Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-17
DELICE.

DLLIOLs
The crowd Of men standing around the
little cafe on Rue Condo appeared TO be Gu
riously affected, for, contrary TO the habit Of
the twenty-five or thirty individuals thereof,
not single one WIS gesticulating, and as an
other evidence Of their abnormal condition
not a single Whit Of cigarette smoke rose
from the assembiage.
Old Miguel, the affable host, with his short
cut white hair, round head, and smiling
Spanish face, himself seemed 10 have loss
something Of his vivacity; and contrary 70
his custom. failed 10 hum soto voce a favor
lite madrigal as he mixed the orgeat and water
for some thirsty customer.
The assenblage on the banqueJte gradually
drifted into the cafe, by twos and threes.
their conversation being still carried on in
an undertone. The movement Of feet co the
sanded floor gave out more sound than the
voices OF the speakers, and when Miguel
popped the cork out Of q bottle OF porter the
report seemed almost startling. Anxiety was
written on the faces Of the men. They looked
at one another as If some common misery had
woven a fraternal bond between them and
where always there had been extreme polite
ness and courtesy, now exhibited the
most absolute self sacrifice and a wish 10 show
how true had been the protestatious Of fellow
ship before. They were all young gentlemen
of social standing, the eldest being not more
than IS years Of age. To Miguel they were
known as Les PoiSsons Rouges, the Red Fish
About FIVE years before this gathering at
the Cafe de Bieuvenu three large schooners
in cloud Of sails disappeared around Point
Aux Herbes, IN Lake Pontchartrain, bound
put for the Chandelier Islands Each vessel
had on board ten or twelve young men. all
members Of a pleasure organization that
yearly crJ,ised among The islands of the gulf
after reddish and Spanish mackereL They
carried tnelr negro servants with them, and
all the paTaphernalia for capturing the deui-
Eens Of the bright. green water along the
Louisiana coast. After delightful run an
chors were dropped in 4 snug harbor behind
one Of the CnandeleuTs, and for variety,
large tents made from spare sails were
pitched on the sandy beach. About 200 yards
on the other side of the island the rollers
from the gulf came il, pounding the sand
with dull, sullen roar. After bounteous
supper and some story telling around the
camp fires ali rolled themselves up on the
sand, sheltered by the tents from the dew, for
a good nights rest. About II O'Clock It began
20 rain. and this was followed by heavy gusts
of wind.
The improvised tents were soon levelei and
the drenched inmates hurried on board theiT
respective schoone-s that lay only ten or
twenty yards from the beach The wind in
creased every moment The vessels awnings,
that had been spread 70 shelter the voyagers,
were ripped from their fastenings and had 10
be hurriedly furled. Then, as the schooners
began 20 drag, extra anchors were Put cut.
Overhead the sky was Inkv and the wind car
ried the spray across the island with such
force the drops stung sharply as they struck
the face Where the schoouers Law there was
no sea but the wind made them Jerk at their
cables venonousIy. The whole party was on
deck looking at the sublime spectacle. Noun
tains Of waves came tumbling in TO shatter
themselves on the now phosphorescent sands.
Their deep boom filed the air with sound
Then there was small fash and the artillery
Of the skies opened, drowning with crash and
roar the lashing of the waves. Over the
waste Of waters there cleaned pale yellow
light that appeared almost supernatural. and
each crest burned with its millions Of luminous
animalcule. Seward, beyond. there was
wall OF ebony, against which the vision beat
itself vainly. Suddenly, from out the black
ness, two rockets rose together, and diverZing
as they assembled, like thin skeleton arms,
they stretched over the island, their explosion
sending out long attenuated fingers of light
as IL appealing for help or giving benediction.
Some exclaimed they could see lights,
others excitedly declared they could distin-
Euish a large ship driving in. \ fash Of
lightning showed a small schooner pounding
On the reef outside. There was a wild shout
9hen the CHASTITY white sails, torn 10 ribbons.
were disceTned, and the pleasure seekers rowed
TO the island, the little harbor being still
quite smooth. They were without means to
succor however. and could only look for such
swimmers as might make for land 1t was
not long before the masts went by the board
and the wreck commenced 10 break UP. The
Young fishermen distributed themselves along
the beach, ready 70 render assistance to those
that might reach the surf. After half an
hours waiting in tbe singing rain, without
ANYTHING coming ashore, they were about re
turning 10 their land locked vessels when one
of the party, Theophile Latrere, deserted, rid
Ing on the huge pillows SIS lightly as a cork.
what appeared TO be tub. Each flash Of
lightning showed that 1t was approaching the
shore fast Theophile, tying q rope around
his BODY. stood ready 70 rush into the surf
when 1t should reach 1t. II was not long be
fore he saw II mount on a high roller that
1t, and. although lifted high upon the sands.
be clung 10 the object with the tenacIty Of
life itself, and saved 1t from being washed
back.
Is was an ordinary deck tub, such as are
seen around the decks Of sailing vessels. but.
IL was covered with piece Of canvas which
had been tightly fastened like drum bead
over its top. While the eager crowd was
looking with curiosity al this bit Of folsom
from the wreck one OF the party cut open the
canvas top, and 70 their astonishmeut, rest
ing en- a soft blanket was a babe shout three
months old 4 cry Of surprise broke from
she now excited e1cursionists
Day was beginning 70 dawn, and 4 leaisn
light rested upon the surginE waters of to
the eastward Every eye was directed 70 the
wreck Only tie bowsprit remained visible
The crew and passengers, If passengers there
were. had persisted T.eophile Lauere was
the first 70 speak He beckoned them al 70
come near, and IN 4 voice that could be heard