Litchfield enquirer., 1876-05-04


 house,
 "But why not for the bayou, no matter how the wind blowsT
 Because the tide has turned, and at low water we cannot get over the bar at the mouth of the bayou. Should the sea rise, it would be more dificult-indeed impossible. But there is no danger Ralph; bless you, I've beached the yachta score of times without harm"
 While they were speaking, the great curtain of clouds rolled up, asif it were unfolding its inky drapery as it moved, and plotted out the sun. Then came 8 few puffs of hot wind like the breath of glowing furnace. The water felt these premonitory evidences of the gale and trembled. A few minutes and the puffs increased till they became continuous gale of hot wind that increased in power each second.
 Of course the yacht was headed for shore the moment there was breeze enough to fill her sail, and then, holding the tiller, Burnett looked back every  that came nearer with frightful .rapidity.
 It was we'll that he reefed the sail, for now the yacht was fairly leaping through the water, and the grooming mast bent like reed.
 Are you making for the bayou, Bur- nett%
 "Yes, think We can get over the bar"
 Burnett's handsome face was how very pale, and for him, very stern. Quicker than the flying yacht the wind followed with ever-increasing fury, till the white line of foam came up, enveloped them, and then went roaring toward the shore.
 So fierce was the wind now, that it cut of the summits of the waves, appearing to lift the masses of water up and dash them over the yacht, drenching it's occu- pants and threatening to swamp it.
 They were near the bar, about which the tide and the wind seemed engaged in aferce struggle, for between the oppos- ing forces great columns of green water were shot into the air and fell in masses of foam.
 It was too late to attempt to make the shore; there was nothing left for it but to keep straight on. The wind, that seemed to have exerted all possible strength, at this time showed its terrific power in reserve, for,as the yacht reached ,.,;f 1o1 that spot.
 The sail flew away in ragged ribbons, and the yacht seeming to be lifted from the water, was dashed to atoms on the bar, and Ralph Austin and his friend were left struggling in the malestrom.
 The moment Belle Delmar saw the signs of the coming tornado, she ordered two horses saddled, and, filled with anx- iety, she and Alice rode rapidly down to the bayou. Dismounting, they hitched their horses and ran to the shore, on which the waves were now breaking with great fury.
 "There comes the, yacht. They are heading for the bayou! Oh, if I could tell them they cannot pass the bar!" ex- claimed Belle, wringing her hands, and looking towards the yacht, which every few seconds seemed plunging for ever out of sight.
 "Can we help them" ?" asked Alice, in whisper.
 "No; how can we? See, they are near the bar They are on it, and"
 Belle Delmar finished the sentence with cry of agony. The yacht had dis appeared!
 Near by was a little pleasure boat which she had often rowed herself. The oars were init, and. the moment her eyes rested on it, she bounded forward, cast It loose, and, to the horror of her compan- ion, she piled her oars and dashed for the bar.
 Crazed with alarm though Alice Mor- not was she could not but reason on the folly of this mad act. She watched the shell of boat as it rose and fell, and still sped forward, urged by the ceaseless strokes of the rower; she watched 1t till, llhc tue ydcui, IL was lOSG HlQ l4c IudQ- dened waters oh the bar. Seconds passed-seconds that seemed ages of agony-and Alice Morton, with clasped hands, fell on her knees, still straining her gaze toward the place where the yacht had gone down and the boat disappeared. .t...
 She leaped to her feet. She could not believe her eyes. There was the boat, with Belle at the oars, and she was pull ing for land, and there were two droop- ing figures in the stern. .-.... Into the bayou the boat shot, and Belle, springing out, called:
 "Away for the carriage and aid Alice 7"
 Alice mounted and galloped for the house. She soon returned with the car riage and two servants, laden with dry clothes and restoratives, By this time the young men snatched from the jaws of death, were restored to consciousness, and could not believe their senses when they looked up at their beautiful attendants. Details at the close of a narrative are useless. Ralph and Burnett were taken home, and in few hours were them. selves again.
 heard the story from Mrs. Austin's husband, who told me with pride how she had saved him and her brother, and so won the name of "The Heroine of Matagorda." " @ z- IT,.