The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-01-26
THE =.
GOLD HUNTERS.
BY EUCRATEs.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Some 20 years ago carpenter
stopped at Panama on his way nome
from California, where he earned
fair measure of success In the gold
fields.
In such places men are not dlscrimi-
mating as regards the acquaintances
they make, and he fell in with a couple
of rough looking sailors. who had de-
serted from d whaler that put into
port for provisions.
One evening, upon learning that he
was miner, and therefore familiar
with metals, they showed him can
vas bag filed with some hard sub
stance, which they asked him to exam
inc and pronounce judgment upon.
He examined the contents, which he
found to be gold of the finest quality;
whereupon, after imposing an oath OF
strict secrecy they told him that short
ly Def, arriving at Panama their ship
had touched at an island to take water.
The casks were RATED ashore and
quickly filed, the ship meanwhile
standing Off and on.
While waiting for the ship to stand in
these two sailors strolled along the
beach for about two miles. until they
came to place where ravine or
watercourse came down from a high
mountain, passed under a natural
arch. and emptied into the sea. Here
they noticed that the sand of the beach
was filled with a number of shining
particles resembling gold, and that the
crevices or seams of the watercourse
also seemed full of 1t. Not sure wheth-
er 1t was gold. they gathered small
package and retraced their steps to the
boat. saying nothing. however. to their
companions Of the discovery.
Being assured by the carpenter that
they had discovered genuine gold, the
sailors proposed that the three Of them
should fit out n small vessel and re-
turn to the island, The plan was
agreed to at once, vessel was pur-
chased, and six or eight more men
were induced to Join the expedition.
There were so few men available
that they had totake such as they could
get. and they got as precious lot of
rascals as ever went unhanged. There
were two big Africans, two villainous-
looking Spaniards, who could not be
trusted out of sight; hunchbacked,
snaky-looking fellow, who it was after
wards learned was an escaped convict
from the penal colony in French Gui-
ana; and surly, SCARED old fellow
who had been warned out Of San Fran
cisco by vigilance committee.
He was feared by every member Of
the crew, and even before the coast
lines had sunk below the horizon he
had let out little suggestions that
filled the carpenter with premonitions
that he was going to make serious
trouble. Surly and morose, he
slouched about the deck without "A
word to anybody. The other members
Of the crew were Indifferent.
The vessel was fitted out ostensibly
for coasting purposes. with mining
tools, provisions for two or three
months, and q couple of barrels Of
whiskey. A man and a woman
were taken along as cook and steward
ess. Toward evening of the second
day out they sighted the island.
1t was lonesome, cheerless-lo looking
spot, with rough. irregular beach,
along which the surf was tumbling In
long curls of creamy foam, and little
further In upon the rocks were groups
of Shiny, black creatures, which gave
voice to the desolation with their
hoarse barking. There was a sporadic
growth of palms on the island which
dwindled away into scraggy growth
Of underbrush upon the slopes of two
mountains which rose symmetrically
from the two extremities.
A small cove, bordered by a sandy
beach. offered safe anchorage, and in
to this the vessel was cautiously
steered, and the crew were set to work
to make preparations for landing the
stores.
That night there was a grand car
ousal aboard the vessel In celebration
of the successful termination of the
voyage, during which whiskey flowed
freely and quarrels were frequent The
carpenter and one of the sailors. how
ever. held aloof from these orgies. re-
naming on deck. prepared to leave
the vessel should matters come to a
crisis. Matters did come to a crisis
with a crash when one of the Span
iards dragged the poor frightened
stewardess into the cabin and insisted
that she should sing a Spanish song
for the company.
The big ruffian. with livid scar. who
claimed to be an American declared
that she should sing nothing but
yankee Doodle" The Spaniard at
tempted to force matters by drawing
a knife; but the American anticipated
him with his "gun." which he began
to discharge right and left.
In moment the hght became gener-
al; out OF the cabin and up on to the
deck they tumbled. shooting and cut
ting and cursing In manner that was
frightful to hear. Half of them would
have been killed or wounded had It
not been for an accident that drew
their attention from the fighting to a
danger that threatened them all In
common. In the scuffie In the cabin a
large lamp was overturned, and before
anyone attempted to put out the flames
the whole cabin was in blaze. With
out trying to- save the vessel, they
rushed to the single boat remaining,
leaving one man dead in the compan-
ionway, ant another severely wound
ed on deck. Thus all the stores and
tools were burned, together with the
poor wounded wretch on deck.
The next morning party set out to