Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-02
DELICE.

curiously affected, for contrary to the
habit of the twenty five or thirty 1ndIVld-
uals thereof, not single one was geSticu-
lating, and as another evidence of their
abnormal condition not a single Whit of
cigarette smoke rose from the assembl-
age.
Old Miguel, the affabIe host, with his
short cut white hair, round head, and
smiling Spanish face, himself seemed to
have lost something of his yivacity; and
contrary to his custom, failed to hum
soto voice favorite madrigal as ne
mixed the orgeat and water for some
thirsty customer.
The assemblage on the banquette
gradually drifted into the cafe, by twos
and threes, their conversation heing still
carried on in an UndertOne. The move
ment of feet on the sanded floor gave out
more sound than the voices of the speak
ers, and when Miguel popped the cork
out of bottle of porter the report seem
cd almost startling. Anxiety was written
on the faces of the men. They looked at
one another as if some common misery
had woven fraternaI bond between them,
and where always there had been extreme
politeness and courtesy, now was exhib-
tied the most absolute self sacrifice and
a wish to show how true had been the
protestations of fellowship before. They
were all young gentlemen of social
standing, the eldest being not more than
28 years of age. To Miguel they were
known as Les Poissons ROuges, the Red
Fish.
About five years before the gathering
at Cafe de Bienvenu three large schooDers
in cloud of sails disappeared around
Point Aux Herbes, in Lake Pontchartrain,
bound out for the Chandelier Islands.
Ecch vessel had on board ten or twelve
young men, all members of d pleasure
organization that yearly cruised among
the islands of the gulf after reddish and
Spanish mackerel. They carried their
negro servants with them, and all the
Daraphernalia for capturing the denizens
of the bright, green water along the the
Louisiapa coast. After a delightful run
anchors were dropped in snug harbor
behind one of the Chandeleurs, 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 in, pound
ing the sand with dull, sullen roar.
After bounteou5 supper and some story
telling around the camp fires all rolled
themselves up on the sand, sheltered by
the tents from dew, for a good nights
rest. bout II O'Clock 1t began to rain,
and this was followed by heavy gusts of
wind
The improvised tents were leveled and
the drenched inmates hurried on board
their res pective schooners that lay only
ten or twenty yards from the beach
The wind increased every moment. The
Il. - hoA he RI
shelter the voyagers, were ripped from
their fastenings and had to be hurriedly
furled. Then, as the schooners began to
drag, extra anchors were put out. Over
head the sky vas inky and the wind car
ried the spray across the island with such
force the drops stung sharply as they
struck the face. Where the schooners
lay there was no sea, but the wind made
them jerk at their cables venomously.
The whole party was on deck looking at
the sublime spectacle. Mountains of
waves came tumbling in to shatter them
selves on the now phos phorescent sands.
Their deep boom filleu the air with sound.
Then there was a small flash and the ar
tillery of the skies opened, drowning with
crash and roar the flashing of the waves.
Over the waste of waters there cleaned a
pale yellow light that appears almost
supernatural, and east crest burned with
its millions of luminous animalcule.
Seaward, beyond, there was a wall of
ebony, against which the vision beat itself
vainly. Suddenly, from out thu black
ness, two rockets rose together, and di-
verging as they assembled, like thin skele-
ton arms, they stretched over the island,
their explosion sending out long attenu-
ated fingers of light, as if appealing for
help or giving benodiction.
Some exclaimed they could see lights,
others exitedly declared they could distiu-
lightning showed small schooner pound
ing on the reef outside. There was a
wild shout when the white sails, torn to
ribbons, were discerned, and the pleasure
seekers rowed TO the island, the little har-
Dor being still quite smooth. They were
without means to succor, however, and
could only look for such swimmers as
might make for land. 1t Yves not long be-
fore the masts went by the board and tbs
wreck commenced to break up. The
young fishermen distributed themselves
along the beach, ready to render assist
ance to those thas might reach the surf
After half an hours waiting in the sting
ing rain, without anything coming ashore
they were about returning to their land
locked vessels when one of the party
Theophile Latrere, deserted, riding on the
huge pillows as lightly as cork, what ap-
peared to be tub. Each fash of light
ming showed that it was approaching the
shore fass. Theop!iIe, tying rope
around his body, stood ready to rush into
the surf when it should reach it. 1t was
not long before he saw it mount on q
high roller that threatened to swamp it
He dashed in, seized it, and, although lift
ed high upon the sands, he chung to the
object with the tenacity of life itself, and
saved 1t from being washed back.
1t was an ordinary deck tub, such as
are seen around the decks of sailing yes
sells, bnt 1t was covered with piece OF
canvass which had been tightly fastened
like drum head over its top. While the
eager crowd was looking with curiosity al
this bit of fiotsGm from the wreck one OF
the party cut open the canvass top, and
their establishment, resting on blank
tt was a babe about three months old
cry of surprise broke from the now ex.
cited e1cursionists.
Day was beginning to dawn, and g
eaden light rested upon the surging
waters off to the eastward. Every
eye was directed TO the wreck. Only the
bowsprit remained visible. The crew
and passengers, if passengers there were
had persisted. Theophile Latrere was the
first to speak. He beckond them all tt
come near, and in a voice that could bs
heard even in the tulmult of waves, hs
said: Les Poissons Rouge have now 6
duty given to them. We came here fol
pleasure, and Providence has given Us
the greatest prize of earth-a life. Shall
we adopt this little one?n
The idea was novel to these youne
gallants, and there was connected with il