\"ButNaturewhistledwithallherwinds，Didasshepleased，andwentherway。\"
———EmersonTomyfriendDr。RodolfoMatasofNewOrleansTheLegendofL’IleDerniereI。
TravellingsouthfromNewOrleanstotheIslands，youpassthroughastrangelandintoastrangesea，byvariouswindingwaterways。YoucanjourneytotheGulfbyluggerifyouplease；
butthetripmaybemademuchmorerapidlyandagreeablyonsomeoneofthoselight，narrowsteamers，builtespeciallyforbayou—travel，whichusuallyreceivepassengersatapointnotfarfromthefootofoldSaint—LouisStreet，hardbythesugar—landing，wherethereiseverapushingandflockingofsteamcraft——allstrivingforplacetoresttheirwhitebreastsagainstthelevee，sidebyside，——likegreatwearyswans。ButtheminiaturesteamboatonwhichyouengagepassagetotheGulfneverlingerslongintheMississippi：shecrossestheriver，slipsintosomecanal—mouth，laborsalongtheartificialchannelawhile，andthenleavesitwithascreamofjoy，topuffherfreewaydownmanyaleagueofheavilyshadowedbayou。Perhapsthereaftershemaybearyouthroughtheimmensesilenceofdrenchedrice—fields，wheretheyellow—greenlevelisbrokenatlongintervalsbytheblacksilhouetteofsomeirrigatingmachine；——but，whicheverofthefivedifferentroutesbepursued，youwillfindyourselfmorethanoncefloatingthroughsombremazesofswamp—forest，——pastassemblagesofcypressesallhoarywiththeparasitictillandsia，andgrotesqueasgatheringsoffetich—gods。Everfromriverorfromlakeletthesteamerglidesagainintocanalorbayou，——frombayouorcanaloncemoreintolakeorbay；andsometimestheswamp—forestvisiblythinsawayfromtheseshoresintowastesofreedymorasswhere，evenofbreathlessnights，thequaggysoiltremblestoasoundlikethunderofbreakersonacoast：thestorm—roarofbillionsofreptilevoiceschantingincadence，——rhythmicallysurginginstupendouscrescendoanddiminuendo，——amonstrousandappallingchorusoffrogs!……
Panting，screaming，scrapingherbottomoverthesand—bars，——alldaythelittlesteamerstrivestoreachthegrandblazeofblueopenwaterbelowthemarsh—lands；andperhapsshemaybefortunateenoughtoentertheGulfaboutthetimeofsunset。Forthesakeofpassengers，shetravelsbydayonly；butthereareothervesselswhichmakethejourneyalsobynight——threadingthebayou—labyrinthswinterandsummer：sometimessteeringbytheNorthStar，——sometimesfeelingthewaywithpolesinthewhiteseasonoffogs，——sometimes，again，steeringbythatStarofEveningwhichinourskyglowslikeanothermoon，anddropsoverthesilentlakesasshepassesaquiveringtrailofsilverfire。
Shadowslengthen；andatlastthewoodsdwindleawaybehindyouintothinbluishlines；——landandwateraliketakemoreluminouscolor；——bayousopenintobroadpasses；——lakeslinkthemselveswithsea—bays；——andtheocean—windburstsuponyou，——keen，cool，andfulloflight。Forthefirsttimethevesselbeginstoswing，——rockingtothegreatlivingpulseofthetides。Andgazingfromthedeckaroundyou，withnoforestwallstobreaktheview，itwillseemtoyouthatthelowlandmusthaveoncebeenrentasunderbythesea，andstrewnabouttheGulfinfantastictatters……
Sometimesaboveawasteofwind—blownprairie—caneyouseeanoasisemerging，——aridgeorhillockheavilyumbragedwiththeroundedfoliageofevergreenoaks：——acheniere。Andfromtheshiningfloodalsokindredgreenknollsarise，——prettyislets，eachwithitsbeach—girdleofdazzlingsandandshells，yellow—white，——andallradiantwithsemi—tropicalfoliage，myrtleandpalmetto，orangeandmagnolia。Undertheiremeraldshadowscuriouslittlevillagesofpalmettohutsaredrowsing，wheredwellaswarthypopulationofOrientals，——Malayfishermen，whospeaktheSpanish—CreoleofthePhilippinesaswellastheirownTagal，andperpetuateinLouisianatheCatholictraditionsoftheIndies。Therearegirlsinthoseunfamiliarvillagesworthytoinspireanystatuary，——beautifulwiththebeautyofruddybronze，——gracileasthepalmettoesthatswayabovethem……
FurtherseawardyoumayalsopassaChinesesettlement：somequeercampofwoodendwellingsclusteringaroundavastplatformthatstandsabovethewateruponathousandpiles；——overtheminiaturewharfyoucanscarcelyfailtoobserveawhitesign—boardpaintedwithcrimsonideographs。Thegreatplatformisusedfordryingfishinthesun；andthefantasticcharactersofthesign，literallytranslated，mean：\"Heap——Shrimp——Plenty。\"……Andfinallyallthelandmeltsdownintodesolationsofsea—marsh，whosestillnessisseldombroken，exceptbythemelancholycryoflong—leggedbirds，andinwildseasonsbythatsoundwhichshakesallshoreswhentheweirdMusicianoftheSeatouchesthebasskeysofhismightyorgan……
II。
Beyondthesea—marshesacuriousarchipelagolies。Ifyoutravelbysteamertothesea—islandsto—day，youaretolerablycertaintoentertheGulfbyGrandePass——skirtingGrandeTerre，themostfamiliarislandofall，notsomuchbecauseofitsproximityasbecauseofitsgreatcrumblingfortanditsgracefulpharos：thestationaryWhite—LightofBarataria。Otherwisetheplaceisbleaklyuninteresting：awildernessofwind—sweptgrassesandsinewyweedswavingawayfromathinbeacheverspeckledwithdriftanddecayingthings，——worm—riddledtimbers，deadporpoises。
Eastwardtherussetlevelisbrokenbythecolumnarsilhouetteofthelighthouse，andagain，beyondit，bysomepunyscrubtimber，abovewhichrisestheangularruddymassoftheoldbrickfort，whoseditchesswarmwithcrabs，andwhosesluicewaysarehalfchokedbyobsoletecannon—shot，nowthicklycoveredwithincrustationofoystershells……Aroundallthegraycirclingofashark—hauntedsea……
Sometimesofautumneveningsthere，whenthehollowofheavenflamesliketheinteriorofachalice，andwavesandcloudsareflyinginonewildroutofbrokengold，——youmayseethetawnygrassesallcoveredwithsomethinglikehusks，——wheat—coloredhusks，——large，flat，anddisposedevenlyalongthelee—sideofeachswayingstalk，soastopresentonlytheiredgestothewind。But，ifyouapproach，thosepalehusksallbreakopentodisplaystrangesplendorsofscarletandseal—brown，witharabesquemottlingsinwhiteandblack：theychangeintowondrouslivingblossoms，whichdetachthemselvesbeforeyoureyesandriseinair，andflutterawaybythousandstosettledownfartheroff，andturnintowheat—coloredhusksoncemore……
awhirlingflower—driftofsleepybutterflies!
