The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-09-07

silvery moonlight and the countless star.
that hitherto had twinkled in the placid
sky. The wind, too, had risen, and came
sweeping down from the northward in
fierce and sudden gusts, dismal to the ear
and lashing into fury the waters of the
mighty stream.
1t was at this moment that the start.
ling cry of Fire fire the steamers on
tlre !" rang out through the darkness from
the pallid lips of sailor who was about
descending into the hold. The Young sea.
man, who still remained upon the hurri.
cane deck, thus suddenly rousetl from his
waking dreams, leaped instantly to his
feet and rushed forward, from whence the
thrilling cry had proceeded. His eye took
in the horrible truth in an instant. The
hold, in which was several bales of cotton,
was thoroughly on fire, and tie greedy
flames were already tapping their forkeJ
tongues around the hatchway. Owing to
the combustible materials everywhere
ready TO feed it, the flames mounted with
Inconceivable rapidity. and before sufiici-
ent help could toe organized to cxtinguish
the fire, the whole forward part of the
boat was one sheet Of fame, and that fast
driven aft 10y the wind, against which the
steamer was rapidly moving.
Tie utter impracticability Of attempting
to arrest the progress of the flames at once
presented itself, and the captain gave or
dcrs to the pilot to beach the vessel with
out delay. 1t was a dangerous proceed
ing, AS the river was full of snagS, against
which the boat was anv moment liable to
run, owing to the intense darkness, that
made 1t seem like second Styx, and
which prevented the hclmsman from guild
ing her in safe channel. His order.
nevertheless, was at once obeyed, and the
huge mass of flame went tearing through
the inky blackness like some mighty fire
demon bent on an errand of death For
few minutes the boat glided on without
obstruction, and the throng of passengers
clustered aft INDUCED in the hope that she
would be able TO reach the shore before
the flames communicated to that part of
the vessel. Vain hope mot half of her
tire.lit passage had been completed, when
rs had been feared, she struck with fear
fnl force concealed snag, staving a large
hole in her bottom, through which the wa
ter rushed with an appalling SC und. A
wild cry Of agony arose from the deck at
this terrible discovery. Shricks and groans,
prayers and curses, rose alternately TO
heaven. The only hope left was the boats,
which had been lowered away the mo-
ment she struck but not more than half
of the passengers could be accommodated,
l,ot e Il
The horrid fate Of death by fire or water
was inevitable. Every boat was instantly
filled, yet large number still remained.
The fire was gaining rapidly, and the hur-
ricane deck was beginning to be almost
insutferablc from the intense heat. Wives
and children clung with frantic cries to
husbands and fathers, besceching them, in
agonizing tones, to do that which they,
alas had no power to do-to save them
At the extreme end Of the boat stood
Gen. Stanley and his daughter. 1t was
fearful to see the workings of that old
mans face, convulscd with anguish intol-
cradle at the fate that apparently awaited
lis child.
"Great God!" he almost shrieked, 'this
Is horrible! Will no one save her-my
darling child"
A manly anil athletic form sprang
through the crowd to his side, and the
words, 81 will save her or perish ~ fel!
upon his ear like sweetest music, from the
lips of the young sailor.
Lady, will You trust yourself to my
guidance in this hour Of peril will do
all that man can do to preserve your life ~
exclaimed the youth.
Think not Of me, kind sir, but oh save
my father, and my last prayer shall ascend
TO Heaven for you p
His breast swelled with feelings of ad-
miration at the generous heroism Of the
noble girl, and he would have given worlds
to have exchanged places with her father,
and clasped her peerless form to his own
manly breast.
"Fear not for your father, lady-he, too,
shall escape this horrid death !" and undo
ing from his waist life.preserver, he
bound it about tho old mans form, saving,
"therc, sir, that will sustain you in the
water until assistance reaches YOU from
the shore: but we must hasten" he ad-
ded, "to the lower deck, where we can
easily swing off into the river"
The flames had nearly enveloped the
whole vessel, and we're driving the terror.
stricken passengers over the sides into the
water, where, with wild, unearthly screams
for help echoing through the gloon, they
sank forever beneath the dark and turbid
waves.
Quickly fastening rope lying near, to
the steamers aide, the young seaman pre-
pared To descend with his lovely burden,
which he had sworn to save, or die in the
attempt. Mr.. Stanley pressed his child 70
his bosom, and imprinted upon her pure
brow, it might be, he thought last kiss;
then turning to the youth, he said
"Noble youth, 4, God and your skill and
bravery entrust all that / hold dear on
earth !" and without farther words he bold.
ly swung off into the stream. A scream
Of terror issned from the maiden's lips az
she heard the plash Of her fathers body,
but the Young man babe her nott TO fear, a.
u was impossible for him TO sink with the
ihs-prsssver around him.