Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1901 — MODERN ROBINSON CRUSOES. [ARTICLE]

MODERN ROBINSON CRUSOES.

Flung Upon Rocky Island, They Make Daring Escape, Two days and nights cast away upon a little ro6k island jutting up through the turbulent waters of Deception pass, on the Pacific coast, was the unusual and unpleasant experience of John Lewis and C. F. Mitchell. Their rescue, half-famished and athirst, was j»carcely less remarkable than the accident itself. Lewis and Mitchell, both experienced sailors, were cruising among the islands of the lower sound in an open center-board sloop, about 26 feet in length. From the waters lying between Whldby Island and the mainland they attempted to pass to the open straits of Fuca through Deception pass, a most dangerous channel, even in summer weather, and at this season, in the full sweep of the winter tides, a regular maelstrom, ▲bout midway in the pass the boat was caught by a whirlpool and swept up against one of the many little rock islands. Lewis and Mitchell scrambled out on the rocks, and while looking for a place where the boat might be safely moored, a twist of water

swept the painter from their grasp and the boat went whirling down the pass toward the straits. The shores on both sides of the pass are precipitous. There are very few houses along them, and none within sight of the rock upon which the men were stranded. Steamers avoid the pass during the winter season. The situation seemed desperate. There was no fresh water on the rocks and scarcely a scrap of vegetation. After two days had passed without a sign of relief, they found a bit of driftwood on the rock, capable of supporting on the water the weight of one man. Lots were cast, and it fell to Lewis to make the desperate effort. Astride the timber, he intrusted himself to the waters, and, twisting and turning, was carried out to the straits. Outside the mouth of the pass, the man and his singular craft happen to attract the attention of the lightkeeper at Dewey. Lewis was picked up, and with the assistance of the lightkeeper and others went back and brought Mitchell from the rocks. If a lizard were a secret, by the time three women had passed it along it would be an alligator.