Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-09-16

wS Ia KMgzRNHlfN=>S |
''oNR HUNDRED DOLLARS TO PUT Us
ASHORE" l SHOUTED.
to Baton Rouge than to 1Viclxsburg. |
there's only one doctor aboard, and no |
opiates. and the captain of this boat |
decided that he must get those poor
wretches below TO place where they
can be cared for, as quickly as possible.
! need the doctor myself. and got off
pretty we'll. too. You was on the
Queen, wasn't your"
l rushed along the decks, half-dis-
tracted, demanding to see the captain
He was overwhelmed with care and
responsibility; but when found him
he did listen to me for IN instant.
Captain, put US ashore-Coralie and
myself" ! cried 1--WE can't go back
TO Baton Rouge"
He stared at me-
lone hundred dollars TO put us
ashoreI" ] shouted.
Take care Of him." said the captain.
turning away. Hes been crazed by
the accident"
l wandered through the crowd.
pleading with every man whose at
tention l could get that we might be
landed quickly. Some looked COM
passionately; others avoided me. One
of the officers told me to keep quiet, or
be would lock me up In his cabin.
1t was too cruel to believe. On the
way to freedom and safety, just es-
capped from the jaws of death, at the
last moment we were turned back 70
certain bondage. For me, the bonds of
| prison; for her, the bonds OF living
deathl
/ ! leaned over the rail. restrained
only by the thought of her from fling
ing myself into the dark, turbulent
| waters.
Was there no escape? No hiding on
the boat?
No. The quest would be as thorough
as eager.
We were doomed
A telegraph station near the river
had sped the news of the disaster aud
the return of the Prentiss with the vic
Tins and survivors A thousand peo-
pie were gathered at the Baton Rouge
landing as we approached. Several Of
fcers took possession of the gangway
of the boat and permitted nobody TO
land. The captain was called for; a
long telegram was handed him. and a
brief cslloquy took place
~ know nothing of the Cotton
Queens passengers" he said. ''nor
whether these people were saved
You'll have to search for yourself"
a faint hope sprung mp in my breast
that we might escape in the crowd and
the confusion II quickly died. While
the officers were keeping the clanorine
passengers on board. and preventing
: any access to the shore, a small steam
err came up the river and landed
J saw Conrad Bostock and his gang juml
ashore and hail the officers on tn
Queen. They were allowed to come
: aboard. and COralie and were at ono
arrested.
In her presence / was handcuffed
She chung TO me. aud begged them NO
70 separate us
You are TO go before the megi'
p trate,~ said one of the officers. Com,
o all these poor wretches in the saloo
9 can't be removed till you are gone"
> Hold onl- said Bostoclk. II mu,
Is find that cunning devil, Wash /
E. Fevre. He's at the bottom OF all tn
mischief
Is From the depthof my misery raise
10 my hand and cried:
% "He is beyond your persecution Z
81 bravely persisted in the wreck"
"a Its Just rs well for him IL wou
,. have been better for you, my fine f.
low, if you'd done the same"
We were taken up to the magistrate
:. Office COralic. unveiled and clingiE
to me, was stared at by the crow
"a The news OF the arrest for attempt
be abduction of slave-girl was hint
~ about. and public attention and Gu
an osity were divided between us and {
In victims of the accident. who were M
r. being brought ashore on stretchs
h. from the hospital. Hundreds of m
and boys followed US up the street. a
We the magistrates office. the passage n
= the stairway were thrOnged. ] 81
We threatening looks directed toward L
di- and heard the words muttered: "Yi
ad kee," and "slave-stealer."