Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-03-06

tOh hapless our fate was, each one and all,
For we were wrecked on the Canal"
w Is Old Ballad
On an evening in the month of july,
1886, i embarked at Lockport, in com
pany with some fourteen passengers, Jon
board an Erie Canal packet, destined
for Rochester. It wal be remembered
that this was during the great migration
period, when all pursuits had represen-
tatives on our travelling routes. Our
party was no saoner aboard than the
"bold Captain" gave the word, the
horses were got 'sunder weigh" the
feathers set, and all hands called to
pick out their shelf six-foot-by-one
convenience, suspended by cords-u-
pom which they slowed away passen-
gers for the night. Babel never heard
a greater confusion oftongues than this
cali set wagging. But above them
all was heard the silver tone of travel
ling exquisite, piping out
81 a-w am first, Cap'en, really,-I
claim pwrior choice-I do, demd if |
don't.''
Happening to be first on the regis
ter, it was accorded, and the Captain
suggested locker berth, as the most
comfortable.
"No, no!-dem-beg you-a paw
den, Cap'en," shouted the exquisite,
some gwos, fat individual, might get
up on the upa self and bweak down,
II should be mangled howibly."
"Be jabers, I'd like to hev the squa-
zin' of him, mesilf," said hurley Irish
man.
"The y'd better spill little smellin'
staff on the peaky animal, or he'llspile
before mornin'," chimed in Yankee.
After sundry remarks, at the exqui-
sites expense, and considerable con-
fusion, all were duly ticketed for the
night, and commenced piling them
selves away like pledges in pawnbro-
ker's shop. Jonathan and the Irish
man carelessly spread themselves upon
a couple Of long canebottomed settees,
which occupied the centre of the cab
in, and, in very brief space of time,
the company hushed into silence, save
an occasional short blessing bestowed
upon the short berths. When all APP
pearedto have dropped into forgetful-
ness, the head ola way passenger was
thrust into the cabin entrance, with the
en- quiry-
els there any berths here,"
ure,this is the gintleme MS cabin"
answered the Irishman. -
"W ell, want to know if there's a.
ny berths here?" reiterated the enqui-
rer. i
"Divil chance for wan here" was
the response; "don't ton ye this is
the gantlemen's cabin"
This conversation partly aroused the
sleepers, who inquired of the Emeralder
what was the row?
"Some botherin' docthur," was
the sleepily muttered reply.
All soon again relapsed into quiet;
began to answer snore,in high
and boastful bloving," and l turned
my back to the lamp for the purpose Of
making somnolent effort individually.
After tossing and turning for some time
| found that the plentiful supper taken
at Lockport had entered veto against
sleep for me, and every effort failed to
accomplish more than drowsy lethar
gy; which still left the senses partially
awake. A strange humping noise al
ded to keep me in this state, and | was
labo-ing to assign cause for the sound,
when a voice distinctly cried out
"1t's no use a pumpin', Captin' ,and
acon'9 She may sink and be deyn'd!"
The concluding part of this remark
started my senses into activity, and ,af-
ter an effort, turned round on my foot
wide couch, and took a survey of my
sleeping partners," to observe how
the voice had effected them; but not a
muscle moved-all were chorussing,
beautifully, the lays of dream-fand.0
The certainty OF our Sinking, and be
dern'd,'' was soon apparent, for the
light OF the lamp, suspended from the
ceiling Of the cabin, soon began to be
reflected, from the hoor-the waters
were quietly stealing upon the uncon-
scious sleepers. My first impulse was
TO sound the alarm, but, fortunately, !
possessing a'top shelf, "and conscious
that we could sink but few feet, | |
held my peace until the water should
increase its depth, being sure Of fun
when | gave the signal.
Apalr OF boots now commenced ve-
ny fair torscard-tvo 10 boot-jack that
was busily engaged executing chossez
before nodding hat,--stockiDgs were
wiggling about, as if pleased with the
fun, ant, IN a few minutes more, all !