Southwest，acrossthepass，gleamsbeautifulGrandeIsle：
primitivelyawildernessofpalmetto（latanier）；——thendrained，diked，andcultivatedbySpanishsugar—planters；andnowfamiliarchieflyasabathing—resort。Sincethewartheoceanreclaimeditsown；——thecane—fieldshavedegeneratedintosandyplains，overwhichtramwayswindtothesmoothbeach；——theplantation—residenceshavebeenconvertedintorustichotels，andthenegro—quartersremodelledintovillagesofcozycottagesforthereceptionofguests。Butwithitsimposinggrovesofoak，itsgoldenwealthoforange—trees，itsodorouslanesofoleander。
itsbroadgrazing—meadowsyellow—starredwithwildcamomile，GrandeIsleremainstheprettiestislandoftheGulf；anditslovelinessisexceptional。ForthebleaknessofGrandTerreisreiteratedbymostoftheotherislands，——Caillou，Cassetete，Calumet，WineIsland，thetwinTimbaliers，GullIsland，andthemanyisletshauntedbythegraypelican，——allofwhicharelittlemorethansand—barscoveredwithwirygrasses，prairie—cane，andscrub—timber。LastIsland（L’IleDerniere），——wellworthyalongvisitinotheryears，inspiteofitsremoteness，isnowaghastlydesolationtwenty—fivemileslong。LyingnearlyfortymileswestofGrandeIsle，itwasneverthelessfarmorepopulatedagenerationago：itwasnotonlythemostcelebratedislandofthegroup，butalsothemostfashionablewatering—placeofthearistocraticSouth；——to—dayitisvisitedbyfishermenonly，atlongintervals。ItsadmirablebeachinmanyrespectsresembledthatofGrandeIsleto—day；theaccommodationsalsoweremuchsimilar，althoughfiner：acharmingvillageofcottagesfacingtheGulfnearthewesternend。Thehotelitselfwasamassivetwo—storyconstructionoftimber，containingmanyapartments，togetherwithalargedining—roomanddancing—hall。Inrearofthehotelwasabayou，wherepassengerslanded——\"VillageBayou\"
itisstillcalledbyseamen；——butthedeepchannelwhichnowcutstheislandintwoalittleeastwardlydidnotexistwhilethevillageremained。Theseatoreitoutinonenight——thesamenightwhentrees，fields，dwellings，allvanishedintotheGulf，leavingnovestigeofformerhumanhabitationexceptafewofthosestrongbrickpropsandfoundationsuponwhichtheframehousesandcisternshadbeenraised。Onelivingcreaturewasfoundthereafterthecataclysm——acow!Buthowthatsolitarycowsurvivedthefuryofastorm—floodthatactuallyrenttheislandintwainhaseverremainedamystery……
III。
OntheGulfsideoftheseislandsyoumayobservethatthetrees——whenthereareanytrees——allbendawayfromthesea；and，evenofbright，hotdayswhenthewindsleeps，thereissomethinggrotesquelypatheticintheirlookofagonizedterror。AgroupofoaksatGrandeIsleIrememberasespeciallysuggestive：fivestoopingsilhouettesinlineagainstthehorizon，likefleeingwomenwithstreaminggarmentsandwind—blownhair，——bowinggrievouslyandthrustingoutarmsdesperatelynorthwardastosavethemselvesfromfalling。Andtheyarebeingpursuedindeed；——fortheseaisdevouringtheland。ManyandmanyamileofgroundhasyieldedtothetirelesschargingofOcean’scavalry：faroutyoucansee，throughagoodglass，theporpoisesatplaywhereofoldthesugar—caneshookoutitsmillionbannerets；andshark—finsnowseamdeepwateraboveasitewherepigeonsusedtocoo。Menbuilddikes；butthebesiegingtidesbringuptheirbattering—rams——wholeforestsofdrift——hugetrunksofwater—oakandweightycypress。ForevertheyellowMississippistrivestobuild；forevertheseastrugglestodestroy；——andamidtheireternalstrifetheislandsandthepromontorieschangeshape，moreslowly，butnotlessfantastically，thanthecloudsofheaven。
Andworthyofstudyarethosewanbattle—groundswherethewoodsmadetheirlastbravestandagainsttheirresistibleinvasion，——usuallyatsomelongpointofsea—marsh，widelyfringedwithbillowingsand。Justwherethewavescurlbeyondsuchapointyoumaydiscernamultitudeofblackened，snaggyshapesprotrudingabovethewater，——somehighenoughtoresembleruinedchimneys，othersbearingastartlinglikenesstoenormousskeleton—feetandskeleton—hands，——withcrustaceouswhitegrowthsclingingtothemhereandtherelikeremnantsofintegument。
Thesearebodiesandlimbsofdrownedoaks，——solongdrownedthattheshell—scurfisinch—thickuponpartsofthem。Fartherinuponthebeachimmensetrunkslieoverthrown。Somelooklikevastbrokencolumns；somesuggestcolossaltorsosimbedded，andseemtoreachoutmutilatedstumpsindespairfromtheirdeepeninggraves；——andbesidetheseareotherswhichhavekepttheirfeetwithastoundingobstinacy，althoughthebarbariantideshavebeenchargingthemfortwentyyears，andgraduallytornawaythesoilaboveandbeneaththeirroots。Thesandaround，——softbeneathandthinlycrusteduponthesurface，——iseverywherepiercedwithholesmadebyabeautifullymottledandsemi—diaphanouscrab，withhairylegs，bigstaringeyes，andmilk—whiteclaws；——whileinthegreensedgesbeyondthereisaperpetualrustling，asofsomestrongwindbeatingamongreeds：
amarvellouscreepingof\"fiddlers，\"whichtheinexperiencedvisitormightatfirstmistakeforsomanypeculiarbeetles，astheyrunaboutsideways，eachwithhishugesingleclawfoldeduponhisbodylikeawing—case。Yearbyyearthatrustlingstripofgreenlandgrowsnarrower；thesandspreadsandsinks，shudderingandwrinklinglikealivingbrownskin；andthelaststandingcorpsesoftheoaks，everclingingwithnaked，deadfeettotheslidingbeach，leanmoreandmoreoutoftheperpendicular。Asthesandssubside，thestumpsappeartocreep；
