The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-05
INCIDENTS IN A DAYS EXCURSION.

end steamer and found considerable amusement in
watching the various characters. Two persons in
particular attracted my notice: one was middle
aged gentleman, stout rather surly, taciturn, who
paid no attention to any living being on board, ex-
cept huge Newfoundland dog, that was painting
or lolling out his tongue, roaming among the pas
sengers, showing them out of his way, frighten-
ing children, by suddenly covering their faces with
one lick of his great tongue, and convincing ner-
vous ladies that he was going mad, by the vigOr
with which he stuck out his legs while rolling upon
the deck. His master eyed these pranks with sly
smile, and seemed quietly TO enjoy the terror
stoned by the antics of his bhrly friend The other
person whom especially noticed was very pretty
and well-dressed lady. Young lady, she would no
doubt have been called but that she had with her
little girl, about seven years old, who called her
mamma. She was evidently possessed of nerves !;
indeed, she seemed to be possessed by them, and
their name was legion. Endless were the petty
annoyances in which they involved her. But her
by the unwieldy gambols of Lion, the Newfound-
land dog and her incessant and puerile exclama-
tons of terror, Indignation and spite against the
goodnatured brute, kept up the sly, malicious smile
upon the lips of his apparently unnoticng master.
The little girl on the contrary had to the increased
alarm of the weak mother, made friends with the
monster, and for long time amused herself by
throwing bits of biscuit for him to catch, which
feat, notwithstanding the ncorrectness of her aim,
he managed to accomplish, by making boiserous
plunge to one side or the other; and when at last
she timdy offered him piece out of her hand
and he acknowledged the compliment by licking
her face and rubbing his side against her, until he
almost pushed her down, the little creature fairly
screaming with delight. Her mother screamed,
too, but in one of the small, hysterical screams in
which she was fond of induging, and was followed
by an outburst of anger at Lions audacity.
''Good gracious!" she exclaimed, if that hor-
rid creature should be mad, he'll have killed my
child! How dirty he is, too. Look al your
peiisse, Adelne see what state II Is IN How
dare you play with that animal!''
This transition from hydrophobia to a soiled dress
was too much for Lion S master, and he burst into
long and loud laugh.
81 wish, SIR said the lady, snappishly, g that
you would call away that nasty dog, instead of
setting him on to annoy everybody who Is not
accustomed to have such dirty animals about them !"
The gentleman said nothing, but bowed and
walked forward and soon after saw him enjoy
ing cigar, while Lion played the agreeable, in
his own rough fashion, to people who knew how to
read the expression of his honest and intelligent
physognomy.
Little AdeIine deprived of the attraction which
had fixed her attention to the inside of the boat,
began to amusement in watching the foamlng
water as it rushed from the paddle wheels, and
danced in long lines behind them. She knelt on
shawl which fellow passenger had lent as a
cushion for her little knees, and leaned quietly
over the side, watching the roaring water; so her
musketo- winged vexations which had hitherto
beset her.
We were within few miles of Gravesend. The
tide just at the full, and the broad expanse of
the river lay around in all its majesty and TO
those who have never beheld the Hudson the
Mississippi, old Father Thames is majestic av,
and if we place in the balance the historic, political
and commercial importance of the transactions of
which his broad breast is and has been he high
way, our time honored' river will not lose in dig
nifty even when compared with those giant floods
of the West.
Such thoughts as these, however, did not trouble
Adeline's pretty head, which began, could see, to
grow giddy with the continual whirl beneath her.
large sea- weed that was dashed from the paddle
wheel caught her attention. 1t sank, then rose,
turned around in short eddy, and then darted out
in the long wake that was left behind the steamer.
She leaned forward to watch its progress farther
sl-her neck was stretched-she lost her balance
and toppled into the roaring flood. In a
moment all was confusion aboard. Men were
shouting for ropes and boats, TO stop the steamer
cries of child overheard - who can swim -
and a thousand other cries and questionings but
above all, were the poor mothers ieart-rending
shrieks, too painfully in earnest now; and she
alone, in the fond, instructive devotion of maternal
love- that even should she reach her child she could
only sink with her, endeavoring to leap into the
wafer TO save her.
Suddenly Lion, followed closely by his master
to The right and left like nne-pins They sprane
into the boat that hung the stern, every body Civ
ing way before the determind energy of both mar
and dog. Lion looked anxiously in his master.
face, and uttered a sharp, low bark.
"Wait," said the latter in reply; where wa
she seen last :"
There, SIR, replied sailor promptly; there
beside that piece of plank.
g How often has she risen {"
"Twice."
The gentleman drew a long breath, and said II
his dog in low tone, 6 Look out ~
And Lion did look out, with wild, flashing eyes
and limbs that trembed with anxiety. What mo
mert that was Every one else was passive ever
other attempt was laid aside, and all stood in NUT
expectation those who We're near enough watch
ing the third rising of the poor child and those VIII
could not see the water keeping their eyes fxet
upon Lion.
In another Instant cry was raised, as golden
tressed head was seen TO emerge from the water
The noble dog had seen her first, though, and err
the warning cry reached his ears he had dashed
from the boat with wonderful rapidty, and wa
| swimming toward the little sufferer as though h
| knew that life and death depended on his efforts
His master marked his progress anxIousiy His
face was pale as death, and it was only by rlgdy
| COMPRISING them that he could control the ner
| vous quvering of his lips
| sHe has her.'' he exclaimed, as Lion rose to TIN
surface after a long dive, holding the little Aden
| face was out of water. 3" He has her, and she j
| saved -
Down vert the steps, and on them stood cou
pie of active Sailors encourag ing the brave dog by
shouts and gestures, and ready TO receive his pre-
| cious burden when he should approach them.
| Slowly he came on, wistfully cycling the steps
and now and then looking up at his master, win
was leaning over the side, encouraging him witt
| his well-knOwn voice.
Here you are - cried the sailors, seizing thu
little girl. She was handed from one 10 another
and at last deposited in the of an active look
| ing gentleman, whom every one seemed instlnc
lively to recognize as a surgeon, and by him car
ried below.
Now, come up, that's a brave fellow" sal
the sailor, retreating TO make way for Lion
climb the steps. But the poor creature whine
pieously, and after one two frutless attempts
raise himself out of the wafer he remained quit
passive.
Help him-help him He is exhaustedn' erie
his masier-fghtng his way through the crowd, I
90 to the rescue of his favorite. By the time, how
ever he had reached the top of the ladder, the sal