Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-05-09


she started, What was it7 The leak 2
Yes, the leak. 1t was directly under
the middle plank, the only one that was
not nailed down. That removed the
leak could be carlked.
She pleaded with Bouzon to come to
her aid, but he refused, and rowed on.
She felt herself going wild. That would
never do; so with almost superhuman
effort she regained composllre, and with
it her common sense reasserted itself.
Quickly seating herself SO that her
right hand could be used in bailing, she
pressed handkerchief into the leak
with the left, and there firmly heldit.
The position was cramped, but hope
now strengthened her exhausted arms
and warmed her chilled frame. If she
only had something larger to dip with !
If she could only see where they were.
Slowly, yet surely, the water lessened
as one hand threw it out, while the other
kept it back. She now told Oscar of the
possibility of their yet being saved;
also about the gunboat mt Burt's Land
ing.
As the water gradually decreased, the
boat moved less heavily on its course
down the great river in the coal-black
night. But it was still much too full for
safety, and the devoted girl bailed with
out pausing. The poor little hand, bent
under the plank and immersed in the
water, though never relaxing its pressure
upon the leak, seemed no longer part
of herself, while the entire arm and
shoulder were aching almost beyond en-
durance. And thus they went on, until
the wind rose with sudden gust,
which half-hour before would have
sent the boat to the bottom like so much
lead.
Then followed broad glare of light
ming.
What was that2 Burt's Landings
Another flash. Burt's Landing, and the
gunboat anchored mid stream, not three
hundred yards distant.
Bouzon's oars moved now with quick,
rafting jerks. A few moments elapsed,
and Oscar touched Marie.
"They are coming" he whispered
"Who?"
"Feds."
just then there came flash of light
ming. About sixty yards to the leeward,
boat, fully manned, was bearing
swiftly down in hot pursuit. A shot
whizzed over their heads, and sum-
mons to heave to came roaring over the
turbid waters. Bouzon, ivid and
CHASTITY, rowed like one possessed.
Another shot, another summons, these
and Marie's adjurations were all alike
unheeled by the crazy old man, whose
only thought was to save his boat.
Surrender, or we'll sink you" was
now Numbered close at hand, out of the
impenetrable gloom. Still the mailman
ratified on with frantic haste. Capture
was no longer dreaded by Marie. 1t
would be timely rescue from the power
of maniac. But what was that? Not
rescue Their doom, instead!
STEADY, there Nowl Send the
boat to the bottolNk2
For a few secondsN shrank appalled,.
Then, Selling sheetfn Oscars bed,
and drawing long, deep breath, her
fresh, girlish voice rang out, high and
clear, in the gloom.
"We surrender! Help us Save us 7"
Instantly the scene sprang to view in
a brilliant, prolonged electric illumina-
ton: There was Marie's slender, black
robed figure erect and firmly poised in
the heaving ''fat," her sweet face death
ly white and set in unwavering resolve;
and, while one hand was extended plead
inglyfrom the other-held high above her
uncovered head-the great flag of truce
spread abroad on the driving wind. And
there was Bouzon-hideous to behold
rowing with a madman's desperation.
There, too, was the pursuit boat, swoop-
ing down with arow-like swiftness.
"Hard a-starbord!' That command
was fairly roared.
Falling to her knees, Marie clasped
her arms around her brother A crash,
harsh grating, a horrible, bloodhound
ling shrek of the Frenchman plunging
into the water, and the girl sank uncon-
scious
When Marie Latour again opened
her eyes, she was on the gunboat. Os-
car. reclining in berth opposite the
one in which she lay, was talking with
animation to three interested listeners.
The first words comprehensive to her
rallylng senses We're spoken by man of
commanding appearance wearing uni
form of the captain of the United States
Navy.
ga noble mission" he was saving,
Sand bravely carried out-so far. It
shall be my privilege to see that it ends
happily"
He was true to his word, and within
an hour the same boat that had so near
y sent them to watery grave, landed
Marie and her brother safely at the
levee before their gate. In few brief
moments mother and son were reunited,
and Marie's mission was accomplished.
- YOUTHS Companion.
The Persian Shah's Unwelcome