theirintertwistedmassesofsnakishrootsseemtocrawl，towrithe，——likethereachingarmsofcephalopods……GrandeTerreisgoing：theseaminesherfort，andwillbeforemanyyearscarrytherampartsbystorm。GrandeIsleisgoing，——slowlybutsurely：theGulfhaseatenthreemilesintohermeadowedland。LastIslandhasgone!HowitwentIfirstheardfromthelipsofaveteranpilot，whilewesatoneeveningtogetheronthetrunkofadriftedcypresswhichsomehightidehadpresseddeeplyintotheGrandeIslebeach。Thedayhadbeentropicallywarm；wehadsoughttheshoreforabreathoflivingair。Sunsetcame，andwithittheponderousheatlifted，——asuddenbreezeblew，——lightningsflickeredinthedarkeninghorizon，——windandwaterbegantostrivetogether，——andsoonallthelowcoastboomed。Thenmycompanionbeganhisstory；perhapsthecomingofthestorminspiredhimtospeak!AndasIlistenedtohim，listeningalsototheclamoringofthecoast，thereflashedbacktomerecollectionofasingularBretonfancy：thattheVoiceoftheSeaisneveronevoice，butatumultofmanyvoices——voicesofdrownedmen，——themutteringofmultitudinousdead，——themoaningofinnumerableghosts，allrising，torageagainsttheliving，atthegreatWitchcallofstorms……
IV。
Thecharmofasinglesummerdayontheseislandshoresissomethingimpossibletoexpress，nevertobeforgotten。Rarely，inthepalerzones，doearthandheaventakesuchluminosity：
thosewillbestunderstandmewhohaveseenthesplendorofaWestIndiansky。Andyetthereisatendernessoftint，acaressofcolor，intheseGulf—dayswhichisnotoftheAntilles，——aspirituality，asofeternaltropicalspring。ItmusthavebeentoevensuchaskythatXenophaneslifteduphiseyesofoldwhenhevowedtheInfiniteBluewasGod；——itwasindeedundersuchaskythatDeSotonamedthevastestandgrandestofSouthernhavensEspirituSanto，——theBayoftheHolyGhost。ThereisasomethingunutterableinthisbrightGulf—airthatcompelsawe，——somethingvital，somethingholy，somethingpantheistic：
andreverentiallythemindasksitselfifwhattheeyebeholdsisnotthePneumaindeed，theInfiniteBreath，theDivineGhost，thegreatBlueSouloftheUnknown。All，allisblueinthecalm，——savethelowlandunderyourfeet，whichyoualmostforget，sinceitseemsonlyasatinygreenflakeafloatintheliquideternityofday。Thenslowly，caressingly，irresistibly，thewitcheryoftheInfinitegrowsuponyou：outofTimeandSpaceyoubegintodreamwithopeneyes，——todriftintodeliciousoblivionoffacts，——toforgetthepast，thepresent，thesubstantial，——tocomprehendnothingbuttheexistenceofthatinfiniteBlueGhostassomethingintowhichyouwouldwishtomeltutterlyawayforever……
Andthisday—magicofazureenduressometimesformonthstogether。Cloudlesslythedawnreddensupthroughavioleteast：
thereisnospeckupontheblossomingofitsMysticalRose，——unlessitbethesilhouetteofsomepassinggull，whirlinghissickle—wingsagainstthecrimsoning。Ever，asthesunfloatshigher，thefloodshiftsitscolor。Sometimessmoothandgray，yetflickeringwiththemorninggold，itisthevisionofJohn，——theapocalypticSeaofGlassmixedwithfire；——again，withthegrowingbreeze，ittakesthatincrediblepurpletintfamiliarmostlytopaintersofWestIndianscenery；——oncemore，undertheblazeofnoon，itchangestoawasteofbrokenemerald。Withevening，thehorizonassumestintsofinexpressiblesweetness，——pearl—lights，opalinecolorsofmilkandfire；andinthewestaretopaz—glowingsandwondrousflushingsasofnacre。
Then，iftheseasleeps，itdreamsofallthese，——faintly，weirdly，——shadowingthemeventothevergeofheaven。
Beautiful，too，arethosewhitephantasmagoriawhich，attheapproachofequinoctialdays，markthecomingofthewinds。Overtherimoftheseaabrightcloudgentlypushesupitshead。Itrises；andothersrisewithit，torightandleft——slowlyatfirst；thenmoreswiftly。Allarebrilliantlywhiteandflocculent，likeloosenewcotton。GraduallytheymountinenormouslinehighabovetheGulf，rollingandwreathingintoanarchthatexpandsandadvances，——bendingfromhorizontohorizon。
Aclear，coldbreathaccompaniesitscoming。Reachingthezenith，itseemstheretohangpoisedawhile，——aghostlybridgearchingtheempyrean，——upreachingitsmeasurelessspanfromeitherundersideoftheworld。Thenthecolossalphantombeginstoturn，asonapivotofair，——alwayspreservingitscurvilinearsymmetry，butmovingitsunseenendsbeyondandbelowthesky—circle。Andatlastitfloatsawayunbrokenbeyondthebluesweepoftheworld，withawindfollowingafter。Dayafterday，almostatthesamehour，thewhitearcrises，wheels，andpasses……Neveraglimpseofrockontheselowshores；——onlylongslopingbeachesandbarsofsmoothtawnysand。Sandandseateemwithvitality；——overallthedunesthereisaconstantsusurration，ablatteringandswarmingofcrustacea；——throughalltheseathereisaceaselessplayofsilverlightning，——flashingofmyriadfish。Sometimestheshallowsarethickenedwithminute，transparent，crab—likeorganisms，——allcolorlessasgelatine。Therearedaysalsowhencountlessmedusaedriftin——beautifulveinedcreaturesthatthroblikehearts，withperpetualsystoleanddiastoleoftheirdiaphanousenvelops：
some，oftranslucentazureorrose，seeminthefloodtheshadowsorghostsofhugecampanulateflowers；——othershavethesemblanceofstrangelivingvegetables，——greatmilkytubers，justbeginningtosprout。Butwoetothehumanskingrazedbythoseshadowysproutingsandspectralstamens!——thetouchofglowingironisnotmorepainful……Withinanhourortwoaftertheirappearanceallthesetremulousjelliesvanishmysteriouslyastheycame。
Perhaps，ifaboldswimmer，youmayventureoutalonealongway——once!Nottwice!——evenincompany。Asthewaterdeepensbeneathyou，andyoufeelthoseascendingwave—currentsofcoldnessarisingwhichbespeakprofundity，youwillalsobegintofeelinnumerabletouches，asofgropingfingers——touchesofthebodiesoffish，innumerablefish，fleeingtowardsshore。Thefartheryouadvance，themorethicklyyouwillfeelthemcome；
andaboveyouandaroundyou，torightandleft，otherswillleapandfallsoswiftlyastodazethesight，likeintercrossingfountain—jetsoffluidsilver。Thegullsflyloweraboutyou，circlingwithsinistersqueakingcries；——perhapsforaninstantyourfeettouchinthedeepsomethingheavy，swift，lithe，thatrushespastwithaswirlingshock。ThenthefearoftheAbyss，thevastandvoicelessNightmareoftheSea，willcomeuponyou；
thesilentpanicofallthoseopalinemillionsthatfleeglimmeringbywillenterintoyoualso……
