Page 7 - Louisiana Loop (manuscript Edition)

”HOLD ON BROTHER”

the words rang out across the water by a head

and shoulders of someone looking out the
lower hatch as I feebly waved with my black

paddle on one hand and caustic voice
crying out ‘help, help’ from the frigid

waters. My battle against time in the
cold Mississippi waters had reduced me

to clinging to a chair float, hands to

cold to grip. And seeing others to far
away to rescue before I slipped under
from exhaustion and cold. The last

chance to live was the last parked barge

with a towboat attached. I was played
out when the man in the hatch said,

“Hold On Brother”