St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-09


cut white hair, round head and smiling
Spanish face, himself seemed to have
lost something of his vivacity; and con-
trary to his cuStum, failed to hum soto
vOce a favorite madrigal as he mixed
the orgeat and water for some thirsty
customer.
The assemblage on the banauette
gradually drifted into the cafe, by twOs
and threes, their conversation being
still carried on in an undertone. The
movement of feet on the sanded floor
gave out more sound than the voices of
the speakers, and when Miguel popped
the cork out of bottle of porter the re-
port seemed almost startling. Anxiety
was written on the faces of the men.
They looked at one another as ii some
common misery had woven a fraternal
bond between them, and where always
there had been extreme politeness and
courtesy, now was exhibited the
most absolute self sacrifice and wish
to show how true had been the proteS-
tatiOns of fellowship before. They
were all young gentlemen of social
standing, the eldest being not more
than twenty-eight years of age. To
Miguel they were known as Les Pois-
sons RougeS, the Red Fish.
About five years before this gathering
CT IlO SoLV QC DlOllFCllu luIcc large
schOOnerS in cloud of sails disap-
peared around Point Aux Herbes, in
Lake POntchartrain, bound out for the
Chandelier Islands. Each vessel had
on board ten or twelve young men, all
members OF a pleasure organization
that yearly cruiSed among the islands of
the gulf alter reddish and Spanish mack
erel. They carried their negro servants
with them, and all the paraphernalia
for capturing the denizens of the bright,
green water along the Louisiana coast.
After a delightful run anchors we've
dropped in snug harbor behind one of
the Chandeliers, and, for variety,
large tents made from spare sails were
pitched on the sandy beach. About 200
yards OH the other side of the island the
| rollers from the gulf came in, pounding
the sand with dull, sullen roar. After
bounteOus supper and some story tell
| ing around the camp fires all rolled
| themselves up on the sand, sheltered by
| the tents from the dew, for a good
nights rest. About II o'clock it began
| to rain, and this was followed by heavy
gusts of wind.
The improviSed tents were soon level
ed and the drenched inmates hurried on
board their respective schOonerS that
lay only ten or twenty yards from the
beach. The wind increased every mo-
ment. The vessels awnings. that had
been spread to 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. Overhead
the sky was inky and the wind carried
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 phOsphorescent sands.
Their deep boom filled the air with
sound. Then there was a small flash
drowning with crash and roar the
flashing of the waves. Over the
waste of waters there cleaned a pale,
elbow light that appeared almost SUI
pernatural, and each crest burned with
its millions of luminous animalcula.
Seward, beyond, there was wall of
ebony, against which the vision beat
itself vainly. Suddenly, from out the
biacknesS. two rockets rose together,
and diverging as they assembled. like
thin skeleton arms, they stretched over
the island, their explosion sending out
long attenuated fingers of light, as if
appealing for help or giving benedic-
ton.
Some exclaimed they could see light.
others excitedly declared they could dis
tinguiSh large ship driving in. A
flash of lightning showed small
schooner pounding on the reef outside.
There was a wild shout when the
CHASTITY white sails, torn to ribbins, were
diScerned, 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 to break up.
The young fishermen distributed them
selves along the beach, ready to render
assistance to those that might reach the
surf. After half an hours waiting in
the singing rain, without anything
coming ashore, they were about return
ing to their land-lOcked vessels when
one of the party, Theophile Latrere,
deserted, riding on the huge bill
lows as lightly as a cork, what
appeared to be tub. Each flash of
lightning showed that it was approach
ing the shore fast. Theophile, tying a
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 high roller that threatened
to swamp it. He dashed in, seized it,
and, although lifted high upon the
sands. he chung to the object with the
tenacity of life itself, and saved it from
being washed back.
1t was an ordinary deck tub, such as
are seen around the decks Of SAILING
vessels, but it was covered with piece
of canvas which had been tightly
fastened like drum head over its top.
While the eager crowd was looking with
curiosity at this bit of folsom from the
wreck one of the party cut open the
canvas top, and to their establishment,
resting ON q soft blanket was q hahe