The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-13

Ior lew days. lou see tnat," pointing TO the
stump Of a tree about dozen yards from the
stock-ysrd and between il and the river-"the
water has reached that once, but only once during
the i've years we have been here"
BY dusk that evening the water was nearly up
to the stump and the rain was still falling steadily
However, everything was made "snug,n as
sailors say; the cows were in the stock-ysrd,
where they looked very miserable, with the water
running IN one constant stream down their sides
and tals. The sheep were IN the fold the blacks
under cover In their quarters. whence the paintive
music OF their songs reached Us at intervals
through the ceeseless pstter Of the rain; and we
two white men sat late into the night, slipping hot
cotee, smoking, and fighting stout battles with
the cards. Before going TO bed went to look at
PARIS bigh-water mark. The water was two feet
past the stump. VERY good" said Psrr. uu'
moved al the announcement, "then we have seen
the worst Of ii the water will fall tomorrow
Good night, old fellow!r
hardly know how long had slept. when, half
let (the night being hot and CLOSET nv arm feI
listlessly outside the bed towards the floor, and
into the water up to the elbow The shock was
sufficiently startling /. as the reader may imagine
was awake in an instant.
Parr." / cried, " the water ia on uslv
what :" was the sleepy rejonder
The food Wv exclaimed; the water-it IL
in the room--the floor is covered-get upl'
Parr, awake, but not perhaps fully conscious,
threw his legs out of bed, and as quickly withdrew
them with an ejaculation savorlDg somewhat Of
our English shibboleth."
Then arose yell from the blacks, and presently
splashed in:
Get up, Misser PAR! Get up quick. or ever
you get away, I'm thinking"
To strike light and hurry into our clothes was
the work OF q lew seconds, and we hastily de-
bated what was TO be done. Escape seemed i'm.
possible. The nearest high land on our side of
the creek was at least mile of, and although the
hill on the opposite side of the stream was barely
three hundred yards distant, there were no means
Of crossing the river to it. The water was rising
with frighuul rapidity. There were only two
PLANS TO adopt-to mount the roof of the barracks
and wait there till the flood subsidized, or to take
to the trees as less likely TO give way TO the cur.
rent. We luckily decided on the latter slterna.
tive. There was clump of gum trees hard by,
and to these we made our way, the water sweep
ing past us with alarming force, aud the native
women Of the party bowling with alright. These,
on reaching the friendly shelter, skipped up il
with all the promptitude practice and fear could
give them, but we Europeans were not so nmble
One Of the troopers luckily had secured ladder,
and with its help Mrs. Cassidy was perched with
two native girls in one tree, whilst Parr and my.
self occupied another. We had barely time to
secure few blankets, and such scraps OF bread
and meat as we could get together, before the
water had raised too high and the current had be.
come too strong TO venture into IL.
Our party in the trees consisted of three women,
four troopers, Parr and myself. The strength of
the detachment had fortunately been decreas
two or three days before by patrol under the
Sc rgeant. II these had been with us, our embsr.
rassment and suffering would have been still
greater. ..-....
We had not been long in our refuge when
strange sounds of agony and distress were heard
In the direction Of the stock.yard, heavy plunges,
and wild choking believing indescribably pitis-
bic TO bear. The cattle They were drowning in
the yard Tommy, fine fellow, tried to reach the
yard, in order, by lowering the slip-bars TO give
them chance, of life; but the current was 800
much for him, he could not make head against ii.
In few minutes the sound ceased the peor
brutes were all drowned; the sheep, of course.
bad gone before them.
Day broke upon leaden sky, and still the con.
slant rain. Cod. wet, hungry. cramped and
prospect Of a release from our captivity. We
built sort of platform between the forks of our
tree by topping some OF the upper branches, and
there, covered with few blankets, we buddled
together. We divided few scraps of meat and
pappy-bread, and on them made miserable and
scsnty meal. We had no fire, and could not even
enjoy the solace CT a pipe, but with lack lustre
eyes, and the apathy begotten Of cold and hunger,
gazed on the scene of desolation at our feet.
Ii was fortunate that we did not mount the roof
Of the bsrrack; il had been all but swept away.
Beneath us was an impetuous food, covered with
frotby scum of grass and sticks and leaves, with
ever and sgain the carcass Of a drowned sheep as
il was swept from the fold Several trees had
already fallen, undermined by the current. while
and thus the day dragged on its weary length till
night once more overshadowe the land.
But the dawn of the second morning showed Us,
to our indispensable delight, that the waters we're
subsidlDg. There had been fall of at least foot
during the night we plucked up new courage,
and began TO get quite cheerful. Soon after sun.
rise We heard a loud "cooey" from the other side
of the creek which was Immediately answered by
a hearty shout from Us. The cry was from a
squattef. whose house was some three miles from
us on the opposing ridge, aud who had ridden
down 10 see how we Jared.
o, how patiently we watched the subsistence of
the waters that morning At last, about noon, we
determined TO try If we could not communicate
with our friend on the opposite shore, aud man
aged TO reach the bank of the creek without acct.
dent.
"well Mr.. Parr," rosred Mr.. Waller, across the
stream, how do you geton
every badly was the reply; "tbe barracks are
washed away the sheep and the cows are all
drowned. and expect the horses 10 the paddock
are lost too. We have been in the trees for two
nights with almost nothing to eat, and are near
with cold and hunger"
Il have lost three hundred sheep,n returned
Waller but th e station is safe. You had better
cross over. and get some dry clothes and some
food"
But there was the rub +; TO cross then was out of
the question, so We disconsolately struggled back
to our trees.
But an Australian deluge falls as quickly as
IL rises. In the afternoon we went down TO
the bank Of the creek again. The stream was
still running furiously. but we determined to
try and effect a communication with the
opposite shore, where Waller and a man
were ready TO help us. Tommy selecting
9 spot where the river made convenient bend
plunged in, with a light line around his waist
and struck out for the other side. He was swept
awsy like q cork, but presently, as a favoring
EDDY washed him nearer 10, he caught at and
gra.ped an overhanging bough and, with the aid
Of Waller and his man, was safely landed.
II was now proposed that our friends should
drag Us one by one across, but this expedient had
its drawbacks. Suddenly thought struck me;
old Bid-Rloveo. play -going days in London. the
Colleen Bawn. and "Myles ma Coppeleen's Bridge''
flashed across my memory. I explained the de-
device 10 Parr and the idea was Immediately
acted on. Tommy, being directed to tree likely
10 suit ran up it, fastened one end of a rope TO
branch made loop at the other; then attaching
light line TO this extremity, flung il across to Us.
A black fellow was sent flying through the air on
an experimental trip, and landed safely; the two
native girls were then dispatched, followed by
Mrs. Cassidy, who, while in mid air, poor womsni
sent forth Irish yell which was heard far above
the roar Of the torrent and reused the sleeping
echoes OF the ravlne. Our swing bridge an-
swered admirably, and in a short time thanks to
Mr.. Bouccault we ere all on the summit Of our
little Ararat, where supplies from Walters station
slresdy awaited Us. Before an enormous FIRE we
drso1 bed nd hod 10 81,