{"id":920,"date":"2010-04-30T10:08:14","date_gmt":"2010-04-30T17:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/?p=920"},"modified":"2012-06-18T12:04:25","modified_gmt":"2012-06-18T12:04:25","slug":"dick-and-i-chapter-6-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/920\/dick-and-i-chapter-6-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Dick and I, Chapter 6, 19th Century Unpublished Book by S. B. McKenney"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Dick<\/a>
Dick and I by Samuel Bartow McKenney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This manuscript was written before 1881 by Samuel Bartow McKenney. In the transcription I’ve not changed spellings or punctuation unless I absolutely must for coherence. There were no periods in the manuscript and I have added those. My thanks to Allan McKenney for sending this along.<\/em><\/p>\n

Chapter VI<\/strong><\/p>\n

No breath of air to make the wave<\/em>
\nThe Giaour<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sky’s changed! And such a change! oh night
\nstorm and darkness ye are wonderous strong”<\/em>
\nChilde Harole<\/p>\n

By Helle’s stream there is a voice of wail
\nwomans eyes wet – Mans check is (frate?)<\/em>
\nBride of Abydos<\/p>\n

The next wednesday morning dawned bright and glorious and just as
\nthe sunbeams were first kissing the rippling waters of the lake
\nRashboy and I hoisted the sail on the \u201cWaterwitch” and started on
\nour way to E —-. There was a fresh cool breeze blowing from the
\neastward and my little yacht went rippling and sizzing through the
\nwater with a speed that promised to soon bring us to the village.
\nI know of no exercise that creates within me such a feeling of
\nexultation and pleasure as that of rapid sailing my little craft
\nwhich I had of cleped the water which was one that I had purchased
\nthat summer and although it was not intended to carry over six
\npersons she was one of the fastest sailers on the lake.<\/p>\n

Mr Blanchard had requested us to join them in an excursion that
\nwas going up the lake to Crane Island a distance of about twelve
\nmiles on that day and we were then on our way to E—– for the
\npurpose of taking him and family up in our boat.<\/p>\n

“By the way, Dick, I suppose your old friend the parson will be
\none of the party today.”<\/p>\n

“lndeed! I was not aware that he cared for such frivolus company
\nas will be likely to for the excursion today.”<\/p>\n

“Oh there will be some solid ones among the giddy throng. Mr
\nPhineas Smythe will probably be of the party.”<\/p>\n

“Mr Nathan has as little relish for Smythes twaddle as you or I
\nCon. Indeed he is no fool. His mind is really a strong and powerful
\none. The trouble is that it is chained and dwarfed by prejudice
\nand the stubborn dogmas of his creed that it has not room to’
\nexpand and flourish as it might otherwise have done. It is a great<\/p>\n

– 30 –<\/p>\n

pity that such a noble intelect should have been so preverted. The
\nCatholics are right when they claim that the pripcipals instilled
\ninto the mind in youth have a fermer hold than any that are
\nincalcated afterward.<\/p>\n

“It is very apt to be the case,” I replied, “yet there are
\nexceptions. You yourself Dick I believe were educated as a
\nMethodist.”<\/p>\n

“Very true Etheridge. I do not speak of individual cases but of
\nmankind in general. For instance the children raised in Arabia are
\nMohamidens. Those in China grew up deciples of Confucias while
\nthose of this country and Europe are princepally Christians. Had
\nMr Nathan been born and raised in India he would doubtless have
\nbeen as zealous a supporter of the Bagave.Geeta as he now is of
\nthe bible.”<\/p>\n

“By the way Dick, what do you think of Mr Alvan Adams?”<\/p>\n

“I do not like him Con. There is something about him very repelling
\nto me and because I do not like him I had rather not express an
\nopinion concerning him.”<\/p>\n

“I will tell you Dick who then is in E —- that I do like.”<\/p>\n

“Really,” replied he smiling, “I do not think it would be difficult
\nto guess.”<\/p>\n

“I am speaking of friendship Dick.”<\/p>\n

“Well who is it Con that you have concieved such a sudden
\nfriendship for?”<\/p>\n

