The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-04-07
that can only be witnessed on the Mis-

! oloSlPPA'
But above the noise and confusion
she heard the loud, angry voice of tn
captain. Il say, sir, what right hav
you 10 dictate to me how many bales 0
cotton I must carry on my own boat
I'm the owner of it, sir, and know m,
own business. Just attend to you
own. and let me alone, will you?"
II certainly shall do that" Mr.
Seymour's voice answered, "by gettin!
off here with my friends, and waiting
for safer boat to take us to New
Orleans"
Mrs. Fairstone heard the voice of hel
husband calling her at that moment
She found him lying on the sofa, suffer
ing from one of the sudden attacks O
pain which accompanied his disease
Mr.. Seymour hurried into the cabir
during the paroxysm.
1--WE had better land here, Fairstone,
be said; THAT obstinate captain is tax
ing in more freight than his boat car
carry. Boats are passing all the time
and we'll take another and get to New
: Orleans by daylight"
Its impossible" family said the sicl
man. 1T would kill me to move me
now. Leave me, if you feel uneasy
we'll only be separated for few hours
and I wish you'd persuade Alice tc
20 with you. She's really anxious and
nervous; though, really, l don't believe
there's bit of danger"
Mr.. Seymour laughed at the express
sion of Mrs. Fairstone's face at this pro-
posal to desert her husband.
"That settles the matter" he said.
eff you can't or won't move, l certainly
will not leave you. My anxiety was
only on your account, and dare say
I've exaggerated matters"
A half hour later he said: "Well, I'll
20 out and see how we are running"
Outside the cabin he met Ben. Were
shipping water at great rate, Ben,' "
he said. land running very heavily. !
can tell it by the motion Of the boat. ,
"Yes, SIR" answered Ben; "we're
down SO low in the water that when we
meet the large boats, their waves sweep
over that lower tier OF cotton. Its
getting pretty well soaked, and very
heavy. The truth is, the boat is un-
manageable in this rough water with
such load, and we can't run at all
when we meet the large packets"
"Iknew thai" Mr.. Seymour answered
"I'm not uneasy for myself, for I've too
often been in perilous straits, but that
helpless couple in the cabin make me
very anxious. Are you at the wheel
during the first watch?"
Eyes, sir. Mr.. Seymour, you We been
n kind friend to me, and don't mind
telling you that Charlie Fry, who takes
the wheel after me, isn't fit for duty to-
night. He was drunk all day yesterday,
you know, and he's drinking yet. / told
the captain so, but he cursed me, and
Uold me that drunk or sober, Fry should
take his spell, and if the boat should
come to harm he'd shoot him"
"As if that would help us! But the
drunken brute, of course, has no reason
in him. What is to be done?"
"All can do." Ben answered, "is to
stay in the pilot-house while Fry is at
the wheel. He's very quarrelsome, but
I'll stand it, for I might do some good
should any accident occur. I'll try and
get him to keep the boat well in shore. >
! ."My boy" said Mr.. Seymour. laying
his hand on Ben's shoulder, if you'll
bring this boat safely to port, I'll
| give
you'll give me nothing for doing my
duty" Ben answered, with his frank,
bright smile; "nothing g at least but what
you have already given me-kipd words
! and confidence. Nothing in the world
NAV happen. but I will be well for you
to be prepared. Don't be afraid that l
won't give you swift warning in case of
an accident. You'd better lie down and
get some sleep"
| Lie down Mr.. Seymour did, without
undressing himself, but to sleep was
! impossible. The boat was crowded
with passengers, mostly gay young peo-
pie, who only spoke of danger to laugh
and jest at it. They had no serious
fears that anything could occur in the
few hours which must intervene before
they landed in New Orleans.
Midnight came, and the, gay party
proposed sitting up until the boat
reached the city. "lt will be there at
four o'clock" said one OF them, " and it
is nearly one o'clock now"
Mr.. Seymour, lying there, heard two
contrasting sounds. Inside the music,
! laughter and light jests. Outside the
wind was blowing hard, and he could
feel the boat stagger as it met the waves.
All was light and blind security within,
but darkness and danger seemed to his
excited fancy to surround them with a
relentless wall.
There was jar, so slight that it did
not disturb his reverie, but he heard a
step pass hastily down the cabin, and
Ben's voice.
Gentlemen, the boat is sinking!
Save the ladies!"
| Mr.. Seymour was on his feet in a
second and out in the cabin.
Il was coming for you,"' Ben said,
in calm voice. " Fry ran the boat on
snag, but got her as near shore as
possible. Take Mr.. Fairstone-I'll do
my best for his wife"
Through the shrieking women and
terrified men they made their way to
the sick mans stateroom. He was al
ready up, and leaning on his wife's
shoulder, but both of them were cool
and self-possessed in this hour of peril.
Trust yourself to me, dear old tel-
lowm Mr.. Seymour cried, taking his
arm. your wife is in the best of
hands,"
The water was foot deep in the
cabin as they waded through. There
was not minute to lose, for the heavy
boat was sinking rapidly. When they
reached the guards, the cotton was
afoat, and a shrieking, surging mass of
humanity was struggling among it.
ITO the left sidem shouted Ben,
dragging Mrs. Fairstone after him.
"There's too many people here. They'll
drag US down as soon as we get in the
water"
The left guard, furthest from the
shore, was comparatively deserted.
"Now, ma'am," cried Ben, "step
right here and lay your hands on this
bale that's floating. Don't be afr"id.
and try to get on it, or you'll upset. I'll
hold you on, and we'll push off clear
of the boat. Are you there, Mr.. Sey-
mour?"
Gall ready" came through the IL I k
ness, and Mrs. Fairstone found hers ell
in the river with only hec head and
hands above water, but supported by Il
strong grasp. She clenched her hands
IN the floating bale, which was now
moving rapidly down stream.
It was starlight night, and they
could see the river filled with cotton
bales with people clinging to them, and
hear dreadful shrieks as some poor
wretches lost their hold and went down
in the black depths.
"Don't give up, ma'am," said Ben,
with not a quaver in his CHEEKY voice, as
Mrs. Fairstone groaned aloud.
"My poor husbandm she said, family
Hes as safe with Mr.. Seymour as he
can be. WHY, ma'am, Mr.. Seymour