Year: 1877




compared with the same time spent nea
the Lily of Matagorda," as the youn.
men of the section called Belle Delmar
3, And not being anxious to 60 for the rea
son mentioned, the same motive woult
force him to return as soon rs possible; 81
he assured Belle they would return lon!
before dark.


The yacht was moored in narrow bu
very deep bayon that cmptied into the arm
OF Matagorda Bay-a place long fameC
for its oyster-beds, and as q duck-shootine
point, second to none on the coast. 1t was
sixteen miles to Pass Cavallo, where the
waters of the bay met those of the Gulf.


The wind was blowing off shore, as i
usually does at this season in the morning
and there was not a cloud in the blue SKY
even so big rs Il mans hand. No better
day could have been selected, and as the
yacht sped over the bay, frightening myr.
lads of waterfowl from lis course, the
young men shouted and sang and laughed
in their very excess of spirits.


What an intense pleasure life is at such
tlmesl The young heart in perfect SYM
pathy with the spring season, the fresh
breeze, the ripping waters and azure sky.
the very motion of the boat, MS it bounded
along, beating poetic measures 10 their
throbbing hearts.


They reached Salluria, little village
on the shore of the Pass, in about three
hours, and eere they stood to fish The
disciples of lzaak Walen who claimed
the sport of angling consists in the long
search for the game and then in the skill
with which the shy fish is hooked, would
Bay.


Looking over the side of the anchored
yacht, the young men could see the fish,
glancing and flashing like animated Jewels
in the settings of silver and gold.


Reddish, snappers, bass, garfsh, trout,
mackerel, with here and there monster
sea-turtle passing over the white bottom
like cloud-shadow across beautiful
landscape. They could see about them
the protruding dorsals of the huge sharks
that haunt the beautiful bay like old pi-
rates that have retired from the more
active plunder of the seas.


Fast as the bait lines could be dropped,
the fish leaped for them, so that fishing
was simply the mechanical throwing over
OF lines, and, without cessation of mo-
tlon, hauling them in. Burnett had tank
in the yacht, into which the fish were
thrown as soon as caught and this tank,
capable of holding several hundred weight,
was filled within an hour.


Now, Burnett" said Ralph Austin,
after they had eaten dinner, "it is noon.
With this wind it will take us four hours
to get back, and, as Miss Belle has virtu-
ally made me your guardian, l propose
we return"


"All right, Ralph, but on one condi-
tion."


What is that?"


THAT we stop at Duprcz Bar, about
three miles out of the course, and get some
oysters. Duprez Bar is the place where
the aristocratic oysters most congregaten


II am agreed, Burnett" And TO show
he was anxious to be under way, Ralph
drew up the anchor, and in few minutes
they were out of the Pass and sailing up
the bay.


The wind had nearly died out when they
reached Duprez Bar, and the sun grew
scorching hot; away to the southwest the
sky became overcast, and soon the black
rim of clouds spread to the south and east.


We are going to have gale, Ralph"
said Burnett, looking anxiously ut the un-
mistakable indications.


Ralph, who was not so familiar with
the weather signs, asked:


Do you think it will come on before
We reach shore?"


IL hope not; but l do not like the
looks of the sky" replied Burnett, point
ing to the coppercolored dome above
them, then hurredly taking reef in his
sail.


Ralph was surprised at this precaution,
for there was not the faintest breeze mov-
ing to break the mirror-likc expanse of
the bay.


If it comes on by degrees we can
make the bayou without any trouble, but
if the storm comes in its usual way we
shall make for the beach below the
house"


But why not for the bayou, no matter
how the wind bIows?"


Because the tide has turne |, and at
low water we cannot get over the bar ut
the mouth of the bayou. Should the sea
rise, it would be more difficut-indeed,
impossible. But there is no danger,
Ralph bless you, I've heached the yacht
Il score of times without harm"


While they were speaking the great cur
tain of clouds rolled up, as if it were un-
folding its inky drapery as it moves, and
blotted out the sun. Then came few
puffs of hot wind like the breath of Il glow
ing furnace. The water felt these pre-
monitory evidences of the gale and trem-
bled. A few minutes and the putfs in
creased till they became u continuous gale
of hot wind that increased in power each
second.


OF course the yacht was headed for
shore the moment there was breeze enough
to fill her sail, and then, holding the tiller,
Burnett looked back every few minutes
to the white line Of foam that came nearer
with frightful rapidity,


1t was well that he reefcd the sail, for
now the yacht was fairly leaping through
the water, and the groaning mast bent
like reed.


Are you making for the bayou, Bur-
nettP"


"Yes, think we can get over the
bar"


Burnetts handsome face was now very
pale, and for him, very stern. Quicker
than Il flying yacht the wind followed
with ever-increaSing fury, till the white
line of foam came up, envelOped them,
and went roaring toward the shore.


So fierce was the wind now that it cut
Off the SUBMITS of the waves, appearing
to lift the masses OF the waiter up and
dash them over the yacht, drenching its
occupants and threatening to swamp it.


They were near the bar, about which
the tide and wind seemed engaged in
fierce struggle, for between the opposing
forces great columns of green water were
shot into the air and fell in masses of
foam.


1t WAS too late TO attempt to mako the
sh)re; there was nothing left for it but to
keep straight on. The wind that seemed
to lave exerted all possible strengths this
time showed its terrific power in reserve,
for, Us the yacht reached the bar, it burst
with redoubled force on that spot.


The sail flew away in ragged ribbons,
and the yacht seemed to be lifted from the
water, was dashed to atoms on the bar,
and Ralph Austin and his friend were left
struggling in the malestrom.


The moment Belle Delmar saw the signs
of the coming tornado, she ordered two
horses saddled, and, filled with anxiety,
she and Alice rode rapidly down to the
bnyOu. DiSmountinp they hitched their