Corvallis gazette., October 28, 1904, Page 6, Image 6

Toilers, of the Columbia
By MUZ. DE L.7LMEY i . - , .
Tiatbor ot "Lord of the Desert; "Oregon Sketches,
. mod other Pacific e oast Stories
CHAPTER VII.
Toilers of the Colombia.
"How is the storm?"
"Pretty high, father, but not so high
as it was a week ago."
"I do not believe I can go today, my
child."
"Well, father, I will try it alone
Dan Lapham fishes a trap alone, and I
believe I can do so. too."
"Oh, no, my child. Dan is a strong
young man. He has not an equal on
the bay, and you are my frail little
girl. I Know you are willing and your
strength at times seems to be super
natural, but you could not fish a trap
alone. It is out of the question."
"But Dan's trap is near ours. You
know be often helps me when yon are
tired and I would help him this morn
ing in teturn foi hia services. You
are not able to go, my father."
"But I will go," said the old man
as he drew himself feebly from the
bed.
"ily child, this work is getting too
severe for you. For more than a year
you have had to pull at the oars and
your task has grown greater until your
strength is over-taxed. Day by day I
grow more feeble and day by day the
burden is increased upon your shoulders.-
If I could only complete the link
that still is missing I would place you
where you could continue your studies
and the old man that I am would spend
his few remaining days in comfort as
your ward. I know, Sankala, that you
would not besrudee me so small an
amount if it were yours."
"No, father, it should all be yours
I have onlv one desire, and that is to
place you where you shall have rest
You need rest, father, you need rest
No one neaily so old as you toils on the
Columbia, and yet you go day after
day, and often when you are too feeble
even to stir. Listen, the storm rages
this mornine! You should not go at
all."
Thus spoke Sankala to Ringwold
Another year had passed in their lives
The price of fish had gone down under
the hard times and close competition
and Ringwold had for many months
been unable to make a support for the
two alone. In fact, he had struggled
beyond his strength to keep Sankala in
school and the crasn was close at hand
He was now giving out his laststiength.
Often he would become completely ex
hausted and lie for a t ime in the bow
of the fishing boat while the girl work
ed on alone. It was on these occasions
that good-hearted Dan Lapham had
come to their lescue and assisted poor
Sankala to do her work.
She had become hardened to the
work, however, and frail as she was
she could handle a boat and draw in
the web of the fish trap with the skill
of the average man. It was not her
strength that did it, however. It was
her will power and a nimble, quick
motion of an expert nature that women
possess over men.
Twice this morning had Rinwgold
fainted while Sankala was assisting him
to dress and she had revived him and
carried on tne worK. xne cm id was
accustomed to this and did not realize
how serious was the condition of the
old man.
When the fishermen reached the
beach the waves were coming in with a
rush. They threw the drift wood fur
ther back with each pulsation. Out in
the darkness through the mist and the
rain the white caps could be seen leap
ing about like the salmon they were
pursuing. The strongest fisherman
paused this morning. They were often
compelled to remain ashore until late
and even over-day. But this was
always a disappointment. The fish
ran better when there was a storm and
the hard times now urged the toilers
on their duty.
While the men were thus pausing
from indecision Ringwold and Sankala
appeared. Without seeming to notice
the disturbed condition of the bay they
shoved their boat into the watei and
while Ringwold steered Sankala threw
her oars against the seething current.
They gradually mingled with the dark
phantoms which danced upon the sea
until they were lost from view.
The fishermen had become bo accus
tomed to the dangers of their life that
they thought but little about it. What
to the etranger would have appeared
foolhardy was to them duty and choice.
But the storm this morning was unusu
ally high and that intuition akin to the
instinct that protects animals from de
struction, warned the fishermen to be
cautious.
But when Sankala braved the waters
with her aged companion the most dar
ing of the fishermen followed. Dan
Lapham, smarting under his former
timidity, was first seen to shoot out in
his boat in pursuit of the two who
worked a trap near hia own. Then one
by one the others followed.
