The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1885-06-05

wards the edge of the bluff. just be-
yond the spot where leila had lain. q
large gap was broken in the bank, as
if some heavy body had crushed it of
by sheer weight. or in struggle.
Quick as thought it dawned upon me
that Gabe-if it were he-had caught
the child just as she was about to fall.
and by desperate effort had cast her
safe and sound back upon the sand as
the crumbling earth gave way, and
precipitated him down to the sands far
below.
As quickly as l could made my way
back to the house, with the child in nv
arms. The door was wide open as
had left it. and all was silent.
Laying leila on sofa l called my
mother. and on her appearance, gave
her a hurried account of what had
passed. ----- -
Iroused our darkey boy Yep out Of
bed and sent him to call several of the
hands, with orders to come at once
to the house.
The boy appeared in short time
with five of our negroes, all about
half asleep. and all wondering ut their
abrupt awakening.
Briefly I explained what had hap
pened. and having secured lanterns
we together set out to learn the worst
In regard to Gabe.
was sure now it was Gabe for
Yep had found ms cabin door wide
open, and Aunt Dinah seemed asleep
alone.
Down below the entrance to our
carriage way some 200 yards, the
bluff declined in a gentle slope to the
waters edge.
To this point we quickly hurried, and
were soon on the white, sandy
beach. high up which the waves were
rolling from the force of the now spent
storm.
A'minute's time and we had reached
spot directly under the break in the
ledge above. At first / could see moth
ing, but low groan drew me to . sort
of recess washed in the face of the
bluff.
In this lay Gabe, moaning in pain,
with face and neck bathed in blood.
As bent over him with the lanterns
light, he looked at me and endeavored
to speak. but the effort only caused
fresh blood to gush from his nostrils
and mouth.
Tenderly we took him up between us
and carried him back along the beach,
up the bluffs side with the light of the
stars shining on earth, for the storm
had passed. as quickly as tropical
storms do. and was muttering off in
tattered masses toward the India
Islands. Along the roadway ND the
garden drive, over the piazza into the
room we bore him. placing him gently
on couch that had been hastily pre-
pared.
/ dispatched one Of the hands in all
haste for DR.. Reynolds, our family
physician. but as his residence was
some two miles distant twas nearly an
hour before he arrived.
In the meantime we made the poor
sufferer as easy as possible, washing
away the stains of blood from his face
and neck. and cooling his throbbing
temples with dampened cloths.
gave him 3 strong dose of brandy,
which had the effect of reviving him
sufficiently to speak. though but little, |
as the hemorrhage was very great.
How much he was hurt / could not |
tell, though know the arm was broken
and some serious internal injury sus-
tanned.
When DR.. Reynolds arrived he made |
: careful investigation, then called me |
aside and said: The matter is serious |
beyond hope. His time to live is but |
: few hours atthamost. The only thing |
We can do is to keep him as quiet as |
possible now he is rapidly sink, |
ING"
After the doctor had departed I re-
turned beside him and asked: do YOU |
rel easier. Gabean He smiled. Is he |
faintly replied: Eyes, much easier.
thank you. But hit WI soon be ovah;
dere amt no use tellin' me to cheah |
up; / knows rs agoin'-goin' fast.
Hits hand to go-but the lawd's viii |
be done.
He turned to Tella, who was seated |
beside him, and, stroking her hair with
his great horny hand, now feeble and |
weak - . child's, he said: s.p 90 clad
you.s SAFE honey-so glad; what's nv
Old lite TO you's-s0 young and faih. / /
was neatly too late, but thank ou' Lavd
sabed you. Hit makes me 90 hanpy.
md when you's one Of de bright an
gels way up dare beyond de oates.
Iouu not fo'get old Gaba VIII you.
hoaeyr"
For answer the golden head bowed
oyer the rugged features, the golden /
sqrls 1el among To kinky gray, the
!ro1h young lips rcd with the blood 81
ile, tromblod on the pain-drawn fore
heed, While tears fell fast from her