The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-06
MISCELLAN EOUS.
From the Missouri Neps.
MONTRAVILLE
on, BRAVERY REWARDED.

MON lNAplLLE
on, BRAVERY REWARDED.
II was on beautiful, calm day in October,
that Montraville, having completed his studies
at the Military Academy, and taken last
farewell Of his youthful companions, stepped
on board the steamboat Gazelle, Capt. Scald,
then raising her steam to start for the West.
After the first pangs at parting with his class
mates and acquaintance, with all of whom
he was a great favorite, had subsidized, his
thoughts were turned on home. None but
those who have experienced the hard fate Of
being torn away from home, from the friends
and associates of early youth, and forced 10
abide with strangers, can form any idea OF the
feelings Of Montrayille, when he found HIM
self once more on the stream which would
soon bear him to the paternal fresIde.
As there are one or two other passengers
on board the Gazelle, who will bear conspi-
cuous part in our story, we think it proper in
this place to bring them forward, and intro
duce them to the reader. With an effort Of
fancy, observe that graceful female, gazing
forth from the cabin window-how beautifully
her sparkling black eyes, and raven ringlets,
contrast with her neck Of snowy Wilderness.
IT'S Janetta McCrea, the heroine of my tale.
Alone, pacing the deck with the captain, is
her father, wealthy merchant of one of our
western cities. The boat has now disappear
ed in the bend of the river, so that can in
troduce no more but these being sufficient
for my purpose, we will let it "go ahead"
1t was on the second day of their journey,
when about passing town on the right bank
of the river, they were overtaken by the
packet Reindeer, Capt. Burster. Capt. Scald,
naturally proud and Incorporating man,
and entirely regardless of tie many lives en-
trusted 10 his care, ordered the fires mended.
The timbers OF the boat trembIed from bow to
stern--every thing on land appeared in mo-
ton--she split the waters asunder, and left
her competitor far in the rear. Capt. Burster,
equally jealous as the other, and chagrined to
see his boat so badly beaten, rousted her
fires" and raised the steam to the highest
pitch, by pitching pitch into his furnace. Swift
as lightning she bounded past the Gazelle, re-
versing the advantage, which the latter had,
a few minutes previously, gained This was
too bad. Capt Scald could not stand it. He
raved like mad mamie cursed his fremen
cursed his boat, and swore he'd beat her or
burst boiler. The passengers reasoned with
him in vain.
!" Let that boat beat me-" he observed,
and, in future, may run the river empty.
Never, gentlemen, shall the little Gazelle sur
render the claim Of superior velocity to any
boat propelled by steam. Demme, gentlemen,
but I'd rather see her timbers scattered to the
four winds Of heaven, and the passengers
floating about like sun-perch, than stand this"
Then turning suddenly round, and uttering a
profuson Of horrid oalhs against the firemen,
ordered them to heave in a quantity Of pitch
that was near at hand.
The struggle now was terrible-it seemed
that heaven and earth had come together.
The hills shook to their foundation. But it
was all in vain; the Reindeer still kept the
lead Captain Scald, rendered desperate by
disappointment, emptied another barrel of
pitch upon the fires--a minute more, and he
would have passed her; but, alas we know
not one minute what another may bring forth.
At this instant, a noise, terrible as if all the
artillery OF heaven had burst at once, saluted
the ears OF the already terrified passengers.
Another moment, and they, who had been
exulting in the hope Of soon meeting their
kindred and friends, were now seen flying in
the air, some dead, some dying, and others
who had received no injury by the explosion,
sunk beneath the waves, to rise no more.
The Reindeer, having slackcned her pace,
sent back her yawI, to rescue the few remain
ing individuals that had survived the horrible
catastrophe. They were about to abandon
their search as vain, when they heard the cry,
"Help! help" On looking round, they saw
a man struggling in the waves-in an instant
he was drawn into the yawl 1t proved 10 be
Mr.. Nc Crea, the gentleman we introduced to
our readers at the commencement of the
journey.
As they turned to 90 back to the boat, one
of the hands deserted something at distance
resembling human figure on the water.
They piled their oars quickly, and, on APP
preaching, perceived it was a man, support
ing female with one hand, and struggling
against the watery element with the other
When they had drawn them on board, Mr.
McCrea, whose whole thoughts had hitherto
been absorbed by his daughter, whom he sup.
posed to have shared the general fate, or
mention of female, awoke from his dream
He gazed wildly, for a moment,- at the form
before him.
Gracious heaven - he at length exclaim
cd, 1T is her!-it is my daughter my owr
Janctta y
In a moment, she was IN his rms. Ate
n lnno silence Mr. McIraa nj lanoth burs