Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-07-23

fore.
"Who gave me this Irvine to mend
my net WITH" said he.
IT, Father Sassa," replied Julie.
"Who gave me this good knife to cut
the Irvine, make the wooden needles,
cover my cabin with reeds, carve my
canoew .H
81, Father Sassa,"' replied Francis.
"And for that" continued the cacique,
'Sassaggari follows you wherever you
go. Sassaggari would let the sharks eat
him before hair of your heads should
be injured. Sassaggari saw the little
master and mistress struggling against
the sea; he went under the water; he
saved their she'll"
"But what is this shell, Father Sassa?"
I inquired; "and what was the M Gaming
Of all the sorceries of Zombi IA negro
fetich) which you told us yesterday
evening under the cocoa trees?"
his finger to the fragment of shells
heaped up around his hut, ''see what
remains of Sassaggari, my father, who
was the first in these lands to walk Sc
curely beneath the Deep" IN.
We observed that the shells were of
the same kind as ours.
THE white strangers chased our fa-
theirs from their home. We are not
negroes. To escape from slavery the
old Sassaggari embarked his family in
his canoe; but he would not leave
behind him the shells which
bring luck to the fisherman and
keep affair the witchcrafts of the
water. The whites suspected some
mystery. They broke the shells against
the rocks. Furious at finding nothing
but the white CLEAN Of the shells, they
pursued us--We rowed in vain. They
shot all except me, who saved myself
by swimming under the water. was
alone; the sea did not require my bones.
l have caught since then far more than
they have snapped up, the blood-suck-
ers. The rock only, besides Sassaggari,
knows the nest where they slumber.
But keep the shell OF yesterday, little
whites; when it speaks, Sassaggari will
reply. He who signs in the shells the
plants of the sea, and who paints the
sunrise on their faces, will make the
stars of heaven sink into their hearts"
So the Carib spoke. He was motion
less, his glance sweeping afar to the
verge of the horizon.
We silently left him and gained our
cool hall before the burning noon made
it intolerable without.
But these early happy days were
coming to an end. We were about to
quit this pleasant paradise for new
scenes.
We grew up. Our parents spoke of
sending Francis and me to France.
When Julie heard this she slghed-was
agitated.
One evening my father came home
from the town, and said that passage
had been taken for us on board a vessel
which would sail in two weeks.
My poor sister, the news was terrible
to her. [ think [ can see her now dur
ing those days. She would sit for hours
under great palm-tree, looking at the
deep blue sea.
Once when Francis stole up to her,
taking her hand, he said in the tender
est tones:
My lily, what is it you see there at
the bottom of the sea ?"
II see," she replied, "the white sail
of ship which bears you far away
awayp
The Count consoled them both, and,
passing his hand over the golden curls
of his boy, said: q -.sa e.EsaE5
"You love Julie very much, then"
eyes, papa; and were I never to see
her again, I would drown myself"
The day of departure came. We
babe adieu. Julie, pale as sheet, came
to us with her sh ellis.
She gave the finest to Francis, and
taking me by the hand, said:
"Jules, I give you this horrible old
shell; don't forget that found it that
evening when Francis saved my life.
Keep it in memory of your sister and
of her love for Francis" i.g IS
Six years later, during the winter Of
successful course of studies at the uni
versity of Paris, and entered aristocratic
life. 1t was the Vicompte de St. Croix.
We made our preparations to return
to Martinique. Between our de-
parture and the wedding there came
an obstacle. This obstacle was revo-
luton.
The freedom of the blacks was pro-
claimed The Count de St. Croix was
ruined. He hoped to save bis crop by
borrowing. The money was obtained
and wasted in vain efforts.
Francis rose in dignity and energy
during this trial. II will overcome this
disaster" he said. II will not be
crushed. will go to America; few
years of labor, and We shall be reunited,
and Julie will be NINE"
He left soon for Havre and for New
York. Not long after his departure his
ia Their, the old Count, arrived in Paris.
He hoped to obtain from the govern
ment some indemnity for his lost estate.
Every effort was in vain. One m orning
the poor old Count ioitered into nay
room, and, casting himself on the sofa,
exclaimed: ~. $50.
"All is lost!'
In sudden alarm I started up to re-
lieve him, and so suddenly.as to over
throw a heavy table. Owing to its con-