Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-05-10

i
time success crowned my efforts.
From this moment date comfortable
change of diet, and may say that in the com
pletion Of this labor and q contemplation Of III
results to me was happier-at any rate calmer
than had been since my arrival on the
island.
Ny misery was soon deepened. aye. made In
supportable by the loss Of my precious knife,
the one Invaluable treasure that yet remained
AS was STOPPING over my turtle cage TO Cd
serve the welfare of Its occupants II slipped
from my pocket and dropped into the water.
For some time had been Of opinion that
the bad weather would soon have it's ending.
and that probably a gale Of wind would marx
its exit. The accuracy Of my calculations was
justified, for after several days Of great heat
and unexampled calm. one Of those sudden con-
vulsions OF tropic violence assailed the island
with cyclonic force. My frail hut was bodily
lifted by the blast as II 1t were feathers
weight, and no portion of 1t or its contents ever
met my eye again Torrential rain in binding
sheets, almost sufocating in its profusion. nj,
terly drenched me. and the great ocean, lashed
into wild fury. seemed bent on submerging
the little island as It had done on previous oc-
casions.
From the ending Of this storm, my days
were spent In searching for food and praying
to the flend. and my nights were troubled with
they were-as wholly to wreck my reason
Naked and unkempt roamed over the linn
tied extent the land afforded; attached now to
no particular place, and Needless Of any at
tempts at rescue i no longer kept a lookout
Like a wild man that was. CLEANED such
food as the place Afforded, untroubled By
qualms of any sort
One day while drowsily musing. new sounds
assailed my ears-more ineligible more bar
has fho s,fN n had
been accustomed to. Though they evidently
came from behind. expected the new breed
Of Intervals to deploy suddenly in 'front.' a.
thehir predecessors had always done there
fore I diu not turn until one Of them laid
rough hand on me. This was new expert
ence. for till now the busy imps had under
close inspection seemed intangible.
Turning to the touch. a number Of figures
in white garb met my astonished gaze and
though their countenances seemed plying and
benehcent. I knew them for their deceitful
worth. and cursed their uncalled-for intorfsr-
ence. I would have chased them from the
island TIL now ali goblins and little inquisi-
tive inps had fed before my rage, but these
newcomers closed In around me, seizing my
weapon and overpowering my hercest efforts.
until lay fast in bonds and quite insensible.
The end had come had been rescued by
an adventurous and devoted party Of Samoan
missionaries and their Elice Island follower.
Strange to say, nearly II not all of my mes
sages had safely reached some inhabited
island. but unfortunately none could read and
understand the English words.
Paulo. the teacher on Nanomea sent mes-
sage after message through the group, and
these timely explanations came to the south
ern teachers. enlightening them as to the
real meaning Of my misspeled and almost un-
Ineligible Samoan notes which they had
been getting from time to time by bird post
letter-delivery service which was soon &C
lively employed in my behalf
AS soon as the defective system would al
low, the teachers consulted, and one bold
spirit. an aged man, brave old AIamoa-jour
neyed from Nicutao to vaitupu, and on tc
Funafuti, in an open boat, to give direction
to the work Of rescue.
AS an example Of infinite unselfshness Of
noble devotion to high convictions of duty,
think that the work OF my dificult rescue car
be favorably compared with many other shin
ing records Of Christian eneeavor
The original party OF thirteen adyenturer,
set our from Funafuti In an ordinary oper
boat, three oars on q side. and using q bat
tered compass as their only guide After
rest of several days on Nukulailai, and with in
creased stores Of food and water. the periloul
journey to Nuulakta was successfully Al
tempted.
Who can with pen or type recount the ran
lures Of a return such as mine turned out I,
bel
BY kindness and generosity. my employer
sought to reward the good teachers and Ii,
workers who had saved me from living dealt
at the imminent risk Of their own lives an,
my good wife and children set down In fselinl
terms the heavy obligations under which the,
lay: but !. who more Immediately knew tn
case felt that long life Of thankfulness b
nj for ho mod or<rlo Of M
Group no more than paid my score