Litchfield enquirer., 1830-04-15

matter would pass over without touching 1 me-. s H@
 The general cry of boiler has burst''
 resounded from one end of the table to the other, and, as if by simultaneous move-
 ment all started on their feet. Then cons menced general race to tho ladies' cabin, which lay more towards the stern of the boat. All regard to order or difference of sex seemed to be lost in the struggle for which could be first and furthest removed ] from the dreadful boilers. The danger had already passed away! I remained standing by the chair on which had been previ- ously sitting. Only one person or two staid in the cabin with me. As yet not more than half minute had elapsed since the explosion but, in that brief space how had the scene changed In that "d drop of flme' what confusion, distress, and dismay !! An instant before, and all were in the qui- ct repose of security-another, and they were overwhelmed with alarm and conster- nation. It is but justice to say that in this scene of terror the ladies exhibited de- gree of firmness worthy of all praise. No screaming, no fainting :; their fears, when uttered, were for their husbands and chil- dren, not for themselves.
 advanced from my position to one of the cabin doors for the purpose of inquir- ing who were injured, when, just as rea- ched it, man entered at the opposite one, both his hands covering his face, and ex- claiming" "Oh God, oh God, am lost I am ruined! !' He immediately began to tear off his clothes. When stripped he present. ed most shocking and affecting spectacle: his face was entirely black-his body with- ont particle of skin. He had been fay ed alive. He gave ne his name and place of abode--then sunk in state of exhaus- ton and agony on the floor. assisted in placing him in niattrass taken from one of the births. aud covered him with blan- kets. He complained of heat and cold as at once expressing him. He bore his tor ments with manly fortitdde, yet con- vulsive shriek would occasionally burst from him. His wife, his children, were his constant theme: it was hard to die without seeing them-"i it was hard to go> without bidding them farewell" Oil and cotton were applied to his wounds, but he soon became insensible to earthly misery. Be- fore I had done attending him, the whole floor of the cabin was covered with unfor- tanate sufferers. Some bore up under the horrors of their situation with degree of resolution amounting to heroism. Others were wholly overcome by the sense of pain, the suddenness of the fatal disaster, and the near approach death, which to them was evident-whose bangs they already felt. Some implored us, as an act of hu- maDity, to complete the work of destruc- ton, and free them from present suffering. One entreated the presence of a clergy- man to pray for him, declaring he was not fit to die. Iinquired, none could be had. On every side were to be heard groans and mingled exclamations of grief and despair.
 To add to the confusion, persons were every moment running about to learn the fate of their friends and relatives, fathers, sons, brothers for, in this scene of un- mixed calamity, it was impossible to say who were saved or who had perished. The countenances of many were so much dis- figured as to be past recognition. My att tention, after some time, was particularly drawn towards poor fellow who lay un- noticed on the floor, without uttering a single word of Complaint He was at lit- tie distance removed from the rest. He was not much scalded, but one of his thighs was broken, and principal artery had been severed, from which the blood was gushing rapidly. He betrayed no -displeas- ure at the apparent neglect with which he was treatsd--he was perfectly calm. I spoke to him, he said che was very weak. but felt himself going, it would soon be over." A gentleman ran for one of the physicians, he came, and declared that if expedition were used, he might be preser- we'd by amputating the limb, but that to ef- feet this, it would be necessary to remove him from the boat. Unfortunately the boat was not sufficiently near to run a plank ashore.-We were obliged to wait until it could be close hauled. stood by him calling for help; we placed him on n,attrass, and bore him to the guards; there we were detained some time from the cause I have mentioned. Never did any thing appear to me so slow as the movements ofthose engaged in hauling the boat. s
 knew, and he knew, that delay was dealh---that life was fast ebbing. I could not take my gaze from his face--there all was coolness and resignation. No word or gesture indicative of impatience escaped him. He perceived by my loud. and per | IAFGN @ fl