhat slim to-day. 

 It'll be flood tide 'fore you get far and no signs of any wind eiti>er. 

 'Praid it's goin' to be wet too; hello, it's eommencin' to sprinkle 

 now, guess I have to be goin' home or I'll get wet, ain't got no ile 

 skins with me this morning. Well, good-bye boys, good-bye," 

 The danser of getting wet hurried the old fellow over the rail 

 into his boat ana away he went, poling up the creek. 



After he had gone we snugged up and donning our oilskins pro- 

 ceeded toward the village with a basket, in quest of fresh provi- 

 sions, deeming it useless to start on this tide without any wind. 

 We walked along inside the sea wall for a half mile or so and dis- 

 covered a roadway leading inland. Following along this we 

 arrived at the post-ofBce a miln further on. The post-otflce was 

 also a grocery and hardware store, in fact, we found it was the 

 only store in the place and supplied a general assortment of mer- 

 chandise. We posted a letter to the hoys and after securing some 

 necessaries, sucia as fresh bread ( vhich we found could be bought 

 at a cottage up the road), milk and butter, we made our way back 

 to the vacht. 



The fii St thing we did on arriving was to get rid of the oil clothes. 

 We then brought forth the bottle labeled Duffy's Pure Malt. We 

 each secured a glass, which we filled two-thirds full of "Dtiffy," 

 the other third being milk. Then to convince ourselves it was a 

 milk punch we grated a little nutmeg on top, After that the cold 

 and rain had no show. We made another trip to the village in the 

 afternoon just for exercise and to get some more milk, which was 

 plentiful here, ana could be had directly from the cow. We 

 turned in early, determined to be off for Greenport before day- 

 light. 



It was still drizzling when we awoke and peered out of the cabin 

 window. It was also quite dark, and a thick mist obscured things 

 a little distance off. While gazing out, Tom called my attention 

 to an old woman who was seated on the bank opposite. She had a 

 large bundle beside her and appeared to be holding an earnest 

 conversation with herself, codding and gesticulating meanwhile. 

 We were astonished and wondered where she could have come 

 from, for there were no houses in that direction for miles; only 

 the long stretch of bluffs which reached all the way to Port Jeffer- 

 son, some fifteen miles away. Presently she slowly arose, slung 

 her bundle over her back and plodded off up the bank of the river, 

 but had not gone far when the mud got so soft and the grass so 

 long that she was compelled to return and resumed her former 

 position, still talking to herself and seeming not to notice our boat, 

 protablj^ thinking there was no one on board, for we had not 

 showed ourselves on deck yet. She was a perfect bundle of rags 

 and appeared to be anywhere from seventy to one hundred years 

 old. 



As soon as we got our clothes on we went out into the cockpit 

 and Tom took the skiff and pari died across to where she was, and 

 a.eked her if she wished to cross the creek. She began to jabber 

 off something which was unintelligible to Tom (he afterward said 

 it was French), He perceived by her motions, however, that she 

 did wish to cross, and he motioned for her to enter the boat. She 

 then began to wail off something about having "No money, no 

 money." 



"I don't want any money," shouted Tom. "Come on, get in 

 here, and I'll put you on the other side in no time, and won't 

 charge you a cent." She laboriously climbed in after sinking in 

 the mud to ner ankles, and splashing It all over Tom and the boat. 

 She appeared confused and excited, and I had fears that she 

 Vrould capsize our little 9ft. skiff, but he landed her safely on the 

 other shore. She was profuse in her motions of thanijs. and Tom 

 gathered from her broken English that if h© would come to 

 French Charlie's (wherever that might be), he could have all the 

 red wine he could drink. Tom thankfully declined to drinK and 

 returned to the yacht, while the old woman disappeared over a 

 knoll and we saw her no more. While we were making ready to 

 start out, our friend with the luxuriant goatee came down stream 

 in his boat, but was probably too intent on his fishing to stop to 

 talk, merely saying good morning, and making a few remarks on 

 the weather. 



We made all snug for a long run, and about 6 o'clock hauled 

 out and started on our voyage to Greenport. There was a light 

 S.E. breeze that kept the sheets taut and that was about all. 