Fromwhatdotheyfleethusperpetually？Isitfromthegiantsawfishortheraveningshark？——fromtheherdsoftheporpoises，orfromthegrande—ecaille，——thatsplendidmonsterwhomnonetmayhold，——allhelmedandarmoredinargentplate—mail？——orfromthehideousdevilfishoftheGulf，——gigantic，flat—bodied，black，withimmenseside—finseveroutspreadlikethepinionsofabat，——theterrorofluggermen，theuprooterofanchors？Fromallthese，perhaps，andfromothermonsterslikewise——goblinshapesevolvedbyNatureasdestroyers，asequilibrists，ascountercheckstothatprodigiousfecundity，which，unhindered，wouldthickenthedeepintoonemeasurelessandwavelessfermentofbeing……Butwhentherearemanybatherstheseperilsareforgotten，——numbersgivecourage，——onecanabandonone’sself，withoutfearoftheinvisible，tothelong，quivering，electricalcaressesofthesea……
V。
Thirtyyearsago，LastIslandlaysteepedintheenormouslightofevensuchmagicaldays。Julywasdying；——forweeksnofleckofcloudhadbrokentheheaven’sbluedreamofeternity；windsheldtheirbreath；slowwavelesscaressedtheblandbrownbeachwithasoundasofkissesandwhispers。Toonewhofoundhimselfalone，beyondthelimitsofthevillageandbeyondthehearingofitsvoices，——thevastsilence，thevastlight，seemedfullofweirdness。Andthesehushes，thesetransparencies，donotalwaysinspireacauselessapprehension：theyareomenssometimes——omensofcomingtempest。Nature，——incomprehensibleSphinx!——beforehermightiestburstsofrage，everputsforthherdivinestwitchery，makesmoremanifestherawfulbeauty……
Butinthatforgottensummerthewitcherylastedmanylongdays，——daysborninrose—light，buriedingold。Itwastheheightoftheseason。Thelongmyrtle—shadowedvillagewasthrongedwithitssummerpopulation；——thebighotelcouldhardlyaccommodateallitsguests；——thebathing—housesweretoofewforthecrowdswhoflockedtothewatermorningandevening。Therewerediversionsforall，——huntingandfishingparties，yachtingexcursions，rides，music，games，promenades。Carriagewheelswhirledflickeringalongthebeach，seamingitssmoothnessnoiselessly，asifmuffled。Lovewroteitsdreamsuponthesand……Thenonegreatnoon，whentheblueabyssofdayseemedtoyawnovertheworldmoredeeplythaneverbefore，asuddenchangetouchedthequicksilversmoothnessofthewaters——theswayingshadowofavastmotion。Firstthewholesea—circleappearedtoriseupbodilyatthesky；thehorizon—curveliftedtoastraightline；thelinedarkenedandapproached，——amonstrouswrinkle，animmeasurablefoldofgreenwater，movingswiftasacloud—shadowpursuedbysunlight。Butithadlookedformidableonlybystartlingcontrastwiththepreviousplacidityoftheopen：itwasscarcelytwofeethigh；——itcurledslowlyasitnearedthebeach，andcombeditselfoutinsheetsofwoollyfoamwithalow，richrollofwhisperedthunder。Swiftinpursuitanotherfollowed——athird——afeeblerfourth；thentheseaonlyswayedalittle，andstilledagain。Minutespassed，andtheimmeasurableheavingrecommenced——one，two，three，four……sevenlongswellsthistime；——andtheGulfsmootheditselfoncemore。Irregularlythephenomenoncontinuedtorepeatitself，eachtimewithheavierbillowingandbrieferintervalsofquiet——untilatlastthewholeseagrewrestlessandshiftedcolorandflickeredgreen；——theswellsbecameshorterandchangedform。Thenfromhorizontoshoreranoneuninterruptedheaving——onevastgreenswarmingofsnakyshapes，rollingintohissandflattenuponthesand。Yetnosinglecirrus—speckrevealeditselfthroughallthevioletheights：therewasnowind!——youmighthavefanciedtheseahadbeenupheavedfrombeneath……
Andindeedthefancyofaseismicoriginforawindlesssurgewouldnotappearintheselatitudestobeutterlywithoutfoundation。Onthefairestdaysasoutheastbreezemaybearyouanodorsingularenoughtostartleyoufromsleep，——astrong，sharpsmellasoffish—oil；andgazingattheseayoumightbestillmorestartledatthesuddenapparitionofgreatoleaginouspatchesspreadingoverthewater，sheetingovertheswells。Thatis，ifyouhadneverheardofthemysterioussubmarineoil—wells，thevolcanicfountains，unexplored，thatwellupwiththeeternalpulsingoftheGulf—Stream……
Butthepleasure—seekersofLastIslandknewtheremusthavebeena\"greatblow\"somewherethatday。Stilltheseaswelled；andasplendidsurfmadetheeveningbathdelightful。Then，justatsundown，abeautifulcloud—bridgegrewupandarchedtheskywithasinglespanofcottonypinkvapor，thatchangedanddeepenedcolorwiththedyingoftheiridescentday。Andthecloud—bridgeapproached，stretched，strained，andswungroundatlasttomakewayforthecomingofthegale，——evenasthelightbridgesthattraversethedreamyTecheswingopenwhenluggermensoundthroughtheirconch—shellsthelong，bellowingsignalofapproach。
Thenthewindbegantoblow，withthepassingofJuly。Itblewfromthenortheast，clear，cool。Itblewinenormoussighs，dyingawayatregularintervals，asifpausingtodrawbreath。
Allnightitblew；andineachpausecouldbeheardtheansweringmoanoftherisingsurf，——asiftherhythmoftheseamouldeditselfaftertherhythmoftheair，——asifthewavingofthewaterrespondedpreciselytothewavingofthewind，——abillowforeverypuff，asurgeforeverysigh。
TheAugustmorningbrokeinabrightsky；——thebreezestillcamecoolandclearfromthenortheast。Thewaveswererunningnowatasharpangletotheshore：theybegantocarryfleeces，aninnumerableflockofvaguegreenshapes，wind—driventobedespoiledoftheirghostlywool。Farastheeyecouldfollowthelineofthebeach，alltheslopewaswhitewiththegreatshearingofthem。Cloudscame，flewasinapanicagainstthefaceofthesun，andpassed。Allthatdayandthroughthenightandintothemorningagainthebreezecontinuedfromthenorth。
east，blowinglikeanequinoctialgale……
Thendaybydaythevastbreathfreshenedsteadily，andthewatersheightened。Aweeklatersea—bathinghadbecomeperilous：
colossalbreakerswereherdingin，likemovingleviathan—backs，twicetheheightofaman。Stillthegalegrew，andthebillowingwaxedmightier，andfasterandfasteroverheadflewthetattersoftorncloud。Thegraymorningofthe9thwanlylightedasurfthatappalledthebestswimmers：theseawasonewildagonyoffoam，thegalewasrendingofftheheadsofthewavesandveilingthehorizonwithafogofsaltspray。Shadowlessandgraythedayremained；thereweremadburstsoflashingrain。
