The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1890-11-01

mouth OF the bayou there was Il strong
South East wind blowing, and the
waves in Round Lake were noun
tains high. Here they decided to tie
up at safe distance and wait for fair
weather. This was Old Simon's or
ders; then calling Tom to him he.
said: 1--WE are all lost if we 60 into
that lake-we all drown; if we stay
here we starve. | rather starve than
drown"
"Well,' said Tom, drawing HIM
self up, and speaking with constrained
excitement, off you will give me
money, and LOiseau, / will cross
Round Lake, 90 through South Pass
into Grand Lake and on to Patterson
Vile, and get wood and provisions. l
would much rather be drowned than
to starve; it is quicker done, you
know."
e'My poos Tom" said Simon, "who
would be fool enough to go with your
Tom answered, "Bob will follow
Tom wherever he goes;'' but the
child's face was very pale, and for
once he had stopped whistling.
Old Simon raised his shoulders in
the air, and said: 'Do what you
want, take re money, take re boat,
and adieut"'
How to prevail on the pilot to ac-
company him was Toms next difficult
ty. He knew it. would be necessary
to resort to strata gem to get his con-
sent, if at all. So he went to where
Auguste was sitting, with his head
buried in his hands, the picture of ter
ror and dismay. Auguste said: ..FFom,
if you will pilot me over that lake we
will go through South Pass into Grand
Lake and over to Pattersonville, and
get something to eat; let us not stay
here, perhaps for days, and starve like
rats until we are too weak to help our
selves"
"Grande Dieu! Mr.. Tom; what you
say? You not know that Pass like
me; we cannot cross it in this wind
"Well,' said Tom. 'if when we get
there we find it dangerous to- cross, |
will turn and come back" Tom well
knew, that once in the mighty waves
at the pass it would be too late to turn
round. However, on these conditions
Auguste consented to go. Now, what
troubled Tom the most was to risk the
life Of his young brother; and calling
the boy, aside, he told him to stay on
the raft with Old Simon, and he would
take negro as fireman.
"What do you take me for, Tom?
I am no coward, and will follow you,
Tom, and help all can"
every we'll, 90 and fire up, boy.
Make h under. that boiler; for'if
ever that kind Of fire was needed, it is
to-day" =,
Detaching EOiseau from the raft,
and taking Gid Simon's. money, they
plunged into the. breakers Of Round
Lake; at one instant they would ride
ON wave towering in height; at an
other they would descend into hol-
low, while the mad waters beat the
struggling boat here and there, trying
to engulf her. Pale as. death Tom
stood at the engine with his gilt
tering teeth shut together like wise,
speaking now and then words Of en-.
couragement to Bob, who while freing
with all his might felt the hot tears
filling his bonnie blue eyes as he
thought of mother and home. Who
can blame him? Life at fifteen is
very sweet.
South Pass reached at last. Then
came a siege Of terrible plunges, dur
ing which the boiler slipped back a
few inches; but L'Oiseau breasted the
waves, and rode triumphant into.
Grand Lake. Here the waters were,
quieter, and by evening they reached
Pattersonville. Tom staggered into a.
store and bought Auguste and Bob
nice supper, not forgetting himself,
for they were all so weak from want
of food, and the dreadful danger they.
had been in, that they were more dead
than alive. Here they rested all
night, and the next morning; with a
nice load of provisions and fuel, start
ed with a fair wind and happy hearts
to the rescue Of poor Old Simon al,.ua
his men on the raft. AboutGoos
they arrived, and never was there
more thankful man than Old Simon.
Taking Tom by the hand, he said.
"You be one brave. man, Tom; you
make me one fine boat, but me not
want her no more. You can take ze
boys or leave them, just as you please.
When me get home we will sell ze !.
boat; me have had enough misere.'
Tom tugged back to Sleepy Hol-
low with the timber; but Old Simon. .
true to his word, sold L'Oiseau-and
her trial trip was her last.
Ivy GREEN.
# the ladies who intend buying or
L 4 1