The fish traps weie constructed along
the entire north shore of the river,
which is Baker's bay, from Cape Dis
appointment to McGowan's Point, a
distance of a dozen miles or more.
The middle of the river was the divid
ing line. The river is the dividing line
between the two states and the fisher
men from the two states claim their
rights, even to a hair's breadth.
The fishermen on the north had traps
while those on - the south had nets'.
The cannerymen on the south side of
the river owned most of the nets and
old Seadog owned most of the traps on
the north. The fishermen were em
ployed by the day on the nets and given
so much for eacn fish captured. The
trappers were employed by the day or
worked the traps on shares.- All the
fishermen used row boats peculiar for
their work. Save with rare excep
tions the boats were manned by two,
both at the nets and the traps. One
was called the puller and the other the
fisherman. While the latter tended
his nets or traps the puller guided the
boat to suit the work.
The nets were known as gill nets.
These were stretched out their full
lengtn in the water, which was many
feet and even yards, floaters were
placed along the top of .the ret at
proper distances to hold it in position
while sinkers cairied the bottom of
the net deep into the water. The mesh
es of the net were of such size as would
permit the entrance of the averge fishes
head. When once it entered the mesh
es the gills were fastened and the neb
held prisoner until removed by the
fishermen.
The traps, one of which Ringwold and
Sankala tended, were constructed diff
erently. A large figure was formed in
the shallow water by the driving of
piles. It represented a heart 'and on
either side extended long wings. The
wings enclosed a semi-circle facing the
ocean and immediately in the rear of
where they come together was the large
heart. A netting, called web, was
stretched along the piles from the sur
face of the water to the bottom of the
bay. By this means a perfect heart
with wings was perfected.
The valve of the heart opened im
mediately at the conjunction of the
wings. This was at the sharp point of
tne "V" which is formed at the top
of the heart.
As a trap for fish it is a success.
The ealmon come up from the ocean
and enter the mouth of the river fresh
and strong. They run in great schools
and follow the shallow cha nels laying
their spawn as they go farther up the
stream.
When the noses cf the fish strike the
web forming the wings of the heait,
they follow the wings to the center.
Here they find their way through the
opening into the heart. When once
into the heart their capture is com
plete. They circle about the place
passing the same apex of the heart
through which they entered without
ever discovering it as a means of escape,
and are thus held as captives until the
fishermen take them into their boats.
They sometimes enter these traps by
the hundreds within 24 hours. Ihey
range in weight from five to 20 pounds
and larger.
It was such a trap as this that San
kala and Ringwold tended for old Sea
dog at wages baiely sufficient to sus
tain them at best.
CHAPTER VIII.
A Morning of Disaster.
"Hello, Captain!"
"Hello, lookout!"
"The sea is high and the fishermen
are venturing out."
"All light, I will send out the men."
Cape Disappointment life saving
station nestled beneath the rocke of the
cliffs that extended far out over the sea.
Many a mariner had met disappoint
ment here. For from the sea the spot
looked like a place of refuge from the
storm. But he who dared to trust it
had often been dashed to death against
its walls.
Shaken and addled, as it were, while
crossing the river bar, the mightiest
rovers of the deep had been broken up
here like glass upon the rocks.
It was the treachery of its appearance
that gave name to the place. It was
the great loss of life that had caused
the government to ebtabliah a life sav
ing station at the foot of the cliffs.
But the life savers had a double duty
to perform. The purpose for whicb
they were originally placed there was
insignificant to the duty that later de
veloped. They were provided by the
government to watch incoming vessels
and save the lives of ship wiecxed sea
men and travelers on the deep, but
later it was found that a hundred calls
came fro those whose lives were spent
on the river to where one came from
those who lived on the sea.
Like guardians of children the life
savers stood upon watch and as the
fishermen came and so were they on
duty.
From the early houis of morning un
til nearly noon, and from early after
noon until late in the evening the fish
ermen dotted the river in their tiny
boats and struggled with their nets
verging on the very danger line where
ocean and river met. Once across this
line and the frail craft of the fisherman
was at the mercy of the undertow and
many a toiler was dragged to his death
ere the government protectors of life
could reach the spot in boats prepared
for the purpose.