Eveningbroughtwithitasinisterapparition，loomingthroughacloud—rentinthewest——ascarletsuninagreensky。Hissanguinedisk，enormouslymagnified，seemedbarredlikethebodyofabeltedplanet。Amoment，andthecrimsonspectrevanished；
andthemoonlessnightcame。
ThentheWindgrewweird。Itceasedbeingabreath；itbecameaVoicemoaningacrosstheworld，——hooting，——utteringnightmaresounds，——Whoo!——whoo!——whoo!——andwitheachstupendousowl—crythemooingofthewatersseemedtodeepen，moreandmoreabysmally，throughallthehoursofdarkness。Fromthenorthwestthebreakersofthebaybegantorollhighoverthesandyslope，intothesalines；——thevillagebayoubroadenedtoabellowingflood……Sothetumultswelledandtheturmoilheighteneduntilmorning，——amorningofgraygloomandwhistlingrain。Rainofburstingcloudsandrainofwind—blownbrinefromthegreatspumingagonyofthesea。
ThesteamerStarwasduefromSt。Mary’sthatfearfulmorning。
Couldshecome？Noonereallybelievedit，——noone。Andneverthelessmenstruggledtotheroaringbeachtolookforher，becausehopeisstrongerthanreason……
Eventoday，intheseCreoleislands，theadventofthesteameristhegreateventoftheweek。Therearenotelegraphlines，notelephones：themail—packetistheonlytrustworthymediumofcommunicationwiththeouterworld，bringingfriends，news，letters。ThemagicofsteamhasplacedNewOrleansnearertoNewYorkthantotheTimbaliers，nearertoWashingtonthantoWineIsland，nearertoChicagothantoBaratariaBay。Andevenduringthedeepestsleepofwavesandwindstherewillcomebetimestosojournersinthisunfamiliararchipelagoafeelingoflonesomenessthatisafear，afeelingofisolationfromtheworldofmen，——totallyunlikethatsenseofsolitudewhichhauntsoneinthesilenceofmountain—heights，oramidtheeternaltumultofloftygraniticcoasts：asenseofhelplessinsecurity。
Thelandseemsbutanundulationofthesea—bed：itshighestridgesdonotrisemorethantheheightofamanabovethesalinesoneitherside；——thesalinesthemselvesliealmostlevelwiththeleveloftheflood—tides；——thetidesarevariable，treacherous，mysterious。Butwhenallaroundandabovetheseever—changingshoresthetwinvastnessesofheavenandseabegintoutterthetremendousrevelationofthemselvesasinfiniteforcesincontention，thenindeedthissenseofseparationfromhumanityappalls……Perhapsitwassuchafeelingwhichforcedmen，onthetenthdayofAugust，eighteenhundredandfifty—six，tohopeagainsthopeforthecomingoftheStar，andtostraintheireyestowardsfar—offTerrebonne。\"Itwasawindyoucouldliedownon，\"saidmyfriendthepilot……\"GreatGod!\"shriekedavoiceabovetheshoutingofthestorm，——\"sheiscoming!\"……Itwastrue。DowntheAtchafalaya，andthencethroughstrangemazesofbayou，lakelet，andpass，byarearroutefamiliaronlytothebestofpilots，thefrailriver—crafthadtoiledintoCaillouBay，runningclosetothemainshore；——andnowshewasheadingrightfortheisland，withthewindaft，overthemonstroussea。Onshecame，swaying，rocking，plunging，——withagreatwhitenesswrappingheraboutlikeacloud，andmovingwithhermoving，——atempest—whirlofspray；——ghost—whiteandlikeaghostshecame，forhersmoke—stacksexhalednovisiblesmoke——thewinddevouredit!Theexcitementonshorebecamewild；——menshoutedthemselveshoarse；
womenlaughedandcried。Everytelescopeandopera—glasswasdirecteduponthecomingapparition；allwonderedhowthepilotkepthisfeet；allmarvelledatthemadnessofthecaptain。
ButCaptainAbrahamSmithwasnotmad。AveteranAmericansailor，hehadlearnedtoknowthegreatGulfasscholarsknowdeepbooksbyheart：heknewthebirthplaceofitstempests，themysteryofitstides，theomensofitshurricanes。WhilelyingatBrashearCityhefeltthestormhadnotyetreacheditshighest，vaguelyforesawamightyperil，andresolvedtowaitnolongerforalull。\"Boys，\"hesaid，\"we’vegottotakeheroutinspiteofHell!\"Andthey\"tookherout。\"Throughalltheperil，hismenstayedbyhimandobeyedhim。Bymidmorningthewindhaddeepenedtoaroar，——loweringsometimestoarumble，sometimesburstingupontheearslikeameasurelessanddeafeningcrash。ThenthecaptainknewtheStarwasrunningaracewithDeath。\"She’llwinit，\"hemuttered；——\"she’llstandit……
Perhapsthey’llhaveneedofmeto—night。\"
Shewon!Withasonoroussteam—chantoftriumphthebravelittlevesselrodeatlastintothebayou，andanchoredhardbyheraccustomedresting—place，infullviewofthehotel，thoughnotnearenoughtoshoretolowerhergang—plank……Butshehadsungherswan—song。Gatheringinfromthenortheast，thewatersofthebaywerealreadymarblingoverthesalinesandhalfacrosstheisland；andstillthewindincreaseditsparoxysmalpower。
Cottagesbegantorock。Someslidawayfromthesolidpropsuponwhichtheyrested。Achimneyfumbled。Shutterswerewrenchedoff；verandasdemolished。Lightroofslifted，droppedagain，andflappedintoruin。Treesbenttheirheadstotheearth。Andstillthestormgrewlouderandblackerwitheverypassinghour。
TheStarrosewiththerisingofthewaters，draggingheranchor。
Twomoreanchorswereputout，andstillshedragged——draggedinwiththeflood，——twisting，shuddering，careeninginheragony。
Eveningfell；thesandbegantomovewiththewind，stingingfaceslikeacontinuousfireoffineshot；andfrenziedblastscametobuffetthesteamerforward，sideward。Thenoneofherhog—chainspartedwithaclangliketheboomofabigbell。Thenanother!……Thenthecaptainbadehismentocutawayallherupperworks，cleantothedeck。Overboardintotheseethingwentherstacks，herpilot—house，hercabins，——andwhirledaway。AndthenakedhulloftheStar，stilldraggingherthreeanchors，laboredonthroughthedarkness，nearerandnearertotheimmensesilhouetteofthehotel，whosehundredwindowswerenowallaflame。Thevasttimberbuildingseemedtodefythestorm。Thewind，roaringrounditsbroadverandas，——hissingthrougheverycrevicewiththesoundandforceofsteam，——appearedtowasteitsrage。Andinthehalf—lullbetweentwoterribleguststherecametothecaptain’searsasoundthatseemedstrangeinthatnightofmultitudinousterrors……asoundofmusic!
