Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-06-22
Lieut. BealI---A Noble Act.

Lieut.. Beall, U. g. Navy is well known TO the
country, having particularly distinguished him
self, on several different occasions as bearer
OF important dispatches to and from California,
both through the heart of Mexico, during the
war, and across the prairies and Rocky Noun
tains, forcing his way with equal spirit through
civilized and savage enemies. As a gallant naval
officer and intrepid traveller, with the courage to
face and the energy to overcome every difficulty
and peril, we can well believe he has no superb
or; but we have recently heard an anecdote
told of him. being the account of circumstance
which happened on the last journey to Califor-
mia, from which he has only so lately returned,
which, while 1t illustrates the dangers of the
road, proves that there Is another quality in him
higher than mere resolution and bravcry,--a
humane and generous disposition, which gives to
those virtues the character of heroism. II was,
we believe, in the ella country, that Lieut.. Beall
having encamped his party and placed it in safety,
vent out hunting lie set out alone, on favor
lite saddle mare, which was generally kept up or
spared for such occasions. About six miles from
the camp he had the good fortune to kill deer,
and he was on the ground dressing the carcass,
when, on looking up, he suddenly beheld troop
Of mounted Apaches, who had discovered him
and were dashing furiously towards him. They
had, doubtless, heard the report or seen the
smoke of his rifle, and so were on him before
he was aware but he knew very well that to be
overtaken by them, single white man, among
those naked hills which they called their own,
was certain death; and accordingly, leaving his
quarry and mounting in hot haste, he relied up
on the mettle of his mare, which he put to her
full speed, to carry him back in safety TO the
camp.
Away darted the young Lieutenant, and on
rushed the savages, laundering and yelling in
the certain assurance of their prey. But conf
dent as they were, the fugitive was quite as well
satisfied of his ability TO escape, although their
horses were fresher than the mare, aud 1t was
certain they were gaining slightly upon her, and
would give her n severe contest before reaching
the camp. Thus assured of his safety, but not
relaxing his speed, Lieutenant b. had recovered
half his distance from the camp, when, dashing
over the crest of hill, be was horrified at the
sight of one of his own men, on foot, climbing
the hill, and in fact, following in his trail to as
sist him in the hunt The SIGHT of the Lieuten-
ant flying down the hill at such furious rate,
was, doubtless, enough; perhaps the poor fellow
could hear the whoops Of the Indians ascending
the bill from the opposite side; at all events, he
understood his fate and spreading his arms be-
fore the horses head he cried out, with the ac-
cents of despair, sob, Mr. Beall, save me am
q husband, and tbs father of six helpless chill
dren." Never was prayer more quickly heard
or more heroically answered.
The Lieutenant, though riding for his owr
life, Immediately stopped his mare, dismonnted
and giving her TO the man, said, "You shall b
saved; ride back to the camp, and send then
out to give my body decent burialT And 81
they parted--the footman TO escape, the officer
as be supposed, to be slain for the hill was ut
terly bare, without single hiding place, and b
thought Of nothing but selling his life as dearl,
as possible For this purpose he drew bis re
voiver, and sitting down on the ground, waitei
for the sayages, who In moment came rushing
over the brow of the HILL and then, to the un
speakable amazement Of Lieutenant Beaii, dash
ed past him down the descent like madmen, no
soul of them paying the least regard to him
not soul, in fact, seeing him. They saw, i
reality, nothing but the horse and horsema
they had been pursuing for three miles; the.
knew nothing Of footman; and perhaps tn
sitting figure of the Lieutenant appeared, I
eyes only bent on one attractive object, as
stone, or huge cactus, such as abound on thos
sterile hills. At all events, Lieutenant Beal
by what seemed 10 himself almost Q providentii
interposition in his behalf remained wholly u
discovered; and in moment more, the Apache
were out Of sight, still pursuing the horse an
his rider to the camp. The latter barely sue
ceeted in escaping with his life, the Indian
having oyerhauled him 30 closely, just as
reached the camp, as to be able to infilct one
two slight wounds upon him with bullets,
was not slow to take advantage of his good fol
tune and selecting roundabout course, b
succeeded in reaching the camp just about ii
time the poor fellow whom he had saved an
the other members Of the party were about sail.
ing out to obey his last request, and give h
body decent burial Upon such an act as th
II were superfuous to comment. 1t is an &C
however, which deserves to live in mems reco
leciions like the story of great battle and vi
tory.-Phiadeipkia North american, June 49,