“Mrs Charity McDonald,” I replied.<\/p>\n

“I quite agree with you Etheridge,” he replied seriously. “I think
\nshe is a nice old land and one that posses a really good heart
\nwould that there were more like her.” <\/p>\n

\u201cWell here we are,” I exclaimed as we approached the villae.<\/p>\n

“Please stand by the halyards Dick. Now – lower away Let her
\ndrift in under the jib all right — thank you.”<\/p>\n

Some of the excursionists were were already on the wharf when we
\nreached there and were engaged in stowing away baskets of
\nprovisions fishing rods fowling pieces shawls and all the phara-
\nphenlia of the expedition into a neat little schooner -. () cleped the
\nBlack Crook that lay mowered along side of the pier Ladies and
\ngentlemen were standing in little groups and chatting and laughing
\nand were apparently in the best of spirits at the prospect of
\npleasure which the day promised to afford. All were attired in
\nneat and tasteful costumes suitable for the day and the occasion.
\nIf except one perhaps whom I distinguished from the others by
\nthe brilliancy of his plumage. He was a slight and slender young
\nman about two and twenty with light flaxen hair and side whiskers
\nwhose small light blue eyes squinted at you through a pair of gold
\nrimmed eye glasses that were secured by a pink ribbon to the
\nbutton hole of a bright blue clost cvat of very fine texture. His
\nnether limbs were encased in a pair of very light button down
\ncolonial pantaloons. A vest of purple velvet was adorned by a very<\/p>\n

– 31 –<\/p>\n

flashy gold watch chain to which were attached several seals
\nof considerable size. A very red necktie gleamed above an
\nimmaculate shirt front that was adorned by three green turtles
\nabout the size of a quarter of a dollar each said turtles being
\nmade of vegetable ivory and used for shirt studs. This individual
\nslipped forward raised a very fine plus two with a hand on which
\ngleamed an exceedingly large seal ring and accusted us.<\/p>\n

“Aw —really—good mawnin.”<\/p>\n

“Good morning Mr Smythe,” I replied for it was he. “We have a fine
\nmorning for our excursion.”<\/p>\n

“Delightful –and Mr Etheridge pawdon me but when did you hiah
\nthat supurb boat?”<\/p>\n

“lt is not a hire one Mr Smythe. It is mine. May I ask what lady
\nyou intend to make happy for the day by taking her under your
\nspecial care and protection?”<\/p>\n

“Aw thank you–Miss Blanchard I believe.”<\/p>\n

“The Devil!” I exclaimed.<\/p>\n

“No rather an angel” said Dick laughing, “but,” he continued
\nturning to Smythe, \u201cwhich one of the Misses Blanchard have you
\nselected.”<\/p>\n

“Aw Miss Hope Blanchard of course.”<\/p>\n

“0h!—Certainly Miss Hope of course. Mr Smythe will you and Miss
\nBlanchard honor us with your company in the Water witch.”<\/p>\n

“Be delighted Im suah — Aw thank you Mr Etheridge but.” and he
\nstopped short. “is she safe?”<\/p>\n

“Perfectly.”<\/p>\n

“Aw.” And Mr Smyth started up to the hotel.<\/p>\n

“Con,” said Dick taking me aside, “go up and get your lady and let
\nus be off while the breeze lasts.”<\/p>\n

“But Dick – I thought-”<\/p>\n

“Huh! Never mind what you thought. You were mistaken but make haste.
\nSee. The others are embarking.”<\/p>\n

“I walked up to the hotel and found the rector and his daughter, Mr
\nBlanchard and his daughters, Mrs Whipple, Mrs McDonald, and Smyth in
\nthe parlor ready to start. As soon as I entered little Bertie came
\nrunning up to me.”<\/p>\n

“Wheres Uncle Dick at?”<\/p>\n

“At the pier,” I answered smiling at the eagerness of her question.<\/p>\n

“Oh I’se so glad,” said she clapping her little dimpled hands and
\nthe next moment she darted out of the open door and ran down to
\nthe shore.<\/p>\n

– 32 –<\/p>\n

“Well I dew declare,” said Mrs Whipple with a sniff but what she
\nwas intending to disclose I did not hear nor care for at that
\nmoment I was listening to a voice that had more interest in it for
\nme than Gabriels trumpet would have had.<\/p>\n