VI……Almosteveryeveningthroughouttheseasontherehadbeendancinginthegreathall；——therewasdancingthatnightalso。
Thepopulationofthehotelhadbeenaugmentedbytheadventoffamiliesfromotherpartsoftheisland，whofoundtheirsummercottagesinsecureplacesofshelter：therewerenearlyfourhundredguestsassembled。Perhapsitwasforthisreasonthattheentertainmenthadbeenprepareduponagranderplanthanusual，thatitassumedtheformofafashionableball。Andallthosepleasureseekers，——representingthewealthandbeautyoftheCreoleparishes，——whetherfromAscensionorAssumption，St。
Mary’sorSt。Landry’s，IbervilleorTerrebonne，whetherinhabitantsofthemulti—coloredandmany—balconiedCreolequarterofthequaintmetropolis，ordwellersinthedreamyparadisesoftheTeche，——mingledjoyously，knowingeachother，feelinginsomesortakin——whetheraffiliatedbyblood，connaturalizedbycaste，orsimplyinterassociatedbytraditionalsympathiesofclasssentimentandclassinterest。Perhapsinthemorethanordinarymerrimentofthateveningsomethingofnervousexaltationmighthavebeendiscerned，——somethinglikeafeverishresolvetoopposeapprehensionwithgayety，tocombatuneasinessbydiversion。Butthehourspassedinmirthfulness；thefirstgeneralfeelingofdepressionbegantoweighlessandlessupontheguests；theyhadfoundreasontoconfideinthesolidityofthemassivebuilding；therewerenopositiveterrors，nooutspokenfears；andthenewconvictionofallhadfoundexpressioninthewordsofthehosthimself，——\"Iln’yariendemieuxafairequedes’amuser!\"Ofwhatavailtolamenttheprospectivedevastationofcane—fields，——todiscussthepossibleruinofcrops？Bettertoseeksolaceinchoregraphicharmonies，intherhythmofgraciousmotionandofperfectmelody，thanhearkentothediscordsofthewildorchestraofstorms；——wisertoadmirethegraceofParisiantoilets，theeddyoftrailingrobeswithitsfairy—foamoflace，theivorinelovelinessofglossyshouldersandjewelledthroats，theglimmeringofsatin—slipperedfeet，——thantowatchtheragingofthefloodwithout，ortheflyingofthewrack……
Sothemusicandthemirthwenton：theymadejoyforthemselves——thoseelegantguests；——theyjestedandsippedrichwines；——theypledged，andhoped，andloved，andpromised，withneverathoughtofthemorrow，onthenightofthetenthofAugust，eighteenhundredandfifty—six。Observantparentswerethere，planningforthefutureblissoftheirnearestanddearest；——mothersandfathersofhandsomelads，litheandelegantasyoungpines，andfreshfromthepolishofforeignuniversitytraining；——mothersandfathersofsplendidgirlswhosesimplestattitudeswerewitcheries。Youngcheeksflushed，youngheartsflutteredwithanemotionmorepuissantthantheexcitementofthedance；——youngeyesbetrayedthehappysecretdiscreeterlipswouldhavepreserved。Slave—servantscircledthroughthearistocraticpress，bearingdaintiesandwines，prayingpermissiontopassintermsatoncehumbleandofficious，——alwaysintheexcellentFrenchwhichwell—trainedhouse—servantsweretaughttouseonsuchoccasions……Nightworeon：stilltheshiningfloorpalpitatedtothefeetofthedancers；stillthepiano—fortepealed，andstilltheviolinssang，——andthesoundoftheirsingingshrilledthroughthedarkness，ingaspsofthegale，totheearsofCaptainSmith，ashestrovetokeephisfootingonthespray—drencheddeckoftheStar。
——\"Christ!\"hemuttered，——\"adance!Ifthatwindwhipsroundsouth，there’llbeanotherdance!……ButIguesstheStarwillstay。\"……
Halfanhourmighthavepassed；stillthelightsflamedcalmly，andtheviolinstrilled，andtheperfumedwhirlwenton……Andsuddenlythewindveered!
AgaintheStarreeled，andshuddered，andturned，andbegantodragallheranchors。Butshenowdraggedawayfromthegreatbuildinganditslights，——awayfromthevoluptuousthunderofthegrandpiano，evenatthatmomentoutpouringthegreatjoyofWeber’smelodyorchestratedbyBerlioz：l’InvitationalaValse，——withitsmarvellousmusicalswing!
——\"Waltzing!\"criedthecaptain。\"Godhelpthem!——Godhelpusallnow!……TheWindwaltzesto—night，withtheSeaforhispartner!\"……
OthestupendousValse—Tourbillon!OthemightyDancer!
One——two——three!Fromnortheasttoeast，fromeasttosoutheast，fromsoutheasttosouth：thenfromthesouthhecame，whirlingtheSeainhisarms……Someoneshriekedinthemidstoftherevels；——somegirlwhofoundherprettyslipperswet。Whatcoulditbe？Thinstreamsofwaterwerespreadingoverthelevelplanking，——curlingaboutthefeetofthedancers……Whatcoulditbe？Allthelandhadbeguntoquake，evenas，butamomentbefore，thepolishedfloorwastremblingtothepressureofcirclingsteps；——allthebuildingshooknow；everybeamuttereditsgroan。Whatcoulditbe？……
Therewasaclamor，apanic，arushtothewindynight。Infinitedarknessaboveandbeyond；butthelantern—beamsdancedfaroutoveranunbrokencircleofheavingandswirlingblackwater。
Stealthily，swiftly，themeasurelesssea—floodwasrising。
——\"Messieurs——mesdames，cen’estrien。Nothingserious，ladies，Iassureyou……Maisnousenavonsvubiensouvent，lesinondationscommecelle—ci；capassevite!Thewaterwillgodowninafewhours，ladies；——itneverriseshigherthanthis；iln’yapaslemoindredanger，jevousdis!Allons!iln’ya——MyGod!
whatisthat？\"……
Foramomenttherewasaghastlyhushofvoices。Andthroughthathushthereburstupontheearsofallafearfulandunfamiliarsound，asofacolossalcannonaderollingupfromthesouth，withvolleyinglightnings。Vastlyandswiftly，nearerandneareritcame，——aponderousandunbrokenthunder—roll，terribleasthelongmutteringofanearthquake。
Thenearestmainland，——acrossmadCaillouBaytothesea—marshes，——laytwelvemilesnorth；west，bytheGulf，thenearestsolidgroundwastwentymilesdistant。Therewereboats，yes!——butthestoutestswimmermightneverreachthemnow!
