Snake Soup

Snake Soup by Elizabeth Robinson

There once lived on an island, called North Manitou, in the blue water of lake Michigan, a family of three, known as the Hueys’. They being my grandparents and mother who were not poor or wealthy, just made a medium living. My grandfather, or Pat as he was known, was about 6 feet tall. Grandma, or Nellie, was heavyset but tall so she didn't show her weight. My mother, whose name was Monona, but called Ona for short, was a young girl of 16. The three were living in a three room tent on the northwest end of the island. The tent had a wood floor with gray carpets which had a partition in the center, making two rooms. In the small bedroom there were two beds and a dresser. In the other part was a small sitting room with a couple rocking chairs, a table, also an old Edison phonograph which,

Was a high possession of my mother’s. The culinary was built close to the tent with a board roof and sides of canvas which held a range, table and three kitchen chairs. This place was called Cresent which was a small village. Lumbering was its chief occupation. The family who lived on the nearby farms were Swedes and were the Swansons. They had two children but only one was home who was a boy, Enous. he never went to school until he was nine but he made three grades in one term.

The small village of Cresent contained two stores one on the East End, one also on the West. There were two post offices but the mail came to the East End from Leland then was brought over to Crescent. On the East End of island was a lighthouse.

The two families lived happily together and soon became close neighbors. Each night after a hard day's work in school Ona and Enous would

go skiing or do something. After the work was done they would study for next day's lesson together. They soon became good pals though he was only nine. Just as the children became friends the parents did too. I suppose you are wondering what they did for a living.

Swanson, or Peter, and Pat bought a boat for fishing. on the boat deck was a one roomed cabin which was used for shelter from the hot summer sun or storms. Each day they would go out and set the nets and come back to the island. One day early in the morning they went out to look around. That evening they took the nets out at six o'clock. After they had set the nets they started back to shore but couldn't reach because of smoke a fog that covered the water. The compass wouldn't work, it just stood still, so they were left on the water without knowing which way to turn. the motor ran until the gas was all used up, then they were left

afloat.

In the meantime at the island the whole village we're all worried looking for them but they not a sign of them yet at twelve that night. . Many of people built huge bonfires to help the lighthouse keeper The sawmill blew the whistle for hours but this did no good for the wind just blew it the other way. My mother was in much distress and feeling very melancholy. The whole city was aroused wondering what would happen next. The newspaper were filled of the great disaster. All that night the shores were crowded with people coming and going even to my mother's pet cat. Finally everything became silent around the village of Cresent; All the people went home until morning.

What was happening on the water? The boat was still sliding calmly across the silent water. On the bow of the boat sat Peter, sing an old Swedish

ballad to keep up his courage. While in the cab sat Pat and his wife and tranquil. While on a bench slept the boy in the nocturnal darkness. Through the dark night nothing happened or was heard except for the low humming of Swanson's songs. When it was light enough to see, a dim reflection showed through the heavy, smokey clouds.

While they were on the water, the life saving station on the east side was sending out life boats, but it was no use. The boats went out three miles but could find no trace of them. All the first night they worked and labored to find them, but still there they didn't come. They blew the whistle, rang bells, built bonfires, but nothing came out of it. Three melancholy days passed, still no sign of the “Hurry Back”. On the second day a storm came up, one of the worst storms of

that year. All the large ships came on the east side of the island to be sheltered by the land. It swept off a whole deck board of lumber from the big ships. These days were like a thunderstorm in the hearts of these two women. Mrs. Swanson tried to get Ona to come and stay with her at night but she wouldn't.

“But, Ona, You can't stay there alone in that tent,” pleaded Mrs. Swanson.

“I am not going to stay with you either, I want to be alone with my troubles.” Exclaimed Ona.

It was very hard to stay with Mrs. Swanson because she was so superstitious, believing they were dead. Such as wearing black dresses and veils.

In the meantime, the “Hurry Back” had floated along without any great harm befalling it. It soon became unbearable for them without food or water.

Mr. Swanson and the rest nearly lost their courage. Swanson still sat on the bow singing his old ballads. On the third day about dusk the boat began to rock. The boat would strike one stone, slide off, strike another. It sounded like the old Irish washwoman on wash day. Everyone was on their feet looking here and there wondering what would happen next. Swanson was the first on the deck with the rest tagging after him. Like the mother cat and the kittens.

“By sake to creast I’m goin ova board,” exclaimed Peter disappearing into the nocturnal darkness with the bowling. “By Jesus creast, there's land anyhow.” pulling the boat ashore so the rest wouldn't have to get their feet so wet. When it became light enough, they all explored the land they had found. All they found was and old, dilapidated

shack which was ready to fall down any minute. Between the four, they could only find a half a match which happened to be the good end. My grandfather told afterwards “if I ever prayed, it was then to have that match burn” Hunger was becoming more unbearable for them but Enos never said a word about being hungry. While the three were sitting by the fire, Swanson was out looking around some more. He came back with a snake that he had killed and cleaned. Nellie went to the boat which was onshore now for the pale. After getting some lake water, they put the snake in and cooked him until it was done or tender. When it was done, they ate broth which tasted very flat because they had no seasoning for it.”

After things were going fine, Pat said he was going

to find something for them to eat. He followed the shore around, I might say two miles, until he came to a little settlement. There was not a person to be seen around. The only person that could be found was a 12 year old girl- all the rest of the settlement had gone to some celebration. She gave him some apples and bread. He also found out that it was Washington Island on the Wisconsin shore. Pat thanked her in his Swedish way and started back the way he had come. By the time he had arrived at the small camp, Pat was unconscious and the shoes had dropped off Pat’s feet. It took all they could do to bring Pat too.

While they were in great distress, the Lifesaving Station of Plum Island saw the bonfire over on Washington Island.

Just before they sent the captain over, this is what you might have heard.

“I don't see any sense in going over there, it's probably some more of those hunters and their fires,” exclaimed the captain.

“Well, I don't care what you say. I think they are in need,” continue the Lifesaving Station Keeper. “I am going anyway.”

“if that's the way you feel, we will all go,” said the captain.

When the lifeboat reached the island, the keeper was satisfied and overjoyed that he had come. He stayed while the crew went back after the yacht. When they reached Plum Island, they fed my grandfather a little milk and a little bread until he came to his senses. When they all had come to themselves enough, they found out from the captain that they had gone through “Death’s Door.”

This place was a very rocky throughway which no large ship could go without an experienced pilot. They sent word to North Manitou that they were safe.

In the meantime, while they had been on Washington Island, Ona had not given up on her hopes of seeing them again. Mrs. Swanson gave up all hopes. Every night after mother had gone to bed, The dog and cat would settle themselves. One of the men from the mill took turns in watching the tent so nothing would happen to her. When the news reached the city that they were safe, the bells rang and the whistles blew.

Pat Was still ill from the lack of food so they had to take the long way home. It was a week before they reached the manitou harbor. All the people ran to the sure to welcome them home. Mother said that this was the happiest moment of her life. I think it

would have been too. But the only remaining people of the terrible tragedy are mother and Enous who now live in Traverse City.

The End