Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-01-21
HUMBLE HERO
An Incident of the Tlood IN the
Alabama Rivor.

Negroes frequently exhibit a won.
danger. An instance of this | wit.
nessed in the spring of 1886, when
treshet In the Alabama river caused
the country on each side to be over
flowed by water for many miles.
The negroes on the river plauts-
tions were the greatest sufferers
Their cabins would be undor water
almost before they knew that danger
threatened them. and hundreds OF
them were sometimes found nuddled
together upon some knoll sufficiently
elevated 10 be above the water. There
they often remained two or three days
and nights without food and exposed
to soaking rain. Fortunately. the
weather was not cold.
Many relief expeditions were sent
out from the neighboring towns to res
cue them. These consisted OF one or
more boats, manned by expert oars
mon and swimmers, and filed with
cooked provisions, blankets. etc One
day the news came that tho negroes on
= certain plantation had sought refuge
upon "A corn crib. around which the
water was rapidly rising. and so rem.
de ing their condition exceedingly
precarious. Two boats started out al
once 10 their assistance. In ono oil
these | went, accompanied by another
white man and negro
| An amusing occurrence took place
aot long after our starting. In the
middle OF a submerged field, about one
hundred yards to our right We saw u
little, woody black head. with a
frightened black face beneath 1t, pro-
jectlng from the water We
rowed hastily towards it and drew
out OF the muddy water negro boy
about eight years old, perfectly naked,
and cd him up among us
Here, Moses" cried one, holding a
tin cup with whisky in it to his mouth,
'here. take drink.
Take "A bite OF this bread. Moses"
cried another, trying 10 crowd the
bread into his mouth
"No; LIT Moses have some of this
tried bacon tn do him the most
good said the negro oarsman
Bat Moses shook his head and turned
aside from all the offered food.
Use erbleeged to yer. marsters. "
he said, while his white teeth shona
and his eyes rolled wildly. II Sc
erblecged ter yer, but hain't sot down
In two days. by tryin' to keep my head
out de watah. an all wants, eff yer
please, is to set down"
lie was promptly wrapped in 3
blanket and set down. whore for an
bour he sat without moving. enjoying
the perfect rest OF his new position
Al the eud OF that time he began a.
eat | draw vail over his perform
ance in this line We feared we had
rescued him from watery grave to
Kill him with c1~u bread aud bacon,
although the negro oarsman insisted
that he never heard OF "niggah bein
hurt by too much to eat " Meeting a
returning boat suon after. we put
Moses ia it and scut him to town. ]
never heard Of him again, but presume
he survived both hi, unusual bath and
banquet
We resumed our journey, aud just
before dark sighted the corn crib,
upon which mass OF black hu.
manity clustered like II swarm o.
bees. A heavy rain was now falling
and daylight beginning to fade away
their condition become most distress
ing, AS they sat in perfect silence
watching our approach.
But we did not appreciate their ex.
IRENE peril until. ar the boat struck
against the lrail Lighthouse. which wa.
IN the water to the edges OF tho roof
1t visibly shook and totterod The
poor creatures began to Chamber hur
-iedly down to the boat.
Stop" cried, The women and
children hfst ~
The men obediently resumed their
seats. We took in first the children
and then tho women, getting them all
u safely. and We're about to push of
eliing the men We would hurry back
Tor them as quickly as possible or send
he Hrst boat we met. when Il very old
seman q noticed she was the last 10
get ia the boat and had done SO re
uctantly) seized the corner Of the
aouse, and. looking anxiously into my
ace, said:
"NarsteF, amt you gwine take M!
( ~