About 45 minutes later the sun had set and the trail was non-existent to my sight. I knew by now I was deep into the Maine woods. It was miles between roads and no homes around except by the main road far away. I had some knowledge of the area and that there was a river somewhere out there in the dark. I had no flashlight, as it was illegal to have one while hunting. I could not see a compass, but didn't have it with me anyway.
On top of the situation it began to snow, the type that makes noise so that distant sounds are muffled at best. There was no noise to take a bearing on. I could just barely see the tops of the trees along the sky-line and used that to at least follow in a straight line. I follow these till I could make out the river. By now I could not tell which way was up or down stream.
It was at this time I caught sight of something in the air away in the distance. It appeared then disappeared in a cycling motion. It dawned on me that it was the Airport beacon in the next town. From the light in the distance I could see enough to work my way down stream to the area that I had entered the woods.
I will never forget that time the Maine woods. I have also been able to apply this to my Christian walk as a witness to many of the people I have met. Just as the airport beacon helped me from the wild Maine woods, so can the light from the Saviour save you from the wilderness of the world. I was as lost spiritually and physically back then, I am quite different today.
- William F. Ewell St. Albans, Maine