We all returned to the pier and found that Mr Adams had arrived
\nduring my absence with a yacht from W —- somewhat lower than mine.<\/p>\n

“Mr Blanchard will you accept a seat in my little craft?”<\/p>\n

“Thank you Mr Etheridge. I am really sorry that my poor health will
\nnot permit me to accept your offer. I shall be obliged to go in
\nthe schooner where I can lie down when I am wearied,” he added
\nturning to a gentleman who stood near. “You will be kind enough to
\ngive me passage Mr Fay?”<\/p>\n

“Certainly Sir,” replied Fay. “We will try and make you as
\ncomfortable as possible.”<\/p>\n

It was arranged that Hope who had excused herself from Smythe
\nshould go in the schooner and take care of her fathers comfort who
\nwas still an invalid while Inez and Bertie should go with me in
\nthe Water Witch. Indeed the latter small personage had very
\ncomplacently esconsed herself beside Dick at the tiller and
\nabsolutely refused to be coaxed away.<\/p>\n

There were five passengers in my boat besides Dick and I. Mrs
\nMcDonald, Viva, Joyce, Inez, Bertie, and Mr Smythe.
\nAdams’ yacht the Lady of the Lake was already started and contained
\nbesides Adams, Miss Mayer, Irene, Nathan, Emily, Burriette, and Harry
\nBarton.<\/p>\n

At length when all were ready on board the Water Witch we cut
\nloose from the pier and started after the other two boats who
\nabout a furlong ahead of us. The wind was light and baffling
\ncoming in little puffs and flaws no two seeming to come from
\nsame direction. After half an hour however a light but steady
\nbreeze sprung up from the northeast. It struck the other two
\nvessils some little time before it reached us as they were in the
\nadvance and we were staying to the southward and the distance
\nbetween us was rather increased than desired by the time we
\nreached Hulls Creek distant about ten miles form E—. This we
\nfound was a narrow deep creek about half a mile in length, which
\nconnects the upper lakes with the lower. There was no current
\nscarcely yet it was so narrow and crooked that we found it very
\ntedious ascending it. Rashboy had the tiller and I saw by the way
\nhe handled the boat that he was an experienced sailor.<\/p>\n

While we were working our way up through the serpentine windings
\nof the stream the breeze freshend and by the time we came out in
\nthe open lake above we had stiff breeze blowing. Our course now
\nlay west by northwest so that we had the wind partialy on the
\nquarter, the other two vessels were plowing merrily along and
\nalthough we had gained on them coming up the creek, the increased
\nbreeze had carried them a quarter of a mile ahead of us by the
\ntime we got in the open lake. They were waving us signaling us
\ngoodbye and their voices and laughter could be faintly heard
\ncoming over the water.<\/p>\n

– 33 – <\/p>\n

“Aw – I feah we will be left dont you think so Miss Vi – Oh!” This
\nlast exclamation was caused by the boat having rounded a small
\nwooded headland at the mouth of the creek which had heretofore
\nscreened us from the breeze. The sails filled suddenly the vessel
\ncarrened over on one side and parcepetated Smythe to leeward with
\na crash. <\/p>\n

“Windward All!” exclaimed Rashboy. <\/p>\n

We changed our seats to the windward side and the little water witch went
\nsailing through the water dashing the waves and spray from her sharp prow
\nand leaving a track of foam and bubbles on the long swells over
\nwhich we had passed.<\/p>\n

“We will soon overtake them at this rate,”said Inez.<\/p>\n

“I think we will reach there as soon as they will.” I
\nreplied wrapping a shawl round her shoulders to protect her from
\nthe spray. “If they do not make more sail.”<\/p>\n

“Oh! I hope we will beat them,” exclaimed Viva Joyce. “I never
\ncould endure to have that Adam sneer at us I’d wither on the
\nspot.”<\/p>\n

“Aw — really,” exclaimed Smythe as about a hat full of spray
\nstruck him in the face.<\/p>\n

“You had better wrap a shawl round you Mr Smythe or you will take
\nyour death of cold,” said Mrs McDonald handing him her shawl. “It
\nis old and faded but it will keep you from getting wet.”<\/p>\n

