The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-10-10

S-~>NS
skipper.
The brig quickly faded from sight,
hid by thin mist of haze which had
suddenly arisen, and, In fact, / was
conscious Of strange change in the
appearance Of the weather The stars
had entirely disappeared from the
armament, hid behind the gauzy veil
which had so mysteriously arisen, and
low down on the horizon I noted a dark
bank of clouds. The heat was intense,
the stout seamen wiping the perspira-
ton from their streaming brows as
they tOiled at their oars. Not a breath
Of air disturbed the CLASSY waves. All
nature appeared to be hushed into a
terrible calm.
I must confess I felt rather appre-
hensive as glanced about the horizon
and looked back in the direction where
I knew the old brig must be, rolling
and pitching idly on the long swell,
which every moment was increasing
But my fears and apprehensions were
soon chased from my head by matters
of more exciting interest.
AS we neared the burning craft
read the name of La Hembrills In let.
ters of gold on the huge stern The
light cast by the burning spars and rig
ging aloft afforded ample power for me
to form my conclusions.
The ship was Spaniard. The empty
davits and dangling falls told their
own story plain enough to seaman's
eye.
The burning wreck had been de
serted.
Shooting under the broad, heavy
counter, we caught at the iron works
Of the mizzen channels, and, directing
two men to remain in the boat, clam
bered on deck, followed by the other
two seamen.
The ship had evidently been on fire
some time, the flames having full con-
troll of the forward portion. The fore
mast had gone by the board The top
gallant forecastle was sea of fire.
The mainmast was already tottering,
and knew there was no time to lose
The smoke was dense and sitting. but
as yet did not affect the extreme after
portion of the vessel. The decks were
strewn with remnants of provisions,
half open cases and articles of cloth
ing, but no trace Of human being
could be seen
Diving down into the main cabin,
which was half filled with black twist
ing smoke, took hasty glance
about. The rich hangings, appoint
ments and ornamentation surprised me,
showing that the unfortunate ship had
been designed to carry passengers. The
sharp, shooting CLEANS of writhing
flames from aloft penetrated through
the broad skylight, tingeing every OBJ
ject with a ruddy glaze.
From stateroom to stateroom / hur-
ried, but found them all empty until
l came to the after one There ex-
perienced some difficulty in opening the
door, the smoke every moment becom-
ing more dense and respiration more
difficult. Exerting my strength, the
woodwork gave way, revealing a con-
fused mass of white drapery lying on
the stateroom floor. The very sight
made my heart beat quick with ap-
prehenslon, and, STOPPING. soon ascer-
tanned that it was woman.
Placing my hand over her heart, I
felt it throb, and without further de-
lay rushed on deck with her in my
arms. Through the companionway l
staggered, with a strange dizziness in
my head, gasping for breath. but still
retaining my grasp on her had saved.
The fresh air revived me, and the
pain left my head, SO that was en-
abled to pay proper attention to the
woman who lay helpless in my arms.
Then, for the first time, ! looked at
the face Of my burden, and by the
bright light of the wreck l discovered
she was both young and handsome. At
ing over the side, sinking with q hiss
in the black water. A shower of cin-
ders and sparks, a column of roaring
flames, shot on high, followed by the
excited shouts of the men, who had
leaped, panic stricken, into the boat,
urging me to follow.
Clasping the lady with my left arm,
I used my right in gliding down the
ships side. The mems oars were
poised. gave the word, and the next
instant we were clear Of the vessel,
which was now wrapped in flames
from stem to stern.
Dashing some water into the lady's
face, l began to chafe her hands. The
treatment, though rough, had the de-
sired effect. She opened her eyes,
closed them again as II the awakening
was painful, but in few moments
was fully herself. In few words !
told her how she had been saved and
assured her that in short time she
would be in safety on board the brig.
In return she told me that her fa-
ther was the Senior Jose Gonzales Of
Santos, the wealthiest planter in the
country She had been on visit to
Spain, where her father had a large
number of relations, and had taken
passage for home in the Spanish ship.
The ill fated vessel, by some means
to her unknown, had caught fire dur
ing the night. A panic ensued, and,
overcome by terror, she tainted away.
Probably, In the excitement and alarm
which followed. her absence was over
looked. and when the boats showed of
from the ship the Senorita Marie Con
Eales was left unconscious in her state
room to perish.