Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-19

nuu yOAAiuS uo VAo OVP Va NY 'V'o0i
closely folio wed by Harry.
Delivering our fire in rapid success
sion, and taking advantage of the
smoke and confusion, we dismounted,
made bold push for the dingy, and
the next instant l had sent the light
shallop whirling out into the stream.
The breeze was strong and fair, coming
in gusts from the midst of the frowning
storm-cloud, and, stepping the mast, l
hauled aft the sheet, taking the helm,
while Harry, pale and painting, laid
down in the bottom of the boat by my
direction.
"A wild, unearthly shout came ring
ing out in the titful breeze. and, glanc-
ing astern, to my dismay, beheld a
long, weatherly boat filled with ma
tives, who were in close communica
tion with the gang ashore. They were
soon made to understand the true state
of affairs, as, with a yell of vengeance,
the oars were manned on either side,
and, with the foam boiling and bub-
bling about the bows, they gave chase
with an earnestness that meant bust
ness. But | was on my native clement
again, my confidence was renewed, |
felt more at home, and with every mo-
ment Harry was recovering his vitality.
He reloaded the guns, keeping an eye
on the horsemen, who, balked Of their
prey, gallope@ along the bank, bowling
and yelling like so many fiends, but
wisely keeping out of harms way. They
had received a sufficient dose, their
ardor had been damped, and, while they
burned for revenge, and, itched to test
the keenness of their knives on our
throats, they were willing that their
friends should pull the chestnuts out of
the fire for them.
The dingy, with sail almost sub
merged, was flying through the water
at a rapid pace, but the tleet-boat astern,
urged on by the united strength of tif-
teen men, gained perceptibly upon our
sail boat.
4 was compelled to watch the boat,
the channel, and the strong squalls of
wind, and with tiler in one hand and
sheet in the other, my mind was fully
occupied. A mistake, an accident, no
matter how insignificant, and our lives
would pay the forfeit Showers of spray,
with an occasional miniature sea, would
fly over the boat as we dashed through
the Whirling, eddying foam, aud Harry
would have to lay aside his Gouhlebar.
rel at intervals to bail out the flying
craft
'An occasional volIey from the land
party would whistle and zip about our
ears, and, before return shot could be
given them, the cowardly sliunks would
retreat under cover of the bank lined
with grass, TO the intense disgust of the
MILDLY. | had been hit in the arm, not
seriously, but the pain was excessive,
and my temper was by no means i'm
proved by the fact The sails of the
dingy were perforated with holes, and
an ugly splinter was apparent in the
slender mast, but there was no time or
opportunity to repair damages.
The channel now took an abrupt
turn to the right, and | knew we were
but a short distance from The Rio Grande.
The creek was white with foam, and the
riffs Of spray We're dashing high above
the snnken rocks.
Look out" mnttered Harry, the
boat aStern is within range, and they
have leveled their cursed escopetts.'
The report of the firearms were lost
in q rattllng pea! of thunder, preceded
by vivid flash OF lightning. A squall
of wind and rain swept over MS, COM
pei!iug me to let fly the sheet, and in
an instant the canvas, torn and tattered,
was streaming ont to leeward, the sails
useless and ruined-tor use, at least.
'We.were now in a species Of rapids,
where the torrent boiled along at fu-
Tlons speed. There was DO occasion for
canvas to accelerate our pace, and the
waters, lashed to fury, roared and min
Sed with the crash Of thunder, and the
sharp Kissing Of the descending rain.
The smooth sides of granite rocks
were on either side, half concealed by
flying foam and binding spray, ana the
face Of my companion turned a shade !
paler in the devilish glare of the light
ming as he noted the peril we were in.
But we had escaped the death which
surely waited us astern A quick glance
over my shoulder assured me of that
fact. The Mexicans, appalled, by the