Smythe wrapped the shawl around his shoulders and as his silk hat
\nwas nearly spoiled by the spray he sat it in the fore locker and
\ntied a red silk handkerchief around his head.<\/p>\n

When we passed Lithcoe’s Point we were up with the other two boats
\nAdam\u2018s vessel being on our right and a little ahead of the
\nschooner on our left. As we drew a little ahead of them the
\nschooner ran up her gaff topsails and Adams hoisted another jib on
\nthe Lady of the Lake. Under the increased canvass the two vessels
\nbegan to gain slowly on us and finally passed us with shouts and
\ncheers and even Mr Blanchard and the pastor raised their voices to
\nthe others in a long cheer as they drew ahead of us. We carried no
\ntopsail and our misen sail had a small reef in it. I glanced at
\nRashboy his face was flushed but he shook his head slightly in
\nanswer to my unspoken question which he read in my face as to
\nwhether we should make more sail. <\/p>\n

“Mr Etheridge make mor sale please,” exclaimed Viva who had risen.<\/p>\n

“Yes please do,” said Inez.<\/p>\n

“Mr Rashboy is sailing master ladies You must appeal to him,” I
\nreplied and then continued in a low tone to my companion. “My
\nlittle vessel carries too precious a cargo to admit of me
\nincurring any risks whatever.”<\/p>\n

“Yes,” she replied. “Each one on board is precious to some one.”<\/p>\n

“To whom is my life and I precious,” I asked.<\/p>\n

“To your parents.”<\/p>\n

“Alas I have none.”<\/p>\n

“To your brothers and sisters.”<\/p>\n

“They too are all dead.”<\/p>\n

– 34 –<\/p>\n

“Then to your friends.”<\/p>\n

“There is the only one I have on earth,” I replied pointing to
\nRashboy, “and I have only known him two weeks.”<\/p>\n

“I have often heard it remarked that those who have no friends
\nhave no one to blame for the lack but themselves.”<\/p>\n

I made no answer and so I ( —- ) at this is the light in which I
\nam regarded. Because I have no friends she considers, is because I
\ndo not deserve any ( —- —- ). I hope she may never know what it
\nis to feel as I have felt, to be surrounded by scens who were loud
\nin their protestations of friendship but who all vanished at the
\nfirst breath of advirsity and this dark eyed beauty by my side is
\ndoubtless one of the same kind with the exception that she never
\neven profered friendship for me and I have been born idiot enough
\nto imagine at times that she loved me.<\/p>\n

“Mr Rashboy can’t we put on more sail,” said Viva. “I do so want
\nour boat to beat.”<\/p>\n

“I think we had better not try to carry any more sail while the
\nbreeze remains so strong,” he replied.<\/p>\n

“Let us put it to vote,” exclaimed Viva who had a yankees panchant
\nfor every thing being carried vox populi. “I move,” she continued
\nrising with mock gravity and steading herself by the shrouds,
\n“that Mr Rashboy, sailing master of the water Witch be
\nrespectfully requested to make more sail in order that we may
\novertake the Philistines.”<\/p>\n

“I second the motion,” said Inez smiling, “although my father and
\nsister are classed among the Philistines.”,<\/p>\n

“I beg pardon I was thinking of Adams when I spoke of the
\nPhilistines. I will accept of the amendment and say the Philistine
\nLadies and Gentlemen,\u201d she continued rising her voice. “It is moved
\nand seconded that Captain Rashboy be respectfully requested to
\ncrowd on more sail in order that we may overhaul the Philistine
\nall that wish the motion to prevail please say Ay.”<\/p>\n

Inez, Mrs McDonald, Viva and Smythe voted ay.<\/p>\n

“Contrary minded say No.”<\/p>\n

“No,” I replied. <\/p>\n

Rashboy did not vote.<\/p>\n

“Carried,” she exclaimed triumphantly. “Now Mr Rashboy you
\ngallantry will not allow you to refuse the unanumous request of
\nyour lady passengers.”<\/p>\n