 About 8 o'clock the breeze freshened up, but a shower came with 

 it, and we were compelled to incase ourselves in oilskins. We 

 cared little for the rain now that we had a good 5-knot breeze, 

 and were foaming along down shore beautifully. We had made 

 it a practice to take two hours at the tiller alternately when sail- 

 ing for any length of time. As I had the first trick this morning 

 my time was now up, and feeling a little chilled I peeled off my 

 covers and got below. It was much mora comfortable lying on 

 mv back m the lee bunk listening to the swishing of the water 

 past the sides of the boat than it was sitting outside. The view of 

 the land had become uninteresting, as it was the one thing all 

 along— sandy bluffs surmounted by bushes and trees. 



It did not seem as though I had been lying down a half hour, 

 when I was suddenly aroused from a light doze by the voice of 

 Tom yelling down the companionway; ''Watch below! Tumble 

 out here and take ygur triokl" J looked ftt the clQok, aed was 



astounded to see that it was 10 oV.loek, T began growling about 

 the watches being too short, but Tom assured me that they were 

 an hour too long. The oilskins seemed as wet inside as they were 

 outside and felt very uncomfortable after the warm, dry cabin. 

 The wind was piping stiffer than when I had gone below and the 

 rain was s'ill falling heavily. One 'hingluoted with satisfaction 

 as I puffed away at my pipe, the wind had hauled from S.E. to 

 S.. enabling us to start sheets and run with it almost abeam. 



In about a. half hour the rain ceased, but a thick haze continued 

 to hang over the water; and from the distance we were from the 

 beach the bluff appeared like a mountain in height. While 

 gazing absenMy at this effect of the fog I noticed at the top of the 

 highest bluff a form which looked like the body and head of a 

 giant with an immense straw hat. Presently I imagined I saw it 

 move, GlanciTig into the cabin I saw that Tom was snoring, so 

 as there was no one to have thp laugh on me if my giant should 

 prove to be a stump I took off my hat and wHved it above my 

 head. What was my surprise when the figure on the cliff ro?e 



wind suddenly hauled more to the southwest and we were enabled 

 to lay our course through the Gut by hauling close up on the 

 wind. 



We were soon made aware that the tide was running like a 

 nfill race and was accompanied by an ugly short sea whicfi tossed 

 us about unmercifully, one minute she would leap out of the crest 

 of a wave with her bowsprit elevated at an angle of nearly forty- 

 five degress! until half her length was out of water, then suddenly 

 dropping she would be just in time to I'eceive the next one, plung- 

 ing the forward deck under to the cabin. We had heard about 

 the current in Plum Gut, but there is nothing like seeing for 

 yourself. We saw enough of it that day to last us for some time. 

 Tom went below and fastened down the skylight, for frequently 

 the water came on the deck quite plentifully, and once nearly a 

 pailful poured through the open skylight into the cabin. 



When Tom came out he had a disgusted expression on his face 

 and did not appear to be in tbe best of spirits. He seemed to lack 

 his accustomed jollity and did not regain it until we reached 

 gmonther water. I perceived that the violent motion of the yacht 

 was becoming disagrepable to him, and spoke to him cheerfully. 

 As he made no reply to my remarks I assumed that he was too 

 much occupied with his own private thoughts to join in conversa- 

 tion, so 1 ceased to utter words of condolence and turned my at- 

 tention to the more important business of steering the boat. 



She held up well and we fetched well to windward of Plum 

 Island, then going about we stood in toward Orien^ Point, off 

 which we again tacked. After a long thiash to windward we at 

 last arrived off Greenport at sis o'clock. The tide being pretty 

 well up we ran into wbat appeared to be a basin, but as we passed 

 throngh the narrowest part of the entrance we found the water 

 shoaling and the current was very smft. As the wind had fallen 

 we were at the mercy of the tide, and to prevent going against a 

 landing stage v e let go the anchor. 



