The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-06-06

other craft arrived. Her daily catch
was the largest for years. She had
filed up and was ready for home and
market, while half the fleet were
still whistling for fish.
Then came another such day as that
on which the accident had happened.
There was the same leaden sky out of
which squalls burst at intervals and
without warning-the same ugly. heav-
ing sea, swelling up as If to pour its
weight on deck and sink the craft out
of hand.
The fleet was heaving and drifting
now, and fifty pairs of eyes saw the
masts of the Swordfish go overheard
before the downfly of squall. There
was no Dave Bliss on board this time,
but the thing had happened inst the
same. On the previous occasion there
were deep water and plenty of sea
ROOM On this the feet had been drift
ing down into the shadows and was
just on the point of tacking.
What every man at once realized
was that the crippled Swordfish must
go to leeward before the send of the
sea until she grounded on the sands
mile away Then the waves would
finish her in ten minutes. The Mary
and Jane had her home pennant flying
and was already on her course. She
was loaded deep with her catch and
drawing twice as much water as the
other
There was just one way to save the
Swordfish. Men of the fleet will tell
you today that there was only one man
| among them who dared take the
chance. That man was Captain Dave
Bliss. There was only moment OF
ser, had casting line bent on, and,
setting more sail than he would have
| dared to under any other circum-
| stances and running risk that made
his crew turn pale and shiver. he head
| ed his craft down toward the other.
He knew the depth of water to an
inch. He had but to look over the side
/ to see the sand boiling up. The help
| less, despairing men on the Swordfish
were watching, and when his plan be-
came clear Captain Baker turned to
his mate and said:
'He's the bravest man in the fleet.
but he's also fool! Both craft will
go down togetherv'
! The Mary and Jan0 was stirring up
the sand as she came flying down. fol
a craft of her keel within eighteen
inches Of the bottom will almost cut q
| groove in the sand or mud. On the
bow of this one stood Captain Dave
Bliss ready to heaye the casting line
and Captain Baker went forward t.
receive it. It was thrown ut the right
second, and men hauled away at lir(
and hawser in frenzied haste. The
Mary and Jane must come up into thu
| winds eye and hold there a momen
until the hawser could be secured.
| Good sailors have said that tller,
were forty-nine chances out Of fift!
that her masts would go during tha
crucial moment, but the odd chance
won The hawser was made fast, th'
rescuing craft fell off. and a momen
later she was towing the wreck int
deeper water and safety. 1t was th'
top notch Of seamanship and leve
headedness.
They heard about the rescue in til
town when the Mary and Jane reache,
port. Tears came to the waiting Mar.
Bakers eyes and thankfulness to he
heart, but Captain Dave did not aI
pear. The story was told again ant
again as other craft came in. but he
lover did not make his appearance a
the cottage on the hill. 1t was onl
when the Swordfish came limpfng int
port that Dave took his old captain
. arm. and they both walked through til
streets until they came upon Mar
, waiting Mt the gate. Then the ster
old father Joined their hands togethe
/ and whispered:
, s.Take her. Dave, and give me a CO.
ner of the fireplace for the few year
, I've got to live. I'm done with til
feet
The Artful Squirrel.
You may find many Il squirrel in th
course of your tramp. but no two alik
exactly in their method Of attempte
means of escape or :concaalment. I'll