“Is Smythe included in the list,” I asked.<\/p>\n

“I – aw – I always like to be included with the ladies,” said that
\ngentleman answering for himself and ducking his head, which was
\nstill ornamented with the red silk hankerchief, in acknowledgment
\nto Miss Joyce.<\/p>\n

“I am sorry to refuse your request,” said Dick seriously, “but it is
\nunsafe for us to carry more sail. The wind is increasing and<\/p>\n

– 35 –<\/p>\n

should it continue to do so we will be obliged to take in some
\nsoon.”<\/p>\n

Viva, face flushed and an angry sparkle appeared in her eyes as
\nshe replied, “I did not think you so unkind Mr Rashboy. lf there is
\ndanger we take the risk upon our own shoulders unless,” she added
\n“you have some apprehensions for yourself.”<\/p>\n

“There would be no kindness,” he replied quietly, “in subjecting you
\nto danger even though you were generous enough to wish to
\nexonerate me from blame. Should anything happen I should be to
\nblame just the same not withstanding your kind offer and I could
\nnever forgive myself.”<\/p>\n

“Mr Rashboy is more cautious than I thought him,” said Inez laying
\na strong emphasis on the word.<\/p>\n

“Indeed you wrong him,” I replied, “when no others are concerned but
\nhimself he is brave even to recklessness.”<\/p>\n

“Pray do not seek to excuse your timidity by a show of solicitude
\nfor us,” said Viva Joyce. “We are not children and are able to
\njudge for ourselves.”<\/p>\n

In her excitement she had sprang to her feet and stood on the lee
\nside of the vessel confronting Rashboy. A large wave struck the
\nboat causing it to give a sudden lurch. There was a horror
\nstricken scream a heavy plunge and the next moment Viva Joyce was
\nstruggling amid the foaming seething water of the lake. <\/p>\n

“Take the helm Con,” said Dick, “and the next instant he leaped over the
\nside of the vessel into the lake.”<\/p>\n

Little Bertie uttered one wild scream after and I verily believe
\nwould have sprung overboard after Rashboy had 1 not held her
\nforcibly. The passingers in their excitement all made a rush to
\nleeward to look after Dick and Viva and it baw by the merest
\npossible chance that I prevented the little vessel from capsizing
\nby throwing her head suddenly in the wind.<\/p>\n

“Take your seats and keep them,” I called out calmly and somewhat
\nsternly. “I can do nothing to save our friends so long as you
\noblige me to do my utmost to keep us out of the lake. Mr
\nSmythe,” I added to that gentleman who stood swaying about ahold of
\nthe lee stays white with terror. \u201cIf you do not sit down I shall
\nbe compelled to pitch you into the lake.” He let go his hold and
\nfell sprawling in the bottom of the boat.<\/p>\n

l put the vessel about and beat back into the wind after Viva and
\nDick. I could only get an occasional glimpse of them as they rose
\non the top of some mammoth wave when they could be seen for an
\ninstant only. I finally lost sight of them altogether and with a
\nheart heavy as lead was about to give them up in despair when I
\nsaw them only a few fathoms off and dead ahead of the boat. Never
\nin my life had I felt a keener thrill of joy at my heart than that
\nbrief glimps of my friend afforded me with all my strength I
\nbrought the helm hard alee and brought the boats head up in the
\nwind. She came running with a graceful curve and brought us along
\nside of our friends.<\/p>\n

“Well done Con,” exclaimed Dick with a smile, “throw me the end of<\/p>\n

– 36 –<\/p>\n

the mainsheet.”<\/p>\n

He gave the sheet a dexterous turn round Miss Viva Joyces waist
\nand we hoisted her in while Dick clambered up himself a moment
\nafterward.<\/p>\n

Viva was unconscious more through fright than aught else for her
\nclothing had boyed her up until Dick had reached her.<\/p>\n

“Take charge of her Con. You are a doctor and give me the tiller.
\nI am not in a condition to crowd round among ladies.” said he
\n(exfeing?) his dripping garments ruefully. He seated himself at
\nthe tiller and the next moment a pair of dimpled arms were around
\nhis neck and a little voice trembling with emotion piped out, “Oh
\nUncle Dick I’s mighty glad you didn’t geg dwonded aint you.”<\/p>\n

