American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-06-03

chanical throwing over of lines, and
without cessation of motion, haul
ing them in. Burnett had c tank in tn,
yacht, into which the fish were thrown
as soon as caught, and this tank, capa
Bile of holding several hundred weight
was filed within an hour.
"Now, Burnett" said Ralph Austin
after they had eaten dinner, sit is noon
With this wind it will take us four hour.
to get back, and, as Miss Belle has vir
tually made me your guardian, I pro
| pose we RETURN
sAii right, Ralph; but on one condi
tion."
"What is that"
"That we stop at Dupres Bar, about
three miles out of the course, and ge
some oysters. Duprez Bar is the place
where the aristocratie oysters do mos
cohgreeates
81 am agreed, Burnett" And, te
show he was anxious to be under way,
Ralph drew up the anchor, and in few
Minutes they were out of the pass and
sailing up the bay.
The wind had nearly died out when
they reached Dupres Bcr, md the sun
grew eccrching hot; away to the south
west tine sky became overcast, and soon
the black rim of clouds spread to the
south and east.
"We are going to have = gale,
Ralph" said Burnett, looking anxious
ly ae the unmistakable Indications.
Ralph, who was not so familiar with
the weather signs, asked:
"Do you think it will come on hefets
we reach shorea"
NJ hope not; but 1 do not like the
looks of the sky" replied Burnett,
pointing to the copper-colored dome
above them, then hurriedly taking a
reef in his sail.
Ralph was surprised at this precau-
ton, there was not the faintest
breeze moving to break the >mirror-like
expanse Of the bay. =
"if It comes on by degrees we can
make the bayou without trouble, but if
the storm comes in its USUAL way we
must make tof the beach below the
honsen
"But why not for the bayou, no mat
ter how the wind blowsp"
because the tide has turned, and at
lew water we can not get over the bar
at the mouth of the bayou. Should the
sea rise, it would be more difffcult-in-
deed, impossible. But there is no dam
ger, Ralph;- bless you, I've .beached
the yacht ssofs of times without
hafn.." rs-- s -
While they were speaking, the great
curtain of clouds rolled up, as if it were
unfolding its inky drapery as it moved,
and blotted out the sun. Then came a
few puffs of hot wind like the breath of
a glowing furnace. The water felt these
evidences of a gale and
trembled. A few minutes and the puffs
increased till they became a continuous
gale of hot wind that increased in
power each second. ssrs ~
OF course the yacht was headed for
shore the moment there was breeze
enough to fill her sail, and then, hold
ing the tiller, Burnett looked back every
few seconds to the white line of foam
that came nearer with frightful rapidity.
1t was well that he reefed the sail, for
now the yacht was fairly leaping through
the water, and the groaning mast bent
like reed. s
care you making for the bayou, Bur-
p'' e
Eyes, Z, think we can get over the
bar" -
Burnett's handsome face was now
very pale, and for him, very stern.
Quicker than the flying yacht the wind
followed with ever-increasing fury, till
he whiteline of foam came up, envel-
,ped them, and then went roaring to-
ward the shore.
So fierce was the wind now, that it cut
off the SUBMITS of the waves, appearing
% lift the masses of water up and dash
hem over the yacht, drenching its &C.
,upants and threatening to swamp it.
They were near the bar, about which
he tide and the wind seemed engaged
n a fierce struggle, for between the OPP
posing forces great columns of green
water were shot into the air and fell in
masses of foam.
1t was too late to attempt to make |
he shore; there was nothing left for it
out to keep straight on. The wind,
hat seemed to have exerted all possible |
strength, at this time showed its terrific !
power in reserve, for, as the yacht |
orce on that spot.
The sail flew away in ragged ribbons,
md the yacht seemed to be lifted from |
he water, was dashed to atoms on the
'ar, and Ralph Austin and his friend
we're left struggling in the maelstrom.
The moment Belle Delmar saw the
igns of the coming tornado, she order
ID two horses saddled, and, filed with
4nxiety, she and Alice rode rapidly
lown to the bayou. Dismounting,t they
litched their horses and ran to the
hore, on which the waves were now
with great fury.
"There comes the yacht. They are
leading for the bayou! Oh, if L could
ell them they can not pass the bari"
Belle, wringing her hands,
nd looking towards the yacht, which
very few seconds seemed plunging for
yer out of sight.
Can we help them?" asked Alice, in
whisper.