The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-06-15
From the Utica Observer.
A Noble and true-hearted lrishman.

The name Of William G. Bennett, the naval
engineer who was net by Lieutenant Strain on
the Isthmus of Darien, should be widely pab-
lished aud universally cherished by all who
respect the highest qualities of generosity and
humanity. Mr.. Headly has, in several NUM-
bers of Harpers Magazine, given the reading
public an idea Of the awful suflerings Of thr
gallant men who were engaged in the Darien
exploring expedition-many OF whom perishpd
by absolute starvation. To the almost superhu-
man energy OF The officer in command-Lieuten-
ant Strains to be attributed the safety OF those
who survived. When Strain had at length
i0uud ms way through to the settlements, be-
fortunately encountered MIR. Bennett, stall,
wtll-tormed manly. noble IriShman." Strain,
SAYS the account, was reduced by long starya-
ton from one hundred and lorty-6ye pounds in
weight to Sere7fy-fIDe, covered with sores, aud
clad in such habilments as the negro Acalde
could furnish him; looking like bpggar, he APP
preached the table where Bennett was engaged
with his drawings. As Strain drew near, Mf.
Bennett accoSted him rather Strrnlv, saving.
''Well sir, what do You want 90 The former
replied, Il am Lieutenant STRAIN, Commander
Of the Unitrd States Darien exploring rxpedi-
ton" ".Ag 60dr' exclaimed the warm-heart-
ed man as he caught him in his arms, and
pressed hn to his bosom, while the tears rolled
down his cheeks; "Ah - said hp, ssye had given
YOU up long ago as lost" He ordered dinner
at once told Strain be must remain there and
recruit, while hr himself though then lame,
would 90 back for his comrades. This Strain
declined. He then supplied him with provis-
IONS, brought out nearly all the clothing he had,
forced on Strain his poncho, turned his medicine
chest and his pockets inside out, saying, ''Take
these to the poor men,"
This was al 2 O'Clock in the afternoon, and at
>, p. M, Strain was on his way back TO the
rescue Bennett remained to meet the VirGgo,
a British war vessel, which Was soon expected.
As soon as her guns were heard he hurried on
hoard, and by his earnest representations hurried
forward with Lieutenant Forsyth and a compa-
ny who had been sent TO Strains assstance-
Having Joined Strain al YaviSa, the party pushed
forward TO succor the perishing. The difficult
ties encountered where so great that when it
was ionnd that the exploring company bad
t0rned back towards the Atlantic, Strain had
reason to expect that his companions would give
out and refuse 10 advance. No one could tell
how far the party might be, and the search m
volved the same dangers from which Strain had
barely escaped with his life Bennett knew
the danger, and spoke of the anticipated crisis
Of revolt, advising Strain to try and accuStom
his swollen feet to the use of boot, say ing,
ssYou kaolC when all sh0H turn bgcif goU mil
I must shouider o,ir haUersackS and iaIse TO the
,coods alone, till ,ce fad your mem This nozzle
self-devotion, says Headly, Of stranger and a
foreigner-this grand high purpose to cast has
lot 10 with the distressed commander, and save
his party, or perish with them-reveals onr Of
those lofty, elevated characters which she'd It's
ire on the race.
The natives gave out the next day, and Strain
was compelled to draw his revolver and threat
en- their lives, to compel them to proceed
Two days after they fortunately overlook the
rer5sai#s OF the party, five of whom had per
i8brd
We have never read Of a more thrilling scene
than that Of this rpScue-iour or five of the par
ty only were able to keep their feet and meet
their commander on the shore. Several died
afterwards from the effect Of their priyations
The whole party We're reduced 10 mere skeletons
there they lay, lacerated, liberated, frames Of
uep, half covered with rags. Some We're so
changed, from emaciaion, that Strain himself
could not recognise them as they were stretched
upon the ground. unable 10 get up. As Ben
nett. the noble Irishman. Jumped ashore. and
saw th4 hidpo0s spectacle Of Scared and almos.
naked skeletons. he seized each one nv the hand.
while etears poured like rain down his cheeks.
!, ~ IFa"er :" ~ pr s'su . 'ls9. "a. '"'s no
ne s'ai'se, Ie0rt.[ N SFt,a''.e 'I''s' ''
- '''s INNS -
~ us u' o''o'' "''u us
Mn. WISE IN WAsHiNcTov-BAp PoLrcY
ron rnr -NorHINcs. -Wr. Wise. resting
in Washington from his recent extraordinary