“Yes if you are darling but you must not sit against my wet
\nclothes you will get wet and it will make you sick.”<\/p>\n

“Will it make you sick too to be wet Uncle Dick?\u201d<\/p>\n

“I guess not pet I am old and tough.”<\/p>\n

When I turned to Viva I found she had recovered her consciousness
\nbut was shivering badly from the combined effect of her cold bath
\nand the nervous excitment it had produced. Having no better remedy
\npresent I gave her a swallow of brandy.<\/p>\n

“Uh you horid man! I am a good Templar and that was some sort of
\nliquor. They will turn me out of lodge sure!”<\/p>\n

“I cant help it and unless that shivering ceases soon I shall be
\nobliged to give you another dram.”<\/p>\n

She looked at me in dismay. \u201cYou are excusable Miss Joyce,” said
\ndick smiling. “Mr Etheridge is a physician and you are justifiable
\nin taking whatever he prescribes.”<\/p>\n

She turned suddenly toward the speaker and regarded him for a
\nmoment her lips quivered and her eyes filled with tears and the
\nnext instant the impulsive creature glided forward and caught his
\nhand in both of hers and said with a voice trembling with emotion,
\n“Mr Rashboy if my worthless life is worth thanking you for until
\nmy dying day l shall never forget your bravery nor your kindness
\nin risking so much to save a worthless girl and that too just
\nafter I —–Oh Mr Rashboy please do not remember my unkind words
\nagainst me. I would give anything to recall them.”<\/p>\n

“Do not distress yourself little friend,” said dick kindly, “with
\nany such foolish fancies. My rememberance of you will always be
\none of one good tru hearted little lady. Impulsive perhaps a
\nlittle hasty at times never willfully unkind. And now allow Mrs
\nMcDonald to wrap that shawl that I see she has confured forth from
\nsome hidden receptacle, around you and keep you out of the wind
\nuntil we reach the Island which will be in a few minutes.”<\/p>\n

Not withstanding the short delay caused by our mishap we reached
\nCrane Island but a few minutes after the other two vessels. A fire
\nwas kindled immediately at which our friends dried themselves
\nwhile the others bussied themselves in preparing dinner. We had<\/p>\n

– 37-<\/p>\n

run under the lee of a small point and moured our boats where the
\nwater was perfectly calm. Mr Nathan, Mr Blanchard and Harry
\nBarton prepared their fishing tackle and soon forgot every thing
\nelse in the pleasure they experienced in pulling in the fine bass
\nand pickerel that are so plentiful. Then Fay, Adams and Smythe
\nassisted the ladies in preparing dinner and many a merry peal of
\nlaughter resounded through the old woods at their blunders. Some
\nfrying pans and coffee kettles had been brought along for the
\npurpose of frying fish and making coffee and while the others were
\nbusy I took a light fowling piece and started off for a look at
\nthe island. In area it did not contain more than seven or eight
\nacres and except the lowland at the base of the point where we
\nwere camped it consisted of a table land perfect level on top and
\nelevated about twenty feet above the level of the lake. It was
\ncovered with a growth of remarkably large and tall elms in which
\nhundreds of herons (called these blue cranes) came regularly every
\nsummer to hatch and rear their young. There was no underbrush nor
\nsmall timber but in many places there was a dense growth of wild
\ntouch-me-not or pale jewel weed (Impatiens Palida) which often
\nattained a height of seven and eight feet. The soil was remarkable
\nrich, the guano of the herons having accumulated there for
\nthousands of years. The island was surrounded on all sides, save
\nthe small stretch of beach where our boats lay moored, by a rocky
\ncoast; the rocks being large round boulders against which the
\nwaves were thundering with a dull roar on the windward side of the
\nisland. I shot a partridge that was strutting along through the
\nyellow leaved sarsaparilla, but had I known that a chorus of
\ndiscordant cries and unearthly squalls my shot would have raised I
\nthink I should have let the partridge strut unmolested to its
\nhearts content. Hundreds of herons came down from the tree tops as
\nif to see what was disturbing the peace in their domain. A score
\nor more allighted in a circle around me while others kept circling
\nabout my head and all stretched out their long necks and joined in
\nuttering such a series of hidious discordant screams as if bent on
\ndriving me from the spot by their unearthly clammer. If such was
\ntheir design it succeeded for I hurridely slung my gun over my
\nback thrust my fingers into my ears and went tearing off through
\nthe tangled beds of touch-me-nots without even waiting to pick up
\nmy partridge. They followed me for some distance but fineally,
\nwith an infernal screech of victory, gave up the chase. They
\nshould be heard to be rightelly appreciated and so far as my
\nexperience goes they are only equaled by a white concert in the
\npine woods country of Mississippi. I came tearing into the
\nencampment just as they were sitting down to dinner and was
\nwelcomed by a burst of laughter from the whole company.<\/p>\n

