The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-05-11

In my younger days | wa.
i, the employ of Arm Of merchants at Apia
aamna who had established in business in thu
n,,sce Islands young man of the name o.
avrnonds, son Of wellknown missionary. His
Headquarters were at Funafuti, and after sew
sraj successful years he had purchased from
the "King' of Vaitupu the small, deserted
,dand OF Nuulakfta-"Little Land" It lies
acme one hundred and fifty miles southeast Of
Ennafut alone amidst extensive shoals. Sy
mouds' ambition was to people and plant it
hut mot native could he induce to make his
home there, for the Ellice Islanders firmly be
leyed the place was haunted by evil spirits
Mot long after this, Symonds died suddenly
and was sent to Funafuti in the company q
schooner to install a new manager, with in.
struetions to stop at Nuulakita on the home.
ward voyage, inspect the little island and set
value on II as asset OF Symonds' estate.
We left Tunafuti with a southeast trade
wind that soon died away, and for days we
drfted over CLASSY sea in intolerable heat.
Finally on the last day of February. we
reached Euulakita and sailed slowly along its
coast, searching for an anchorage and landing.
In short time we came to anchor in seven
fathoms of water, in convenient place on the
west side of the island where we could see an
opening through the reef. Four of the ships
a strong shore current running, we were COM
PEELED to haul our boat UP on the sands. for
Intended TO take at least two hours to inspect
the place.
The captain advised me to examine the
place hastily for his barometer warned him
OF a change that was imminent, and this was
the dangerous season in these latitudes.
Above the sand beach, where had formerly
been a settlement, few jackfruit trees were
deteriorating, being overgrown with clinging
vines and other parasites. Here I discovered
some native sepulchers which, beside we'll
that I found later on, were the only actual
signs OF mans handiwork upon the island.
PandanLs, which seems to delight in sterile
soil and In opposition to the elements, now
predominated, stretching forth its weird
branches and standing upon its singular stilt-
like roots, an omen of desolation. Here and
there penetrated the bush, observing the ma
ture of the soil and noting II in my book.
must have been nearly opposite where our
Feaael Inv, when came To D beautiful Ia
gOon, with charming vistas and lovely glades
leading III various directions.
@ WIS about to return to the beach and con-
fnue my circuit around the island, when l.
heard musket shot-a signal for my return,
for the sky had darkened and felt sure that
the glass had gone lower. started directly
sor the boat-landng
rewards the center OF the island the trees
grew less vigorously, and were fewer in num-
Der, and many old trunks lay prone on the
earth. The walking became exceedingly diff
cult, for 1t was hard to penetrate this broad
leafed, stout-stemmed winery.
had already had several nasty falls, but
mad escaped actual injury until at last
stepped on what appeared sound tree-trunk
crossing vine-covered chasm and felt myself
swiftly descending into space clutching wildly
at the vines Rs I passed through them
NY head having come into violent contact
with jutting coral lay huddled and sense
Tess at the bottom Of a deep pit which in for
Mer years had been used a we'll and now
was partly filled by the action of the elements
When revived all was darkness, and rain
was falling in torrents. In fact it must have
Seen the cool drenching had had which
brought me to my senses.
tried to raise my arms and found them
fortunately uninjured, but one knee had been
severely bruised and my back was badly
wsenched while my head ached as IL it were
ABOUT to split in two. and a great lump ex
planned why had wasted hours in fhis situa
ton.
ihongh 1t was very dark, with occasional
nashes of lightning. I found no great difficulty,
AAoAA hAy oWA luJufl8Ss III SettluS
ward, as these native wells are SO constructed
m aa the owners may walk down one side to
u'p tne water with their shells. When I ap-
PREACHED the mouth Of the pit and thrust nv
!. aesa through the sopping vines, 1t seemed as IL
sas world were at an end. I could hear the
scanning wind rush through the now leafess
piaaches, and great boughs and missiles of
. nary sorts were flying through the air, max
ing u hazardous to rise above the level
) thought of our brigantine and hoped she had
81 away without losing her anchors At that
.a'nent, though the tempest roared I did not
!. .saf ior her safety, for from the direction Of
20 WIND was sure she had not been blown
sshoie Such a gale would inevitably drive
VT lar away to westward. and her return to
=. us region of frequent Gains was quite sure
~ oe SLOW and tedious. And here was, all
\, aap'oVided for and destined to pass some DAYS
\ a''er loneliness. In time they would come
th ~ again, and I must contrive to exist till
- .aes turned up. This would be an adventure
= ieeount to my children as they gathered
'saha me in the evening.
noW was I then to know that this racing
M s.ohe mad utterly destroyed our ship. and
br-s wniie | sat shivering in my hole nv
NJ. eofp anIons We're In their watery graves
80 word was ever heard from them
d. d. ana no fragment Of our moor vesse, was
s ,,''sfed to mark her loss.
saen the light returned the sun was not
II. e It was not safe to make nv exit vat
~, ~, thank God I had nv nine ana +oh.a,a
cnrx