The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-06-14

is hot ana OppreSSlve-llke.
In ten minutes | had the longboat
over the side, and stout, weatherly
craft she was too. A bag of biscuits,
together with beaker of water, was
bidding the lads to give way with
will, we showed off from the sides Of
the old brig. I saw the tall, bent form
Of Captain Thompson peering down
upon me for moment, but the next in
slant the boat rose on the bottom Of
swell, and that was the last ever saw
Of my old skipper.
The brig quickly faded from sight,
hid by thin mist of haze which had
suddenly arisen, and, In fact, l was
conscious of O strange change In the
appearance of the weather. The stars
had entirely disappeared from the
armament, hid behind the gauzy veil
which had so mysteri0usly arisen, and
low down on the horizon / noted dark
bank of clouds. The heat was intense,
the stout seamen wiping the perspira-
ton from the streaming brows as they
toiled at the oars. Not a breath of air
disturbed the CLASSY waters. All ma
ture appeared to be hushed into q ter
rible calm.
l must confess felt rather appre-
hensive as glanced about the horizon
and locked back In the direction where
l 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 l
read the name La Hembrills in letters
of gold on the huge stern. The light
cast by the burning spars and rigging
aloft afforded ample power for me to
form my conclusions.
The ship was a Spaniard. The empty
davits and dangling falls told their own
story plain enough to seaman's eye.
The burning wreck had been deserted.
Shooting under the broad, heavy coun-
ter, we caught at the iron works Of the
mizZen channels, and, directing two
men to remain In the boat, clambcred
on deck, followed by the other two sea.
men.
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 clothing,
but 10 trace of human being could be
seen.
Diving down into the main cabin,
| which was half filed with black twist
| ing smoke, took a hasty glance about.
The rich hangings, appointments and
ornamentation surprised me. showing
that the unfortunate ship had been de-
signed to carry passengers. The sharp,
shooting CLEANS Of writhing flames
from aloft penetrated through the
broad skylight, tingeing every object
with ruddy glaze.
From stateroom to stateroom I hur-
| ried, but found them all empty until
came to the after onc There expo
| rienccd some difficulty in opening the
! door, the smoke every moment hecom.
/ ing more tense and respiration more
difficult. Exerting my strength, the
woodwork gave way, revealing con.
fused mass of white drapery lying on
the statcroom floor. The very sight
made IN: heart beat quick with appre
hension, and, STOPPING, soon ascer
tanned that it was u woman.
/ Placing my hand over her heart,
felt it tlrob, and without further delay
rushed OH deck with her in my arms
Through the companionway l stagger
ed, with strange dizziness in my
head, gasping for breath, but still re
taining my grasp on her l had saved
The fresh air revived me- and the pain
left my head, SO that was enabled t
pay proper attention to the woman
who lay helpless in my arms.
Then, for the first time, looked a
tie face of my burden, and by til,
bright light of the wreck discovered
she was both young and handsome. A
that moment the mainmast went crash
ing over the side, sinking with his
in the black water. A shower of Gin
ders and sparks, a column of r0arin,
flames shot on high, followed by th'
excited shouts Of the men, who has
leaped, panic stricken, into the h0at
urging me to follow.
Clasping the lady with my left arm
l used my right in gliding down tn
. ships side. The mems oars were pois
ed gave the word, and the next in
slant VIC were clear Of the vessel
which was now wrapped in flame
from stem to stern.
DaShing some water into the lady
{ face, began to chnfc her hands. TIL
treatment, though rough, had the dc
: sired effect She opened her eyes
+ closed them again as if the awakenin
2 was painful, but in few moment
was fully herself. In few words
) told her how she had been saved an
assured her that in a short time sll
we.:.d be in safety OH board the brig.
e. In return she told me that her Il
| ther was the Senor Jose Gonzales G
Santos, the wealthiest planter in til
! country. She had been OH a visit I
Spain, where her father had lars
e number of relations, and had take
e passage for home in the Spanish ship
!, The ill fated vessel, by some mcaf
g to her unknown, had caught fire du
e ing the night. A panic eDsued. ant
overcome by terror, she tainted ava,
q Probably, In the excitement and alarl
= which followed, her absence was owe