The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-04

4 brute r. Gried habG.
| But, Kate, 1t would be such o COM
fort If I've got to die, I'd rather not
know It'll can't stand things as you do
my nerves are giving way-I was never
strong, from q chiid-feel my hand, how
1t trembles /" said the young man, in
piteous tones.
But Kate flung the hand away 'tDare
| you deliberately intoxicate yourself at
such a time, Alleyne Forsythe? Dare
you leave me for that brute p
| "Come on, old boyl' shouted Mr..
Vanderheyden from the stern; 'nere's
whisky too" And Alleyne went.
Nathan was absorbed in Pearl, but
we could hear the clash of breaking
bottles and the increasing noise from
the stern.
"Ths Is dreadful - said Mary Rath-
bone, that wine must go overheard; Mr..
Day, Mr.. Ronalds, something must be
DONE" She spoke so earnestly that the
two followed her advice, and going to
the dangerous element Of our little
feast. AS they came back, Alleyne For
sythe followed them. 20 Kate " he
said, sinking down by her side, "why
did I ever come West? 0 Kate
what shall we do2 o Kate, we
have got to die! o Kate, my heart Is
broken and he wept copiously, while
his broad shoulders shook with sobs.
Kate rose Indignantly and crossed to
the other side; he did not notice her
absence, but continued to sob and cry,
lamenting his unhappy fate in maudlin
jeloquence.
"Island ahead" shouted Frank. who
had resumed his place ut the bow.
Nathan sprang up, and in another mo-
ment shock told us that we had struck
o rock.
- \ \ 81
sufficiently to enable us to see our posi-
ton. The tug lay tilted sideways on
reef, at little distance from q small
island; the current swept rapidly
by, and every instant we expected to
feel her slipping down into the tide
again. We all held our breath in sus.
pense; we knew not what to say or do.
"rhere ia but one hope" said Nathan
Day, after q prolonged survey of our
lsituation lone Of us must swim ashore
with q rope and fasten the boat Sc
curely."
whoever tries it will be Il dead man."
said Frank Ronalds, looking over into
the seething water.
But Pearl bad heard Nathan's words.
Go, gol" she cried frantically, selling
him by the arm. Garry the rope
ashore, let yourself down, jump over,
swim, anything, only save me, save
mel"
Il will save you, Pearl, never fear"
said Nathan, taking off his coat.
"Mr. Day, you shall not got" cried
Kate, impetuously. "Itis certain death.
Pearl Brandegee, you are d selfish,
heartless girl. end always knew it,"
"Go, CO." said Pearl, unheeding these
sharp words; "you can swim well, [
know you can. Where is the small
rope? Frank Ronalds, where is the rope,
I say? Why do you hang back? Give
it to me. Here, Nathan, take it and
"Mr. Day." said Mary Rathbone, with
the sound of tears in her voice, ''do not
lgo, beseech you'll"
He grasped her hand warmly.
II must go. Here is q flask saved,
take 1t and use 1t at your judgment, they
may all need it." he said. Then, turn
ing to Pearl: Have you nothing to say
to me before I go?" he asked, wistfully;
Don't step over this sidep' shrieked
Pearl ;7"you will drown US all with your
nonsense. Don't waste an instant, but
lump oyer as quick as you can. 1t is
the only reparation you can make for
having brought me here. Go, / tell
you! Frank Ronalds, if he hesitates,
throw him over"
But, with these words ringing in his
ears, Nathan Day had plunged into the
water, and was battling with the fierce
current With throbbing hearts, we
watched him. The strong wind had
blown the fog away, and we could
see him in the moonlight; now he sunk,
now he rose again, now he drifted down,
now he advanced. 1t was q hard strug-
gle, more than once apparently hope
less; but at last he reached the shore,
and sunk exhausted on the rocks.
''He Is dead !" cried Kate.
Mary Rathbone's lips moved in
prayer, but Pearl screamed wildly:
lie is not dead Wicked, selfish
man. why do you lie there, instead OF
drawing in the rOpe?'
At this reproach Nathan arose, and,
throwing down the small coil he had
carried ashore, began to draw on the
heavy rope which Frank threw over the
boats side. A few minutes hard work,
and tho cable was landed and made fast
to the rocks and trees.
''You are safe ~ shouted Nathan, wa-
wing his hand.
"Wo are sinking!" cried Frank, at
the same instant.
It was only too true; the tug was
slipping slowly down the reef, and set
Ting in the deeper water.
1--WE are sinking" shrieked Pearl,
climbing up on the side. Nathan,
/. Nathan. come back and carry ne
ashore!"
"Our only resource is TO climb up on
the roof" said Mary Rathbone, de-
cidedly, pointing to the wooden awning
over our heads.
Pearl was screaming wildly; Alleyne
Forsythe was sobbing aloud; Mr.. Van
, derheyden was asleep; his wife still
sat with her face hidden; while K ate
, and I paralyzed with terror, stood
locked In each others arms. It seemed
a hopeless task, but Mary Rathbone
undertook it.
, Frank Ronalds, climb up and be
ready to help Miss Jane she said, is,
suing her orders in clear, collected
| voice. "Now, Miss Jane, step up here
support yourself by my shoulder.
, There-steady now---one more effort,
and you are safe"
, ! reached the roof-how I know rot,
! but in another moment Kate had joined