The lighthouse stood upon the high
est point of the cape overlooking the
sea. Beneath its shadow stood a small
structure barely large enough inside
for one man to stand, turn about and
sit down. It' was built of glass save
that its framework and roof was made,
of iron. The glass was thuk and al
most as strong as iron for it required
strength - to withstand the terrible
etorms that beat upon it from the sea.
Its furnishings were a small stove, a
stool, a pair of strong glasses and a
telephone. : g was occupied night and
day by one man at a time. One was
on watch from noon until . midnight
and the other from midnight until
noon. Not even a light . was allowed
for it was not needed by day and by
night it would blind the watch so that
he could not look out upon the ocean
and river. : ' - , : "
- Throughout the day he peered out
through his glasses over - the sea and
river and bay. At night he followed
the great revolving light in the light
house above his head and watched for
objects on the water while he looked
further out for the smaller lights of
vessels. -
It was on the morning that Sankala
and Ringwold had put forth into the
storm that the conversation took place
over the ' telephone between the look
out and the captain of the life saving
crew recorded at the beginning of this
chapter.
The lookout had seen the small
craft battling with the surf on the
bosom of the bay in tbe dim light
shot out from overhead. He could
feel' the storm blowing against the
structure which ' enclosed him; be
sides the register showed a high ve
locity of wind.
It foreboded a day of hard work.
Fishermen would venture foith in
dangerous storms and this compelled
the life savers to stand on constant
guard. They would enter their boats
and beat along the danger line like
sentinels to keep the fishermen from
rowing to their d ath. And in spite
of this precaution ecores find watery
graves at the mcuth of the Columbia
eyery year.
As the fishermen fought theii way
cut on this stormy morning the life
savers shot out from under the cliffs
toward the bar. Here bordering on
the danger line themselves they pa
trolled the river to rescue those less
capable than themselves to withstand
the receding tide.
"Hello, captain!"
"Hello, lookout!"
"Signal distress off west end of Jetty
Sand spit. A boat is heading for the
breakers!"
"B)ng, bing, bing!" went three
guns.
"Hello, captain!"
"Hello, lookout!"
"Signal distress off Pacific rocks.
Boat seems to be capsized and men
clinging to upturned hulll"
"Bing, bingl" went two guns.
After a few minuutes pauee the cap
tain's 'phone rang again ' s"
"Hello, captain!"
"Hello, lookout!'1
"Signal distress off Disappontment
rocks! Boat shoving for breakers
like a roc&et! Girl at the oars; is
poweiless think it is Sankala, the
old chemist's daughter."
"Bing, bing, bing, bing, bing!"
rang out five shots from the cliffs be
low. This was the -most dangerous
point at the mouth of the river and
was called the hell gap, for it was here
that so many fishermen had lost their
lives. '
The swift receding current for jaed a
sort of maelstrom at the point of the
rocks and when once fairly in its
clutches boats were swept like chaff
into the breakers and disappeared like
shot thrown into the water.
The Hie savers knew the signals as
well as their alphabet and rushed to
the rescue like firemen to tbe call of
fire. And when the signal came for
Disappointment rocks the sturdy beys
lying on tnat point Dent to tneir oars
with all their might.
The life savers were divided up into
crews and each of these divisions cov
eied given points. The men selected
for the most dangerous places were the
most experienced and dared the ele
ments as veteran soldiers face the death
line in battle.
While the rescuers were hurrying to
the calls of distress the captain had as
cended to the lcokout's station. Day
was already dawning and while signals
were given at night by tbe discharge of
firearms, they were given in day time
with flags from lookout point.
With the advancing day the river
and bay presented a busy appearance.
A speck here to the natural eye was
revealed through the strong glasses to be
a fisherman's boat struggling with' the
nets or waves. Some were goiDg, some
were coming. Each was oblivious of
the other. One was dashing to its
ruin at another point and life savers
were going to its rescue, while the men
in danger were often unconscious of the
fact.