The counter just cleared the bow of a steam yarht which was 

 lying at the d jck, as we swung around. We inquired of some 

 men who were at work on the yacht as to where would be the best 

 place to lay, and they told us we would have to anchor outside, as 

 we were now at a private dock. They asked us vv^here we were 

 from, and expressed surprise when we told them, Theyseldit 

 had been blowing hard all day, and wanted to know whetharit 

 was rough in the Gut, Tom said that it was a little sloppy. We 

 poled out into deep water, and getting a little air slowly made our 

 way to where we had been instructed to anchor and let go the 

 mud hook, furled sails and made preparations for supper. We 

 took a sbort run on shore in the evening, but as we were pretty 

 tired after our long day's sail, we soon returned. 



and followed my example with an a' m that looked to be 10ft. long' 

 and 3ft. in diameter— considering oar ereat distanop from the 

 beach it was wonderful. I suppose it was some mirage produced 

 by the condition of the atmospiiere. 



Tho wind continuec to freshen and the Monaitipee increased her 

 speed accordingly. With everything straining and pulling, boom 

 lifted and main sheet like fiddle strings, we tore along, leaving a 

 wake of boiling foam astern through which the skiff ten aoinualy 

 followed us with nose elevated high in the air. We passed sev- 

 eral schooners hound west, and once a large open boat with two 

 reefs in went by within hailing distance; but I did not speak her, 

 as I did not wish to alter my course, which would have been neces- 

 sary in order to hold any conversation, and thinking it would 

 be a waste of time I kept straight ahead. 



It soon became a question as to the advisability of rf dueing sail, 

 for although we had the wind free, it was blowing so fiercely that 

 the lee decK was constantly under water and every part of the 

 gear was pulling and straining to its utmost, while the stift'ened 

 shroud showed sharp and distinct against ths bellying sail which 

 pressed hard against it. Forward the water seethed and gurgled 

 about the stem, and occasionally a vicious little wave rolled on 

 deck and swept aft, where it rejoined the foaming mass under our 

 counter. The jib, with a generous supply of sheet, was curved 

 well forward of the stayrand the club on the foot pointed sky- 

 ward. 



I called Tom on deck when my watch was over, and we con- 

 sulted together. But as he was disposed to abide by whatever I 

 thought best, and I was loth to lose any time, we decided that so 

 long as it did not get really dangerous we would keep her at it. 

 We congratulated ourselves ou having the wind from a favorable 

 quarter. Another source of satisfaction was thut in having the 

 wind from off the land, the sea was almost flat, being only dis- 

 turbed by short, choppy waves which in no way impeded our 

 speed. 



In consequence of the exciting tnrn our voj^age was now as- 

 suming we both remained on deck rendy for action in case of 

 necessity. We had been out six hours from Wading Kiver, and 

 we began to think that we must be getting pretty well along down 

 shore toward Plum Gut, and we watched eagerly as we passed 

 point after point for any signs that would indicate our proximity 

 to it. 



Shortly after Tom came on deck a sail appeared from out the 

 fog ahead coming toward us. We soon made her out to be a 

 small sloop yacht, not more than 30ft. long; she was cutter-rigged 

 and was sailing under full mainsail, forestaysail and jib, and 

 heading so as to pass us a couple of hundred vards to leeward. 

 Only one person could be seeu above deck as she approached, but 

 as she neared us he was observed to bend forward tow.^rd the 

 companion as though calling to some one below. Immediately 

 after a head popped up and they both stared in our direction. We 

 waved our hats as they got abreast of us and they returned the 

 compliment and one of them shouted something to ns which we 

 were unable to hear distinctly against the wind; but supposing 

 that they were asking the name of our boat and where bound I 

 yelled back the information. In the meantime Tom had been 

 spelling out her name as she swiftly drew astern. "Cordette," 

 said he as he lowered the glass. Neither one of us had ever seen 

 her to our knowledge before. I asked Tom if he was positive it 

 was Cordette. I knew a small cutter-rigged boat which some- 

 times lay at the Atlantic Y. C. basin at Bay Ridge called Coquette 

 and it migbt possibly be her. But he was positive, and as I was 

 not very familiar with the Coquette's details we let it go at Cor- 

 dette. She shortly died out in the fog and we ceased to surmise 

 as to her name, destination, etc., and turned our attention toward 

 matters which concerned ourselves. 



No Siena of Plum Gut yet. Tom said some one must have re- 

 moved It, or that we had gone clear around Montauk Point, and 

 were going down the south side of the island toward home again. 

 To this expansion of imagination I made no answer, not wishing 

 to encourage him in such flights of fancy. 