Thenroseafrightfulcry，——thehoarse，hideous，indescribablecryofhopelessfear，——thedespairinganimal—crymanutterswhensuddenlybroughtfacetofacewithNothingness，withoutpreparation，withoutconsolation，withoutpossibilityofrespite……Sauvequipeut!Somewrencheddownthedoors；someclungtotheheavybanquet—tables，tothesofas，tothebilliard。
tables：——duringoneterribleinstant，——againstfruitlessheroisms，againstfutilegenerosities，——ragedallthefrenzyofselfishness，allthebrutalitiesofpanic。Andthen——thencame，thunderingthroughtheblackness，thegiantswells，boomonboom!……Onecrash!——thehugeframebuildingrockslikeacradle，seesaws，crackles。Whatarehumanshrieksnow？——thetornadoisshrieking!Another!——chandelierssplinter；lightsaredashedout；
asweepingcataracthurlsin：theimmensehallrises，——oscillates，——twirlsasuponapivot，——crepitates，——crumblesintoruin。Crashagain!——theswirlingwreckdissolvesintothewallowingofanothermonsterbillow；andahundredcottagesoverturn，spininsuddeneddies，quiver，disjoint，andmeltintotheseething……Sothehurricanepassed，——tearingofftheheadsoftheprodigiouswaves，tohurlthemahundredfeetinair，——heapinguptheoceanagainsttheland，——upturningthewoods。Baysandpasseswereswollentoabysses；riversregorged；thesea—marsheswerechangedtoragingwastesofwater。BeforeNewOrleansthefloodofthemile—broadMississippirosesixfeetabovehighestwater—mark。Onehundredandtenmilesaway，DonaldsonvilletrembledatthetoweringtideoftheLafourche。Lakesstrovetobursttheirboundaries。Far—offriversteamerstuggedwildlyattheircables，——shiveringliketetheredcreaturesthathearbynighttheapproachinghowlofdestroyers。Smoke—stackswerehurledoverboard，pilot—housestornaway，cabinsblowntofragments。
AndoverroaringKaimbuckPass，——overtheagonyofCaillouBay，——thebillowingtiderushedunresistedfromtheGulf，——tearingandswallowingthelandinitscourse，——ploughingoutdeep—seachannelswheresleekherdshadbeengrazingbutafewhoursbefore，——rendingislandsintwain，——andeverbearingwithit，throughthenight，enormousvortexofwreckandvastwandriftofcorpses……
ButtheStarremained。AndCaptainAbrahamSmith，withalong，goodropeabouthiswaist，dashedagainandagainintothatawfulsurgingtosnatchvictimsfromdeath，——clutchingatpassinghands，heads，garments，inthecataract—sweepoftheseas，——saving，aiding，cheering，thoughblindedbysprayandbatteredbydriftingwreck，untilhisstrengthfailedintheunequalstruggleatlast，andhismendrewhimaboardsenseless，withsomebeautifulhalf—drownedgirlsafeinhisarms。Butwell—nightwoscoresoulshadbeenrescuedbyhim；andtheStarstayedonthroughitall。
Longyearsafter，theweed—grownribsofhergracefulskeletoncouldstillbeseen，curvingupfromthesand—dunesofLastIsland，invaliantwitnessofhowwellshestayed。
VII。
Daybreaksthroughtheflyingwrack，overtheinfiniteheavingofthesea，overthelowlandmadevastwithdesolation。Itisaspectraldawn：awanlight，likethelightofadyingsun。
Thewindhaswanedandveered；thefloodsinksslowlybacktoitsabysses——abandoningitsplunder，——scatteringitspiteouswaifsoverbaranddune，overshoalandmarsh，amongthesilencesofthemango—swamps，overthelonglowreachesofsand—grassesanddrownedweeds，formorethanahundredmiles。Fromtheshell—reefsofPointe—au—FertotheshallowsofPeltoBaythedeadliemingledwiththehigh—heapeddrift；——fromtheircypressgrovesthevulturesrisetodisputeashareofthefeastwiththeshriekingfrigate—birdsandsqueakinggulls。Andasthetremendoustidewithdrawsitsplungingwaters，allthepiratesofairfollowthegreatwhite—gleamingretreat：astormofbillowingwingsandscreamingthroats。
Andswiftinthewakeofgullandfrigate—birdtheWreckerscome，theSpoilersofthedead，——savageskimmersofthesea，——hurricane—riderswonttospreadtheircanvas—pinionsinthefaceofstorms；SicilianandCorsicanoutlaws，Manila—menfromthemarshes，desertersfrommanynavies，Lascars，marooners，refugeesofahundrednationalities，——fishersandshrimpersbyname，smugglersbyopportunity，——wildchannel—findersfromobscurebayousandunfamiliarchenieres，allskilledinthemysteriesofthesemysteriouswatersbeyondthecomprehensionoftheoldestlicensedpilot……
Thereisplunderforall——birdsandmen。Therearedrownedsheepinmultitude，heapedcarcassesofkine。Therearecasksofclaretandkegsofbrandyandlegionsofbottlesbobbinginthesurf。Therearebilliard—tablesoverturneduponthesand；——therearesofas，pianos，footstoolsandmusic—stools，luxuriouschairs，loungesofbamboo。Therearechestsofcedar，andtoilet—tablesofrosewood，andtrunksoffinestampedleatherstoredwithpreciousapparel。Thereareobjetsdeluxeinnumerable。Therearechildren’splaythings：Frenchdollsinmarvelloustoilets，andtoycarts，andwoodenhorses，andwoodenspades，andbravelittlewoodenshipsthatrodeoutthegaleinwhichthegreatNautiluswentdown。Thereismoneyinnotesandincoin——inpurses，inpocketbooks，andinpockets：plentyofit!Therearesilks，satins，laces，andfinelinentobestrippedfromthebodiesofthedrowned，——andnecklaces，bracelets，watches，finger—ringsandfinechains，broochesandtrinkets……\"Chibidizza!——Oh!chibeddamughieri!Eccu，labidizza!\"Thatball—dresswasmadeinParisby——Butyouneverheardofhim，SicilianVicenzu……\"Chebellasposina!\"Herbetrothalringwillnotcomeoff，Giuseppe；butthedelicatebonesnapseasily：
youroyster—knifecanseverthetendon……\"Guardate!chibeddapicciota!\"Overherheartyouwillfindit，Valentino——thelocketheldbythatfineSwisschainofwovenhair——\"Cayamanan!\"
Anditisnotyourquadroonbondsmaid，sweetlady，whonowdisrobesyousoroughly；thoseMalayhandsarelessdeftthanhers，——butsheslumbersveryfarawayfromyou，andmaynotbearousedfromhersleep。\"Naquitamo!dalaga!——naquitamaganda!\"……Juan，thefasteningsofthosediamondear—dropsaremuchtoocomplicatedforyourpeonfingers：tearthemout!——\"Dispense，chulita!\"……Suddenlyalong，mightysilvertrillingfillstheearsofall：thereisawildhurryingandscurrying；swiftly，oneafteranother，theoverburdenedluggersspreadwingsandflutteraway。
Thricethegreatcryringsripplingthroughthegrayair，andoverthegreensea，andoverthefar—floodedshell—reefs，wherethehugewhiteflashesare，——sheet—lightningofbreakers，——andovertheweirdwashofcorpsescomingin。
Itisthesteam—calloftherelief—boat，hasteningtorescuetheliving，togatherinthedead。
Thetremendoustragedyisover!
