St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-02-21

AAO4C pC1AOuS IAdA SS4AJ W. AAtsN~ y
for we became aware OF
fearful peril hitherto. in the excitement
of the occasion, overlooked by us all.
The tide was rising rapidly, and would
without doubt, engulf us. 30
tightly were we bound that struggling
was unavailable, and only rendered us
more miserable. On and on came the
waters, until now and again a large
wave would actually touch our feet.
Oh, horror! who but ourselves can
imagine the the torture OF watching
those relentless waves which were to
drown us, slowly, surely! Miles away
from any ''track. we were
not likely to be heard by
man. The birds seemed to mock
our misery as they gaily flew over our
heads, chattering to each other and en-
ioying the liberty for which we would
have given all we possessed. Shouting
was evidently useless. Yet we shouted,
screamed, yelled frantically. | think l
was somewhat the calmest and tried to
console and soothe the others with the
thought that the water might not rise
sufficiently high to overwhelm us entire
", but being considerably taller than
my companions in distress, they recelY-
ed this suggestion as a sort OF CHASTITY
Joke and laughed bitter laugh. Water
all around us rising, still rising! 1t was
but too evident that our worst fears
were soon to be realized. With one
thought of the dear old home in Eng
land, with all my beloved relatives
wondering some day why did not re-
turn or at least write; one prayer to my
God and / gave up all hope-but-hush!
what do we hear! human voices, sing
ingP Is it delirium? No. 1t comes
nearer and nearer. Oh, joy! boat IS
rounding the small promontory to our
right, and we distinctly hear the voices
of several young men singing. We
shout once more. They evidently see
us, but do not appear to understand
our position, Help! we cry again, and
are answered. They quickly arrived
and help to free us from our bonds.
Instinctively we throw ourselves
down on our knees and thank Almighty
God for SO remarkable a deliverance.
Then we consult upon the best course
to take, with the result that take one
of the remaining horses and the car
driver the other, he going towards
Melbourne and to Geelong.
1t was an uncomfortable ride enough,
assure you. Wet through, excited,
mounted on raw-boned, bare-backed
coach horse which stumbled about,
threatening to fall with me at every
few yards. Yet the feeling of relief
from my recent perilous position was so
great that forgot my discomfort and
urged on my laundering steed until |
arrived at Geelong.
had not been idle during my ride.
The fresh air had braced up my nerves
and had begun to think what clue !
had to the robbers. They were evil
IDENTIFY ''made up and wore blouses SO
that could not tell whether they were
stout or spare. Moreover, they had on
Grape masks. Suddenly | remembered
that while one of them was investigat-
ing the mail-bags on his knees, with his
back towards me, had seen that his
boots were ''sprigged'' with copper
':sprigs" or nails in a peculiar manner.
Here, thought I, sis clue, " and de-
termined to follow it up. | according.
ly sought the Chief Inspector of Police
and explained the circumstance to him.
He, knowing me in my official capaci-
ty, placed one of his men at my service,
with whom proceeded to several boot
makers and inquired whether they had
any knowledge of such boots. None OF
them had. "But," remarked one,
'Fthey are capital clue; for from your
description I should think they are the
only pair in the colony"
Leaving the police Office to follow out
certain instructions, went to hotel,
obtained change of clothing, dined
and settled myself down for the evening
to ruminate over the events of the day
and form plans for future action, when
tap at the door announced the arrival
of messenger from one of the boot.
makers, who desired to see me. Hasten
ing to the chop, confronted the trades
man, who apologized for troubling me.
''But," said he, 81 think / have seen
your 'man'-Iook at these boots and
he handed me the identical pair which
had so attracted me. He explained
that man of gentlemanly appearance
had called on him and bought pair Of
boots, leaving his old ones to be re.
paired, and kept until he should call fol-
them. Said he: II got into converse.
ton with the man and found that he
was going to the theater tonight.
feared to send you a message whilst he
was here in case he should be suspicious.
So, having obtained this information
waited until he had left, when / imme
diately sent for you /"
This was indeed good news. / has.
tened off to the police station and, &C.
companied by two officers in plain
clothes, proceeded to the theater. We
had not been there long before my at.
4ort;or, 1uas attracted 70 O e ot,,ra Il, th1