But in the work which was so com
mon as to bring no excitement to the
veteran captain of the crew he sur
veyed the waters as a general does his
battlefield.
This morning, however, a change
came over his face. He saw a frail
fisherman's boat being swept toward
Disappointment rocks. Standing up
working hei useless oars with all her
strength was Sankala. The glasses re
vealed her firm features and while she
looked into the jaws of death she was
as calm as the rocks which awaited her
approach. Ringwold lay motionless
in the boat. Whether dead or asleep
the glasses did not disclose. It was
evident that they had never reached
the fish trap for the boat was as empty
as it had been when they had first
started out.
The captain raised the signal flag
high above his head and waved it five
times in succession. But here the life
boat whicb was giving Sanaala's boat a
stern chase, passed behind some rocks
that had just hidden her and several
seconds must pass before they would
appear again.
(To be continued)
An Angry Landlady.
Boarder No. 1 What's that
loud
thumping noise in the kitchen?
Boarder No. 2 It's the landlady ham
mering the steak and wishing it was tbe
beef trust. Chicago Tribune. - i
Mayor McClellan asserts that he would
prefer td he Mayor of Greater New' York
than Governor of the 'Empire State. -
. .i AN AUTUMN REVERIE. -
Tls autumn and off together. t
. Over the hills and away, 5 1 1
We go in golden weather, ; X : u t
I My lady and I, to-day.
And sit on the hillside sunny
: Where the purple grapes hang low
And watoh the clouds a-floating by
And their shadows come and go.
We hear the clear pipe of autumn
The call of the hiding quail
And see the flash of gold as he flies
Over the old fence rail.
My lady's face is dreamy,
And her thoughts seem far away,
As ehe twines the leaves for a carland.
To trim her hat to-day.
"Of what are you thinking?" I ask her.
And she lifts her eyes so brown;
"I was wondering," she said the mis
chief! '
"Will the new hatbrims turn up or
down?"
Millinery Trade Review.
PALMISTRY.
LONE James did it I have
told him since that I owe him
a debt of gratitude which I
never, never can repay. His reply,
that he would rather I owed him
something which I could repay, touch
ed me deeply, but had no other imme
diate result.
I must give you his name in full:
James Arthur Brocklebank. Perhaps
some day will find me teaching my
children to lisp that dear name at
their mother's knee. This is what
they do in novels, though I should not
think "Brocklebank" allows of much
scope for lisping. Still, there it is.
It was at a fancy bazaar. Most of
us at the hall were helping in some
way. Our dear hostess was selling
what are those things that ladies buy?
while her daughters had sweet and
scent and tobacco stalls, and so forth.
I thought at first that I was the only
unemployed one until James strolled
up.
"Hello," he said;
nothing."
. "I wanted to help,"
"you're doing
I exclaimed.
"My idea was to keep a
tobacconist's
stall, and then one could smoke cigar-
etes all the time. The assistants in
shops always do that to advertise
their goods."
O! And I suppose assistants in
sweet shops eat sweets all the time?"
'Of course."
'Have you ever thought," said
James, reflectively, "what a tired time
the right-hand man of a butcher must
have "
"Look here," I said, "did you come
to talk rot like that to me?'
No; I want you to have your for
tune told. There's a palmist here."
But I haven't a fortune."
xou don't want one. Hair a
crown's enough."
I went with him under protest. It
was a very dark tent into which we
plunged, and I could see no fortune
teller.
"Where is she?" I asked Impatient
ly.
"The other side of the curtain," said
James; "but you mustn't go in. You
put your band through there, and she
is on the other side. Of course, if she
saw you, it would spoil everything.
"Who is it?"
"Never mind."
I put my hand through. Some one
took it, and it seemed as though she
were going over the lines of my palm
with a pencil.
"You are quick-tempered, slow-
minded, thin-skinned "
"Fat-headed, go on!" I said bitterly.
"Just you wait till I see you."
"I'm awfully sorry," said the voice.
