New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-07

l A0VO o0AO tudt O0 Adu UcGu uElQkluX UOo
much; and, for the moment, was inclined
to the same opinion. But, after all, Their,
was something different in this from til,
look of drunken man, and saw that il
| reality he had never been more sober in al
his life, and that his manner was rather
owing to some disturbing mental influence
"Starboard, jerry" he said, as he threw
back his glance again. There is littl'
cove around yonder bend into which thu
boat will just fit"
Then you have been here before, Bill !
asked.
did say so 7" he retOrted. "May not 9
man guess that there is a landing place moi
far off, without having been there himself
Well, yes, Jerry" he added, after moment
during which the mOmentary heat with
which he had spoken seemed to die away
or rather to become stifed by some strong
inner effort, II was here, indeed, many a
year ago. For where will not an old sailor
at some time or other, turn up in thirty
years! Well, weil-a little to the star
| bOard-and 80 here we are!'
| Turning the projecting point the small
cove opened upon us-just about large
enough, as Bill had suggested, for our boat
to fit closely in. Resting for moment, we
caught the next swell, and 50 with one pow
erful sweep rowed in safely, jumped out
and hauled the boat up in security from
| tide or roller.
Before US in plain sight was the postoffice.
An old epar had been set up between two
! beulders, and by it hung, by a stout chain,
| the little cask. 1t was canvas bound and
| well pitched upon the outside, and at the
| top was circle of sheet iron, fitting close
and working on a stout leather hinge. The
whole hung low enough to escape, in some
measure, the tempest's blasts, yet sutii-
GENTLY raised to avoid impeachment from
tho Wi anOU Whoavor had frat
placed the apparatus in position had
arranged all things with q kindly fore
thought, for though the cask had hung
there for 80 many years that the traditions
of the oldest seaman went not to the
contrary and the chain was already half
rusted away, the whole was still firm,
and would probably do good service for an
other generation. That lie, if any service
continued to be made Of it at all. At pres.
ent it seemed falling into disuse, for there
were no letters in it. Possibly its lack of
service at that moment was q mere acct
dent. 1t is certain that we, at least, broke
the spell; and as dropped the package of
letters inside, and saw them lie white and
glistening at the bottom, wondered
whether they would ever reach their des-
tination, and if go, whether it might not be
then be dark and discOlOred, and many of
the persons for whom they were destined
be dead and gone. In fact, thought over
all those cOmmonplaces that 80 naturally
would arise upon such an occasion. Look |
ing at the many chances against any real |
benefit coming from this, it was the proper |
thing for the captain to run the risk of -
:" See here are you never coming ?" |
broke in Bill Askins. .It's roughening ND |
already, and if we do not hurry wen hardly |
get back at ALL"
I loft bo onI AL 80 io
Bill stood there, having never made more |
than the first step on shore, or turned his |
eyes away from the distant vessel. In |
silence we pushed the boat off and prepared |
to tumble IN; but before We could do so, it |
was lifted upon heavier roller than usual,
and hurried back, throwing us both sprawl
ing upon the shore. Raising ourselves, we
yazed around, taking more minute notice of
the ecene. In every direction the swell
was increasing, and the smooth surface
If the rollers broken into little caps. Even
rs we gazed, the waves increased in size
md irreg1larity, and the whole scene be-
,ame a seething, boiling mass. The sky,
which had been SO clear, except for the
Instant line of cloud, was now almost
overspread, the cloud having
worked up with startling rapidity-not
creeping up slowly, as storm will gather
n more temperate climates, but rushing
Onward, wildly and impetuously. with
aged, rifted edges, momentari)y chang
ng their figure, as though broken squad
'cns of cavalry were piunging across the
ky. 1t was no settled storm, in fact, but
sudden squat, which might last an hour,
md, on the other hand, might lead to pro-
onge0 gales. 1t had seemed to come in an
Instant, without preparation, as though it
we're train OF mischief kindled by the
hidden dropping Of a spark. At one mo-
nent we saw the gentle rolling and I'M
,roken sea, and the pure, clear sky; at the
lext only the wild frolie Of waves and the
ierce scud of angry vapor.
We g3zed half petriied into each others
aces. The situation was not pleasant
ne. The sun was already behind the dis
ant snow-tipped mountains, and the dark.
ices had commenced to fall. With that
roubled surface upon the sea, we could not
lOpe to ride it in safety were we now to
aunch the boat again. The frail shell
would not have lived two minutes outside
he point of shelter. And even had we
ope of navigating it securely, whittier now
would we go9 For, looking across the gath
ring gloom, we saw that foresail and lib
ad been set, and that the little brig was
landing out from the land, with intent to
reep away from the dangerous coast as
peedily as possible. We remained on shore
eserted
lucy Will EUu Al again tO-UitFTCW, WILL /
hey not, Bill!' l said, in a vain attempt
o re-assure myself. My face certainly ex.
ressed alright. could feel it imprinted
n every feature, and my heart seemed to
tand still. As for Bill, there was now less
f apprehension than of stOlid tortitude in
lis expression. He seemed rather like one
Who, having had forebodings of some sp.
r0aching fate, now knew that it was close
t hand, to be met as an inevitable thing,
No 4 /
ne who had nerved himself with despera-
ion for hopeless contest.
''lf it were not for me, Jerry, it might be
hey would come back and you would be
afe," he said, at last. "But being with me,
'ou see, why, Of course. You too must sui.
er. 1t was meant from the first, suppose.
from the very time of it have never been
n any ship that was likely to touch here,
nd thought that l never should. For
hirty years l have been to England and
0 the Mediterranean, but never to the
ape. But this time, even in New York,
cit the power behind driving me on, and l
ould not help it, Then thought, perhaps
70 might go outside the islands and 80
void it. And when saw the same old
bore again, just as on that morning and
card the order to beave-to, knew as we'll
8 if had been told that it had all been
rOught about for me. And, of course,
ught to be the one to suffer. But as for
on, Jerry, whatever had you done9'
"And what is all that you are talking
bout, Bill AskinsV' l exclaimed. "and
hat does it all amount to!"
"NOthing-nOthing, Jerry. 1t is ali a
ream.. Old soa dogs will talk, you know.
ome, let US make ourselves comfortable,
nee we must remain here all night, at the
asst"
There was no especial present danger,
ldeed. AS yet the nights were not SO cold
lat we could suffer, and fuel was plenty. {
here were a few old broken drift logs
ALTERED along the Shore and the long gray