“It appears I am destined to be applauded where ever I go. Hark! Do
\nyou hear that?” I exclaimed pointing back to where the herons
\nshrill cries were still resounding. “The music which marks my
\nexodus from the stage mingles with that which welcomes my entrance
\non another. How the two orchestras chord? Where shall I run next?”<\/p>\n

“Here right between Miss Inez and I. Theres a place for you,” said
\nMrs McDonald, “and dinner is all ready.”<\/p>\n

The dinner was one that the most fastidious would have rellished
\ncould they have had their appetites whetted as were ours by the
\ncool invigorating air and a sail over the pure waters of the lake.
\nThere was beautiful snowy head and sweet golden butter made by Mrs
\nMcDonalds own motherly hands. There was cold boild (—– ) and<\/p>\n

– 38 –<\/p>\n

roast chicken, a huge dish of speckled pickerel piping hot that
\none of the gentlemen had caught that Miss Burdette and Viva Joyce
\nhad fried for us. The aroma of coffee informed us that Hope
\nBlanchard had not been idle but had made for us some of that
\nbeverage as only a southern woman can make it. Everyone was at his
\nease and each seemed to be enjoying himself. Even the Rev Faster
\nseemed to almost forget for the time the stern dogmas of his creed
\nand allowed his features to relax something of their wonted
\ngrimness as he watched others enjoy themselves.<\/p>\n

“I like Mr Hughes better as the man than as the divine,” said Dick
\nin an aside to me.<\/p>\n

“I quite agree with you,” I replied, “I never could see any
\nreason why Christians should look more grim and solemn than other
\npeople or that Minesters should look as stern and grim as some old
\nRoman Warrior.”<\/p>\n

“Tis fitting I suppose,” said he, “that they should pattern after
\ntheir master the God of the Bible who by his own word appears to
\nhave been a bloodier old warrior than either Roman or Spartan.”<\/p>\n

“Why bloodier or more cruel?” I asked.<\/p>\n

“Because he kills his own children and is not content with killing
\nthem but damns them afterward to a perpetual death. But let us
\nchange the subject,” said he, “or I may lose your friendship as I
\nhave that of every other person with whom I have conversed on
\nreligious subjects.”<\/p>\n

“Mr Etheridge – aw – will you help me to some of fish if you plan
\n– aw – thank you.”<\/p>\n

“Who has ever feasted in a more sumptious hall than we,\u201d exclaimed
\nIrene Hughes, “what gorgeous ( —- ) surround us what canopy more
\nlofty or beautiful tinted ever stretched over the heads of kings
\nor what perfumed air sweeter than this cool breeze laden with the
\nbreath of autumn flowers?”<\/p>\n

“Or what board,” said Adams, “has ever been graced by the presence
\nof fairer ladies.”<\/p>\n

“Yew are very perlite tew say so I’m sure,” said Mrs whipple.
\n“That’s what poor dear Whipple used to say to me afore he died of
\nsoftening of the brain.”<\/p>\n

“Aw really!” exclaimed Smythe the tears springing to his eyes
\ncaused by a fish bone getting crosswise in his throat.<\/p>\n

“Swallow a mouthful of bread,” said I devining the cause of his
\ngrief.<\/p>\n

“Aw thank you,” said he wiping his eyes as the obstruction was
\nremoved.<\/p>\n

“Dew tell. What a tender hearted critter Mr Smythe is to be sure,”
\nsaid Mrs Whipple.<\/p>\n