"I don't think I have the right hand."
"Of course you haven't It's the
left."
"Yes, that's right Oh, I see! I was
looking at it upside down. You are
modest clever, athletic and of an ar
tistic temperament"
James laughed unkindly.
"Did you laugh?" asked a voice.
"Certainly not!" I replied. "I
wouldn't think of such a thing. But
you are only saying things I know al
ready. Won't you tell me my future?"
"You will be married within a
year."
I gasped.
"Did you gasp?" asked a voice.
"That was the impression I intend
ed to convey. But are you sure?"
"Quite, quite sure. The line of the
heart says so."
"Heart lines, old chap!" said Jim,
nudging me.
"What did you say?" asked the
voice.
"Nothing," I answered. "What you
heard was a hitherto honored and re
spected friend being kicked. But I
say. tell me. When shall I be en
gaged?"
"Before the end of the week."
"Hi! Jim, quick!" I shrieked. What's
the day now?"
"The thirteenth," said Jim.
. I shot a glance of scorn and loath
ing at him.
"Sorry, old man," he said, hurried
ly. ""It's Saturday."
"Why good Lord then I shall get
engaged to-night!"
"Why not?" asked Jim.
"Why not? O, you idiot! ! She's not
even in the house. She's in London."
"Who is?"
"Who? why O, nobody. Yon see
what I mean. There's nobody in the
house that "
"If s no good," said James with a
grin.
"You've given yourself away.".
I turned back to the curtain. , . !
GEORGE FRISBIE
In the death of George Frisbie Hoar, of Massachusetts, the United States
Senate loses one of Its most honored and influential members and the coun
try a statesman of a type which is growing rare. It has been said that the
chiefest of a nation's liars Is he who writes the epitaphs of a nation's dead;
yet the work of the man who chisels "Statesman" on the monument of George
Frisbie Hoar is as ruggedly honest as Is the enduring stone.
Senator Hoar was one of the few surviving representatives of the "old
school" which dominated in public affairs before the era ef so-called com
mercialism set its seal upon American politics. Like Webster and Clay and
Sumner, of ante-bellum days, and like Trumbull and Morrill and Vest of the
later period. Senator Hoar revered the Constitution and measured his Amer
icanism by the Declaration of Rights. With him. as with them, politics was a
sentiment in which "business" had no place.
Senator Hoar was splendidly equipped for his position as a leader among
American statesmen. He was of scholarly tastes and Inclinations. His gen
eral learning was vast and his familiarity with the details of national admin
istrative work was extraordinary. While not an orator as the word is usually
accepted, he had the eloquence that comes of sincere conviction and the ca
pacity for intense feeling. He will be remembered not so much for these
gifts, however, as for his determined devotion to principle, his high Ideals
and his absolute freedom from any sort of participation In the game of
politics as played by the average politician. In this he has set a standard
of disinterested patriotism which is altogether too rare.
"Are you still there?" I asked. "Are
you there, are you there, are you
there, are you "
"I've finished, thank you," came the
voice.
"But are you quite sure about being
engaged by the end of the week?"
"Quite, quite sure," said the voice
a little shakily.
James and I went out
"Who is she?" I asked. "I didn't
recognize the voice."
"Oh, she'd take good care about
that"
"Well, anyhow, It's impossible."
We entered the refreshment tent
and drank things. Jim tried to be
facetious about my rapidly approach
ing engagement He even misquoted
poetry to me. Things about love and
so on.
"Did you make that up yourself?'
I said wearily. "It's very bad."
"Why. it's Shakspeare, man," he
said indignantly.
"O, I thought it was you."
"I don't mind having it" he said.
"Kindly observe the new Swan of
Avon."
"Are swans such great drinkers,
then? I didn't know."
"You're in a nasty, horrid temper.
and I shall leave you," said Brockle-
bank.
I watched him go through the door
of the tent Some one was coming up.
He went on and spoke to her. It was
a lady. He came back with her and
brought her up to me. Good Lord!
It was Kate!
