The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-03-16
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 16, 1853,

dark forms were struggling fol existence
amid the battling waves, while despairinc
cries of "Saye me save me ~ rose from
the gurgIing foam and pierced our listen
ing hearts with anguish. Just below orr
prov the battered chimncvs and half
sui merged cabin Of gallant steamer were
/ roc.;ing on the waves mournful wreck.
Her ,;;orgeous chandeliers were still swing
ing IN melancholy mockerv above the wa
ters; her hull had gone swiftly down with
many II perishing mortal.
We stood gazing in spcechless horror
on the fearful drama. Like the writhinr
anaconl la, sinking into apathetic repose
after the demolition of his prey, the CLASSY
river rolled with sinister smiles above its
victims, and settled into calm TRANQUILITY
beneath the cold rays of the pitilcss moon.
Those wild dcspairing cries were hushed
forever.
with hearts awe-strickcn and oppress-
cd by all we had witnessed Simultaneous
~, we turned to enter the cabin But il
al! was now tranquil without, wild ad-
mixture Of pain and griet, of sorrow and
suffering, which no pen could describe,
awaited us within. More than thirty
wretched objects were roaming rcstlcsslv
lp and down our cabin, .wrinrinr their
hands, either in the anguish of mental woe
or the agony of physical suffering. The
helpless passengers of the ilI-fated Swan,
who had been rescued from watcrv
grave, shiverinG in dripping garments,
they stood, bewaiIing a cherished wife or
"A chcrub child sunk beneath the rushing
waves !; or with chilled and Iaccrated
limbs, they mingled howls and curses with
the most piteous and impatient implora-
tons for relief.
lnvoIuntarily, drew my hands across
my brow, to shut out the narrowing spec
tace. How fcrvcntlv did there offer ND
my thanks to Him, who had mercifullv
preserved us from similar fate.
But there was no time for inaction.-
Our own passengers were still paralyzcd
with fear. Everything had transpircd so
rapidly that most were yet under the i'm
preston that we were sinking, nor knew
boat had sustained but very little dam.
age.
Prompt assistance was required for the
unfortunate survivors, and few were in a
| condition to offer it. Alice was the ONLY
lady who seemed to have preserved any
presence of mind. Milman was near her,
agitated, and, for the first time that | had
ever seen him so, deprived Of seIfcontro :;
yet it WAS cvidcn,Iy y not the effect of
fear.
Our captain and officers were, with gen
crons humanity, making every effort to al
IcvIatc the suffering of the unfortunate pas
sengcrs.
There was demand for scissors, to cut
away the lacerated skin and flesh hang
ing III shreds from some unfortunate sut-
ierers arm. Alice sprang to seek the ar
ticle required.
lou set me good example," said
MiIman. 81 have some little skill in sur
gerry myself-and now is the time for its
exertion."
1t was well that he had, for the only
medical character on board was confined
to his state-room by illness, and unable to
afford the least assistance. Miman. how
ever, immediately assumed the command
OF affairs, and, like ruling spirit, infused
somethin- like system into the wild dis
order and confusion reigning around
With perfect self-reliance, lie applied his
| own remedies, dressing their wounds with
the mos careful tenderness, and at length
succeeding, to some extent, in mitigating
the intense anguish Of the sufferers.
Alice, too, stood near, pale, and with
compressed lips, yet energetic and useful
trul "a ministering angel"
1t is only such scenes OF uncommon tri-
al which shadow forth the real lineaments
! of character, rs darkness shows us worlds
OF lights We never saw by day." had
! supposed that Mllman, from constant ex-
posure to the garsh light Of fashionable
society, had become merely u brilliant, but
cold and unimpressible crystallization.
whose induratcd spirit could scarcely
move out Of lis own sphere, to sympathize
very deeply with the sorrrws Of humani-
~ 4; nor had | dreamed of discovering such
strength Of will and powers of Fsef-com-
inand in the character of nv merry little
Alice. But how mistaken OF all our
large complement of passengers, they,
alone, seemed actuated by the teude est
spirit Of compassion, and capable Of rem
dering efficient and valuable aid
Unforiunatek, ,however,w many assis
tance was, Of no avail. During the night,
more than dozen had found relief from
suffering indeath. We made their graves
that morning. but upon the solitary shore;
no band Of mourrers was there,no prayers
were said, no hymns were sung, but a
train Of melancholy Minds swept howling
by, the silyery cotton-woods above were
whispering in sorrowful tones, and the
great High Priest, among the rivers of
earth, cbanted a solemn requiem at their
hasty burial.
., On the same evening my own, place Of
destination was reached After the scenes
] had witnessed, the prospect Of sierra fir
ma" was by no means disagreeable, vet il
was thought linked with the keenest
regret that | was about 70 part with my
fair sun-browed Flofidian friend, in al
probability fosevenss - ~ tso:sssa5 Z
But the boat haalanded, and there was