Adrift in the Ice-Fields | Page 8

to lay one's course by."
"I once saw in the Tribune," said Kennedy, eagerly, "a way to lay a
farm-line by poles stuck in the ground. It also recommended 'blazing'
trees in the woods for the same purpose."
"To blazes with yer poles and blazed trees, Mr. Kennedy, saving yer
presence; all the newspapers in Boston can't teach me anything in
laying a straight line where I can have or make marks that can be seen;
but there are no poles here, and we couldn't see them if we had them."
"Creamer, don't get so desperate. Kennedy has furnished the idea, and I
think I can get the party ashore without any trouble. Now let all get
ready to start, and I'll lay the course for the others."
In a few moments the decoys were stacked to prevent drifting, and the
boat covered so that no snow could penetrate. A pair of small oars were
first, however, removed, which were set upright at either extremity of
the boat, and in direct line with the keel.
"There is our proper direction," said La Salle. "Now, Creamer, take
your birds, gun, and one decoy, and align yourself with these oars when
you have counted one hundred paces. When you have done so, face
about and turn the beak of the decoy towards the boat. Now, Ben,"
continued he, when this was done, "walk up within twenty yards of

Creamer, and let me align you; Kennedy will go with you, and,
counting one hundred paces beyond Creamer, will be aligned by you.
You will then be relieved by me, and placing yourself behind Kennedy,
will direct Creamer to the right position, when he has paced one
hundred yards farther. At every other hundred yards an iron decoy must
be placed, pointing towards the boat."
The plan thus conceived was carried out until thirteen hundred paces
had been counted, when La Salle, begging all to keep their places,
hurried to the front. It was now nearly dark, and nothing but driving
snow was anywhere visible. Creamer was at the lead, but disconsolate
and terrified, having utterly lost his reckoning.
"We're astray, sir, completely," he said, hopelessly. "Mother of
Heaven!" he ejaculated, as a dim radiance shone through the scud a
little to their rear, "there's the 'Packet Light,' and we are lost men."
Buffeted by the heavy gusts and sharp sleet which froze on the face as
it fell, La Salle felt for a moment a thrill of the superstitious fear which
had overcome the usually stout nerves of his companion; but his cooler
nature reasserted itself, although he knew that no house stood in the
direction of the mysterious light, which seemed at times almost to
disappear, and then to shine with renewed radiance.
"There is nothing earthly about that thing, sir. Macquarrie's house is a
long piece from the shore, and Lund's is hidden by the woods. See;
look there, sir, for the love of Heaven!" and the stout sailor trembled
like a child as the light, describing a sharp curve, rose ten or twelve feet
higher into the air, where it seemed to oscillate violently for a few
seconds, and then to be at rest.
"Let us hail it, any way," said La Salle; "perhaps we have made some
house on the opposite shore."
"We haven't gone a mile, sir; and as for hailing that, sir, I'd as soon
speak the Flying Dutchman, and ask her captain aboard to dinner."
"Well, I'll try it, anyhow.--'Halloo! Light, ahoy!'" he shouted, placing

his hands so as to aid the sound against the wind, which blew across the
line of direction between them and the mysterious light. Again and
again the hail was repeated, but no answer followed.
"You may call until doomsday, but they who have lit that lamp will
never answer mortal hail again. They died thirty falls ago, amid frost
and falling snow, ay, and foaming breakers, on this very bar, and the
men on shore saw the light shiver, and swing, and disappear, as we saw
it just now."
"Well, I don't believe in that kind of light, and I, for one, am going to
see what it is. Now, don't move from your place, but watch the light,
and if you hear the report, or see the flash, of my gun, answer it once
with both barrels, counting three between the first and second shots. If I
fire a second time, call all hands and come ashore."
"Well, Master Charley, I wouldn't venture it for all on the face of the
earth; but we must do something, and the Lord be between ye and harm.
See, now," he added, in a lower tone, "you're a heretic, I know, the
Virgin pardon ye; but I'll say a Pater and two Aves, and