"He'll give you tea," said James.
"I must go. Good-by."
He raised his hat and went off.
"It is impossible," I said.
"Well, what's the matter?" asked
Kate. "Aren't you glad to see me?"
"Go away. You're in London."
"I've just this moment come. You
knew I was coming, didn't you?"
"No, I've hardly seen any one. Pve
only just come myself. Why, what
train "
"Never mind the train," said Kate,
hurriedly; "I want some tea."
We had tea. All the time I was
wondering if I dared "to put It to the
touch, to win or lose it all." At last
I took out a penny and tossed it If
it turned tail, why then, so would 1.
But if not
"Heads," said Kate.
"It is. That settles it After all.
who am I to blast the reputation of
a respectaDie and, tor augnt l Know,
beautiful palmist?"
'I don't know what you are talking
about" complained Kate.
Kate," I said, Impressively, "It's
written on my hand and I showed
her my hand "that I shall get en
gaged to-day."
"Is that what they call shorthand"
"It's palmistry. The line of heart
has done something exuberant"
'WelL I hope she'll have you," said
Kate.
"Do you think 6he will?"
"You should ask her."
"I am," I said, and I took her band.
Dear, do you think she will?"
"I don't know," said Kate, looking
down. "Perhaps she might"
Only perhaps? Kate, say you're
sure she will." u.r 1
"Quite, quite sure," said a voice ,
Something in the words struck me.
HOAR, STATESMAN.
She looked up at me with a smile.
Then I began to understand.
"Kate!" I cried.
isn't it a beautiful day?"
Kate. Black and White.
said
SOME LIVELY BALLOONING
Aeronauts Caught in Menacing Thus
der Pack with Active Lightning;.
For the first mile while slowly ris
ing, the ballcon zigzagged between the
lower currents, until at approximately
3,000 feet it encountered a main sweep
of air, which at that height was fol
lowing the course of the valley be
low. The horizon had been clear at
starting and the impression was as we
sailed along in the current that we
should have a fair passage, unless
some cloud, not yet apparent la our
wane could ride after us and over
take us at a higher level, where wind
velocity is generally greater. Per
haps, therefore, we paid insufficient
heed to a murky veil ahead of us,
which began gathering and deepening
and blotted out the view. We were
soon enveloped in this gray curtain and
thus its true appearance was lost to
us; but at Newbury, our starting
ground, a large crowd was watching
us entering a vast and most menacing
thunder pack, and was wondering why
we did not come down.
The first real warning which we had
of our predicament was a flash of
lightning close on our quarter, answer
ed by another on our other side, and
almost before we could realize it wo
found we were in the very focus of
a furious storm which was being bcrne
on an upper wind, and a wild conflict
was already raging around us. There
was our own fast current carrying ua
westward; there was the storm cloud
slightly above us hurrying to the east
and added to these there now descend
ed a pitless down draught of Ice cold
air and hail. We were doubtless in a
cloud which was discharging lightning
over a wide area, each flash, however,
issuing from the immediate vlrlnity of
the balloon, and the idea formed on
the writer's mind was that many
flashes were level that is, as if from
one part of the cloud to another. Any
that reached the ground must from our
known position have been at least a
mile long.
There was another idea forced upon
the parry, which was that they would
be more comfortable and far safer
elsewhere, and when suitable oppor
tunity occurred a descent wag made to
earth. Longman's Magazine.
Main Allegation True.
Mrs. Gadabout People are savin
you called on Mrs. Verdigris the other
day and got a setback.
Mrs. Upjohn What a willful per
version of truth! I called on her and
got a set of Dickens back that I'd lent
her two years before. Chicago Trib
une. Don't Brag;.
"Don brag because you happens to
be a little lucky," said Uncle Eben.
If de hen wouldn't cackle so loud
about de-egg she done laid de white
. 1 . 1 1 , ,11 1 A . -
ioiks woman oe bo u Die to roo ae
nes . vvasmngton star.
Wnen it comes to calling
people
double
from their beds the fire bell
discounts the church bell. , '