OutoftheSea’sStrengthI。
ThereareregionsofLouisianacoastwhoseaspectseemsnotofthepresent，butoftheimmemorialpast——ofthatepochwhenlowflatreachesofprimordialcontinentfirstroseintoformaboveaSilurianSea。Toindulgethisgeologicdream，anyfervidandbreezelessdaythere，itisonlynecessarytoignoretheevolutionalprotestsofafewblueastersorafewcompositeflowersofthecoryopsissort，whichcontrivetodisplaytheirrareflashesofcolorthroughthegeneralwavingofcat—heads，blood—weeds，wildcane，andmarshgrasses。For，atahastyglance，thegeneralappearanceofthismarshverdureisvagueenough，asitrangesawaytowardsthesand，toconveytheideaofamphibiousvegetation，——aprimitivefloraasyetundecidedwhethertoretainmarinehabitsandforms，ortoassumeterrestrialones；——andtheoccasionalinspectionofsurprisingshapesmightstrengthenthisfancy。Queerflat—lyingandmany—branchingthings，whichresemblesea—weedsinjuicinessandcolorandconsistency，crackleunderyourfeetfromtimetotime；
themoistandweightyairseemsheatedratherfrombelowthanfromabove，——lessbythesunthanbytheradiationofacoolingworld；andthemistsofmorningoreveningappeartosimulatethevaporyexhalationofvolcanicforces，——latent，butonlydozing，anduncomfortablyclosetothesurface。Andindeedgeologistshaveactuallyaverredthatthoserareelevationsofthesoil，——which，withtheirheavycoronetsofevergreenfoliage，notonlylooklikeislands，butaresocalledintheFrenchnomenclatureofthecoast，——havebeenprominencescreatedbyancientmudvolcanoes。
ThefamilyofaSpanishfisherman，FeliuViosca，onceoccupiedandgaveitsnametosuchanislet，quiteclosetotheGulf—shore，——theloftiestbitoflandalongfourteenmilesofjustsuchmarshycoastasIhavespokenof。Landward，itdominatedadesolationthatweariedtheeyetolookat，awildernessofreedysloughs，patchedatintervalswithrangesofbitter—weed，tuftsofelbow—bushes，andbroadreachesofsaw—grass，stretchingawaytoabluish—greenlineofwoodsthatclosedthehorizon，andimperfectlydrainedinthedriestseasonbyaslimylittlebayouthatcontinuallyvomitedfoulwaterintothesea。Thepointhadbeenmuchdiscussedbygeologists；itprovedagodsendtoUnitedStatessurveyorswearyofattemptingtotakeobservationsamongquagmires，moccasins，andarborescentweedsfromfifteentotwentyfeethigh。Savagefishermen，atsomeunrecordedtime，hadheapedupontheeminenceahillofclam—shells，——refuseofamillionfeasts；earthagainhadbeenformedoverthese，perhapsbytheblindagencyofwormsworkingthroughcenturiesunnumbered；andthenewsoilhadgivenbirthtoaluxuriantvegetation。Millennialoaksinterknottedtheirrootsbelowitssurface，andvouchsafedprotectiontomanyafrailergrowthofshrubortree，——wildorange，water—willow，palmetto，locust，pomegranate，andmanytrailingtendrilledthings，bothgreenandgray。Then，——perhapsabouthalfacenturyago，——afewwhitefishermenclearedaplaceforthemselvesinthisgrove，andbuiltafewpalmettocottages，withboat—housesandawharf，facingthebayou。Lateronthistemporaryfishingstationbecameapermanentsettlement：homesconstructedofheavytimberandplastermixedwiththetrailingmossoftheoaksandcypressestooktheplacesofthefrailandfragranthutsofpalmetto。
Stillthepopulationitselfretainedafloatingcharacter：itebbedandcame，accordingtoseasonandcircumstances，accordingtoluckorlossinthetillingofthesea。Viosca，thefounderofthesettlement，alwaysremained；healwaysmanagedtodowell。
Heownedseveralluggersandsloops，whichwerehiredoutuponexcellentterms；hecouldmakelargeandprofitablecontractswithNewOrleansfish—dealers；andhewasvaguelysuspectedofpossessingmoreoccultresources。Thereweresomeconfusedstoriescurrentabouthishavingoncebeenadaringsmuggler，andhavingonlybeenreformedbythepleadingsofhiswifeCarmen，——alittlebrownwomanwhohadfollowedhimfromBarcelonatosharehisfortunesinthewesternworld。
Onhotdays，whentheshadewasfullofthinsweetscents，theplacehadatropicalcharm，adrowsypeace。NothingexceptthepeculiarappearanceofthelineofoaksfacingtheGulfcouldhaveconveyedtothevisitoranysuggestionofdaysinwhichthetrillingofcricketsandtheflutingofbirdshadceased，ofnightswhenthevoicesofthemarshhadbeenhushedforfear。Inoneenormousranktheveterantreesstoodshouldertoshoulder，butintheattitudeofgiantsovermastered，——forcedbackwardtowardsthemarsh，——madetorecoilbythemightoftheghostlyenemywithwhomtheyhadstrivenathousandyears，——theShrieker，theSky—Sweeper，theawfulSea—Wind!
NeverhadhegiventhemsoterribleawrestleasonthenightofthetenthofAugust，eighteenhundredandfifty—six。AllthewavesoftheexcitedGulfthrongedinasiftosee，andlifteduptheirvoices，andpushed，androared，untilthechenierewasislandedbysuchabillowingasnowhiteman’seyeshadeverlookeduponbefore。Grandlytheoaksborethemselves，buteveryfibreoftheirknottedthewswasstrainedintheunequalcontest，andtwoofthegiantswereoverthrown，upturning，astheyfell，rootscoiledandhugeastheserpent—limbsofTitans。Movedtoitsentrails，alltheislettrembled，whiletheseamagnifieditsmenace，andreachedoutwhitelytotheprostratetrees；buttherestoftheoaksstoodon，andstroveinline，andsavedthehabitationsdefendedbythem