The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-03-24

long wreath of smoke and steam,
rccing from side to side under skv
as bright as roonday, sutluscd with
the brllliancy of an almost tropica!
moonlight, more intensely brilliant,
perhaps, from the black cloud, that
were hurryiug toward the zcnlth, in
which the rcsplcndent moon was
soon to qucnch her light and make
that night upon the stormy gull ter
rible indeed At the first moment |
thought that had been washed
overheard, but ] was soon assured of
my temporary safety. \ wave had
washed high over the side of the vcs-
sci in which | had slept, tearing
away part OF the upper deck, cabin,
and whole row OF state-rooms, and
passed away without further damage.
] extricated m>self from the wat~ry
runs, and managed to get bclow
near the furnace fires, where | oincd
the gang of terrified up-river negroes
and assisted the captain in establish
ing some order and keeping them at
their work. Fortunately there were
no other passengers on board, and
the pilot house had escaped disas-
ter, and after plunging, rolling, and
>huddering through the darkness OF IA
guIi-storm we were enabled tOgct shell
ter in little bay which we cspied
close at hand when the gloomy day
broke upon us.
The damage 10 the vessel was but
superficial, as she was staunch and
strong; but to me il was total ruin.
1t had carried away all my little
earnings of three years, and ! had
even To borrow a suit of clothes,
piecemeal, from the captain and the
pilot, which might be called shabby
nautical; besides my face was scratch
ed pretty well, one of my eyes had
received severe confusion in the dis
astcr, and thus | had added to the
charms of my costume the aspect of
an unsuccessful prize fighter. | did
not notice these particulars at the.
time, for was only too happy to cs-s
cape with my life; but had occasion
to notice them some days after
Well, we put into the little bay, and
there we remllned until the storm
blew over 1t was while we were "
ING in this land-lockcd sanctuary that
| unfolded my whole story TO the
captain OF the steamer. He listened
attentivley to it, without interruption,
for he was slow and sluggish man
of few words, and finally turning to
me said:
i am just as sure as we are settin' /
here now, that can put you right !
whar your brother is
Then with the gravest face that !
ever mortal man assumed Ia this /
world, he turned To the cook of the F.,
steamer, who was waiting for orders, !
and said:
Charles Henry, reckon YOU that T.
can't put this gentleman whar his F.
brother is:'
And Charles Henry with equal
replied:
Il reckon, Massa Phil, as YOU kin !
putin dar, or putin no whar, sure's +.
you is born
| must say that Charles Henry's |
confidence in the abili y of Captain
Phil. to carry me to the object of all
my life long hopes did not strengthen
my own faith. All, as before, seem
Ell vague, visionary, unsubstantial.
On the third day we steamed toward |
and when we reached the !
wharves Of that city felt that | was
farther from the end Of the Journey
than when had begunit.
Now, in what a plight was ! to Wis
it the prisons of Mobile in search of
my brother: The truth is ] WAS 50
fully discouraged that gave it up.
And there was, without money, al |
most without friends, and in such a
forlorn condition that even the dogs !
would bark at me as they would at
any other bcggar. The captain in.
formed me that the next day he would |
put up the river for Montgomery.
If you will 20 with me- he said,
Iii show you where you'll find your
brother"
(Conttnated meet veeh.)