How my heart swelled with joy when I heard the Michigan's whistle and
saw the steamer nearing the dock. Mr. Crane's people were sad to have
them go, but all was ready, good-byes were said and again the old
familiar sound of "all aboard" was heard. We stepped upon the
gang-plank. Jane met us with her pleasant greetings, lines were cast
off, our boat was moving, we steamed out upon the waters of Lake Erie
with many blocks of floating ice about us, and the sea gulls were again
soaring high above us, uttering their shrill cries, as if they, too,
were glad to have the spring time come. We reached Cleveland, where
several families took passage for the island, some of whom were our
boarders of the year before. At Detroit more came on board. Among the
rest Mr. and Mrs. Loaney. They had been to Toronto, Canada, for the
winter. There were many fishermen returning to the island on this first
trip. More would follow later. The weather was fair. Our steamer had
been repaired since that terrible trip in December.
The Captain said to me, "Little girl did you get lots of patience this
winter?" At first I could not remember what he meant. Then it flashed
through my mind and I answered, "Yes sir." He said, "Well child, I told
you this old steamboat would carry you home and now you will soon be
there." Jane was glad to see us all again, the tears ran down her face
when I told her how homesick I was and what a comfort my Jane had been
to me. It was pleasant enough for us to be on deck after we left
Detroit. We stopped at almost every port. Lake Huron was calm and quiet
this time with just a ripple on Saginaw Bay, but we could feel the
motion of big swells, which sent many to their state rooms.