“I do not like the appearance of that thick edged cloud off there
\nin the north west,” remarked Rashboy. “I have been watching it for<\/p>\n

– 39 –<\/p>\n

some time and I fear it is the harbringer of bad weather.”<\/p>\n

“I have been watching it also for some time,” said Mr Blanchard,
\n“and I think we need be in no haste to return as it seems to be at
\na stand still.”<\/p>\n

“I quite agree with you,” said Adams, “and besides I do not believe
\nit is coming this way.”<\/p>\n

“You will believe that is before you get home,” said Fay.<\/p>\n

Considerable discussion arose as to whether we should return or
\nremain and hour or two longer as it was but a little after three
\no’clock.<\/p>\n

Fay however was obstinate and declared his intention of going back
\nto E— immediately. “l have lived here nearly all my life,” he
\nremarked, “and I think I know the indications of the weather pretty
\nwell. As I have some lady passengers aboard I do not care to have
\nthem out in a storm if I can get back before it overtakes us which
\nI think very doubtful.”<\/p>\n

“Shall we not return also Con?” asked Dick<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think it best.”<\/p>\n

“I think as Fay that we have not a moment to lose.”<\/p>\n

“What say you ladies are you willing to return not Mrs McDonald?”<\/p>\n

“Yes let us go.”<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Joyce?”<\/p>\n

“Go.”<\/p>\n

“Miss Blanchard?”<\/p>\n

“Go I suppose since all the others wish it but I do hate to leave
\nthis beautiful little island.”<\/p>\n

Adams being urged by his lady passengers to return with the others
\nset about his preperations in a very leisurly manner. The ladies
\ncommenced gathering up their dishes and in a few minutes all was
\nbustle and confusion where but a short time before all had been
\npeace and quietude.<\/p>\n

The rattling of the plates and knives and forks gave the alarm to
\nthe herons who mingled their shrill cries with the base tones of
\nthe men and the din already created and until the time of our
\ndeparture we had a babel in minature.<\/p>\n

The passengers of the Water Witch were soon aboard and we lay
\nwaiting for the other boats and watching their passengers as they
\nhurried to and fro and called to each other in the vain effort to
\nmake themselves heard above the outcry of the herons and their own
\nnoise. At length all were ready on Adams boat and the skiff from
\nthe schooner was putting off with the last load of her passengers
\nwhen one of their number whom we perceived to be Mrs Whipple was
\nobserved to be gesticulating wildly and by her purple face and<\/p>\n

– 40 – <\/p>\n

expanded mouth we judged her to be screaming something
\nvociferously but what it was exactly we could not tell as only
\ndetached words and broken sentences came to us mingled with the
\ncries of the herons.<\/p>\n

“Shore — well I never –back –tew shelling – out – dew—”<\/p>\n

At length the boat put back to the shore and she sprang out
\nscrambled up the bank and disappeared for a few minutes. Presently
\nshe came back with the cause of her trouble which proved to be a
\npan of cold baked beans in one hand and a huge copperas colored
\numbrella in the other. In her haste to get aboard she caught her
\nfoot in some grape vine and fell headlong into the boat. Her
\numbrella and teeth went into the lake and her pan of beans was
\nemptied into the immaculate shirt bosom of the minester.<\/p>\n

“Now really,” exclaimed Smythe who had witnessed the mishap with
\nmuch interest.<\/p>\n

Her umbrella was fished out but her teeth were gone forever.<\/p>\n

Near half an hour was consumed altogether by the time all were
\naboard and ready to start.<\/p>\n

Go to Table of Contents for “Dick and I”<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This manuscript was written before 1881 by Samuel Bartow McKenney. In the transcription I’ve not changed spellings or punctuation unless I absolutely must for coherence. There were no periods in the manuscript and I have added those. My thanks to Allan McKenney for sending this along. Chapter VI No breath of air to make the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,1],"tags":[192,686],"class_list":["post-920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mckenney-family","category-uncategorized","tag-dick-and-i","tag-samuel-bartow-mckenney"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=920"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/920\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evermore.imagedjinn.com\/blg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}