About 1 o'clock I espied dimly through the mist what at tirst I 

 took to be a tug boat lying off a point of rocks, hut on a nearer 

 approach turned out to be a pile of stones built up about 10ft. 

 above the level of the water. On top of this stood three poles 

 joined together at the top. 



"That must be a beacon of some sort." said Tom. 



"No doubt it is," I answered, "but what the name of it is we will 

 have to find out later on. Hello!" 



"What's the matter?" asked Tom. 



"Plum Gut, or I'm a Dutchman." 



Sure enough, there was the water stretching away to the south- 

 ward as far as we could see around the point, off which was situ- 

 ated the 8ttppo8e4 beacon. As thiou(;li to fftvpr u« stm more the 



The evening was perfect. The mirit of the day had all cleared 

 away and tbe stars shone brightly over head as we stretched nut 

 in the cockpit lo anjoy a oiffar, some specials we had brought 

 alone for these occa.sionB. Where i.^i the cruiser who does not 

 recollect just such evenings, I with a thrill of pleasure, when after 

 a long day of sailing, pulling and hauling, he throws himself down 

 to enjoy a pipe or cigar in the deligbtful calm of a cool summer 

 twiliglit. What a sen.=e of satisfaction comes over him as he rests 

 thus after the Avorries consequent on navigatingin strange waters, 

 and finally finds himself safely at anchor in a snug harbor. These 

 are happy moments, never to be forgotten entirely, and we look 

 bfick on them as the most charming periods of a cruise. 



It was six o'clock when I avvokH next morning, und a ray of sun- 

 light was gleaming in through one of the cabin lights directly in 



my face. Tom was loudly snoring m tne atarnoard bunk. I gave 

 him a punch in the ribs and he rolled ov<:i' sma y i iuited ' What's 

 trumps?" I said it would be clubs if he did not turn out very 

 quickly. 



"You are not out yourself yet," said he, looking at me as I sat 

 blinking in the sun, 

 "Well, I'm awake anyhow," 

 "One wouldn't think so to look at you." 



After we had both got outside and had a wash we felt leas dis- 

 posed to growJ, and as the novelty of our situation forced itself 

 upon us we woke up to the fact that we were here to enjoy our- 

 selves, not to quarrel. A, M. Lockhabt. 



[to be CONCLtTDED.l 



THE NORTON WATER-B ALL A.ST BOAT.— We copy the fol- 

 lowing from the Marine Journal of Feb. 14, a paper which has in- 

 dorsed and supported the Norton water ballast system, whose 

 claimF^'ve have repeatedly exposed It is very .sad that innocent 

 persons should have been sacrificed, as in all probability they 

 have been, in order to demonstrate the fallacy of the whole sys- 

 tem. Should the boat never be heard from, a large part of the 

 blame for this unnecessary loss of life must fall upon those whose 

 duty it is to warn the ignorant against such schemes, but who 

 have proved false pilots: "The steam yacht Francis L. Norton, 

 which left New London for Toulon, France, Nov. 24, has been out 

 S3 days to-day (Saturday). The trip was an experimental one, 

 made in midwinter for the purpose of proving tbat the 'water- 

 ballast system,' of which Capt. Norton wa^ the inventor, when 

 applied to any craft, insured it against capsizing or sinking. We 

 fear one or the other of the two causes which the inventor claimed 

 were impossible has led to the loss of the F. L. Norton with all on 

 hoard, as nothing relia/ble has been heard from them since their 

 departure. The following named persons were on board this 

 craft: Cant. F. L. Norton and wife. Miss Rickaby, Chief Engineer 

 James Meneelis. Assistant Engineer Arthur McLean, Sailing 

 Master C. F. Carlsen, Seamen John Anderson and Oscar MUeyar, 

 Steward Joseph Marcial, Cabin Boy John Robert.s.'" 

 - A BREAKWATER AT POINT JUDITH.-On Feb. 13 the first 

 load of stone was carried from Mason's Point to the site of the 

 new breakwater and harbor of refuge at Point Judith, Owing to 

 many difficulties it will be some years before the work is com^ 

 pleted. 



HKI^VETiA.-The new laella gt^amer wilJ lie named H«lvetia, 



