The Cairo bulletin., 1910-06-13
Off the Banks
By Charles DAILY Douglas

land banks ! owned a yacht, and as
soon as I proposed the trip to my
friends, had no difficulty in finding
plenty who were willing and axious to
accompany me. chose round dozen
choice spirits, who | knew had the
necessary qualifications to make such
an excursion pleasant. A happier
party never set sail from any port
than the yacht carried on this oc-
casion. Singing, music, storytelling,
and playing filled UP the hours. and
when we met around the Widespread
table the hilarity was renewed, We
had rather disagreeable passage to
the banks, with frequent rains and
smart gales, but our skipper and crew
we're perfectly reliable. aud we had
as little apprehension of disaster as OF
any other misfortune.
The winds at last lulled. the sea
grew tranquil. and the captain report
ed that we should be off the fishing
grounds the next morning. | we'll re-
member the unbounded mirth aud fun
OF that night. We got out our tackle
and overhauled 1t in order to be fully
ready for the sport; and when that
was done, with the cross-fire of jokes
and quips that accompanied ii. we
made merry with song. story and 9th.
err cheer till far into the morning.
When we went to sleep 1t was with
the highest anticipations of the COM
ing sport.
Good weather. I hope, captain ?"
was the cry that saluted the latter as
he appeared at the breakfast table
next morning.
I'm afraid can't say much for the
weather at present" was the reply.
eve ran into fogbank about daylight
and we don't seem likely to get out of
1t till the weather clears. A fog is
about the last thing l expected to find
up here at this season of the year;
but here we are, right in It. | hope
It'll clear, however, during the morn
ing"
Somewhat disappointed at this In
telligence, we ate but little. and then
went on deck ! thought | had seen
fogs before in different quarters OF the
world, but never had witnessed any
thing like this. The air was cold,
raw, and heavy with moisture, and
the fog so dense that we could hardly
see the length of the yacht. A servant
was sent below for shawls and cloaks,
and we sat aft, shivering III our wraps,
and feeling as gloomy as was natural
under the circumstances. One Of US
produced some cigars. which were
passed around and lighted, and under
the influence of the weed, we grew
more companionable. and even began
ia propose small bets as to the hour
the unwelcome fog would lift,
The captain now came aft. and
asked ne If there was anything like
fog-bell among the rubbish in the
forward hold ! told him there was
one. I remembered one foggy night
in the Grecian Archipelago when It
sounded dolefully all night over my
head, and prevented my sleeping, and
that the company the next morning
had voted the thing nuisance. and
directed it to be taken down. | be-
lieve 1t had never been hung since.
Wen have 1t put UP and set it go
ing at once" said the captain, as he
turned away 1T is probably an over
precaution, as we are far out Of the
steamertrack, and there's not wind
enough to give headway to anything
with sails. But wen set the thing
going, for perfect safety. Ho, there,
forward, Hoist up the big bell from
the hold, and hang 1t on that fixture
by the mast"
He turned away to see that his or
ders were executed, and at that in.
stant our doom fell upon us, without
cry, a noise, or any warning what
ever to herald 1t.
The great, high bow of one Of the
ocean steamers appeared as suddenly
as though she had risen from the sea,
or descended from the skies, and
struck us amidships with a crash that
cleft the little yacht completely in
twain.
lac lNO udlfNo OA LliS Ill-latEu fc5-
vel rose up fore and aft. and she set
tied amidships.
| heard a shriek--a prolonged cry
Of horror and despair mingled with
the rush of the water and the putting
Of smoke as the steamers engine was
reversed. ] was conscious Of O tre-
mendous shock d blow. and great
black mass gliding above me, and !
was conscious Of nothing further un-
til woke to life in the saloon Of the
steamer, lying on sofa, with a
crowd of sympathetic gentlemen and
ladies about me. applying restoratiyes
and chatting my hands.
Except few bruises was not In
jured in body, and was walking the
deck of the steamer soon after, with
such mingled feelings of thankfulness
for my own escape, and bitter grief
for the fate of my poor companions. as
no words of mine can describe.
l have been awakened in the dead
of night from peaceful sfumber to
find the roof over our head blazing in
q sheet of flame; l have been hurled
with a train Of cars down steep en-.
bankment when travelling at rate of