“THE WRECKER’S REPENTANCE.”

Western Star, Issue 2152, 30 October 1897, Page 6

“THE WRECKER’S REPENTANCE.”

i About seven miles from Rochelle is a miserable little suburb called “ Laleu.” There are bat few fishermen there, for the coast, which is difficult and inhospitable, is bordered by immense rocks, behind which frown treacherous and overhanging cliffs. One morning sunrise found my friend and I making the best of our way along the beach, our guns on our backs, and our knapsacks swinging by our sides. After about five hours’ march we came to a halt just near a light-house called “ The Repentance.” It was about the most dreary spot of all this barren coast. “At last,” said T ,“ I see some smoke that must be from the coast-guard’s hut; and, as I expect you are about as ravenous as I, we will descend upon him, and see what he can let us have for breakfast.” We clambered down to the little house, and were very soon eating a sumptuous meal of ham and oysters, while our host regaled us with tales of the coast. “ Before they built the two lighthouses,” slid he, “ you could have seen on top of yonder cliff a stake planted in the ground holding an enormous lantern. An old man, Kernan by name, passed his time in looking after it, and so fond of it was he that his love for it was a bv-word amongst the people. It was always as bright as work could make it, and when the sky was black and waves mountains high dashed over the rooks many a sailor had only Kernan’s lamp to thank for being spared from a watery grate. But the lantern bad many enefflies_the wreckers all along the coast vowed vengeance when on stormy nights the vessels worried safely past, bearing from their clutches who knows what treasures. Times out of number they had done their best to hurl it to the ground, but stern old Kernan had sworn to put t bullet through the first who should succeed. Amongst others who thought themselves injured Dy the lamp was an old woman whom they called ‘La Monette.’ Surely she should have been the last to join the wreckers, for she had a son at sea, Jacques, whom everyone loved for his open heart and generosity. “ The weather h»d been unusually fine all the season ; so fine, in fact, that some of the men had had to take to working in the fields, for nothing was to be gained on the shore. La Vlonetto cursed from morn till night, and often -lid she shake her fist at the ‘ evil lantern, vhich, she said, would ruin all the poor. Soon, However, the weather changed and gales set in. Then the giant waves rushed in and dashed hemselves in fury against the towering cliffs, the wind howled and moaned, and above it all, aeyond it all, the guns boomed out at sea. Old Father Kernan tilled his lamp, and when ‘he welcome light shed its rays around toddled off to bed with a muttered prayer for those in danger on the deep. “La Monette had watched him,and when her hance was at hand she climbed the rocks, and >fter throwing many stones she managed to weak the glass in one side of the lantern. The rain beat in upon the flickering light, and a sudden gust of wind put it out. At sea the cannon boomed, and when old Kernan came at daybreak to look at his light he slipped from the sock and was killed on the spot.

<• La Monette ran to the beach ; it was strewn with debris. She tore open packets and dragged in the floating barrels ; but there were bodies, too. She ran from one to the other, tearing the '"rings off their poor, dead fingers, turning their pockets inside out and taking all that was of any value. Suddenly she halted over a body, felt the heart to see if it were beating, and at last Fell on her knees on the shingle weeping and moaning in desprir. She had found her son her dear Jacques. Half-carrying, half-dragging, sbe got the body to her hut, where she wrapped it in the warmest rugs and called to it by the dearest names. But it was too late. “ She never left the little bouse again. Some kind souls brought her food and the Cure came to see her, but nought could stay her tears and prayers or sorrow till one day they found her sitting where she always sat—but dead ! “And now they’ve built a lighthouse where old Kernan’s lantern stood, and that is why ‘hey call it “ The Repentance.’ ”